Festivals & fun events

Festivals are popular events in Pompano Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Deerfield Beach, Davie and other towns in South Florida.

Some festivals 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.

January

January 4 & 5 Las Olas Art Fair, free
January 9-12 Fort Lauderdale International Auto Show January 9-12, $8 for adults, $3 for kids
January 10, January 11, January 12 Discounts for Orchid Show in Fort Lauderdale
January 11 ArtLit featuring art, entertainment and activities in Pompano, free
January 11 Free entry for Riverwalk Seafood Festival, early-purchase discount for beer garden vouchers
January 17-20 MLK Jr. events
January 18 & 19 Flamingo Fest @ Flamingo Gardens, includes display of decked out flamingo sculptures, vendors & entertainment, 25%-off discount voucher online
January 18-19 Nautical Flea Market in Pompano, $5 for adults, free for kids
January 24 Winter Safety Expo in Weston, free
January 25 Doggie Palooza at Happy Tails Park in Plantation, $2
January 25-26 Deerfield Beach Festival Of The Arts free
January 26 Arts Day event in Weston, free

February

February 1 Woofstock in Sunrise free entry
February 7 to 9 Canada Fest in Hollywood
February 8 Free entertainment & activities at Tri-Rail Family Fun Day, Dania Beach
February 8 & 9 South Florida Folk Festival, with early purchase discount opportunities
February 9 Free entry for Plant-based Festival in Hallandale
February 8 & 9 Florida Renaissance Festival at Quiet Waters Park in Deerfield
February 15 & 16 Florida Renaissance Festival at Quiet Waters Park in Deerfield
February 20 Taste of The Pines, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., City Center, 601 City Center Way, Pembroke Pines 33025, $15 to $30, with discount for early purchase
February 22 & 23 Florida Renaissance Festival at Quiet Waters Park in Deerfield
February 22 Free entry for chili cook-off on Riverwalk in Fort Lauderdale
February 28-March 1 Orange Blossom Festival in Davie, free
February 29 Entertainment, rides & fireworks at Butterfly Festival, free
February 29 Florida Renaissance Festival at Quiet Waters Park in Deerfield

March

March 1 Orange Blossom Festival in Davie, free
March 1 Florida Renaissance Festival at Quiet Waters Park in Deerfield
Las Olas Art Fair is free event in Fort Lauderdale March 7 & 8
March 14 & 15 ArtFest in The Pines, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. March 14 & 15, City Center, 601 City Center Way, Pembroke Pines 33025, includes food vendors, interactive fun, kids zone, entertainment, information 954-392-2122 or online
March 14 & 15 Florida Renaissance Festival at Quiet Waters Park in Deerfield
March 14 Water Matters Day, free with park entry $1.50 for ages 6 and older
March 21 & 22 Florida Renaissance Festival at Quiet Waters Park in Deerfield
March 21 & 22 Festival Of The Arts & GardenFest in Coral Springs, free
March 28 Earth Day Festival in Sunrise, free entry
March 28 & 29 Dania Arts & Seafood Festival
March 29 Food & Wine Festival, 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. March 29 Weston Town Center, 1675 Market St., 954-349-5900, tickets required

April

April 11 Free Entry for Pirate Fest @ Esplanade Park on Riverwalk, 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. April 11, features family-friendly activities, entertainment and demonstrations
April 21 to April 26 Pride of The Americas

May