Press Releases
Wellington International Press Conference Launches 2026 Winter Equestrian Festival!
Wellington International Kicks Off 2026 Winter Equestrian Festival & Adequan® Global Dressage Festival – Now through March 28th
January 12th, 2026
Today, Wellington International hosted an official press conference to kick off the 2026 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) and Adequan® Global Dressage Festival (AGDF), welcoming fans, Olympians, and rising stars ahead of the world’s largest annual equestrian competition. The 13-week season will welcome more than 31,000 competitors from over 50 countries and all 50 U.S. states.
Conference participants included four-time U.S. Olympian and current world No. 7 show jumper Laura Kraut; top hunter athlete Liza Boyd, winner of the 2025 Palm Beach Hunter Spectacular; dressage standout Ben Ebeling, inaugural US Equestrian Open Final champion; Murray Kessler, CEO of Wellington International; and Thomas Baur, Director of Sport for the Adequan® Global Dressage Festival.
Running December 31, 2025, through March 29, 2026, the Winter Equestrian Festival and Adequan® Global Dressage Festival serve as an unofficial training ground for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games, showcasing elite international competition across show jumping, hunter, and dressage disciplines. Wellington International previously hosted more than 35 Paris 2024 Olympians and will again welcome many of the world’s top-ranked riders during the 2026 season.
New highlights for the upcoming season include expanded theme nights during Saturday Night Lights show jumping, the continued growth of Friday Night Stars dressage—where world-class riders and horses perform intricate, dance-like movements set to music—and the return of fan-favorite events. The 17th Annual Great Charity Challenge, taking place January 31, will benefit more than 30 Palm Beach County nonprofits.
More than $1 million in additional prize money will be offered this season, bringing the total to a record $16.55 million, highlighted by the $1,000,000 Rolex U.S. Equestrian Open CSI5 Grand Prix*, a Rolex Series Event, on March 28.
The 2026 Winter Equestrian Festival is expected to generate an economic impact of more than $530 million for Palm Beach County, reinforcing Wellington International’s role as a global equestrian destination and a major driver of tourism and local business.
“The Winter Equestrian Festival and Adequan® Global Dressage Festival attract the very best riders, horses, and trainers from more than 40 countries each season. Nowhere else in the world do you see this level of competition, consistency, and depth across hunter, jumper, and dressage disciplines in one place, for three months straight,” said Murray Kessler, CEO of Wellington International. “Our venue provides world-class equestrian facilities and spectator experiences that are incredible, but beyond the infrastructure, what makes us truly significant is that Wellington International has become central to the international equestrian community. This is where international riders rise in global rankings as well as call home. Young kids start competing here and then become Olympians. Riders train here, sponsors invest here, businesses thrive here, and fans travel from across the globe to witness equestrian sport at its very best. This is where champions are made, and that reputation resonates worldwide.”
CALENDAR HIGHLIGHTS
Saturday Night Lights – Thrilling Competition & Family Fun
Visitors are warmly invited to Wellington International (3500 Equestrian Club Drive, Wellington, FL 33414) from Wednesday through Sunday, with the highlight being Saturday Night Lights, featuring Grand Prix show jumping, delectable food, live entertainment, and premium equestrian action. Families can enjoy live music, face painting and interactive games, pony rides, a friendly petting zoo, magical performances, and stilt walkers.
- Jan. 3: $75,000 Battle of the Sexes presented by LeMieux
- Jan. 10: Country Western Night – $140,000 Palm Beach County Sports Commission CSI3* Grand Prix
- Jan. 17: Family Night – $50,000 Palm Beach Equine Clinic Grand Prix
- Jan. 24: Military & First Responder Appreciation Night – $215,000 NetJets CSI4* Grand Prix
- Jan. 31: Great Charity Challenge sponsored by Fidelity Investments®
- Feb. 7: $500,000 Fidelity Investments® CSI5* Grand Prix
- Feb. 21: $500,000 Modon CSI5* Grand Prix
- Feb. 28: $150,000 Nations Cup CSIO4* presented by Florida Coast Equipment
- Mar. 7: $500,000 Bainbridge Companies CSI5* Grand Prix
- Mar. 14: ABBA Night – $215,000 Horseware Ireland CSI4* Grand Prix
- Mar. 21: Fan Appreciation Night – $150,000 Hermès 1.50m Championship Series Jumper Final
- Mar. 28: $1,000,000 Rolex US Equestrian Open CSI5* Grand Prix, A Rolex Series Event
2026 Friday Night Stars at the Adequan® Global Dressage Festival
Wellington International also welcomes guests to Equestrian Village (13500 South Shore Blvd, Wellington, FL 33414) for Friday Night Stars, where the International Arena comes alive under newly covered general admission seating each week with the Grand Prix Freestyle. Watch world-class riders and their horses perform intricate dressage movements set to music of their choosing—from timeless classics to today’s hottest hits. Under the lights, artistry meets athleticism in an unforgettable showcase of dressage at its highest level.
- Jan. 9: Country Western Night – CDI-W Grand Prix Freestyle presented by IDA Development
- Jan. 23: CDI5* Grand Prix Freestyle presented by 3 Graces Dressage
- Feb. 6: CDI4* Grand Prix Freestyle presented by Coastal Steel Structures
- Feb. 20: Fan Appreciation Night – CDI-W Grand Prix Freestyle presented by Zen Elite Equestrian Center
- Feb. 27: Palm Beach Derby – CDI4* Grand Prix Freestyle presented by Donato Farms
- Mar. 13: ABBA Night – CSI-W Grand Prix Freestyle presented by Lövsta Stuteri
- Mar. 20: Nations Cup Night – CDIO3* Grand Prix Freestyle presented by Modon
Visitor Information
- General Admission: Free
- Gates: 6 PM | Competition: 7 PM (Saturday Night Lights & Friday Night Stars). Competition times may vary after daylight savings, please visit the website for more information.
- Parking: $25 per vehicle at Wellington International; free at Equestrian Village
- VIP Experiences Available
- Learn more: www.wellingtoninternational.com
Press Releases
Palace Pride 2026 Is Turning Ocean Drive Into Miami Beach’s Most Joyful Stage
If there is one place in Miami Beach that knows how to make Pride Month feel larger than life, it is The Palace.
June 6, 2026
This June, the legendary Ocean Drive hotspot is going all in with Palace Pride 2026: Center Stage, Open Arms, a month-long celebration packed with drag, dining, nightlife, community moments, celebrity appearances, and the kind of sidewalk-to-stage energy that has made Palace one of South Florida’s most beloved LGBTQ+ institutions.
For decades, Palace has been more than a restaurant or bar. It is the kind of place where brunch becomes a performance, a walk down Ocean Drive turns into a front-row seat, and visitors quickly understand why Miami Beach does Pride with its own unmistakable rhythm. Locals know it. Tourists find it. And once you have seen a Palace queen command the room, the street, and everyone’s attention in one glittering moment, you get it.
This year’s Pride Month lineup brings that energy into full color.
One of the month’s biggest highlights lands on Tuesday, June 9, when Latrice Royale comes to Palace for a special evening tied to the release of Stop! That! Train!, a new feature film connected to the RuPaul’s Drag Race universe. For fans of drag, pop culture, and campy cinematic chaos, this is one of those nights that feels tailor-made for Palace. Latrice has long been loved for her humor, warmth, presence, and unmistakable star power, making her appearance a major moment in an already packed June calendar.
But Palace Pride 2026 is not built around one night alone. The venue’s signature weekly programming will keep the celebration rolling with favorites like DollHouse Mondays, Spill the Tea Tuesdays, Wayback Wednesdays, Noche Latina Thursdays, Drag Madness Fridays, Drags Gone Wild Saturdays, and A Palace Affair Sundays. In other words, there is no “quiet night” at Palace this month. Every day has its own flavor, its own crowd, and its own reason to show up.
The June programming also reflects the deeper role Palace plays in Miami Beach’s LGBTQ+ community. Alongside the performances and parties, the month will include moments centered on community connection, LGBTQ+ artists and entrepreneurs, local organizations, chosen-family gatherings, Juneteenth celebrations honoring Black queer excellence, Stonewall remembrance, and collaborations with LGBTQ+ businesses.

That balance is part of what makes Palace special. Yes, it is glamorous. Yes, it is loud. Yes, brunch can absolutely turn into a full production. But underneath all the sparkle is something more meaningful: a space where people gather, celebrate, feel seen, and bring their full selves to the table.
Palace is also embracing Miami’s global audience this June with Pride Global Nights, a new initiative designed to welcome international visitors through queen-led programming, multilingual moments, and globally inspired entertainment. With Miami Beach already serving as a magnet for travelers from around the world, Palace is using Pride Month to turn that international energy into a celebration of culture, connection, and community.
And because it would not be Palace without something delicious in hand, guests can also expect expanded food and beverage offerings throughout the month. Think elevated cocktails, new menu items, brunch favorites, seasonal specials, and plenty of reasons to make a reservation that starts as “just one drink” and somehow becomes an entire afternoon.
This June, Palace Pride 2026 is bringing together everything the venue does best: the performances, the cocktails, the community, the camp, the glamour, and the open-arms welcome that has made Palace a Miami Beach landmark.
Whether you are a local, a tourist, a drag superfan, a brunch loyalist, or just someone looking for a Pride Month celebration with real heart, Palace is ready to give you a seat, a show, and probably a reason to stay longer than planned.
For reservations and the full Pride Month calendar, visit The Palace Bar & Restaurant or follow @palacesobe on Instagram.
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Press Releases
Lila Nikole and Platinum FUBU Bring the Amazonia Experience to Miami Swim Week
Miami Swim Week is about to get even more immersive. On Sunday, May 31 at 2:00 PM, designer Lila Nikole will present The Golden Standard: Amazonia Experience at Tequila Town in Miami, debuting a new collaboration with Platinum FUBU during one of fashion’s biggest weekends in South Florida.
May 15, 2026
Inspired by the richness and mystique of the Brazilian rainforest, the presentation moves beyond the traditional runway format and into a cinematic, multi sensory experience where fashion, storytelling, music, and visual artistry come together in one space.
Known for her bold and culture driven design aesthetic, Lila Nikole transforms the venue into what organizers describe as a living narrative filled with character led moments and immersive visual storytelling. The event will also introduce a limited edition Lila Nikole x Platinum FUBU collection, marking a new chapter for both brands.
“This collaboration is incredibly personal for me,” says Lila Nikole. “Growing up in Queens, FUBU was more than a brand, it was a cultural force that shaped my earliest connection to fashion and identity. To now partner with a label that played such a pivotal role in my journey feels truly full circle.”

The collection reimagines Platinum FUBU’s iconic legacy through Lila Nikole’s creative lens, blending the brand’s signature identity with a modern, luxury focused perspective.
The event also coincides with the continued expansion of Platinum FUBU, the designer driven evolution of the iconic label known for its premium materials and fashion forward silhouettes.
Adding to the atmosphere, Miami based cultural partner Miamibloco will feature Bateria Saideira, described as the largest Rio style samba percussion orchestra in the United States. Music throughout the experience will also include sounds by DJ Dinero and DJ Trauma.
Rather than separating guests from the presentation, the experience is intentionally designed to feel intimate and barrier free. Attendees will move throughout the space while engaging directly with the craftsmanship, textures, and details that define both Lila Nikole’s aesthetic and Platinum FUBU’s luxury direction.

Event Details
What: The Golden Standard: Amazonia Experience by Lila Nikole in collaboration with Platinum FUBU
When: Sunday, May 31, 2026 at 2:00 PM
Where: Tequila Town, 4710 NW 37th Ave, Miami, FL 33142
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