What’s new in Fort Lauderdale

Fort Lauderdale’s inviting sandy beaches and sunshine are a constant, never changing feature.

But that’s not the case with every other aspect of Greater Fort Lauderdale life. It’s a vibrant place and always evolving with new entertainment experiences, attractions and events to surprise visitors every year.

See what’s in store for 2024 with an insider’s look at the latest happenings to interest Everyone Under the Sun.

 

Upcoming Events

Held on the white sands of Fort Lauderdale Beach Park, Rock the Ocean’s Tortuga Music Festival is a 3-day, multi-stage music festival featuring some of the biggest names in country, rock and roots music. 5 – 7 April 2024.

 

The Fort Lauderdale Airshow is back on 11 & 12 May 2024, with aerial feats by expert pilots from the military and entertainment industries. Set on Fort Lauderdale Beach, the weekend-long annual event is filled with exhilarating aerial acrobatics.

 

International Cricket Council’s (ICC) Men’s T20 World Cup will be held in the US for the first time this year. Consisting of 55 high-intensity matches, played in nine cities throughout the world. The Greater Fort Lauderdale area will host four games in June at the Broward County Stadium in Lauderhill from 11-16 June 2024.

 

Greater Fort Lauderdale Hosting IPW, Premier International Trade Show

A major win for Visit Lauderdale, Greater Fort Lauderdale was selected as the host site for IPW in 2026 for the first time. U.S. Travel’s IPW is a major industry event attended by international and domestic travel buyers and journalists who represent more than 70 countries. This is among the largest generators of travel to the United States. The event will be staged at the Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward County Convention Center from 18-22 May 2026, plus additional sites throughout the region.

 

Sports and Entertainment

Did you know Greater Fort Lauderdale has its own anthem? The catchy song, entitled “Laudy Dayo” is a celebration of the diverse community, landscapes, and dynamic energy. Visit Lauderdale partnered with Alexander Star, a local Emmy-nominated songwriter and impact artist who performed the anthem. It is poised to become a timeless representation of Greater Fort Lauderdale’s identity.

 

The Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywoodushered in a ‘new era’ of gaming with the recent introduction of craps, roulette and long-awaited, legalized sports betting. The launch of these new games sees Greater Fort Lauderdale join the ranks of leading international casinos.

 

The Fortis the ultimate pickleball destination, coming soon to Snyder Park in Fort Lauderdale. Located on a 10-acre expanse, the Pickleball Club will boast 43 pickleball courts, with 14 under roof, including the world’s first officialpickleball stadium. More than just pickleball, The Fort also offers a dynamic lakeside social experience with The Lakehouse, an event center that doubles as sky boxes during tournaments and special events.

 

Topgolf Pompano Beachis a brand-new entertainment option. A blend of sports, socializing, technology and entertainment, Topgolf is the perfect place for parties of all sizes where guests can take aim at the giant outfield targets and enjoy climate-controlled hitting bays and complimentary clubs.

 

Escape rooms have evolved, and fans are loving the new Escape Game Sunrise now open at Sawgrass Mills Mall. At Escape Game Sunrise, you and your team are heroes on a mission. Games are collaborative, tactile, story-driven, and about more than just escaping, they are adventures.

 

The historic Fort Lauderdale Aquatic Center and International Swimming Hall of Fame complex, home to Florida’s first Olympic-sized swimming pool that opened in 1926, underwent a $47 million renovation in summer 2023. The expansion includes five swimming pools and support amenities that will welcome new generations of aquatic sport enthusiasts. A major highlight for the new venue is a 27-metre dive tower with springboards and nine platform levels. Upon request, visitors can take their experience to greater heights with the “Top of the Tower” tours unlocking scenic views of the Intracoastal Waterway and Fort Lauderdale beach.  Further renovations are expected to be completed by 2025.

 

Accessibility & Transportation

Visit Lauderdale continues to enhance its inclusion and accessibility offerings with Greater Fort Lauderdale/ Broward County Convention Center becoming the first convention center in North America to adopt the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower program, a simple tool for people with non-visible disabilities to voluntarily share that they have a disability or condition that may not be immediately apparent. All convention center employees will receive Sunflower training on how to spot and help someone with a hidden disability. A permanent space now provides a person with a hidden disability, or a traveling companion, with various Sunflower products, such as a lanyard, pin, wristband, or retractable Sunflower ID card holder.

 

Brightline, the high-speed rail, which connects Fort Lauderdale to Miami and West Palm Beach, added Orlando to its service in September 2023. The station, located in the heart of Orlando International Airport’s Terminal C, makes Fort Lauderdale more easily accessible for travellers flying direct into Orlando (MCO) with a travel time of less than three hours from Orlando to Fort Lauderdale. Traveling on Brightline is fully accessible to users of all abilities and easily accommodates guests using wheelchairs, walkers, and other assistance devices.

 

Disney Cruise Line brought its magic to Port Everglades with the arrival of The Disney Dream in November 2023. The ship will homeport year-round in a specially designed cruise terminal at Port Everglades, dedicated for Disney Cruise Line guests. In 2024, Port Everglades will also welcome Azamara Onward and Royal Caribbean’s Symphony of the Seas, its fifth Oasis-Class Ship and Celebrity Cruises’ Celebrity Ascent. Also coming soon, are newbuilds Silversea’s Silver Nova and Princess Cruises’ Sun Princess.

 

JetBlue Airways has plans to build its own terminal that will soon be responsible for 250 daily trips by 2027. The new terminal at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport is a 230,000-square-feet project featuring five passenger gates, inbound and outbound baggage processing facilities, a security checkpoint, retail and food and beverage concessions.

 

The famed Water Taxi has added a brand-new stop along the Intracoastal Waterway at the International Swimming Hall of Fame Museum. Located at 1 Hall of Fame Drive in Fort Lauderdale, passengers now have another convenient location to cruise the ‘Venice of America’.

 

Getting to Fort Lauderdale

UK and Irish visitors can fly direct into Miami or Orlando, via a range of airlines, including British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, American Airlines, Aer Lingus, and Norse.  Fort Lauderdale is a one-hour drive or 33 mins on the train from Miami (MIA) and a 3.5-hour drive or under three hours on the train from Orlando (MCO).

 

Visitors can also fly into Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) with Air Canada from London (LHR), via Montreal or Toronto, which has the added benefit of being able to clear US customs in Canada, ensuring a swift arrival into FLL.

 

Find inspiration for your next trip at visitlauderdale.com.

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