Things to Do This Weekend in South Florida: May 15-18
The concept of happiness has been explored in various studies, including a recent essay in The New York Times Magazine, which discussed how nearly a century of happiness research led to one big finding. The essay highlighted the importance of small connections made throughout the day with strangers, whether in line at a coffee shop, the dog park, or the D.M.V. This idea may seem intuitive, but it’s essential to acknowledge its significance in our daily lives.
Introduction to Happiness
A researcher from the University of Chicago experiment said, "If someone were to ask me what’s the one thing you could do tomorrow to be happier, that’s my answer: having a conversation with someone — or a deeper conversation than you normally do." With this in mind, we’ve compiled a list of events and activities to help you connect with others and find happiness in South Florida this weekend.
Friday Events
Funny Girls
Comedians Margaret Cho and Wanda Sykes will perform in South Florida on Friday. Cho will be at The Parker in Fort Lauderdale, while Sykes will be at The Fillmore Miami Beach. Tickets for Cho’s show start at $53.10, and tickets for Sykes’ show start at $64.
Light and Sand
The Norton Museum of Art in West Palm Beach is featuring a new exhibit called "EST (Eastern Standard Time)" by artist Laddie John Dill. The exhibit is a display of hand-blown glass tubes filled with light-emitting gases layered into a bed of sand. Admission to the museum is $18, and the exhibit will be open through October 19.
Spring Cleaning
The Spring 2025 Clothing Swap will take place at LauderAle Brewery in Fort Lauderdale on Friday. Participants must bring at least one bag of clothing or accessories to donate, and tickets cost $20. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to The Caring Place, which supports homeless families in South Florida.
Ticket Window
Tickets for The Who’s farewell tour at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise will go on sale on Friday at 10 a.m. Other concerts going on sale include Lee Brice at War Memorial Auditorium in Fort Lauderdale, Shane Gillis at Hard Rock Live in Hollywood, and Peach Pit at Revolution Live in Fort Lauderdale.
Saturday Events
Last Call
The Delray GreenMarket will set up on Old School Square for the final time this season, gathering local vendors offering fresh produce, baked goods, and more. The market will run from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Waves of Beer
The eighth annual Ocean Brews & Blues festival will take place in Deerfield Beach, featuring over 170 beers from across the state and live music performances. Admission is free, and tickets for unlimited sampling cost $55+.
Come Together
Fever will present a candlelight concert devoted to "The Best of the Beatles" at Savor Cinema in downtown Fort Lauderdale. Tickets start at $50.50+.
Bee Yourself
Garden District Taproom in West Palm Beach will host another installment of Buzzed Spelling Bee, featuring drinking and wording games. Sign up in advance at GardenDistrictWPB.com.
Night Moves
The Oakland Park Art Walk will take place on Saturday from 6 to 9 p.m., featuring pop-ins at various restaurants and bars, including Rebel Wine Bar, The Butcher’s Barrel, and Funky Buddha.
Saturday Night Live
Country-pop singer-songwriter Niko Moon will perform at the War Memorial Auditorium in Fort Lauderdale, and Jamaican dancehall DJ Vybz Kartel will perform at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise. Pink Floyd tribute band Brit Floyd will also perform at The Fillmore Miami Beach.
More Laughs
Actor and comedian Jessica Kirson will perform at the Palm Beach Improv stage at the Kravis Center in West Palm Beach. Tickets start at $48.88+.
Take the Kids
The Ben hotel in West Palm Beach will host the Never Grow Up Character Brunch, featuring a buffet breakfast and character appearances. All-inclusive tickets cost $55+ for kids and $120+ for grown-ups.
Sunday Events
‘¡Azúcar!’ Sunday
The Marlins will take on the Tampa Bay Rays at loanDepot Park in Miami, and the first 8,000 fans will receive Celia Cruz bobbleheads.
Sounds Familiar
Pompano Beach restaurant and entertainment venue Galuppi’s will host a kid-friendly Sunday evening performance by Love Story, a tribute to Taylor Swift. The Sunday on the Waterfront series at Meyer Amphitheatre in downtown West Palm Beach will feature a free concert by Cars tribute band Touch & Go.
Looking Ahead
Local Dining
Chef Jimmy Everett and his restaurant Driftwood in Boynton Beach will host the second annual Locals Dinner, a multicourse celebration of ingredients cultivated in South Florida. The dinner will cost $125+ per person, and an optional beverage pairing will be available for $50.
Oh, It’s On
LauderAle Brewery in Fort Lauderdale will host Ramen Battle, a dinner and competition featuring Takeshi Kamioka of @kaminariramen vs. Chef Daichi of @soupersamurai. A $30 ticket will get you two bowls of ramen and a LauderAle lager.
Conclusion
This weekend in South Florida offers a wide range of events and activities to help you connect with others and find happiness. From comedy shows to beer festivals, there’s something for everyone. Be sure to check out the various events and make the most of your weekend.
FAQs
Q: What events are happening on Friday?
A: On Friday, comedians Margaret Cho and Wanda Sykes will perform in South Florida, and the Spring 2025 Clothing Swap will take place at LauderAle Brewery in Fort Lauderdale.
Q: What is the Ocean Brews & Blues festival?
A: The Ocean Brews & Blues festival is an annual event featuring over 170 beers from across the state and live music performances.
Q: What is the Never Grow Up Character Brunch?
A: The Never Grow Up Character Brunch is an event hosted by The Ben hotel in West Palm Beach, featuring a buffet breakfast and character appearances.
Q: What is the Ramen Battle?
A: The Ramen Battle is a dinner and competition featuring Takeshi Kamioka of @kaminariramen vs. Chef Daichi of @soupersamurai, hosted by LauderAle Brewery in Fort Lauderdale.
