Merrick Festival Caroling Competition

Student choirs from across South Florida gather beneath the poinsettia tree at 550 Biltmore Way for five nights of holiday music during the annual Merrick Festival Caroling Competition. Running Wednesday, December 2 through Sunday, December 6 in Coral Gables, the event brings together middle and high school ensembles from Miami-Dade and Broward counties, with six choirs scheduled to perform each evening. Founded in 1987, the non-sectarian competition presents seasonal music from a range of traditions while supporting school music programs throughout South Florida. Approximately 30 schools and more than 1,500 students participate, competing for $25,000 in awards, with each school also receiving a performance fee. Over the life of the program, Merrick Festival has contributed more than $650,000 to local music education. The competition concludes with an Awards Show on Tuesday, December 8, when grand-prize winners return to perform. The performances take place on the steps of the 550 Biltmore Way Building, where the event originated alongside the building’s 32-foot poinsettia tree.