Festivals, entertainment & fun events

Festivals are popular events in Pompano, Weston, Deerfield, Davie, Plantation and other towns in South Florida. Some festivals are switching to virtual versions to enjoy online.

Some in-person events offer free entry and free parking, which are ideal for budget-friendly dates, frugal family activities or inexpensive outings with friends. With some festivals, extra fees apply for select activities. and perhaps for parking

Please return to this page. We’re adding other events.

Festivals & Fun Events include

Flamingo Fest in January @ Flamingo Gardens/flamingo by Christine Fox Photo/Flamingo Gardens

July

July & August Big Bugs sculpture exhibit at Flamingo Gardens, 3750 S. Flamingo Road, Davie 33330. Information is on the website or 954-473-2955
July 3, July 3 & July 4 July Fourth fireworks & festivities, including Beach Boys live in Fort Lauderdale
July 17 7 p.m. – 10:30 p.m. Moth Night, Long Key Natural Area in Davie, free, includes workshop & opportunities to see and photograph moths, Long Key Natural Area , 3501 SW 130th Avenue, Davie 33330, 954-357-8797
July 17-18 Big Bugs weekend @ Flamingo Gardens in Davie, includes education stations, Ladybug release & other extras, discount opportunities offered, read feature
July 18 50% off South Florida Symphony performance in Oakland Park, $15 with promo-code LAUDERDEAL, 221 SW 3rd Ave, Fort Lauderdale 33312, website
July 23-25 Fort Lauderdale Fashion Week events, $28.16 or $70.59 VIP, prices include fees, website
July 24 Free entry for family-friendly Ocean Day event in Fort Lauderdale
July 23-24 Miramar Kids Comic Expo, Miramar Cultural Center, 2400 Civic Center Place, Miramar 33025, Includes Family Fun festivities July 24 with panel discussions, face painting, & comic book art lessons, $10 & $20, online
No event until further notice — July 24 Freeform Art Saturdays, 2 p.m. – 6 p.m. includes outdoor activities, entertainment & food vendors, free entry, Miramar Cultural Center Botanical Garden, 2400 Civic Center Place, Miramar 33025, website
Postponed July 31 & August 1 Deerfield Mango Festival, features hip-hop & R&B entertainment, early tickets $22.85 – $107.72, Quiet Waters Park, 401 Powerline Road, Deerfield Beach 33442, information online
July 31 Live outdoor reggae 8 p.m. – 11 p.m. July 31 features roots-reggae artist Julian Marley with Dubwise opening, Entry is free at ArtsPark on Hollywood Boulevard and U.S. 1, Hollywood 33020, website

August

August Big Bugs sculpture exhibit at Flamingo Gardens, 3750 S. Flamingo Road, Davie 33330. Information is on the website or 954-473-2955
August 28 Riverwalk Bike Fest, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. August 28, includes safety information, food vendors, & bike rodeo for kids, Esplanade Park, 400 Southwest 2nd Street, Fort Lauderdale 33312, register online for free tickets

Big Bugs exhibit @ Flamingo Gardens Photos/Flamingo Gardens

September

September 5, Miramar Regional Park, Caribbean Food & Rum Festival, website
September 17 Hispanic Heritage Month concert, 8 p.m. Miramar Cultural Center, website
September 21 Traditional Dreamcatcher Workshop is 1 p.m. September 21, Studio18 in Pembroke Pines, 1101 Poinciana Drive, Pembroke Pines 33025, 954-961-6067,Event is for ages 18 and older. Register online, which is required. Space is limited
September 25 Riverwalk Surf N Sounds, 12 p.m. – 4 p.m. Esplanade Park, 400 SW Second Street, Fort Lauderdale, live entertainment, vendors, activities, event emphasis is on surfing and other water activities, website

October

October 9-10 Harvest Festival & Scarecrow contest, Flamingo Gardens in Davie
October 16, 17, 23, 24, 30 & 31 Harvest Festival, Flamingo Gardens in Davie
October 16-17 Las Olas Art Fair, Fort Lauderdale, free entry, feature
October 23-24 Broward Quilt Expo, City Center in Pembroke Pines, includes quilt show, demonstrations & workshops, & vendors, website
October 23 Freeform Art Saturdays, 2 p.m. – 6 p.m. includes outdoor activities, entertainment & food vendors, free entry, Miramar Cultural Center Botanical Garden, 2400 Civic Center Place, Miramar 33025
October 27 – 31 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, Bahia Mar Yachting Center, 801 Seabreeze Blvd., Fort Lauderdale & other venues, website

November

November 6 -7 ArtFest In The Pines, 601 City Center Way, Pembroke Pines 33025, free entry, includes artists, entertainment, food trucks, family-friendly activities, art demonstrations, art & fun for kids, art workshops, website
November 12-14 Tortuga Music Festival, Fort Lauderdale beach, website
Fort Lauderdale Concours, rooftop of Las Olas parking garage, includes art, entertainment, fashion, food & cars, information online
November 20 Boots On The Beach music festival, live country bands, free outdoor event, 1 p.m. – 9 p.m., 149 SE 21st Avenue, Deerfield Beach, information online

December

December 11 Winterfest Boat Parade on the New River & Intracoastal Waterway in Fort Lauderdale, website
December 12 Yoga Fun Day, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Village @ Gulfstream Park, 901 Federal Highway, Hallandale 33009
December 17-23 5 p.m.-8 p.m. Garden of Lights, Flamingo Gardens, Davie
December 26-30 5 p.m.-8 p.m. Garden of Lights, Flamingo Gardens, Davie

January