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Patti Roth

Patti Roth, the editor of Fort Lauderdale on the Cheap, scouts out state and national deals, discounts and coupons for our readers, finding the real deals and presenting them in an easy-to-read format. A veteran newspaper and magazine writer and a longtime South Florida resident, she has written for The Miami Herald, The Sun-Sentinel in Fort Lauderdale, Florida Travel and Life, E Environmental Magazine, Dog Fancy, Cat Fancy, US Architecture and Earth911.com. Send your cheap tips to her at info@fortlauderdaleonthecheap.com.

  Entertaining and festive, Symphony In Lights is a free outdoor light show. It’s on display at Gulfstream Park Village, an open-air shopping, dining and entertainment plaza in Hallandale Beach. Light Show The animated light show in 2025 is every hour on the hour 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. December 6 to December 31, with …

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The Hollywood Beach Bandshell is a delightful venue for free live entertainment oceanside. Salty breezes. Waves rolling ashore. Favorite local bands, and fans, rocking out. Delightful. The bandshell is on a lovely pedestrian promenade. The Hollywood Beach Broadwalk  runs more than two miles along the beach, and it lined with restaurants, shops and motels. Entertainment …

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For folks who sign up for the free Family rewards program at Ikea, participating restaurants in the home goods stores offer deals. Some deals require the Family rewards ID, others do not.  Ikea restaurant deals include: Swedish holiday buffet in 2025 5 p.m., 5:30 p.m. and 6 p.m. Friday December 12 with tickets purchased at …

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With the surf and ocean air offering delightful ambience, live bands offer free entertainment at Las Olas Oceanside Park in Fort Lauderdale throughout the year. Sound Waves The popular Friday Night Sound Waves free concerts are 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. The schedule includes: Nov. 14: Touch & Go, Tribute to The Cars Nov. 21: …

Read More about Free Friday Night Sound Waves, vendors and festivals at Oceanside Park in Fort Lauderdale

Put on your dancing shoes. Swing Out, South Florida offers dance lessons and dance socials in Fort Lauderdale. The events include a lesson at 7:45 p.m. and a dance event 8:30 p.m. with a DJ playing Swing and Jazz. Entry fee is $10 for adults and $6 for students. The event brings together dancers from …

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If you’re out and about, some parks, natural areas, restaurants, attractions, lights displays and shopping plazas are open for fun, entertainment and food on Thanksgiving Day in Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach County. Maybe you want to take your relatives on a day trip to the next county. You will find lots of sights to …

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Winter festivals, fun with Santa, and dazzling light displays are part of the seasonal festivities in South Florida. Broward County offers all kinds of events to celebrate Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa and the New Year. Parades, festivals, concerts, family festivals, light displays and more abound from Coral Springs to Hallandale Beach, from Hollywood to Pembroke …

Read More about Winter holiday festivals, parades, events in Broward 2025

In Davie, horses are part of the holiday lighting festivities. Holiday Lighting of the Greens Festival includes the Jingle Bell Horse Parade. Live entertainment, Santa, and games are  featured. Food is available for purchase. The event in 2025 is 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, December 6, at Bamford Sports Park, 3801 S. Pine Island Road, …

Read More about Free Holiday Light Up event in Davie with horse parade

Popular holiday events in Fort Lauderdale, Pompano Beach and other towns in South Florida include lighting & light-up festivities. Events often feature extra fun like live entertainment, activities for kids, face painting, vendors and Santa.  Some events in Fort Lauderdale feature Fort Lauderdale Symphonic Winds. An event in Dania includes skating and a drone show. …

Read More about Holiday Light-Up events in Broward including drones, inflatables & entertainment

Dance, symphony and vocal performances are among the array of free events at Baily Hall theater in Davie.  For many events, tickets are not required.  Entry is offered while seating is available. Some events require reservations. Events in 2025 include: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, October 18  Broward Symphony Orchestra 7:30 p.m. November 21 and November 22  …

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Butterfly World is a popular walk-through attraction in North Broward with free-flight aviaries with tropical foliage and thousands of butterflies and birds from different parts of the world. Discount opportunities are offered. Regular prices are $32.50 for guests age 12 and older, $22.50 for children age 3-11 and free for age 2 and younger. However, …

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Living on the CheapSouth Florida on the Cheap is a member of Living on the Cheap, a network of websites published by frugalistas, journalists and consumer advocates. Find practical advice on saving money on groceries, travel and shopping, plus tips from our experts on how to live the good life for less at Living on the Cheap.

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