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Free & cheap exhibits, activities at Palm Beach cultural center

While the Society of the Four Arts hosts a seasonal menu of performance and creative programs, fall through spring, it is also packed with free, fun and cheap things for adults and children to do at the Palm Beach cultural center year-round. Currently it is holding ongoing book discussions and lectures, plus garden and gallery exhibits.

The venerable institution was founded in 1936 on the eastern shore of the Intracoastal Waterway. Today, it is a 10-acre campus with a gallery, gardens and performance space – all sustained by some of Palm Beach’s most affluent residents. Years ago, it adopted the motto: Four Arts for Everyone.

What are the Four Arts, anyway? The Society of the Four Arts defines them as Drama, Art, Music and Literature. Here’s a chance to experience Palm Beach culture on a dime.

Red-upholstered seats face a curtained stage.

The seats covered in red upholstery to match the lush stage curtains give the Walter Gublemann Auditorium at the Society of the Four Arts a warm storybook feel. Photo: Courtesy Four Arts

“There is something for everyone at The Society of the Four Arts. Enjoy a midday stroll in the beautiful Philip Hulitar Sculpture Garden and Four Arts Botanical Gardens,” Four Arts spokesman David Darby said.

The society has a limited number of members, and they get the first chance at tickets. But there are often tickets available for purchase by non-members, and the free events are open to all. Its galleries, gardens and libraries are open as follows:

  • Botanical And Sculpture Gardens
    Open daily – 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., weather permitting.
  • King Library
    Open Monday through Friday – 9 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. Closed Saturday and Sunday.
  • Four Arts Children’s Library
    Open Monday through Friday – 10 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. Closed Saturday and Sunday.

In addition to the events below, the Four Arts offers free monthly school-age programs in cooking, art and floral design. Dates and classes will be announced at fourarts.org. Required reservations may be made by calling the Children’s Library at (561) 655-2776.

You’ll find the Four Arts at 100 Four Arts Plaza, Palm Beach.

Here are some favorite free and cheap opportunities at the Society of the Four Arts.

Cream-colored three-story building.

The Society of the Four Arts’ beloved Children’s Library is housed in its elegant administrative building on Royal Palm Way. Photo: Courtesy Four Arts

Sculpture and botanical gardens are free

The Philip Hulitar Sculpture Garden and Four Arts Botantical Garden are always free. The Garden Club of Palm Beach planted the botanical garden in 1938. The gardens are open from 10 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. each day except for major holidays, and they close during inclement weather.

Look for free hard-copy guides to the garden and historic buildings next to the King Library and Dixon Building or scan the QR code displayed there to open the tour on your smart device.

Free decent-led tours of the sculpture garden are offered at 10 a.m. Wednesdays from December through April. Individuals and groups of up to 10 are welcome, according to the Four Arts’ guide. Arrive 15 minutes early and meet the docent at the garden entrance next to the King Library.

Opulent bouquets of flowers placed on a concrete garden beach.

The lavish Garden Club of Palm Beach Flower Show in 2021 at the Society of the Four Arts. Photo: Carolyn DiPaolo

Biography Book Club

Each group will focus on the life of a prominent person. A suggested reading list of available books from the King Library will be distributed once registers. Attendees must read at least one of the books and come ready to discuss. To register, email kinglibrary@fourarts.org or call (561) 655 2766. Find out more at fourarts.org.

There’s so much more at the Four Arts: including an art museum, master classes and lectures. Once you visit, you will appreciate this jewel of Palm Beach.

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More free and cheap things to do in Palm Beach County:

Sunday, October 1, 2023

Farmers markets & vendor fairs

FREE | Broward, Dade & greater Palm Beach

$5 all-day fares weekends on Tri-Rail

5:00 am to 11:30 pm | $5.00

AMC Theatres: 30% off daily before 4 p.m.

9:00 am to 4:00 pm | Discounted | AMC Theatres

Halloween Pooch Parade

9:30 am to 11:00 am | FREE | The Square, West Palm Beach

Free film: Sea Turtles of the Palm Beaches

10:30 am | FREE | Loggerhead Marinelife Center, Juno Beach

Outdoor marine aquarium feedings, Boca Raton

12:30 pm | FREE | Gumbo Limbo Nature Center, Boca Raton

Shark & Stingray Feedings, Delray Beach

1:00 pm | $10.00 | Sandoway Discovery Center, Delray Beach

Hispanic Heritage: Flamenco Performance, Acreage

2:00 pm to 3:00 pm | FREE | Acreage Branch Library

Monday, October 2, 2023

AMC Theatres: 30% off daily before 4 p.m.

9:00 am to 4:00 pm | Discounted | AMC Theatres

Outdoor marine aquarium feedings, Boca Raton

12:30 pm | FREE | Gumbo Limbo Nature Center, Boca Raton

Loggerhead Marinelife Center: Fish Feeding Talks

1:30 pm to 12:00 am | FREE | Loggerhead Marinelife Center, Juno Beach

Tuesday, October 3, 2023

Discounts at Cinemark on Tuesdays

All Day | Discounted | Cinemark

Regal Theatres: Discounted movie tickets on Tuesdays

All Day | $5.00-7.00 | Regal Cinemas Multiple Locations

AMC Theatres: 30% off daily before 4 p.m.

9:00 am to 4:00 pm | Discounted | AMC Theatres

Public Walking Tour, WPB

9:00 am to 4:00 pm | FREE | Manatee Lagoon, Palm Beach

Outdoor marine aquarium feedings, Boca Raton

12:30 pm | FREE | Gumbo Limbo Nature Center, Boca Raton

Shark & Stingray Feedings, Delray Beach

1:00 pm | $10.00 | Sandoway Discovery Center, Delray Beach

Loggerhead Marinelife Center: Fish Feeding Talks

1:30 pm to 12:00 am | FREE | Loggerhead Marinelife Center, Juno Beach

Free rain barrel, West Palm Beach

5:00 pm to 7:00 pm | FREE

Tasty Tuesdays with Food Trucks

5:00 pm to 8:30 pm | FREE | Sunset Cove Amphitheater, Boca Raton

Tasty Tuesday food trucks, Boca Raton

5:00 pm to 9:00 pm | Sunset Cove Amphitheater, Boca Raton

National Night Out, Delray Beach

6:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | Old School Square, Delray

Comedy Open Mic Night, Delray

8:00 pm to 10:00 pm | $5.00-10.00 | Arts Garage, Delray Beach

Wednesday, October 4, 2023

AMC Theatres: 30% off daily before 4 p.m.

9:00 am to 4:00 pm | Discounted | AMC Theatres

Public Walking Tour, WPB

9:00 am to 4:00 pm | FREE | Manatee Lagoon, Palm Beach

Outdoor marine aquarium feedings, Boca Raton

12:30 pm | FREE | Gumbo Limbo Nature Center, Boca Raton

Shark & Stingray Feedings, Delray Beach

1:00 pm | $10.00 | Sandoway Discovery Center, Delray Beach

Loggerhead Marinelife Center: Fish Feeding Talks

1:30 pm to 12:00 am | FREE | Loggerhead Marinelife Center, Juno Beach

Thursday, October 5, 2023

AMC Theatres: 30% off daily before 4 p.m.

9:00 am to 4:00 pm | Discounted | AMC Theatres

Public Walking Tour, WPB

9:00 am to 4:00 pm | FREE | Manatee Lagoon, Palm Beach

Outdoor marine aquarium feedings, Boca Raton

12:30 pm | FREE | Gumbo Limbo Nature Center, Boca Raton

Shark & Stingray Feedings, Delray Beach

1:00 pm | $10.00 | Sandoway Discovery Center, Delray Beach

Loggerhead Marinelife Center: Fish Feeding Talks

1:30 pm to 12:00 am | FREE | Loggerhead Marinelife Center, Juno Beach

Hispanic Heritage: Latin American Classical Music on Viola, West Boynton

2:00 pm to 3:00 pm | FREE | West Boynton Branch Library

Live music: Clematis by Night, West Palm Beach

6:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | West Palm Beach Waterfront

Night Market, Boca Raton

6:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Sanborn Square Park, Boca

FAU Symphony Orchestra, Boca Raton

7:00 pm | $10.00 | Florida Atlantic University Boca Raton

Friday, October 6, 2023

AMC Theatres: 30% off daily before 4 p.m.

9:00 am to 4:00 pm | Discounted | AMC Theatres

Public Walking Tour, WPB

9:00 am to 4:00 pm | FREE | Manatee Lagoon, Palm Beach

Guided nature hike, Jupiter

9:00 am | FREE | Riverbend Park, Jupiter

Outdoor marine aquarium feedings, Boca Raton

12:30 pm | FREE | Gumbo Limbo Nature Center, Boca Raton

Shark & Stingray Feedings, Delray Beach

1:00 pm | $10.00 | Sandoway Discovery Center, Delray Beach

Loggerhead Marinelife Center: Fish Feeding Talks

1:30 pm to 12:00 am | FREE | Loggerhead Marinelife Center, Juno Beach

Free concert: First Friday @ 5, Boynton Beach

5:00 pm to 8:00 pm | FREE | Centennial Park, Boynton Beach

Art After Dark Fridays; activities & times vary, WPB

5:00 pm to 10:00 pm | $5.00-10.00 | Norton Museum of Art, West Palm Beach

Art After Dark: Jazz Fridays, WPB

5:00 pm to 10:00 pm | $5.00-10.00 | Norton Museum of Art, West Palm Beach

Rock-n-Fall Festival, Royal Palm Beach

5:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | Commons Park, Royal Palm Beach

Lakeside Market: Music & vendors, Wellington

6:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Town Center Promenade, Wellington

Catskill Haunts Haunted House, Royal Palm Beach

7:00 pm to 11:00 pm | $10.00 | Commons Park, Royal Palm Beach

Art After Dark: Jazz Friday at The Norton, WPB

7:00 pm | $5.00-10.00 | Norton Museum of Art, West Palm Beach

Art After Dark: Live performances every Friday at The Norton, WPB

7:00 pm | $5.00-10.00 | Norton Museum of Art, West Palm Beach

First Friday Art Walk, Delray

8:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | Arts Garage, Delray Beach

Saturday, October 7, 2023

Free entry to museums with bank card

All Day | FREE | South Florida Museums

Farmers markets & vendor fairs

FREE | Broward, Dade & greater Palm Beach

$5 all-day fares weekends on Tri-Rail

5:00 am to 11:30 pm | $5.00

Sensory-Friendly Science Saturdays for age 5+, Boca Raton

9:00 am to 10:00 am | FREE | Sugar Sand Park, Boca Raton

DIY workshops for kids at participating Home Depot stores

9:00 am to 12:00 pm | FREE | Home Depot stores

AMC Theatres: 30% off daily before 4 p.m.

9:00 am to 4:00 pm | Discounted | AMC Theatres

Public Walking Tour, WPB

9:00 am to 4:00 pm | FREE | Manatee Lagoon, Palm Beach

Free Fun First Saturday, Boca History Museum

10:00 am to 4:00 pm | FREE | Schmidt Boca Raton History Museum

Free film: Sea Turtles of the Palm Beaches

10:30 am | FREE | Loggerhead Marinelife Center, Juno Beach

Science Stories for age 5+, Boca Raton

11:30 am | FREE | Sugar Sand Park, Boca Raton

Outdoor marine aquarium feedings, Boca Raton

12:30 pm | FREE | Gumbo Limbo Nature Center, Boca Raton

Shark & Stingray Feedings, Delray Beach

1:00 pm | $10.00 | Sandoway Discovery Center, Delray Beach

Crafted on the Ave., open air market

1:00 pm to 5:00 pm | FREE | Downtown Delray Beach

Rock-n-Fall Festival, Royal Palm Beach

1:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Commons Park, Royal Palm Beach

Loggerhead Marinelife Center: Fish Feeding Talks

1:30 pm to 12:00 am | FREE | Loggerhead Marinelife Center, Juno Beach

Hispanic Heritage: Tuna de Weston, WPB

2:30 pm to 3:30 pm | FREE | Main Library, Palm Beach Co.

Catskill Haunts Haunted House, Royal Palm Beach

7:00 pm to 11:00 pm | $10.00 | Commons Park, Royal Palm Beach

Sunday, October 8, 2023

Free entry to museums with bank card

All Day | FREE | South Florida Museums

Farmers markets & vendor fairs

FREE | Broward, Dade & greater Palm Beach

$5 all-day fares weekends on Tri-Rail

5:00 am to 11:30 pm | $5.00

AMC Theatres: 30% off daily before 4 p.m.

9:00 am to 4:00 pm | Discounted | AMC Theatres

Public Walking Tour, WPB

9:00 am to 4:00 pm | FREE | Manatee Lagoon, Palm Beach

Free film: Sea Turtles of the Palm Beaches

10:30 am | FREE | Loggerhead Marinelife Center, Juno Beach

Outdoor marine aquarium feedings, Boca Raton

12:30 pm | FREE | Gumbo Limbo Nature Center, Boca Raton

Shark & Stingray Feedings, Delray Beach

1:00 pm | $10.00 | Sandoway Discovery Center, Delray Beach

Hispanic Heritage: Puerto Rico in Music and Dance, WPB

2:00 pm to 4:00 pm | FREE | Mandel Public Library of West Palm Beach

Monday, October 9, 2023

AMC Theatres: 30% off daily before 4 p.m.

9:00 am to 4:00 pm | Discounted | AMC Theatres

Outdoor marine aquarium feedings, Boca Raton

12:30 pm | FREE | Gumbo Limbo Nature Center, Boca Raton

Loggerhead Marinelife Center: Fish Feeding Talks

1:30 pm to 12:00 am | FREE | Loggerhead Marinelife Center, Juno Beach

Tuesday, October 10, 2023

Discounts at Cinemark on Tuesdays

All Day | Discounted | Cinemark

Regal Theatres: Discounted movie tickets on Tuesdays

All Day | $5.00-7.00 | Regal Cinemas Multiple Locations

AMC Theatres: 30% off daily before 4 p.m.

9:00 am to 4:00 pm | Discounted | AMC Theatres

Public Walking Tour, WPB

9:00 am to 4:00 pm | FREE | Manatee Lagoon, Palm Beach

Outdoor marine aquarium feedings, Boca Raton

12:30 pm | FREE | Gumbo Limbo Nature Center, Boca Raton

Shark & Stingray Feedings, Delray Beach

1:00 pm | $10.00 | Sandoway Discovery Center, Delray Beach

Loggerhead Marinelife Center: Fish Feeding Talks

1:30 pm to 12:00 am | FREE | Loggerhead Marinelife Center, Juno Beach

Tasty Tuesdays with Food Trucks

5:00 pm to 8:30 pm | FREE | Sunset Cove Amphitheater, Boca Raton

Tasty Tuesday food trucks, Boca Raton

5:00 pm to 9:00 pm | Sunset Cove Amphitheater, Boca Raton

Free movie preview 'The Burial'

7:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Paragon Theaters Delray Beach

All Arts Open Mic Night, Delray

8:00 pm to 10:00 pm | $5.00-10.00 | Arts Garage, Delray Beach

Wednesday, October 11, 2023

AMC Theatres: 30% off daily before 4 p.m.

9:00 am to 4:00 pm | Discounted | AMC Theatres

Public Walking Tour, WPB

9:00 am to 4:00 pm | FREE | Manatee Lagoon, Palm Beach

Outdoor marine aquarium feedings, Boca Raton

12:30 pm | FREE | Gumbo Limbo Nature Center, Boca Raton

Shark & Stingray Feedings, Delray Beach

1:00 pm | $10.00 | Sandoway Discovery Center, Delray Beach

Loggerhead Marinelife Center: Fish Feeding Talks

1:30 pm to 12:00 am | FREE | Loggerhead Marinelife Center, Juno Beach

Thursday, October 12, 2023

AMC Theatres: 30% off daily before 4 p.m.

9:00 am to 4:00 pm | Discounted | AMC Theatres

Public Walking Tour, WPB

9:00 am to 4:00 pm | FREE | Manatee Lagoon, Palm Beach

Outdoor marine aquarium feedings, Boca Raton

12:30 pm | FREE | Gumbo Limbo Nature Center, Boca Raton

Shark & Stingray Feedings, Delray Beach

1:00 pm | $10.00 | Sandoway Discovery Center, Delray Beach

Loggerhead Marinelife Center: Fish Feeding Talks

1:30 pm to 12:00 am | FREE | Loggerhead Marinelife Center, Juno Beach

Live music: Clematis by Night, West Palm Beach

6:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | West Palm Beach Waterfront

Friday, October 13, 2023

Pepper Ranch Preserve native sunflower viewing, Immokalee

9:00 am to 3:00 pm | FREE | Pepper Ranch Preserve, Immokalee

AMC Theatres: 30% off daily before 4 p.m.

9:00 am to 4:00 pm | Discounted | AMC Theatres

Public Walking Tour, WPB

9:00 am to 4:00 pm | FREE | Manatee Lagoon, Palm Beach

Guided nature hike, Jupiter

9:00 am | FREE | Riverbend Park, Jupiter

Outdoor marine aquarium feedings, Boca Raton

12:30 pm | FREE | Gumbo Limbo Nature Center, Boca Raton

Shark & Stingray Feedings, Delray Beach

1:00 pm | $10.00 | Sandoway Discovery Center, Delray Beach

Loggerhead Marinelife Center: Fish Feeding Talks

1:30 pm to 12:00 am | FREE | Loggerhead Marinelife Center, Juno Beach

Hispanic Heritage: ¡Baila! Reggaetón for Kids, WPB

2:00 pm to 3:00 pm | FREE | Mandel Public Library of West Palm Beach

Art After Dark Fridays; activities & times vary, WPB

5:00 pm to 10:00 pm | $5.00-10.00 | Norton Museum of Art, West Palm Beach

Lakeside Market: Music & vendors, Wellington

6:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Town Center Promenade, Wellington

Food In Motion in Fort Lauderdale

6:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | Esplanade Park

Oktoberfest 2023, Lake Worth

6:00 pm | $15.00 | American German Club of The Palm Beaches

Screen on the Green: Hotel Transylvania 4: Transformania, WPB

6:30 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | West Palm Beach Waterfront

Catskill Haunts Haunted House, Royal Palm Beach

7:00 pm to 11:00 pm | $10.00 | Commons Park, Royal Palm Beach

Art After Dark: Live performances every Friday at The Norton, WPB

7:00 pm | $5.00-10.00 | Norton Museum of Art, West Palm Beach

Saturday, October 14, 2023

Farmers markets & vendor fairs

FREE | Broward, Dade & greater Palm Beach

$5 all-day fares weekends on Tri-Rail

5:00 am to 11:30 pm | $5.00

Pepper Ranch Preserve native sunflower viewing, Immokalee

9:00 am to 3:00 pm | FREE | Pepper Ranch Preserve, Immokalee

AMC Theatres: 30% off daily before 4 p.m.

9:00 am to 4:00 pm | Discounted | AMC Theatres

Public Walking Tour, WPB

9:00 am to 4:00 pm | FREE | Manatee Lagoon, Palm Beach

PB residents get $5 admission to Mounts Botanical Garden

9:00 am | Discounted | Mounts Botanical Garden, West Palm Beach

DIY workships for kids at participating Lowe's stores

10:00 am to 1:00 pm | FREE | Lowe’s stores

Free film: Sea Turtles of the Palm Beaches

10:30 am | FREE | Loggerhead Marinelife Center, Juno Beach

Science Stories for age 5+, Boca Raton

11:30 am | FREE | Sugar Sand Park, Boca Raton

South Florida Tacos and Treats Festival

12:00 pm to 6:00 pm | $10.00-100.00 | John Prince Park

Outdoor marine aquarium feedings, Boca Raton

12:30 pm | FREE | Gumbo Limbo Nature Center, Boca Raton

Shark & Stingray Feedings, Delray Beach

1:00 pm | $10.00 | Sandoway Discovery Center, Delray Beach

Loggerhead Marinelife Center: Fish Feeding Talks

1:30 pm to 12:00 am | FREE | Loggerhead Marinelife Center, Juno Beach

Oktoberfest 2023, Lake Worth

2:00 pm | $15.00 | American German Club of The Palm Beaches

Hoptoberfest at Hopporunities, Dealray Beach

3:00 pm | Hopportunities in Delray Beach

Catskill Haunts Haunted House, Royal Palm Beach

7:00 pm to 11:00 pm | $10.00 | Commons Park, Royal Palm Beach

Mary Lou Cruz

About Mary Lou Cruz

I worked at the South Florida Sun Sentinel for 21 years, as an Advertising Special Sections Writer; Editorial Systems Editor in Technology; and Editorial Assistant in the Newsroom. Before my newspaper career, I worked in the airline and travel industry and I have lived in Brazil, Puerto Rico and vacationed in more than 25 countries. Originally, I'm from Maryland. I moved to Florida in 1984 and raised my daughter in Miami. Send me notices and details for upcoming free events, in Palm Beach and Miami-Dade counties, to events@SouthFloridaOnTheCheap.com.

Living on the CheapMiami 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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