Posted by: Whether it's an emphasis on romance, hanging out with friends, family and your pet, or treating yourself, Valentine's Day is a perfect occasion to do something special. South Florida offers plenty of things to do, including lots of free live performances and art events. Some of the Valentine events and date ideas are offered before or after Valentine's Day.
Valentine's Day ideas in 2026 in South Florida
Plenty of Farmers Markets and Vendor Fairs include entertainment and activities
Things to do in Broward
Ignite Broward art displays
Ignite Broward art festival February 13-22 is ideal for an interesting date. At different venues, the event features impressive works of art formed with light, sound and 3D projection. Events and displays are in Fort Lauderdale, Dania Beach and Hollywood. Entry to the events is free.
Photo/Hollywood CRA
Live bands on Hollywood beach
Hollywood Bandshell is right off the ocean and features live bands usually 7 p.m. – 9 p.m. Wednesdays to Sundays with free entry. The bandshell is along a pedestrian promenade featuring restaurants, hotels and shops, if you'd like to enhance your Valentine's Day excursion with a drink or snacks.
The Hollywood Beach Bandshell is at 320 Johnson St., Hollywood. Parking at the beach is $3 per hour Monday through Thursdays and $4 per hour Friday through Sundays. Residents of Hollywood may apply for a discounted rate. Parking information is available online.
Festival in Deerfield Beach
Pioneer Days in Deerfield 10 a.m. – 10 p.m. February 14 & 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. February 15 features a variety of regional bands, food vendors and artisan vendors. The event includes a parade at 10 a.m. February 14 and things for kids to do.
Entry is free. The festival is at Beach Parking Lot, 149 SE 21st Avenue. Parking fees apply
Appreciate Art
Several art venues and outdoor exhibits in Broward offer free entry.
- Studio 18 In The Pines displays the work of local artists, entry is free, 954-961-6067 , 1101 Poinciana Drive, Pembroke Pines. The venue includes artists studios, and if they are open, you are able to watch the resident artists work
- Downtown Hollywood Murals features about 45 vibrant murals on buildings and sidewalks in easy walkable route, and it's free. Information about the artwork and artists is online
- ArtServe exhibits feature the work of South Florida artists & artisans, and a shop is on site if you'd like to do some shopping, 954-462-8190, 1350 E. Sunrise Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale
- Museum of Art in Coral Springs offers free entry. It is inside Coral Springs Center for the Arts, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Fridays & Saturdays; 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, 2855 Coral Springs Drive, Coral Springs; 954-340-5000; website
- Sea Turtle beach sculpture is part of Wyland's global public art project, which focuses on representations of marine life. The display, which includes fish and a reef, is at Dania Beach Boulevard and Gulfstream Road, which is around 601 E. Dania Beach Boulevard, Dania Beach 33004
- Sunrise Parks & recreation department offers an outdoor event space Village Art Plaza that features sculptures and other vibrant outdoor art displays. Entry for many events is free. Parking is free. Village Art Plaza is at 2260 NW 68th Ave., Sunrise 33313.
Play Trivia
Trivia at bars and restaurants is usually free to play, and it's appreciated if you order food or drinks. Trivia events in Broward
Photo: City of Dania Beach
Pose with your sweetie
Dania
A public art sculpture in Dania featuring a red heart weather vane is a perfect backdrop for a sweet photo with your sweetie.
It's outside of Dania city hall, 100 W. Dania Beach Boulevard in Dania Beach. It's free.
Pembroke Pines
The photo station for DIY pictures features a romantic Paris backdrop for Valentine's Day at Southwest Regional Library, 954-357-6580, 16835 Sheridan St., Pembroke Pines 33331
Fort Lauderdale
Free photo shoots for sweethearts, families and individuals with a print while supplies last 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. Saturday, February 14 at Broward Main Library, 100 S. Andrews Avenue 33301
Kara Starzyk Photography
Doggie Fashion Show
Galleria Fort Lauderdale is featuring a doggie fashion show and adoption event 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Saturday, February 14 and entry is free for participants and spectators.
The Fashion Show features prizes for Best Dog Walk, Best Dressed, Dynamic Duo and Best in Show. Participants need to register by 5 p.m. February 10 at 954-806-2869 or michael@goodmanpr.com.
The event includes vendors and rescue organizations with dogs for adoption.
The Galleria is at 2414 East Sunrise Blvd., Fort Lauderdale 33304. Entry and parking are free.
Photo/Water Taxi
Water Taxi
Water Taxi in Fort Lauderdale offers rides along the Intracoastal Waterway in Fort Lauderdale and Pompano Beach, with hop-on, hop-off opportunities if you'd like to dine or go shopping, or stay on board for a scenic excursion. Discounted Happy Hour fares of $25 after 5 p.m. in Fort Lauderdale and $15 in Pompano Beach are offered. If you are shopping or dining, partnering businesses offer discounts or extra perks if you display your Water Taxi ticket.
Photo/Shops at Pembroke Gardens
Adopt A Pet
Wonderful pups, kitties and other furry friends are available for adoption at shelters and rescue organizations in South Florida. If you want to enhance your family, adopt a pet or volunteer to foster.
Shelters include and rescue organizations include
- Broward County animal care department. No fees are required for adopting dogs and cats at Broward Animal Care. The shelter is at 2400 SW 42nd St., Fort Lauderdale 33312. The adoption includes vaccinations and microchip.
- Furever Saved
- Humane Society of Greater Miami in North Miami Beach
- Miami-Dade Animal Services
- Lady Luck Animal Rescue
- Humane Society of Broward offers Adopt A Sweetheart promotion February 14 and 15, the shelter is at 2070 Griffin Road, Dania Beach.
Things to do in Miami-Dade for Valentine's Day
Snap photos
Instagrammable places in the Miami Design District
Parks & Recreation
- Miami Beach Botanical Garden offers free entry
- Stroll this free floral park in Coral Gables
- Miami-Dade Parks
- Biking in Miami-Dade.
Things To Do in Palm Beach County for Valentine's Day
Orchid Show
A Valentine orchid show is 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, February 14 and and Sunday, February 15 in Boca Raton. Entry is $5 & free for ages 12 and younger. The venue is a school at 1790 Spanish River Blvd., Boca Raton. Purchase tickets at the event or for a discounted rate of $3 at Green Barn Orchid Supplies, 5185 Conklin Drive, Delray Beach.
Photo/Delray Art Trail Downtown Delray Beach
Appreciate Art
Delray Art Trail is an assortment of vibrant outdoor public art displays, art studios and other art venues in the downtown district. For information, log into the Art Trail website.
Parks and Nature
- Manatee Lagoon in Riviera Beach includes indoor exhibits and a deck overlooking the waterway where manatees and other residents of the ocean occasionally hang out. Entry and parking are free.
- Bike or walk the Palm Beach LakeTrail
Other Ideas
Pack a Picnic
Toss sandwiches and other scrumptious portable foods into a sack & savor a sunny outdoor afternoon activity at a favorite park. Entry for lots of South Florida parks and natural areas is free, or relatively inexpensive. Enhance your excursion with a nature walk and smooch in the woods. Play Frisbee. Or work out at the fitness stations. Use the websites below to pick a perfect park.
- South Florida scenic parks and natural areas
- Florida State Parks
- Broward County
- Miami-Dade County
- Palm Beach County
- For local parks, refer to each municipality's website
Fern Forest. Photo/Broward Parks & Recreation
Food Trucks
For a twist on dining out, dine out — outdoors. Grab your favorite fare or something fresh and exotic at a food truck event. Some food trucks events offer extra things to do, such as live music.
Things to do for with your Valentine if you're spending a little or a lot more
Photo/Silverball Retro Arcade
Silverball Retro Arcade in Delray Beach
Silverball Arcade offers pinball and lots of other arcade games. Playing games is included with regular entry fees, which are about $10 – $25 a person. The address is 19 NE Third Avenue, Delray Beach 33483, 561-266-3294
Drinks and food are offered for purchase.
Other popular attractions with fees
- Boomers Boca Raton, arcade and recreation park, 3100 Airport Road; 954-347-1888
- Frost Science Museum, 1101 Biscayne Blvd., Miami; 305-434-9600
- Zoo Miami, 12400 SW 152nd St., 305-251-0400; website
- Flamingo Fest at Flamingo Gardens in Davie
- Jupiter Lighthouse
- Xtreme Action Park, 5600 Powerline Road, Fort Lauderdale ·954-491-6265, is an indoor arcade and recreation venue
- Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, 305-667-1651, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., 10901 Old Cutler Road, Miami
South Florida on the Cheap is a member of 