Events

Events take place within the Greater Fort Lauderdale area.

January

Annual Las Olas Art Fair

Held in early January Location:  Las Olas Boulevard, Downtown Fort Lauderdale 954-472-3755 Admission:  Free Outdoor art festival featuring the finest national and international exhibiting artists.

Annual Sunshine Millions Held in late January Location:  Gulfstream Park 954-454-7000 The annual battle for supremacy between California and Florida thoroughbreds with millions of dollars at stake in total purses.

Annual Body, Mind & Spirit Expo - the Expo of Heart! Held in mid January

Location:  Broward County Convention Center

954-630-1610 Admission Charged at the door

A one day event featuring natural foods, music, art and health exhibits as well as speakers and demonstrations.

Annual Verizon Wireless Dixie Amateur Golf Championship Held in early January Location:  Palm Aire Country Club, Pompano Beach 954-975-6244

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Held in mid January Location:  Washington Park, Hollywood 954-921-3404

Fedex Orange Bowl Held on January 1, at 8:30pm Location:  Pro Player Stadium 305-341-4700  

Florida Renaissance Festival Held in late January through the month of February Location:  Quiet Waters Park, Deerfield Beach 954-771-7117

Admission Charged A celebration of 16th Century culture featuring music, crafts, food, games, jousting and falconry.

Gulfstream Park Thoroughbred Racing Season

Open January through late April Location:  Gulfstream Park, Hallandale Beach 954-457-6224

Admission Charged

KISS Country Chili Cookoff Usually held in late January Location:  C.B. Smith Park, Pembroke Pines 954-764-7642 Admission Charged Country music and a competitive chili cook-off.

Paradise City Arts Festival Held in late January Location:  Broward County Convention Center, Fort Lauderdale 800-511-9725 Admission Charged

February

Annual 5k Butterfly Run Usually held in late February Location:  5005 NW 39th Ave., Coconut Creek 954-956-1580

Registration starts 6-7am; race starts 7:30am Admission Charged

The 5k is a USA track and field certified course event that is timed by split second timing and partial proceeds will benefit the National Wildlife Federation.

Annual Deerfield Beach Founders' Days Celebration Held in mid February Location:  Deerfield Beach 954-480-4433 A celebration on the beach including arts & crafts, food, a Saturday morning parade and bed race, auto and motorcycle shows and a family carnival. Live entertainment all weekend and a grand fireworks display.

Fort Lauderdale Dragon Boats Festival Held in late February  Location:  Mills Pond Park, Fort Lauderdale 888-679-4222 Originating in China, dragon boat racing has evolved into a modern day race which features corporate and community teams racing over a 500 meter course in friendly competition. Team building is at the heart of a good dragon boat race, with 22 people working in synchronization.

Greek Festival Held in early February Location:  St. Demetrios Orthodox Church 954-467-1515 Admission Charged Greek delicacies, dancers, and live music.

Mardi Gras Fiesta Tropicale Held in mid February

Location:  Young Circle Park, Downtown Hollywood 954-926-3377 New Orleans-style music and food festival, downtown Mardi Gras-style parades with beads and elaborate floats.

Seminole Tribal Festival Held in mid February

Location:  Bergeron Arena, Davie 954-364-4221 Admission Charged Pow-wow dancing, Native American arts and crafts, foods, alligator-wrestling shows, and rodeo/bull riding.

The Italian-American Festival Held in late February Location:  Coral Springs Center for Arts 954-344-5990 Admission Charged One of the largest and most comprehensive indoor show and sale of juried, museum-quality crafts and fine art in Southeast Florida.

South Florida Senior Games

Held in late January – early February Location:  Venues throughout Broward County 954-357-8170

March

Annual $1 Million Florida Derby Held in mid March Location:  Gulfstream Park, Hallandale Beach 954-454-7000 Major, nationally televised preview to the Triple Crown.

Fort Lauderdale International Auto Show Held in mid – late March Location:  Broward County Convention Center 954-765-5900

Las Olas Art Fair Held in early March Location:  Las Olas Blvd., Fort Lauderdale 954-472-3755 Admission Free Outdoor street art festival featuring the finest national and international exhibiting artists.

Lauderdale By The Sea Craft Fair Held in mid March Location:  Lauderdale by the Sea 954-472-3755

Orange Blossom Festival Held in early March or late February

Location:  Davie 954-797-1163

Dania Beach Centennial Main Street Tomato Festival Held in mid March

Location:  Frost Park, Dania Beach

954-924-3600 Jai-Alai tomato tournament on Friday, gala on Saturday, tomato festival parade on Sunday. 

April

Annual Turkish American Festival Held in mid April Location:  Tradewinds Park, Coconut Creek 954-472-9893 Celebrating Children's Day. Turkish food, music, folk dancing, arts and crafts and children's entertainment.

AVP Pro Beach Volleyball Held in early April

Location:  Fort Lauderdale Beach 310-426-7171 Admission Free, charge for reserved seats

The world’s leading men’s and women’s professional beach volleyball players compete for over $100,000 in prizes. Three-day South Florida community beach party includes Sports and Fitness Expo, food, family fun, great contests and entertainment.

May

Annual Cajun/Zydeco Crawfish Festival Held in early May Location:  Fort Lauderdale Festival Site

954-828-5934 Admission Charged     Five stages, 30,000 lbs. live crawfish boil, national Cajun & Zydeco bands, Cajun and Creole food, entertainment.

June

Bank of America FIESTA! Held in late June Location:  Las Olas Riverfront, Riverwalk 954-527-0627 Admission Free Bring out the red, white and blue clothes, lace up your comfortable shoes and wave the flag at Las Olas Riverfront. Great line-up of Latin entertainers, ethnic foods and drink, kid’s games, dozens of artisans and exhibitors; tourists and locals alike can enjoy the boutique shops and attractions.

USTA Open Clay Court Championships Held in early June, sometimes beginning in late May

Location:  Jimmy Evert Tennis Complex, Fort Lauderdale 954-828-5378

Admission Charged

July

Along the Coast Family Celebration Held on July 4 Location:  Fort Lauderdale Beach (954-828-3260

Fourth of July Celebration Held either July 3 or July 4 Location:  Plantation Central Park, Plantation 954-452-2502

Hometown Family Fourth of July Held on July 4 Location:  Hollywood Beach & Boardwalk 954-921-3404

Independence Day Celebrations Held on either July 3 or July 4 Location:  Dania Beach 954-929-1211 Family entertainment and food.

August

Hollywood Beach Latin Festival Held in mid August Location:  Hollywood Beach & Boardwalk 954-921-3404 Entertainment stages, international & top local entertainers, Latin food, arts & crafts displays.

September

Annual Las Olas Art Fair Held in early September Location:  Las Olas Blvd., Fort Lauderdale 954-472-3755 Admission Free Outdoor street art festival featuring the finest national and international exhibiting artists.

October

South Florida Pet Expo Held in early October Location:  War Memorial Auditorium, downtown Fort Lauderdale

954-921-9600 Admission Charged

A showcase and expo for all types of pets, pet services and pet products. Canines, felines, equines, birds, reptiles, rabbits/cavies, aquatics, and exotics are just some of the animals for purchase and on display. There are exhibits of exotic animals, the Fly Ball/Frisbee Team, a reptile adventure plus a pet costume contest. Well-behaved leashed pets are welcome.

Art Fair Held in mid October Location:  Pompano Beach Air Park Honoring the veterans from WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Desert Storm and the war birds they flew. Several historic aircraft from Wings Over Miami. Fokker DR-1, AT-6D, PBY and much, much more!

Broward Carnival 2004 Held in mid October Location:  Fort Lauderdale 954-972-9628 Admission Charged Entertainment, arts & crafts, food & activities for the entire family.

Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show Held in late October

Location:  Bahia Mar Yachting Center; Hyatt Pier 66; Marina Marriott; Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention Center 954-764-7642 Admission Charged

One of the largest boat shows in the world, covering six sites.

Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival Held in mid October Location:  Fort Lauderdale 954-760-9898 Admission Free Competitive film festival showcasing independent cinema from around the world. The festival features premieres, documentaries, student film competition, black tie galas, celebrities and seminars.

Hollywood International Art & Music Festival Held in mid October Location:  Downtown Hollywood 954-921-3404 Admission Free

Oktoberfest Held in early October Location:  Hollywood Beach Boardwalk 954-924-2980 Celebrate in the true tradition of Oktoberfest with non-stop Bavarian music, dancing, singing, German food and drink.

Super Power Boat Grand Prix Held in early October Location:  Deerfield Beach 954-480-4433

Viva Broward Hispanic Heritage Festival and Expo Held in early October Location:  Stranahan Park in front of Main Library in Downtown Fort Lauderdale 954-527-0627 Admission Free

Music, dancing, art, crafts, food and fun with more than 200 booths, 3 stages of entertainment, and an expanded children's area.

November

Annual Riverwalk Blues & Music Festival Held in mid November Location:  Downtown Fort Lauderdale, Riverwalk A multi-cultural celebration of music and the arts in its original location on the Riverwalk.

Annual Holiday Parade Held in mid – late November Location:  Plantation 954-587-1410

Sunshine State "Championship" Bull riding Held in late November Location:  4271 Davie Road, Bergeron Rodeo Grounds, Davie 954-384-7075 Admission Charged    

Annual Bike Show Held in mid November

Location:  Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward County Convention Center 954-765-5900

Annual Hollywood Jazz Festival Held in mid November

Location:  Hollywood Central Performing Arts Center, 1770 Monroe Street, Hollywood 877-877-7677

Broward County Fair

Held in mid November Location:  Pompano Park Harness Track 954-922-2224 One of Broward County’s largest family events, with rides, games, food, attractions, and concerts.

Christmas on Las Olas Held in late November Location:  Las Olas Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale 954-522-5064 An evening of Christmas past with a snow mountain and carolers.

City Link Music Fest Held in mid November

Location:  Downtown Hollywood 954-926-3377

Fort Lauderdale Home Design & Remodeling Show Held in mid November Location:  Broward County Convention Center 954-765-5900

Holiday Fantasy of Lights Held in mid November Location:  Tradewinds Park North, Coconut Creek 954-968-3885

Promenade in the Park Held in mid November

Location:  Fort Lauderdale Phone:  954-828-5380

December

Annual Weston Art Festival Held in early December Location:  Weston 954-472-3755  

Christmas by the Sea Held in early December Location:  Lauderdale-By-The-Sea Sidewalk sale, entertainment, window painting contest, Santa and it will be snowing.

Hollywood Greyhound Track Racing Season Season runs early December – Early May Location:  Hallandale Beach 954-454-9400

Plantation Historical Museum Winter Wonderland Held in early December Location:  Plantation 954-797-2722 Admission Free Over 35 trees & cultural displays.

Pompano Beach Holiday Boat Parade Held in mid December Location:  Intracoastal waterway, Pompano Beach 954-941-2940

Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade Held in mid December Location:  Fort Lauderdale, Port Everglades to Lake Santa Barbara 954-767-0686

Admission Free, charge for reserved seats Winterfest is South Florida's, and particularly Fort Lauderdale's, most unique and special event. This holiday festival features a variety of quality events most of which are scheduled during the month of December. A lighted boat parade and shoreline decorating along the Intracoastal waterway, a Black Tie Ball and Grand Marshal Reception make up the major Winterfest components.

  Arts and Entertainment

Office Depot Center

One Panther Parkway Sunrise, FL 33323

954-835-8000

Call for schedule and additional information

A variety of performances and special events held year round.

Broward Center for the Performing Arts

201 SW Fifth Avenue Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33312 954- 522-5334

Call for performance schedule and additional information

Whatever your tastes -- Broadway musical or serious drama, modern dance or ballet, classical music or Grammy-winning pop concerts -- the Broward Center will have something for you.

Fort Lauderdale Children’s Theatre

640 N. Andrews Ave Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33311 954-763-6882

All of the productions are performed by young people with actors, technicians and backstage crew members ranging in age from 6 to 18.  

  Sports

Florida Marlins

Professional Baseball

Games played at Pro Player Stadium

2267 Dan Marino Blvd.

Miami, Florida 33056

305-623-6100

Call for ticket information

Season runs from April – October

Miami Heat

Professional Basketball

Games played at the American Airlines Arena

601 Biscayne Blvd.

Miami, FL 33132

786-777-1000

Call for ticket information

Season runs October – April

Florida Panthers

Professional Hockey

Games played at the Office Depot Center, located in Sunrise, FL, approximately 45 minutes from Miami.

Office Depot Center

One Panther Parkway

Sunrise, FL 33323

954-835-PUCK

Season runs