The magic of autumn comes to Broward in October with fall-themed festivals, outdoor events, films, and cultural events and performances to honor Hispanic Heritage Month (celebrated from September 15 through October 15).
Arts Launch Broward: A Community Celebration of Arts & Culture at The Broward Center for the Performing Arts
“Arts Launch Broward” at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts on October 5 is a free, all-ages event highlighting music, dance, theater, and the visual arts in Broward. Organized by the Broward Cultural Division, it includes live performances, an artist showcase, and interactive activities. Attendees can connect with local arts nonprofits and artists, learn about upcoming arts events and opportunities, and engage with the arts community.
As an added bonus, “Arts Launch Broward” attendees can also enjoy Sunday Jazz Brunch, the free, monthly outdoor concert series, which will feature the South Florida jazz duo, Davis and Dow. Wes Anthony, and the Tommy Nehls Quartet will also perform.
IF YOU GO
WHAT: Arts Launch Broward: A Community Celebration of Arts & Culture
WHERE: Broward Center for the Performing Arts, 201 Southwest 5th Avenue , Fort Lauderdale
WHEN: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 5
COST: Free
INFORMATION: (954) 357-7457 or visit the event page and register on Eventbrite
BEST FOR: All ages
AUTUMN-THEMED EVENTS
Moon Rock Party at Broward Main Library
Broward County Library celebrates International Moon Observation Day with a space-themed “Moon Rock Party” at Broward Main Library on Oct. 1.
The party features special guests from Fort Lauderdale’s Museum of Discovery & Science (MODS) and the Southern Cross Astronomical Society (SCAS). Experts from MODS will guide the evening’s hands-on STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) activities and stargazers from SCAS will educate participants on using telescopes and lead the Moon observation portion of the event. The evening also includes tours of the Library’s Moon Rock Exhibition, which shows a film of the Apollo 7 Mission and holds a real Moon rock sample collected during the Apollo 15 Mission to the Moon in 1971.
Attendees will enjoy games, a live DJ, and receive a special giveaway bag.
IF YOU GO
WHAT: Moon Rock Party
WHERE: Broward Main Library, 100 S Andrews Ave., Fort Lauderdale
WHEN: 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 1
COST: Free (registration encouraged)
INFORMATION: (954) 357-7444 or register on the event page
BEST FOR: All ages
Flamingo Gardens Harvest Festival at Flamingo Gardens
Flamingo Gardens celebrates the arrival of the autumn season with its “Harvest Festival Weekends.” On Saturdays and Sundays in October, Flamingo Gardens features a series of fun, fall-themed activities for families, including hayrides, pony rides for small children and farm animal visits, fall-inspired photo opportunities, face painting, and a pumpkin patch pumpkin painting activity (for an additional fee). Visitors also have access to the Flamingo Gardens’ narrated tram tour, the Butterfly Conservatory, the historic Wray Museum and gallery exhibits, daily Wildlife Encounter Presentations, and Animal Specialist Talks.
There’s a different theme each week, and attendees are encouraged to dress up to match the weekend’s theme:
Oct. 4 and 5, Cowboys and Cowgirls Weekend – Celebrate Davie’s agricultural past and enjoy live performances from the all-ages dance group, the South Florida Cloggers.
Oct. 11 and 12, Pirates Weekend – Experience the live interactive Pirate encampment at Flamingo Gardens along with family-centered activities.
October 18 and 19, Día de los Muertos Weekend – Honor the traditional Mexican holiday, “Dia de Los Muertos,” at Flamingo Gardens with costumes and face painting.
Oct. 25 and 26, Halloween Party Weekend – Wear your Halloween costume to this weekend’s event and join family-friendly games and activities.
Costume contests and candy giveaways take place at 1 p.m., tickets for Harvest Festival Weekends can be purchased through the Flamingo Gardens website.
IF YOU GO
WHAT: Flamingo Gardens Harvest Festival
WHERE: Flamingo Gardens, 3750 S Flamingo Rd, Davie
WHEN: 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Saturday through Sunday, Oct. 4 and 5, Oct. 11 and 12, Oct. 18 and 19, Oct. 25 and 26
COST: $24 kids and adults 12 and up, $17 for kids ages 3 to 11, free for children 2 and under, Flamingo Gardens members, and Flamingo Gardens members
INFORMATION: (954) 473-2955 or visit the event page
BEST FOR: All ages
Attack of the Bloodsuckers Exhibit at Flamingo Gardens
Learn all about biting insects and parasites in Flamingo Gardens’ engaging, interactive exhibit, “Attack of the Bloodsuckers.” Kids have opportunities to learn all about mosquitos, leeches, fleas, ticks, and other parasites, and their role in the ecosystem through the “TwlTCHer” floor game, interactive Mosquito Cockpit and Magnification Station, where they get a chance to see leeches swim, watch live mosquitos during each phase of their life cycle, and view slides of other bloodsucking insects.
Access to “Attack of the Bloodsuckers” is included with admission to Flamingo Gardens. Flamingo Gardens is one of the oldest botanical gardens in South Florida and includes over 3,000 different species of native trees and plants, tropical and subtropical plants, as well as rare and exotic plant life. Flamingo Garden’s Everglades Wildlife Sanctuary also houses injured native Florida wildlife like alligators, flamingos, panthers, bobcats, eagles, otters, and peacocks where visitors can learn about the endangered and threatened wildlife and the Everglades.
IF YOU GO
WHAT: Attack of the Bloodsuckers Exhibit
WHERE: Flamingo Gardens, 3750 S Flamingo Rd, Davie
WHEN: 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Sunday, Sept. 20 through Jan. 4
COST: $24 kids and adults 12 and up, $17 for kids ages 3 to 11, free for children 2 and under, Flamingo Gardens members, and Flamingo Gardens members
INFORMATION: (954) 473-2955 or visit the event page
BEST FOR: All ages
Fright Nights at Sunrise Library
Sunrise Library (also known as the Sunrise Dan Pearl Branch) holds a weekly “Fright Nights” movie event each Wednesday of October to celebrate Halloween month. Each “Fright Night” event includes a free showing of a horror film for the public.
Oct. 1, “Heart Eyes” – A pair of co-workers become the targets of a masked killer who stalks couples on Valentine’s Day.
Oct. 8, “Abigail” – The daughter of a powerful criminal leader is kidnapped and held for ransom, but her captors slowly realize their captive isn’t what she appears to be.
Oct. 15, “Tales from the Darkside: The Movie” – To save himself, a boy retells ghoulish stories to a witch planning to eat him.
Oct. 22, “Christine” – An unpopular student named Arnie becomes obsessed with a classic car that has a mind of its own, and a murderous intent.
Oct. 29, “Sinners” – Twin brothers fleeing their lives in Chicago encounter a sinister, supernatural force when they return to their Mississippi hometown in 1932.
The Friends of Broward County Library, which helps support Broward libraries, will also sell movie snacks at the event for $1; all proceeds go towards supporting Sunrise Library’s programs.
Film showings are best suited for adults and older teens as each film is rated “R.”
IF YOU GO
WHAT: Fright Nights
WHERE: Sunrise Library, 10500 W Oakland Park Blvd, Sunrise
WHEN:
(Heart Eyes) 6 p.m. to 7:45 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 1 register on the event page
(Abigail) 6 p.m. to 7:55 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 8 register on the event page
(Tales from the Darkside: The Movie) 6 p.m. to 7:40 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 15 register on the event page
(John Carpenter’s Christine) 6 p.m. to 7:55 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 22 register on the event page
(Sinners) 5:30 p.m. to 7:50 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 29 register on the event page
COST: $24 kids and adults 12 and up, $17 for kids ages 3 to 11, free for children 2 and under, Flamingo Gardens members, and Flamingo Gardens members
INFORMATION: (954) 473-2955 or visit the event page
BEST FOR: All ages
LauderBoo and Riverland Trick-or-Treat at Fort Lauderdale Parks
Fort Lauderdale Parks and Recreation holds its annual Halloween-themed “LauderBOO” at Snyder Park on Saturday, Oct. 19 and “Riverland Trick-or-Treat” at Riverland Park on Friday, Oct. 25.
LauderBOO” is a trick-or-treat event for families that includes carnival games, bounce houses, arts and crafts, music, contests, prizes, and a hands-on animal exhibition featuring native Florida wildlife. Wear your favorite costume and stroll through Snyder Park to trick-or-treat stations for candy and treats. At the “Riverland Trick-or-Treat” event attendees are invited to wear their Halloween costume and enjoy the treats, candy, games and kid-friendly crafts.
“LauderBoo” and “Riverland Trick-or-Treat” are free Halloween events; the events are best suited for kids and families, but visitors of all ages are welcome.
IF YOU GO
WHAT: LauderBoo and Riverland Trick-or-Treat
WHERE:
(LauderBoo) Snyder Park, 3299 SW 4th Ave., Fort Lauderdale
(Riverland Trick-or-Treat) Riverland Park, 950 SW 27th Ave., Fort Lauderdale
WHEN:
(LauderBoo) 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 19
(Riverland Trick-or-Treat) 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., Friday, Oct. 25
COST: Free
INFORMATION: (954) 828-7275 or visit the event page
BEST FOR: All ages
HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH EVENTS
Viva Fort Lauderdale: Celebrating Hispanic Art & Culture Exhibit at History Fort Lauderdale
History Fort Lauderdale presents its fourth annual “Viva Fort Lauderdale: Celebrating Hispanic Art & Culture” exhibit honoring Hispanic Heritage Month.
“Viva Fort Lauderdale” highlights the work of local artists from the Latin American community whose art spans a variety of styles and mediums. Artists featured in “Viva Fort Lauderdale” include:
Florencia Clement De Grandprey (Artist-in-Residence at History Fort Lauderdale) – Born and raised in Spain, Clement de Grandprey is a self-taught mixed media figurative artist who celebrates inclusion and “strong and confident soul-aligned men and women” in her paintings.
Oscar Montoya (Artist-in-Residence at Bailey Contemporary Art Center in Pompano Beach) – Born in Colombia and trained in classical painting at the Institute of Fine Arts of Medellin, Montoya’s work celebrates the classic medium of oil paint.
Lifrancis Rojas – The Venezuelan-born mixed media artist creates abstract, tactile paintings that incorporate collage elements and organic materials.
Isabel Perez Salazar – Originally from Venezuela, Salazar is an art instructor and artist with a background in sculpture, fine art, and mixed media. Her work uses strong colors that evoke tropical environments and natural elements.
“Viva Fort Lauderdale” runs through Sunday, Oct. 19; admission to the exhibit is included with the cost of Museum admission.
IF YOU GO
WHAT: Viva Fort Lauderdale: Celebrating Hispanic Art & Culture Exhibit
WHERE: History Fort Lauderdale, 231 SW 2nd Ave., Fort Lauderdale
WHEN: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Sunday, exhibit runs through Oct. 19
COST: $15, adults, $12, seniors, $7, students up to age 22 with a student I.D., free for Museum members, military, and children age 6 and under
INFORMATION: (954) 463-4431 or visit the event page
BEST FOR: All ages
Entre Dos Mundos Exhibition: Hispanic Heritage Exhibition at the Coral Springs Museum of Art
Coral Springs Museum of Art holds an opening reception for “Entre Dos Mundos: Hispanic Heritage Exhibition” on Thursday, Oct. 2. On display throughout October, “Entre Dos Mundos” (Between Two Worlds) explores bicultural identities and narratives and the complexity and beauty of living within and between two cultures. The show features local South Florida-based artists and highlights Hispanic history, cultures, and traditions.
“Entre Dos Mundos” is on display in the Hall Gallery of the Coral Springs Museum of Art; entrance to the exhibition and the opening reception on Oct. 2 are free and open to the public. Patrons of all ages are welcome.
IF YOU GO
WHAT: Entre Dos Mundos: Hispanic Heritage Exhibition
WHERE: Coral Springs Museum of Art, 2855 Coral Springs Drive, Coral Springs
WHEN:
(Opening Reception) 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 2
(Exhibition Hours) 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Tuesday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday through Saturday
COST: Free
INFORMATION: (954) 340-5000 or RSVP on the event page
BEST FOR: All ages
Amazonia Vocal Ensemble: Hispanic Heritage Month Concert at Weston Branch Library
The Latin American choral music group, Amazonia Vocal Ensemble, comes to Weston Branch Library on Saturday, Oct. 11 for a live concert to honor Hispanic Heritage Month.
Formed in 2007, the Amazonia Vocal Ensemble promotes Latin American music through their performances and raises greater knowledge and awareness of the cultural richness of Latin American choral music traditions. Its volunteer singers perform Latin American contemporary music as well as original arrangements of folk songs in multiple languages including Spanish, Portuguese, Quechua (an indigenous language spoken by over 10 million speakers across Peru, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Argentina, and Ecuador), and Papiamento (a creole language developed from African languages and Portuguese, and primarily spoken in the Caribbean countries of Aruba, Curaçao and Bonaire). As part of their goal to bring Latin American choral music into the mainstream, Amazonia Vocal Ensemble has performed in a wide variety of venues across the country, from the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery to the Chorus America National Conference and Florida International University’s (FIU) Latin American Choral Festival.
The Hispanic Heritage Concert at Weston Branch Library is free to the public; all ages are welcome to attend.
IF YOU GO
WHAT: Amazonia Vocal Ensemble: Hispanic Heritage Month Concert
WHERE: Weston Branch Library, 4210 Bonaventure Blvd, Weston
WHEN: 4 p.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 11
COST: Free
INFORMATION: (954) 357-5420 or register on the event page
BEST FOR: All ages
“From Spain and Beyond” Hispanic Heritage Month – Live Musical Performance at Pompano Beach Library and Cultural Center
Alexandra Marie Barreiro comes to Pompano Beach Library and Cultural Center for “From Spain and Beyond,” a live musical performance to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month. The Argentinean-American lyric soprano, songwriter, and educator will give a concert and speak about her experiences as a Latina singer and performer. The concert will include a variety of music from her vast repertoire including:
Bossa Nova – A blend of samba and jazz that arose in Brazil in the 1950s.
Bolero – Romantic ballads popularized in Cuba in the 1700s.
Paso Doble – A Latin ballroom dance form set to brisk, fast-paced music which originated as the music Spanish matadors used when entering the bullring.
Tango – Originating in Argentina and Uruguay, tango music drew inspiration from European dance and salon music, African music rhythms, and the musical traditions of the indigenous Mapuche people of Chile and Argentina.
Cumbia – A musical style with roots dating back to the 16th century, Cumbia developed from African drumming combined with music traditions from the indigenous people of Colombia.
“From Spain and Beyond” takes place Saturday, Oct. 4; the concert is free to the public.
IF YOU GO
WHAT: “From Spain and Beyond” Hispanic Heritage Month – Live Musical Performance
WHERE: Pompano Beach Library and Cultural Center, 50 Atlantic Blvd, Pompano Beach
WHEN: 2 p.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 4
COST: Free
INFORMATION: (954) 357-7595 or register on the event page
BEST FOR: All ages
Marinera and Peruvian Storytelling at NSU Alvin Sherman Library
Marinera en el Mundo Florida returns to Nova Southeastern University Alvin Sherman Library on Oct. 8 for a performance and presentation showcasing Peruvian culture and Peruvian Marinera dance.
Marinera is the national dance of Peru that combined elements of Spanish, African, and indigenous dances to create a dance form characterized by its intricate footwork, elaborate costumes, graceful gestures, and energetic movements. The dance tells the story of a couple’s courtship and is performed by a female and male dancer who use handkerchiefs to accentuate the dancers’ movements and flirtatious energy of their dance.
The performance is free and open to the public; registration is required to attend this event.
IF YOU GO
WHAT: Marinera and Peruvian Storytelling
WHERE: Nova Southeastern University Alvin Sherman Library, 3100 Ray Ferrero Jr. Blvd. Fort Lauderdale, Davie
WHEN: 5 p.m. to 6 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 8
COST: Free
INFORMATION: (954) 262-5477 or register on the event page
BEST FOR: All ages
