Ring in the New Year with fun and entertainment. South Florida offers a wide variety of places to play and sights to see. Lots are free or relatively inexpensive. Some attractions even offer discounts!
Please return to this feature, as information and events are added.
Live entertainment
- Free live entertainment featuring Speaker Box Band performing Pop, R&B & hits oceanside at Hollywood Bandshell, 320 Johnson St., Hollywood parking information is available online
- Free yoga & live music event 10 a.m. January 1, Mizner Park Amphitheater, 590 Plaza Real, Boca Raton 33432, information online
- Live comedy, 8 p.m. January 1, Undergrounds Coffeehaus, 3020 N. Federal Highway, Fort Lauderdale, $15 online, $20 @ event, information online
- Miami Beach Music Festival Orchestra, Eglise Guttiérez and others featured 2 p.m. January 1, providing free live entertainment, including Viennese waltzes, Latin Zarzuela and Broadway favorites. Bring blankets or chairs. Lummus Park, 1130 Ocean Drive, Miami Beach 33139, information online
- Zen Mystery offers live comedy for ages 18 & older, 8 p.m. January 1, free parking, 56 North Federal Highway, Dania Beach 33004, donation requested, information online
Vendor events
- Fort Lauderdale Swap Shop, Indoor & outdoor vendor booths, flea market, 3291 W. Sunrise Boulevard, Lauderhill 33311, 954-791-7927, website
- Las Olas Oceanside Park Farmers, Antiques & Artisan Market, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays, 3000 E. Las Olas Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale, information online
- Delray Green market, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. Saturdays, East Atlantic Avenue @ Swinton Avenue
- Yellow Green market, popular open-air venue featuring a variety of vendor booths, including eclectic & international array of food items, artisan items, apparel, home decor, & produce, 3080 Sheridan Street, Hollywood, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, 954-513-3990, website
- Bayside Marketplace, 401 Biscayne Blvd., Miami, 11 a.m. – 6 p.m., website
- Indoor Artisans & Farmers market, Pembroke Lakes Mall, 11401 Pines Boulevard, Pembroke Pines 33026, website
- Festival Marketplace, Indoor venue with independent shops & vendors, 2900 West Sample Road, Pompano Beach 33073, 954-979-4555, website
Attractions in Broward County
Photo/Flamingo Gardens
- Xtreme Action Park indoor arcade and recreation venue in Fort Lauderdale, 5300 Powerline Road, Fort Lauderdale; 954-491-6265
- Water Taxi Holiday Lights Tour, Holiday lights excursions are offered December 2 – January 2, with payment online is required. Adult fares are $35. For kids 3 – 11, the price is $15.
- Ignite Your Light walk-thru attraction open in Pembroke Pines, with discount opportunity for our readers
- Butterfly World, 3600 W. Sample Road, Coconut Creek 33073, read feature for discount opportunities
- Holiday Fantasy of Lights drive-thru display in Coconut Creek
- Downtown Hollywood Murals — free outdoor exhibit
- Museum of Discovery & Science in Fort Lauderdale, 401 SW Second Street, Fort Lauderdale 33312. Fees for non-members are $24 for adults, $19 for kids 2-12, $22 for seniors. Free entry opportunity: MODS participates in Museums on Us program, free entry first full weekends with eligible bank card & ID. Eligible bank cards include Bank of America, Merrill or US Trust debit or credit card.
- Flamingo Gardens botanical garden and wildlife attraction, 3750 S. Flamingo Road, Davie, read feature with information about discount opportunities
Attractions in Palm Beach County
- Exciting holiday display in Delray Beach with a lighted & decorated 100-foot tree; Old School Square, 51 N. Swinton Ave., Delray Beach; 561-243-7250, website
- Free outdoor exhibit featuring kinetic sculptures. Display: 100 E. Ocean Ave., Boynton Beach 33435
- Boomers Boca Raton, recreation park, 3100 Airport Road, Boca Raton 33431, 12 p.m. – 11 p.m. January 1, 954-347-1888 website
- Sandi, a 35-foot holiday sand sculpture, and a dancing fountain are featured in light and music shows on the quarter hour from 6-10 p.m. Festivities are at 127 Clematis St., West Palm Beach
- Entertaining outdoor holiday lights display with music 5:30 p.m. – 10:30 p.m. Mizner Park retail & dining plaza, 327 Plaza Real, Boca Raton 33432, free display at least until January 1
- Cox Science Center & Aquarium, 4801 Dreher Trail North, West Palm Beach 33405, 561-832-1988, regular entry is $14.95 – $18.95, with discount opportunities featured online,
Attractions in Miami-Dade County
- Santa’s Enchanted Forest at Hialeah Park, 3100 E. Fourth Ave.; click here for pricing and discounts
- Pinecrest Gardens Nights of Lights is open from 6-9 p.m. Dec. 25; entry is $20 for adults and $15 for age 17 and younger
- Magic of Lights Homestead at Homestead Speedway, 1 Ralph Sanchez Speedway Blvd., is a holiday drive-thru experience set for 6-10 p.m.; standard vehicle pricing is $25; 866-409-7223
- Frost Museum of Science, at 1101 Biscayne Blvd., Miami, 305-434-9600, website
- Zoo Miami, 12400 SW 152nd St., 305-251-0400; website
Deerfield Island. Photo/Broward Parks
Parks
- Florida State Parks entry fees for state parks usually $2-$10 per person or per vehicle. Some parks in Florida offer First Day Hikes.
- Palm Beach County Parks
- Broward County parks, holiday fees of $1.50 for ages 6 & older apply at various parks
- Miami-Dade Parks are open, with a few exceptions
- Riverwalk in Fort Lauderdale is ideal for waterfront walks – and it’s lit up for the holidays!
- Hollywood Broadwalk runs oceanside, a popular venue for walking, skating and live entertainment
- Other local municipal parks and natural areas may be open, but please verify with your city department
Selfie station
Santa’s Cabana, a free holiday photo booth display from Cepods, 700 Lincoln Road, Miami Beach 33139, is open until January 3, with occasional drop-ins from Tropical Santa. Information is online.
Entertainment from home
- Winterfest Parade in Fort Lauderdale re-aired on TV, including 5 a.m. and 12 p.m. January 1 on WSVN 7, information online or read feature
- Download free digital movies, e-books and music, plus other online resources, from Broward County libraries, or other libraries you’re affiliated with
- Museum of Discovery & Science in Fort Lauderdale offers videos on YouTube and other social media
- Live webcams at Broward County beaches
- Webcams at Palm Beach County beaches
- Webcams in Miami-Dade County
- Manatee webcam from Manatee Lagoon in West Palm Beach
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