Greater Fort Lauderdale is celebrating an exciting milestone this year. 2026 was officially designated “The Year of Arts and Culture in Broward County” to commemorate 50 years of arts and culture. We were inspired by the proclamation and wanted to highlight some of the destination’s most unique arts and culture experiences, from theaters and live performances to museums, galleries, public art displays and more, so you can fully immerse yourself on your next visit.
Theatres and live performances
At Broward Center for the Performing Arts, you can catch Tony Award-winning shows like The Lion King, Wicked, and Hamilton The venue hosts more than 700 performances annually, including concerts, comedy shows, ballet performances and operas.
Island City Stage has been in Wilton Manors since 2012 and is known for showcasing contemporary, thought-provoking productions for a progressive and diverse audience.
One of Fort Lauderdale’s oldest venues, The Parker is a neoclassical playhouse presenting concerts, comedians, dance productions and theatrical performances year-round. Concert-style tributes are especially popular, including The Simon & Garfunkel Story, The Concert: A Tribute to ABBA and The Fab Four: Tribute to the Beatles, along with seasonal programming and performances by South Florida Symphony Orchestra.
Just a short walk from The Parker, the recently renovated FTL War Memorial Auditorium has attracted established and rising musical acts including Melissa Etheridge, Jess Murph, GloRilla, The Kid LAROI and Niko Moon.
Museums and galleries
The NSU Art Museum Fort Lauderdale in 1986 and was designed by renowned architect Edward Larrabee Barnes. Inside is a permanent collection of more than 6,000 works featuring artists ranging from American realist William Glackens to post-World War II avant-garde Cobra artists from Amsterdam, Brussels and Copenhagen, along with an extensive collection of Cuban and Latin American art. If you’re in town on the first Thursday of the month, admission is free.
An immersive art museum unlike any other in the destination, MAD Arts features more than 20 interactive exhibits by creatives and artists, including seven permanent installations, that blend art and technology. Take a stroll through MAD Yard, an outdoor space featuring live music, art installations, food and beverages.
A stunning gem, Bonnet House Museum and Gardens is a 35-acre historic estate situated along a barrier island ecosystem. In addition to tours covering the grounds, outbuildings and main house, visitors can browse artwork from Frederic Clay Bartlett’s personal collection, along with original works by his third wife, Evelyn Bartlett, showcased in the on-site Carl J. Weinhardt Gallery.
Historic Stranahan House Museum served as the first post office, trading post, town hall and community center in Fort Lauderdale and was once the home of founding father Frank Stranahan. As the oldest building in Broward County, the landmark offers beautiful views of the New River and is a must-visit for history buffs.
For a taste of Caribbean culture, Island Space Caribbean Museum offers an engaging blend of history, education and art under one roof. This one-of-a-kind Caribbean heritage museum calls itself the heartbeat of the region’s culture, with a strong focus on storytelling and celebrating rich island traditions.
An extensive and immersive experience for all ages, Museum of Discovery and Science is a popular family-friendly attraction thanks to more than 200 hands-on exhibits and the state-of-the-art AutoNation IMAX theater.
A celebration of the fired arts, including ceramics and glass, Wiener Museum of Decorative Arts showcases studio glass works from Dale Chihuly and Lalique, along with British and European pottery and porcelain pieces from Lladró, Royal Doulton and Wedgwood. The museum also features Safari for the Soul, an exhibit spotlighting African safari art and demonstrating how art can uplift communities. Local works are also displayed and available for purchase.
Community spaces
The newly transformed and walkable Thrive Arts District is home to galleries, studios and public art installations. More than 30 contributing artists are featured, including South Florida creatives like Ahol Sniffs Glue, Nicole Salgar, Nico, ABSTRK, Johnny Robles and Tatiana Suarez.
At the modern Pompano Beach Cultural Center, visitors will find a theater, gallery spaces and an outdoor performance area hosting concerts, festivals and art exhibits.
Miramar Cultural Center celebrates diversity and creativity through cultural programming and the arts. Featured works include the public art installation Vanishing View by Alison Sky, depicting the disappearing Everglades, and Windows to Our World by Ktano, highlighting BIPOC history and heritage. Additional local works are displayed inside the Ansin Family Art Gallery.
A vibrant outdoor gathering space for arts and cultural programming, ArtsPark at Young Circle is known for its public art displays, live concerts and the Visual Arts Pavilion, which features glassblowing demonstrations, rotating exhibits, classes and workshops.
Public art
As soon as you step off the plane at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, you’re greeted by the destination’s vibrant arts and culture scene. Rotating exhibits and installations help bring the local story to life. With more than 65 permanent works displayed throughout the terminals, visitors will find multimedia art, sculptures, paintings and more serving as an immediate introduction to the destination’s creative spirit.
If you’re heading out on a cruise from Port Everglades, take a moment before boarding to explore the public art displayed throughout the terminals. More than 25 works are featured across the port, many inspired by the destination’s coastal and aquatic surroundings.
At the adjacent Broward Convention Center, art is integrated into the architecture itself through waterfront sculptures, large-scale installations and murals.
And finally, don’t miss the Instagram-worthy photo stop at the massive “Thrive” installation by Daniel Popper at Society Las Olas as the grand finale of your art-fueled tour.
With so much art and culture to experience and explore, you should get a jump on planning your next trip back. Instead of cramming everything into one visit, divide and conquer, so you can enrich your vacation each and every time.