The Winter Party, held in late February or first weekend in March, is "the other" big party in Miami, after the White Party which is usually Thanksgiving Weekend in late November. Imagine, thousands of boys in speedos on the beach -- Atlantic Ocean on one side, the late Gianni Versace mansion on the other, blue sky above, and soft sand below. Muy Caliente!

The ticket prices can set you back a bit. I believe it was about $80 last year, which is a bit ridiculous, but the boys pay it, so it can't be that bad. The music is the same circuit fluff you get any where else (screaming divas, techno, tribal beats), but the weekend is usually filled with DJs from all over the world there for that weekend with its many parties around Miami Beach and Miami proper. Some DJs are also in the area for the annual Winter Music Conference typically not long after the Winter Party.

Boys from Fort Lauderdale (40 minutes away) and Tampa (3+ hours away) come down for the festivities, as well as boys from everywhere else, particularly from Washington, NY, Boston, Chicago or Atlanta.

The Winter Party itself is THE party on the beach but there are several venues that offer a lot of options for the entire weekend, particularly the parties at Space or Twilo in downtown Miami (usually about $40-$80 door charge). If you are staying in Miami Beach, you will not need a car [in fact, it is more trouble than you need] but if you are staying in Miami or Fort Lauderdale, you should consider renting, carpooling or prepare for a very expensive taxi ride.

Word of caution: this is the "see and be seen" scene, so make sure you have worked off those holiday pounds or the boys can be unkind.