Free & Inexpensive Things To Do This Weekend & Deals

Your handy-dandy weekend list features free & inexpensive things to do, deals, and exciting events in South Florida.

Read about festivals. Art exhibits. Live entertainment. Outdoor movies. Occasionally free food. And oodles of other events.

To keep up with latest news on deals, discounts, online resources, food distributions and other events in South Florida, sign up for the daily Fort Lauderdale on the Cheap newsletter. Featured photo/Riverwalk Fort Lauderdale

Featured events

Event rescheduled ~~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
Sips, Sounds & Splats, usually food & drink vendors, 2 p.m. – 6 p.m. July 25, South Side Cultural Arts, 701 S. Andrews Avenue, Fort Lauderale 33316, live entertainment, free entry, $10 fee for painting, Facebook
July 23 8:15 p.m. night hike, Markham Park, 16001 W. State Road 84, Sunrise 33323, 954-357-8868, $5 hike fee
July 24 10 a.m. IncrEDIBLE Plants hike, Markham Park, 16001 W. State Road 84, Sunrise 33323, 954-357-8868, phone for information, $5 for hike, weekend entry fees are $1.50 per person for ages 6 & older
July 25 10 a.m. guided Nature Hike, Long Key Natural Area, 3501 S.W. 130th Avenue, Davie 33330, 954-357-8797, free entry, pre-registration is requested
No Event, event on hold until further notice Freeform Art Saturdays, 2 p.m. – 6 p.m. July 24 includes outdoor activities, entertainment & food vendors, free entry, Miramar Cultural Center Botanical Garden, 2400 Civic Center Place, Miramar 33025, website

Free Live Entertainment

Free live entertainment at Hollywood Beach bandshell, including 7 p.m. – 9 p.m. Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays, read feature
Park & Ocean restaurant & garden @ a Florida state park on A1A, free live music outdoors usually afternoons &/or evenings about 4 p.m. – 8 p.m. Fridays, usually 12 p.m. – 4 p.m. & 4 p.m. – 8 p.m. Saturdays & usually 4 p.m. – 8 p.m. Sundays, 3109 E. Sunrise Blvd., Fort Lauderdale 33304, 954-563-2900, parking fees apply, including @ Birch State Park
Starlight Musicals features free live entertainment in Holiday Park in Fort Lauderdale, 7 p.m. – 10 p.m. Fridays during summer, read feature
Gulfstream Park Village, shopping, dining & entertainment plaza, features free live music, usually 6 p.m. – 10 p.m. Fridays & Saturdays, 901 S. Federal Highway, Hallandale Beach 33009, read feature
Free outdoor entertainment, usually includes live & strolling performers & DJ weekends at Dania Pointe shopping & dining plaza, 150 North Pointe Drive, Dania Beach 33004, 6 p.m. – 10 p.m. Fridays, 12 – 4 p.m. & 6 p.m. – 10 p.m. Saturdays, 12 p.m. – 4 p.m. Sundays, free parking

Outdoor movies

Las Olas Oceanside Park, Fort Lauderdale

July 23 “Moonstruck”

Films are shown about 8:15 p.m. Reserve free tickets online. You’re permitted to provide your own picnics & portable seats

No alcohol. Las Olas Oceanside Park, 3000 E Las Olas Blvd, Fort Lauderdale 33316

Hollywood

July 23 “Kung Fu Panda 2” PG

Free family-friendly films outdoors in ArtsPark on Hollywood Boulevard and Federal Highway in Hollywood, bring lawn chair or blanket, movies are usually 8 p.m. Fridays, website, read feature

Free Outdoor movies in Coconut Creek

8:30 p.m. July 23 “Aladdin” Sabal Pines Park, 5005 NW 39th Avenue, Coconut Creek, free entry, website
8:30 p.m. July 24 “Aladdin” 4715 NW 30th Street, Coconut Creek, free entry, website

2-for-1 deals

Read feature Excellent value: 2-for-1 & other LauderDEALS discounts for fun, recreation & retail

Vendor markets & vendor events

July 24 Urban Jungle Artisan market, 6 p.m. – 11 p.m. indoors & outdoors, 603 Northeast 13th Street, Fort Lauderdale 33304, features art, artisan items, live entertainment, food & drinks including adult drinks, jewelry, free entry, pet friendly, Entertainment includes School of Rock, DJ Rokwell, mariachi, indoor, free entry or $40 VIP open bar, website
Other events, Read feature Farmers markets & vendor markets in Broward

Free Water Trolley

Riverwalk Water Trolley ferries riders to 8 points along scenic New River. It’s free. Read feature

Big Bugs Exhibit at Flamingo Gardens

Big Bugs exhibit at Flamingo Gardens

July & August Big Bugs exhibit features insect sculptures formed with branches, including 10-foot Daddy Longlegs, entry fees apply, 2-for-1 discount opportunity, read feature

Other Live entertainment

For regular events, please phone to verify the entertainment is on the day you want to attend

Sistrunk Marketplace, which includes food hall & brewery, 115 NW 6th Street, Fort Lauderdale 33311. Live music usually includes 7 p.m. – 11 p.m. Fridays & Saturdays, and 2 p.m. – 6 p.m. Sundays, Register for free tickets online

Marina 84 Fort Lauderdale, usually 7 p.m. – 11 p.m. Fridays & Saturdays outside patio @, free entry, 2440 W. State Road 84, Fort Lauderdale 33312, 954-734-2424, website

Holy Mackerel, usually 7 p.m. – 10 p.m. Fridays & Saturdays , 1414 NE 26th Street, Wilton Manors 33305, 954-306-3690, website, free entry, RSVP online

Legends Tavern & Grill Plantation features Shane Duncan Band Accoustic Duo 4 p.m. – 7 p.m. July 18, July 25, August 1, August 8, August 15, 1387 S University Drive Plantation 33324, 954-652-1162

Jungle Queen riverboat in Fort Lauderdale Photo/Jungle Queen

Free Surf, Paddleboard & Skimboard lessons in Deerfield

Island Water Sports offers free lessons 7 a.m. Saturdays, participants need to pre-register online or via phone. Read feature

Attraction & Activity deals

Free entry for Coral Springs Museum of Art, 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. including Fridays & Saturdays, 2855A Coral Springs Drive, Coral Springs 33065, 954-340-5000, website

Butterfly World in North Broward offers $5-off, 2-for-1 deal & other discount opportunities, read feature or website

Xtreme Action Park in Fort Lauderdale offers adult skate night for ages 18 & older , 7 p.m. – 10 p.m. Sundays, 5300 Powerline Road, Fort Lauderdale 33309, 954-491-6265, website fees apply, read feature

In The Game arcade & indoor recreation venue @ Sawgrass in Sunrise offers deals, read our feature

Discount opportunities for Jungle Queen Riverboat in Fort Lauderdale

Plantation Historical Museum features vintage fire truck & free entry Tuesdays – Saturdays

Outdoor hikes

Please phone to verify if event is on — July 24, 10 a.m. – IncrEDIBLE Plants Hike – Markham Park, 16001 W. State Road 84, Sunrise 33326, 954-357-8868
Please phone to verify if event is on — July 25, 10 a.m. – Guided Nature Hike – Long Key Natural Area, 3501 SW 130th Avenue, Davie 33330, 954-357-8797

Featured Food & Drink Deals

Restaurant & Food Deals Yum!

Free Food-Distribution events

Free food distribution events

Read Free food-distribution events & free summer distributions for students

Out & About

Ideas for Outdoor Recreation in Broward

Public pools, water playgrounds & waterparks

Farmers markets & flea markets in Broward

Outdoor Yoga opportunities

Free water trolley in Fort Lauderdale

Tri-Rail offers $5 all-day fares weekends

Xtreme Action Park in Fort Lauderdale, read our feature or website, includes

Adult Skate Night with DJ entertainment Sunday nights, $12 per person

South Florida parks offer watercraft rentals

Savor Cinema, an iconic venue in Fort Lauderdale featuring independent films resumes with social distancing practices

503 SE 6th St, Fort Lauderdale 33301, 954-525-3456, website

Prices are $12 for adults, $10 for seniors, $9 for students & military & discounted or free for Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival members

Flamingo Gardens wildlife & botanical gardens in Davie, read our feature or website

Outdoor yoga @ Flamingo Gardens in Davie, $15 or $60 for 5 classes, 8:30 a.m. Sundays, read our feature or website

Broward Parks are waiving regular weekend & holiday fees until further notice. Parks are not open for regular activities during vaccination events

For a free daytime or evening outdoor excursions, Downtown Hollywood Murals works nicely. About 30 murals are on in easy walkable route. Information about route & artists is online or read our feature

Broward libraries offer drive-up & walk-up opportunities for retrieving reserved items, offered @ most libraries, including some available for pick-ups on Saturdays

Free & inexpensive bike routes in Broward

Ideas for Outdoor Recreation in Broward

Outdoor Yoga opportunities

TY Park in Hollywood is lovely venue for outdoor exercise & relaxation

Drive-in & outdoor movies

Swap Shop drive-in theater with several different movies, 3291 W. Sunrise Boulevard, Lauderhill 33311, $7 for ages 12 and older, $2 for ages 5 to 11 and free for 4 and younger, website or read our feature

Other drive-in movies including venues in Miami-Dade

Casinos including

Seminole Hard Rock Hollywood 1 Seminole Way, Hollywood 33314, 866-502-7259, website

Seminole Casino Coconut Creek 5550 NW 40th St., Coconut Creek 33073, 954-977-6700, website

Seminole Classic Casino 4150 N. State Road 7, Hollywood 33021, 954-961-3220, website

Shopping

Farmers markets & vendor markets in Broward

New River Open Air Market from History Fort Lauderdale, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Sundays, includes about 50 vendors with plants, artisan items, fresh vegetables, baked foods, beauty products & other items outside of New River Inn, 231 SW Second Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, and along Riverwalk, free entry for market, information about History Fort Lauderdale is online or 954-463-4431

Shop for deals at Thrift Stores in South Florida

South Florida Farms Sell Fruit & Vegetables To The Public