8 festivals, fairs & festivities in January to start 2026 in a fabulous way

One of the best things about South Florida is that our subtropical climate means we can have festival fun just about all year long. With that in mind, welcome to SoFlo Festivals, Fairs & Festivities, a new feature that will give you a monthly look ahead to celebrations throughout Palm Beach and Broward counties. Here’s our list for January, but keep coming back to this post because we’ll continue to add events. Also, prices may not reflect taxes and fees.

LAS OLAS ART FAIR

This is Part 1 of the well-known fair that features more than 200 artists in “pop-up” galleries, with a wide range of sculptures, paintings, mixed media, glasswork, pottery and more available for purchase. The pet-friendly event has a fully vetted, juried selection of fine art. By the way, Part 2 will be Feb. 28-March 1.

WHEN: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Jan. 3-4
WHERE: Along East Las Olas Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale, stretching from Southeast Sixth Avenue (near Tunnel Top Plaza) to 11th Avenue (near Himmarshee Canal)
COST: Free
INFORMATION: 561-746-6615; artfestival.com

PERLBERG FESTIVAL OF NEW PLAYS

New, never-produced-anywhere plays will get readings at this festival put on by Palm Beach Dramaworks in downtown West Palm Beach. Each reading is followed by a post-performance discussion.

WHEN: Jan. 9-11
WHERE: Palm Beach Dramaworks, 201 Clematis St., West Palm Beach
COST: $35 per performance (Playwright Roundtable Discussion on Jan. 11 is free, but you must register online)
INFORMATION: palmbeachdramaworks.org

TASTE OF DANIA BEACH

There will be food trucks, a Little Chefs Cooking Station, games, contests, face painters, live performances by Adam Uhlan Band and Life in Technicolor and more. There will also be exclusive access to local food and beverage vendors with the purchase of a Tasting Experience wristband. Free shuttles will run to and from the Casino at Dania Beach from 5:30 to 10 p.m.

WHEN: 6-9 p.m. Jan. 10
WHERE: City Hall Plaza, 100 W. Dania Beach Blvd., Dania Beach
COST:

• Free general admission and parking
• $40 for Tasting Experience wristband
• $60 for VIP admission

INFORMATION: tasteofdaniabeach.com

MACH 1 — SALUTE TO SERVICE AIR SHOW

Originally, the idea was to have this high-flying high-five on Veterans Day back in November, but then the government shutdown grounded those plans. Now the inaugural Mach 1 — Salute to Service Air Show is jetting into January with aerial performances from two L-39 Albatros jet fighters and other aircraft, set against the backdrop of the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse.

Waterfront venue Charlie & Joe’s at Love Street is hosting the official watch party with lawn games and live music. NFL icon Joe Namath and business partner/lifelong bestie Charles Modica have three venues in one with Charlie & Joe’s: There’s The Beacon, Lucky Shuck Oyster Bar & Taphouse and a rooftop tapas bar called Topside at the Beacon. All will offer dining specials.

• Lucky Shuck will have a Southern-style barbecue plate ($25).
• The Beacon will have front-row seating during the air show, with children age 12 and younger dining for free with the purchase of an adult entree.
• Topside at the Beacon will have a VIP rooftop experience that includes two drinks, an all-you-can-eat buffet, a raffle entry, and an acoustic guitar/country music performance by Cole Cash (noon-2 p.m.; $80 a person).
• First responders, active military and veterans can pick up a 15% discount card for Charlie & Joe’s, valid for one year.
• A portion of the proceeds will be donated to Warriors Choice Foundation and Saddle & Sea Foundation.

WHEN: noon-5 p.m. Jan. 11
WHERE:

• See the air show all along the banks of the Loxahatchee River near the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse
• Charlie & Joe’s at Love Street, 1116 Love St., Jupiter

COST: Free admission for watch party
INFORMATION: saddleandseafoundation.org or lovestreetjupiter.com

ARTISANS OF WINE & FOOD

This will be the sophomore staging of this SoFlo sip-and-sup experience staged at The Boca Raton, the resplendent resort celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2026 that is partnering with oenophile omniscient Napa Valley Vintners of California. Chef-tastics such as Jet Tila, Mario Carbone, Taek Lee, Alex Espinoza, Guy Savoy and Massimo Falsini are scheduled to lend their gastronomic greatness along with a who’s who from the wine world. “We’re bringing Napa Valley’s finest vintners and world-class chefs together for a weekend that celebrates craft and community,” said Daniel A. Hostettler, president & CEO of The Boca Raton. “After last year’s incredible response, we’re raising the bar in every way, offering guests an even more immersive experience. Unlike other food and wine weekends, here it’s the vintners, winemakers and owners that our members and guests have the opportunity to engage with.”

WHEN: Jan. 15-18
WHERE: The Boca Raton club & resort, 501 E. Camino Real
COST:

• A la carte tickets are $150-$778.24
• Weekend passes are $2,848.24
• Wine auction proceeds from A Vintners Gala: Carbone at Artisans of Wine & Food on Jan. 17 will benefit Place of Hope in Palm Beach County and the Napa Valley Vintners Youth Wellness Initiative.

INFORMATION: artisansofwineandfood.com

SOUTH FLORIDA STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL

For the fourth time, this annual jam (get it?) will return with strawberry treats — or what they call Strawberry Yummies or “Strummies”. Expect vendors as well as the Berry Big Bite Contest, Berry Bonanza Adventure Maze, Strawberry Shortcake Bounce House, Strawberry Playland, Strawberry Soft Play Area (for toddlers), Pop-Up Shopping Village, golf simulator, derby and water race games, petting zoo, an America’s Got Talent Stunt Dog Show and more.

WHEN:

• 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Jan. 17-18
• 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Jan. 19 (Martin Luther King Jr. Day)

WHERE:

COST:

• $22.32 for general admission
• $41.52 for admission and Unlimited Rides & Inflatables wristband

INFORMATION: soflostrawberryfestival.com

DONALD M. EPHRAIM SUN & STARS INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

This will be the fourth year for this film festival that brings a wide mix of movies to Palm Beach County. Highlights for this edition include an opening night gala featuring the set-in-Miami, coming-of-age comedy “Ethan Bloom,” and a closing night frock-doc on fashion/footwear designer Kenneth Cole titled, “A Man with Sole: The Impact of Kenneth Cole.”

WHEN: Jan. 25-Feb. 6
WHERE:

COST: Tickets are $16.79, $17.25, $40.25 (“Steve Schapiro: Being Everywhere”), $103.50 (“Ethan Bloom”) and $125 (Kenneth Cole documentary)
INFORMATION: sasiff.org

WELLINGTON’S TASTE & TOAST

This al fresco cocktail and culinary event is returning for a second year to The Mall at Wellington Green. Guests, 21-and-over, can sample gourmet bites from local restaurants and chefs as well as sip cocktails, wines and premium spirits. DJ Roberto will be spinning. A portion of the event proceeds will benefit the Boys & Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County.

WHEN: 7-10 p.m. Jan. 30
WHERE: The Mall at Wellington Green, 10300 Forest Hill Blvd., Wellington
COST:

• General admission is $90 by Jan. 1 and $100 afterward
• VIP is $150 by Jan. 1 and $175 afterward

INFORMATION: wellingtonfl.gov/2291/Taste-Toast