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.

April

April 26 Dancing in The Street in Oakland Park, free entry
April 26-28 Pompano Seafood Festival with a variety of performers, $15-35
April 27 Greenfest, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 27, Hallandale Beach, 400 S. Federal Highway, Hallandale Beach 33009, Includes kids’ activities, vendor booths, prescription dropoff, Trashion Show featuring fashion by students using recycled items, workshops, free items, free entry
April 27 & 28 Blue Wild Ocean Adventure Expo featuring water sports products, speakers, workshops art & photography, Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward County Convention Center, entry is $20, free for kids 12 and younger. Entry includes Saturday night Blue Wild After Party
April 27 & 28 Boat Show and Marine Market at Festival Marketplace in Pompano, free entry & free parking

May

May 4 & 5 Fort Lauderdale Air Show, discounts for early purchase
May 11 Sci-Fi & Comic Convention, African-American Library & Cultural Center, 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 11, includes authors, speakers, workshops, signings, art display, vendors, STEM demos; includes cosplay contest, information online, 2650 Sistrunk Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, free
May 18 Ocean Brews & Blues Festival, Deerfield, 3 p.m. to 8 p.m., entertainment, beer vendors & food vendors, free entry, early discount for tasting tickets
May 24-27 Fort Lauderdale Home Design & Remodeling Show
May 25-27 KidzFest at Flamingo Gardens, fees required

June

June 1 Children’s BookFest at North Regional Library in Coconut Creek, free
June 15 Stonewall Pride Wilton Manors
June 15-16 Featured Creatures at Flamingo Gardens, fees required
June 15 Juneteenth festivities Washington Park Community Center, Hollywood 33020

July

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

August

August 10 & 11 Back 2 School Weekend at Flamingo Gardens, fees required

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 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