Free & Inexpensive Fun This Weekend & Deals

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

Read about festivals. Art exhibits. Auto Shows. Live entertainment. Outdoor movies. Occasionally free food. And oodles of other events. The emphasis is on free & inexpensive events. Exciting events, especially with deals, also are featured.

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Featured events, including free & inexpensive fun

Entertainment

Friday Night Sound Waves offers free live entertainment & vendors oceanside in Fort Lauderdale
Free live entertainment oceanside at Hollywood Beach bandshell, including 7 p.m. – 9 p.m. Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays
Live entertainment at TY Park in Hollywood 4 p.m. – 7 p.m. December 11 featuring Spank The Band, a 9-piece ensemble, performing pop, rock & old favorites. Weekend park entry fee applies. Weekend & holiday fees are $1.50 for ages 6 and older.
December 10, 11 & 12 Free entry for Sea Shorts Play Festival

Holiday fun

Pompano Beach Holiday Boat Parade, 7 p.m. December 10, with dozens of bedazzled boats lighting up Intracoastal Waterway. Route is from Lake Santa Barbara north to Sullivan Park in Deerfield, feature or online
Iconic Winterfest boat parade is 6 p.m. December 11 featuring elaborately decorated watercraft in a floating parade on New River & Intracoastal Waterway in Fort Lauderdale. Tickets are sold for designated watch areas, or watch the event watch it on TV or livestreamed
Holiday Lights in South Florida, including free & inexpensive displays
December 9-12 Holiday Wonderland displays & events @ Las Olas Oceanside Park in Fort Lauderdale
Tinsel Town Holiday Drive-Thru, Tamarac, Free drive-thru event 6 p.m. December 10 featuring lights & displays. Tamarac Sports complex, 9901 NW 77th Street, Tamarac

Attraction deals

Ignite Your Light walk-through attraction in Pembroke Pines. Discount opportunity: Deal for readers of this website: 10% off discount, use promocode DEAL10.

Nature walks & nature activities

Nature walks @ Fern Forest, usually 1 p.m. Sundays, phone for verification, reservations recommended, free entry, 201 Lyons Road South, Coconut Creek 33063, 954-357-5198
Others, Nature Trails & Free Entry at Fern Forest in North Broward

Farmers markets & vendor events

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

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

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 & 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 feature
Discount opportunities for Jungle Queen Riverboat in Fort Lauderdale
Plantation Historical Museum features vintage fire truck & free entry Tuesdays – Saturdays

Featured Food & Drink Deals

Restaurant & Food Deals Yum!

Out & About

Ideas for Outdoor Recreation in Broward

Public pools, water playgrounds & waterparks

Farmers markets & flea markets in Broward

Outdoor Yoga & Fitness, including free & inexpensive exercise

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

Renovations, not open until further notice — 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 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