Festivals, expos & fun events, plenty are free

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.

June

June 1 Children’s BookFest at North Regional Library in Coconut Creek, free
June 8 h2o Art Festival for World Oceans Day in Hollywood
June 8 Caribbean-American Heritage festivities, 6900 Miramar Parkway, Miramar 33023, information online or 954-602-3178, free
June 15 Stonewall Pride Festival & Parade Wilton Manors, $5
June 15-16 Featured Creatures at Flamingo Gardens, discount opportunities, including Father’s Day deal
June 15 Juneteenth Sweet Potato Pie Festival in Pompano , free
June 15 Juneteenth festivities Washington Park Community Center, Hollywood 33020
June 29 Star Trek vs. Star Wars activities, Trivia & fun, 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. June 29, all ages, Southwest Regional Library, 16835 Sheridan St., Pembroke Pines 33331, 954-357-7110, free entry, costumes welcome

July

July 4 Parades, fun, fireworks & entertainment for July Fourth
July 19-20 South Florida Book Festival, African-American Research Library and Cultural Center , 2650 Sistrunk Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, features author talks and signings, presentations & demos, information online
July 20 2 p.m. Symphony of The Americas in Sunrise, 10610 W. Sunrise Blvd., Sunrise 33351, $18 adults, $10 kids

August

August 10 Sunrise Comiccon, $7 – $20 with discounts for early purchase
August 10 & 11 Back 2 School Weekend at Flamingo Gardens, fees required
August 16 Miramar Burger & Brew Fest 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. August 16, Miramar Town Center, 2300 Civic Center Place

September

October

October 5, 6, 12, 13, 19, 20, 26 & 27 Harvest Festival at Flamingo Gardens, fees required
October 30 – November 3 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show , various venues

November

November 1 – November 3 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show , various venues
November 1-17 Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival
November 9 Swampfest at Flamingo Gardens, fees required
November 22-24 Fort Lauderdale Home Design & Remodeling Show

December

Flamingo Gardens, fees required

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Previous events

February 1 & 2 Shakespeare in the Park in ArtsPark, free
February 7-10 Fort Lauderdale Greek Festival St. Demetrios, 815 NE 15th Ave.
Fort Lauderdale 33304, features food, dancing, fun for kids, vendors, $5 entry & parking fees apply. Free entry for 11 and younger, and pubic safety and military with valid picture ID. Discounts include online voucher for free entry 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. February 8, and free entry with non-perishable food items February 7, & Groupon offers discount of $8 for 2 for February 7 or February 8
February 9 – March 25 Florida Renaissance Festival, weekends at Quiet Waters Park in Deerfield, entry fees apply, discount opportunities usually offered
February 10 Arts Day in Weston
February 16 Classic Car Show in Sunrise, free for spectators
February 17 Food & Wine Festival, 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Weston Town Center, 1675 Market St., 954-349-5900, tickets required
February 17 Doggy Fun Fest in Oakland Park, free entry
February 17 Gala in the Gardens, Flamingo Gardens entry fees required
February 17 SoLa Rum, Food & Wine Festival, for ages 21 and older, Lauderhill Performing Arts Center, 3800 NW 11th Place, Lauderhill 33311, $45 to $180, Groupon offers $27 & other deals for SoLa Rum, Food & Wine Festival
February 21 Early purchase discount for Taste of Pembroke Pines, $15 to $30
February 23 Free entry for Multicultural Festival in Tamarac
February 23 Butterfly Festival in Coconut Creek, with entertainment, fireworks & other fun, free entry
February 23 Free entry for Brazilian Carnaval in Hollywood
February 23 Free entry to Riverwalk Chili Cook-Off
February 23 & 24 Fort Lauderdale Pride Parade & Festival at Fort Lauderdale Beach Park
February 22-24 Orange Blossom Festival weekend in Davie