Patti Roth

For a holiday treat, the Galleria in Fort Lauderdale features an assortment of performances from regional organizations.  Galleria mall is at 2414 East Sunrise Blvd., Fort Lauderdale 33304. Entry and parking are free  In 2025,  entertainment includes   1 p.m. – 3 p.m. Saturday, December 6 Broward College Premier Jazz Combo  1 p.m. – 3 p.m. Sunday, December …

Enhance your entertainment repertoire with a free outdoor performance featuring South Florida Symphony Orchestra in Weston. The  show featuring holiday favorites in 2025  is at 5 p.m. Saturday, December 13, at the Amphitheater, 1900 Bell Tower Lane, Weston 33326. Some seats are provided. Feel free to bring your own. Sign up for the South Florida …

The Pompano Beach Holiday Boat Parade dazzles the waterways.  The boat parade in 2025 is 7 p.m. Friday, December 12, on the Intracoastal Waterway. The event usually features  more than 50 boats decorated with holiday lights, music and dancing. For boats, the entry fee is $25. If you want to watch online, the parade is featured on …

Popular and festive, the Winterfest Boat Parade features elaborately decorated boats floating in formation on The New River & Intracoastal Waterway in Fort Lauderdale. The event in 2025 is 6 p.m. Saturday, December 13,  featuring a prime outdoor watch area in Fort Lauderdale with live entertainment, food vendors and a jolly vibe. Fees apply for the …

For folks who sign up for the free Family rewards program at Ikea, participating restaurants in the home goods stores offer deals. Some deals require the Family rewards ID, others do not.  Ikea restaurant deals include: Kids eat free Kids eat free in December with purchase of an adult entree. Valid for kids 12 and …

  Deerfield Island is a natural area on the Intracoastal Waterway in north Broward that’s accessible by boat. Free water shuttle excursions to Deerfield Island Natural Area are weather permitting, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.  The free boat shuttle service usually runs from a dock at Sullivan Park, 1701 Riverview Road, Deerfield Beach, at 10 a.m., …

Happy Hanukkah! Broward County organizations have planned a number of public events to celebrate Hanukkah this year. The Jewish holiday in 2025 will be celebrated December 14 – 21. Hanukkah celebrates both a military victory and a miracle. The holiday commemorates the victory of the Maccabees, a Jewish army, over the Syrian-Greek army, which enabled …

Holiday tunes and an array of walk-through lights and displays are featured at Hard Rock the Holidays in Hollywood.  The attraction outdoors at the pool of the guitar hotel is open November 29 through January 3 with tickets at about $10 to $45. For a discount, the Facebook page offers promocode Lights for $10 off …

When he’s not in his workshop, Santa is often out and about in South Florida. He’s waving to fans & posing for snapshots.  Among his favorite places are Fort Lauderdale beach and the Middle River in Wilton Manors.  Events at the beach & on the river in 2025 with Santa in Broward Fort Lauderdale Santa …

Organizations in South Florida offer free food distribution for families needing help. Some sites provide drive-through pickups, while others offer doorstep deliveries for eligible participants. Eligibility requirements vary among different organizations. Some are open to everyone.  Food distributions are in Broward, Miami-Dade and Palm Beach. Often the organizations accept volunteers and donations. This list is …

Festive theme decorated trees and a Hanukkah display are featured at a free Winter Wonderland exhibit in Plantation.  The indoor exhibit at Plantation Historical Museum includes a mini train village, a gift shop and occasional extra festive events. Extra events feature Santa and live entertainment. In 2025 the display with about 40 trees  is open …