Florida is a popular hotspot for tourists and locals alike, and having a good time doesn't always mean spending money. On the south side of the peninsula, beaches, parks, festivals, concerts and other events offer numerous free and public activities suited to various tastes. Keep an eye on local papers and event blogs for more free events, which often occur seasonally.
Beaches offer myriad free activities in South Florida, from swimming and water sports to simple walks along the beach and sunbathing. Visitors to these beaches partake in fishing, boating, scuba diving, shell collecting, picnicking and other activities that don't cost a dime. On the southwest coast, take in the beaches of Sanibel and Captiva islands, which offer a small-town feel in contrast to the state's more popular beaches. Tigertail Public Beach on Marco Island is a family-friendly location that has no admission fee. Florida's southeastern coast is also home to popular free beaches. Of course, Miami's South Beach and Palm Beach's public beach are both popular free destinations that heat up over spring break; these trendy public beaches offer a good place for partying and people watching. The only fees one might run into at these beaches are parking fees; avoid paying the price by utilizing street parking a few blocks away from the beach or taking advantage of public transportation.
Throughout the year, numerous free concerts bring live entertainment to South Florida. In Miami, the completely free public monthly concert series at Bayfront Park's Tina Hills Pavillion hosts sunset concerts one per month, featuring jazz, orchestra, Latin and other genres of music. In June, Key West hosts free Navy Band Concerts at the San Carlos Theatre. For those on the southwestern coast, Fort Myers presents the Summer Jazz in the Gulf free concert series, which runs July through September at the Naples Beach Hotel and Golf Club.
Miami's Bayfront Park also hosts a free New Years Eve celebration with fireworks; for a more low-key event, check out the park's free yoga throughout the year. Winter through spring, Fort Lauderdale's Las Olas Art Fair brings food, music and art exhibits to the south Florida town, while February's Fat Tuesday on Hollywood Beach brings a Mardi Gras-style parade to the area. The town also offers the Riverwalk Get Downtown in mid-November, which offers exhibits, food and music---area restaurants offer two complimentary cocktails and free live entertainment. In the Keys, Key West's September Conchtoberfest is open to the public, presenting music, exhibitors and entertainment. Key Largo's June Reef Fest celebrates the area's coral reefs with free nightly hors d'oeuvres and activities.
