Free things to do in Pembroke Pines: the Chapel Trail boardwalk, dog parks, The Frank art gallery, three libraries, free city concerts and festivals all year.
Last checked Oct. 10, 2026. Sources: the City of Pembroke Pines facilities directory, special events list and event listings, The Frank C. Ortis Art Gallery, the Broward County Library locations list and Pembroke Lakes Mall. City Special Events office: 954-392-2116.
Most of what Pembroke Pines offers costs nothing: city parks, a wetland boardwalk, two dog parks, a contemporary art gallery at City Hall, three public libraries and a city events calendar that runs a free festival or concert most months of the year.
Who to call
- City Special Events office: 954-392-2116
- Recreation and Cultural Arts Department: 954-392-2130
- The Frank C. Ortis Art Gallery: 601 City Center Way
- Studio 18 Art Complex: 954-961-6067
Outdoors
- Chapel Trail Park Nature Preserve, 19800 Sheridan St.: a 1,650-foot boardwalk and observation pavilion over 450 acres of wetland, where the city counts 120 bird species. Open 8 a.m. to dusk Monday through Saturday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.
- Park walking loops: Dream Park’s 1/3-mile path with fitness stations, Rainbow Park’s quarter-mile path, Ben Fiorendino Park’s lakeside path and Linear Park’s bike path; see walking and biking trails.
- Dog parks: Craig Rupp K-9 Dog Park and the Steven L. Josias Dog and Equestrian Park are free; see dog-friendly Pembroke Pines.
- Playgrounds, including the fully inclusive playground at Memorial Park, 601 City Center Way; see kids’ activities.
- Memorial Park also holds the city’s Veterans Memorial and 9/11 memorial.
Art
- The Frank C. Ortis Art Gallery, 601 City Center Way: admission is free all year except summer exhibitions, which cost $5 (card only), according to the gallery’s visitor page. Open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday; closed Monday and Tuesday. Its 2025 Holiday Movie Night was free and open to all ages.
- Studio 18 Art Complex, 1101 Poinciana Drive: a city gallery and 18 artist studios with four major exhibitions a year. Its Studio Saturday workshops have been free with advance registration, such as the Oct. 10, 2026, plaster casting class.
- Public art and the America 250 projects are listed on the city’s Arts and Culture page.
Libraries
Three Broward County libraries are in the city: Southwest Regional, 16835 Sheridan St.; Pembroke Pines/Walter C. Young Resource Center, 955 NW 129th Ave.; and South Regional/Broward College, 7300 Pines Blvd. Hours and programs are on the county’s library site.
Free city events through the year (2026 dates)
| Month | Event | Where |
|---|---|---|
| January | Martin Luther King Jr. Parade and Celebration (Jan. 19) | Charles F. Dodge City Center |
| February | Kindness Day (Feb. 7); Beats and Bites (Feb. 26) | City Center |
| April | Annual Egg Hunts (April 4) | Pines Recreation Center; Pembroke Shores Park |
| May | Water Safety Day (May 2); National Kids to Parks Day free swim (May 16) | YMCA Aquatic Center; city pools |
| June | Mayor’s Kids Day (June 12); Summer Symphony (June 14); Juneteenth Celebration (June 19) | City Center |
| July | Fourth of July celebration and fireworks; Mayor’s PlayBall (July 10); Dive-In Movie (July 18) | Pines Recreation Center; Flamingo Park; Academic Village Pool |
| August | Splash in the Pines (Aug. 8) | West Pines Soccer Park |
| September | Touch-a-Truck (Sept. 19); Hispanic Heritage Festival (Sept. 26) | City |
| October | Bow Wow Ween (Oct. 3); Pines Night Out (Oct. 23); BooVille for residents (Oct. 28) | Craig Rupp K-9 Park; City Center |
| November | Veterans Day ceremony (Nov. 11); ParTee at Night for adults (Nov. 20); Artisan Market (Nov. 21) | Various |
| December | SnowFest and tree lighting for residents (Dec. 5) | City Center |
Dates are from the city’s special events list; 2027 dates are announced through the year. Upcoming details are on our things to do this month page.
Free concerts
- Beats and Bites, a monthly Thursday concert series, 7 to 9 p.m., on the City Center plaza.
- Summer Symphony Series, 4 to 6 p.m. Sunday afternoons from June to September at City Center; no tickets, limited seating.
Free indoors
- Mall walking: Pembroke Lakes Mall, 11401 Pines Blvd., unlocks its doors for mall walkers at 10 a.m., and parking is free, according to its FAQ.
- City meetings: City Commission meetings at 601 City Center Way are open to the public, with agendas on the city’s Legistar site.
More: parks and trails, things to do this weekend and farmers markets.
Frequently asked questions
Is The Frank art gallery in Pembroke Pines free?
Yes, most of the year. The Frank C. Ortis Art Gallery, 601 City Center Way, says admission is free all year except summer exhibitions, which cost $5. It is open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday.
What free events does Pembroke Pines hold?
The city’s free events include the MLK Day parade in January, the spring egg hunts, Juneteenth, the Fourth of July celebration and fireworks, Splash in the Pines in August, the Hispanic Heritage Festival in September, Pines Night Out in October and the monthly Beats and Bites concerts.
Are Pembroke Pines dog parks free?
Yes. Craig Rupp K-9 Dog Park, 9751 Johnson St., and the Steven L. Josias Dog and Equestrian Park, 5836 SW 193rd Way, are free. Both close Wednesdays 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for maintenance.
Where can I walk for free in Pembroke Pines?
The 1,650-foot boardwalk at Chapel Trail Park Nature Preserve, 19800 Sheridan St., and the walking paths at city parks such as Dream Park and Rainbow Park are free.
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