Patti Roth

Enhance your yard, patio and indoor areas with plants, including native species and edibles. Lots of free information is available for South Florida residents, such as  tips on selecting the perfect plants for a particular area.  For personalized information, landscaping experts from extension offices in Miami-Dade, Broward & West Palm Beach answer questions via phone …

Kids work with their hands putting together fun projects at free interactive workshops offered in South Florida at participating Home Depot and Lowe’s stores. At the workshops, youngsters build a toy truck, a photo holder, or other item. Parents or others are invited to work with them. It’s a good idea to register online, especially …

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 …

On weekends and holidays, some Broward regional parks charge a $3 fee per vehicle to enter. For those who visit county parks regularly on weekends, the Annual Parks Passport may be an attractive deal. The annual park pass costs $30 and allows a vehicle with up to eight people in it to enter without paying …

Island Water Sports in Deerfield Beach offers free surf and stand-up paddleboard lessons Saturdays at 7 a.m. The two-hour lessons are for ages 5 and older, weather permitting. The number of participants is limited, and registrants should sign up in advance to ensure a spot. To attend, participants register online. Island Water Sports is at …

Watch family-friendly films for free outdoors at ArtsPark in Hollywood.  Movies are usually 8 p.m. Fridays, with occasional exceptions. It’s wise to verify the event is on prior to venturing out.  Films include: Friday, Jan. 8, 2026: How to Train Your Dragon Friday, Jan. 23: Superman (2025) Friday, Jan. 30: Tron Ares Feel free to …

Free shows for kids are offered occasionally at Weston Regional Park. Entertainment in 2026 includes: 1:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. Saturday, January 10: Mr. A Dino, an interactive and educational event. The venue is Weston Regional Park and parking is free. Youngsters need to be with an adult. Weston Regional Park, 954-389-4321, is at 20200 …

Put on your dancing shoes. Swing Out, South Florida offers dance lessons and dance socials in Fort Lauderdale. The events, usually every other Wednesday, include a lesson at 7:450 p.m. and a dance event at 8:30 p.m. with a DJ playing Swing and Jazz. Entry fee is $10 for adults and $6 for students. The …

If you’re in Broward, you will find plenty of interesting and entertaining things to do in January, many of them free or inexpensive. Some of them are so enticing you may want to drive in from Miami-Dade or Palm Beach county. Las Olas Art Fair The trendy and ritzy shopping Las Olas shopping district is …

For a free family excursion, Sunrise Parks and Recreation Department is hosting a free drive-in film in West Broward.  The PG-rated animated film in 2026 is “The Wild Robot” produced by DreamWorks Animation 6:30 p.m. Friday, January 9, and entry is free. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. and food vendors are at the event if …

Performances, workshops and activities for youngsters are featured at some of the festivities in Broward for Kwanzaa, an African-American holiday.  Kwanzaa events in 2025 include  Library in Fort Lauderdale  Vendors from black-owned businesses, African dance and other performances are featured at a Kwanzaa event at the African-American Library in Fort Lauderdale.  The event in 2025 …