000 days 00 hours 00 minutes 00 seconds
A Centennial Celebration: May 16, 2026
Arabian Nights Music Festival:The Magic Returns
Step into a world of imagination, culture, and community as Opa‑locka celebrates 100 years with the return of its iconic Arabian Nights Music Festival
About the Festival
The City of Opa-locka is marking its 100th anniversary and inviting the community, partners, and visitors to join us for the return of the Arabian Nights Music Fest. This one‑day celebration brings together music, culture, and community pride in a way that reflects who Opa‑locka has been – and who it’s becoming.
The festival is designed to be immersive, welcoming, and rooted in the city’s identity. It honors Opa-locka’s cultural heritage while creating space for imagination, creativity, and connection. Guests can expect a mix of global rhythms, local flavors, and shared experiences that highlight the spirit of the city at 100 years.
History - A Century of Storytelling
Opa-locka was founded in 1926 by aviation pioneer Glenn Curtiss, who envisioned a city inspired by the tales of One Thousand and One Nights. That vision shaped the city’s distinctive Moorish Revival architecture – domes, arches, minarets, and ornate details that still define Opa‑locka’s landscape.
The original Arabian Nights Festival was created to celebrate this unique identity and introduce the new city to residents, investors, and visitors. As we reach the centennial milestone, the festival returns with that same purpose: to honor the city’s roots, celebrate its people, and showcase its future.
Festival Highlights
Live music across genres: R&B, Hip Hop, Reggae, Latin, Afrobeats
Artisan marketplace featuring local makers
Global and hometown cuisine
Family‑friendly creativity and storytelling
Evening light experiences
Centennial tributes and legacy moments
Events Zone
Rhythm Realm
The heartbeat of the Arabian Nights Festival. Rhythm Realm brings together the sounds that shape Opa-locka – R&B, Hip Hop, Reggae, Latin, Afrobeats, spoken word, and more. This is where the city’s global rhythms come alive, celebrating the cultural diversity that has defined Opa-locka for 100 years. Expect high‑energy performances, community pride, and a stage that feels like home.
Artisan’s Way
A curated pathway of local makers, artists, and small businesses showcasing the creativity of Opa-locka. From handcrafted goods to cultural art pieces, Artisan’s Way highlights the talent and entrepreneurial spirit of the community. This zone honors the city’s legacy of craftsmanship and provides a platform for artists to shine during the centennial celebration.
The Spice Court
A central hub of global and local cuisine inspired by the flavors that have shaped Opa-locka’s multicultural identity. The Spice Court brings together food vendors, chefs, and culinary storytellers offering dishes that reflect Caribbean, Latin, African, and American traditions. It’s a place to gather and experience the city’s cultural richness through food.
Discovery Den
A family-friendly space designed for creativity, play, and reflection. Discovery Den blends hands-on activities, storytelling, and historical moments to help families explore Opa-locka’s past and imagine its future. This zone invites children and adults to learn, create, and connect through interactive experiences rooted in the city’s 100‑year journey. Discovery Den will also feature commemorative merchandise for purchase to preserve a piece of Opa-locka’s 100th year history.
The Night Garden
An evening activation filled with light, ambiance, and immersive design inspired by the magic of Arabian Nights. As the sun sets, The Night Garden transforms into a glowing, atmospheric space of visual installations that honor Opa-locka’s Moorish Revival heritage. It’s a place to wander, take in the evening’s beauty, take pictures, and experience the festival’s most enchanting moments.
