Why Greater Fort Lauderdale is an Art Festival Destination

Written for Visit Lauderdale

While online shopping is sweeping the nation, there’s an unmatched experience that comes with outdoor art festivals. The wind in your hair. The roaming in between tents. The interactions with the artists. The kids pointing in awe at each piece. Even the wandering dogs on leashes getting major sensory overload.  

With year-round tropical temperatures, Greater Fort Lauderdale is the perfect place to step away from the computer and go appreciate art — up close and personal. Here’s a look at some of the reasons why art festivals in Fort lauderdale and its neighboring areas are a collector’s dream come true.  

There’s an Art Fair on the Water 

[Text Wrapping Break]Greater Fort Lauderdale has 300 miles of winding waterways. Some use it for dining and fishing. Others use it for paddleboarding and jet skiing.  

Believe it or not, artists use it as a means to exhibit their work. Art Fort Lauderdale moves you, literally and figuratively, along the Intracoastal Waterway for a 4-day curated art fair. You can journey aboard a complimentary water taxi for the ultimate artistic experience. 

Featured artists from around the world appear in Art Fort Lauderdale’s less-than-typical galleries. Your water taxi will make stops at vacant waterfront luxury properties that are, essentially, transformed into full-out art museums.  

Wander through the halls of these million dollar homes, and get a glimpse of art pieces of various styles and methods that impress. Between the scenic boat ride and the sheer scale of these galleries, it’s safe to say buying art will never be the same. 

There are Art Festivals by the Beach  

From the waterways to A1A, art festivals are popping up left and right. Looking at art is one thing, but looking at art while looking at the ocean? Even better.  

When it comes to views, the Deerfield Beach Festival of the Arts does not disappoint. The annual festival takes place south of the International Fishing Pier. Over 130 artists from all over the U.S. participate as vendors in tents lining the beach. 

Make it an afternoon outing, and peruse handmade jewelry, crafts, toys, photography and, of course, paintings. You can also enjoy live music, a variety of food vendors, refreshments, a student art exhibit and a kids' zone. 

Another notable art festival in close proximity to the beach is the annual Las Olas Art Fair. Any other day of the year Las Olas Boulevard is a quaint, yet lively street in downtown Fort Lauderdale full of stores, outdoor dining, old fashioned light posts, hidden courtyards and twinkling lights. When it’s time for Las Olas Art Fair, it’s all that — and more. 

Sculptures, woodwork, paintings, wearable art...you name it; this fair has it all. Presented by Howard Alan Events, producer of the nation’s top outdoor art festivals, the fair is so big that it hits the boulevard in three parts, three times a year.  

Combine your art shopping with window shopping at the many boutiques behind the tents, and top off your day with lunch and people-watching at a restaurant along the sidewalk.  

There are Two Major ArtWalks 

Thanks to a new flock of emerging artists setting up shop in Greater Fort Lauderdale, visitors can add mural spotting to their sightseeing plans twice a month.  

The award-winning Downtown Hollywood ArtWalk continues to be an immersive experience for all attendees. Taking place the third Saturday night of the month, the Downtown Hollywood Mural Project guides you through a walking tour of the many murals that mask the buildings in the area.  

With a map in hand, you can follow along and take photos in front of the mural of your choice. From vibrant mermaids to black and white abstract patterns, the murals of Hollywood, Florida set the scene for a good time and a killer photo. In addition, there are live art performances throughout the evening, as well as live music, restaurants, shops, gallery openings and cultural programming. 

Taking place every last Saturday evening of the month, Flagler Arts and Technology (FAT) Village ArtWalk also makes for a night to remember. With a series of warehouses, murals, studios and hipster cafes, FATVillage is “downtown Fort Lauderdale’s creative enclave.” Artists, collectors and pedestrians alike gather on a walking tour of the up-and-coming area.  

Begin your trek by C&I Studios off of Sistrunk Blvd. Take a look at what the art vendors and cultural food trucks have to offer in the parking lot, then make your way to MASS District for more artsy alcoves and live activations. Have some dessert at Notorious Creamery, then end your walk with a night of gaming in the Glitch Bar arcade. At FATVillage ArtWalk, there’s always an unexpected adventure on the horizon.  

There’s a Whole Week Dedicated to Art and Design 

It’s evident how much of an art destination Greater Fort Lauderdale is solely by the fact that Fort Lauderdale Art & Design Week exists. A result of the desire to unite all of the area’s artists and cultural institutions, this week seeks to truly establish Greater Fort Lauderdale’s impact on the world’s arts and culture. 

Attendees can expect Fort Lauderdale Art & Design Week to foster discussions over contemporary art trends in the areas of the arts, architecture, cinema, dance, music and theatre, as well as help promote diversity, bring neighbors into dialogue, inspire creativity and offer opportunities to cultivate civic pride. 

While the events vary each year, they aim to set a high bar. A past event was the “Seminole Art Scene From the Frontlines.” This event featured a full spectrum of masterpieces by Seminole artists.  

Sistrunk-A-Fair presents: C.R.E.A.T.E. was another event, which showcased local black artists in South Florida. Broadway’s smash hit Hamilton was even a part of the 2019 lineup.  

The week is a can’t-miss event that attracts art fans from near and far and perfectly encapsulates Greater Fort Lauderdale’s artistic drive as a destination.