Food, music, and culture are set to collide in an unprecedented format this autumn as Eater and Billboard announce their first-ever partnership. The collaboration brings forth a brand-new experiential event dubbed “El Pre Party,” designed to serve as the ultimate high-energy pregame for Billboard En Vivo during the height of Latin Music Week. Scheduled to take place on Wednesday, October 21, at the vibrant Wynwood Marketplace, the gathering promises to blend Miami’s cutting-edge culinary scene with top-tier live musical performances, offering attendees a multisensory celebration of Latin culture.
The partnership bridges two massive cultural powerhouses: Billboard, the definitive authority in music charts and industry news, and Eater, the premier digital media brand covering city food scenes and restaurant culture across North America. For its inaugural outing, El Pre Party aims to immerse festival-goers and local food enthusiasts in a curated gastronomic journey before transitioning them directly into the evening’s headline concert experience.
According to organizers, the event will feature a carefully selected lineup of Miami’s hottest restaurants and most exciting culinary talent, handpicked by Eater’s expert editors. Rather than a standard pre-concert gathering, El Pre Party is structured as an immersive culinary showcase where attendees can eat their way through the city’s dynamic food scene. The evening will spotlight exclusive dish drops, innovative chef collaborations, handcrafted cocktails, and a variety of interactive food experiences. Among the culinary highlights will be a special, exclusive dish created in collaboration with retail giant Walmart, adding an unexpected retail-gastronomy crossover to the evening’s menu.
Once guests have sampled the best of what Miami’s kitchens have to offer, the energy will shift seamlessly toward the main stage entertainment. El Pre Party’s programming is designed to keep momentum building throughout the evening, featuring a dynamic lineup of live entertainment including DJ sets, showcase performances from rising and emerging artists, surprise guest appearances, and unique, unannounced moments tailored specifically for the event. This steady escalation of live programming acts as a direct bridge into the night’s main event: the Billboard En Vivo concert series.
Following the culinary pre-party, attendees will have general admission access to the Billboard En Vivo performances. The music lineup for the night is anchored by chart-topping urban music star Jay Wheeler and acclaimed singer-songwriter Zhamira, alongside special guest Conep. Known for their captivating stage presence and influential roles in the contemporary Latin music landscape, the artists are expected to deliver one of the most memorable and can’t-miss performances of the entire Latin Music Week schedule.
The choice of the Wynwood Marketplace as the venue underscores the cultural alignment of the event. Located in the heart of Miami’s arts and entertainment district, the open-air venue is renowned for hosting large-scale cultural happenings, night markets, and live music events, making it an ideal backdrop for a celebration that merges street-level culinary trends with major industry star power.
Tickets for El Pre Party are currently priced at $75. The admission fee grants guests complete access to all of the evening’s food tastings and culinary samples, general admission entry to the Billboard En Vivo concert featuring Jay Wheeler, Zhamira, and special guest Conep, as well as access to various exclusive brand activations and live entertainment throughout the night. With tickets expected to draw crowds from both the music and culinary industries, the collaborative event marks a significant milestone in how cultural festivals choose to integrate local food economies with major live entertainment spectacles.