Hollywood, Florida has a lot going for it — the Broadwalk, a genuine downtown dining scene, proximity to everything in greater Fort Lauderdale without the traffic. But the one place that ties it all together is a 10-acre circle sitting right at the intersection of US-1 and Hollywood Boulevard. ArtsPark at Young Circle isn't just a park. It's where the city actually happens.
Whether you're looking for a free concert, a weekend art market, a glass-blowing demo, or just somewhere to let the kids run while you catch a live set, it's probably on the calendar. Here's what to know.
What ArtsPark Is (and Why It's Different)
Dedicated in 2007, ArtsPark at Young Circle was purpose-built as a civic arts destination — not retrofitted. The design integrates a 2,500-capacity amphitheater, a Visual Arts Pavilion, a playground, a splash pad, a lighted walking path, and an on-site gallery into a single walkable loop. Admission is always free. The park is open daily.
It sits at the heart of Downtown Hollywood's walkable grid — restaurants and bars on Harrison Street and Hollywood Boulevard are steps away. A typical evening here looks like dinner first, then a show, then dessert on the way back to the car. The layout is compact enough to feel intimate even when it's packed.
The Hollywood Arts Park Experience (Free Concert Series)
This is the headliner. Produced by the Rhythm Foundation for the City of Hollywood, the Hollywood Arts Park Experience brings nationally and internationally recognized acts to the ArtsPark amphitheater for free — no ticket price, just an RSVP through Eventim.
The booking is genuinely good. Past performers include Maxi Priest, Seun Kuti, Black Uhuru, and Karl Denson's Tiny Universe. Shows typically run from late winter through early summer, starting at 7pm. Bring a blanket or a low chair — the lawn fills up.
Check hollywoodartsparkexperience.com for the current season lineup and to grab your free RSVP before shows sell out.
Downtown Hollywood ArtWalk (Every Third Saturday)
Every third Saturday of the month, 6–10pm, Downtown Hollywood activates around ArtsPark for ArtWalk — and it's more than a gallery circuit.
The full lineup runs simultaneously across the surrounding blocks:
Mural Tour, 6pm — A guided walk through the Downtown Hollywood Mural Project. Meet at the Information Tent at 20th Avenue & Harrison Street. Free.
Artisan Market, 6–10pm — Pop-up shops, handmade goods, local vendors, and vintage finds on 20th Avenue between Harrison Street and Hollywood Boulevard.
Gallery Tour, 7pm — A curated walk through Downtown Hollywood's galleries with Choose954's Evan Snow. You'll actually meet the artists. Free.
Live Music, 6–10pm — A main stage on 20th Avenue at Hollywood Boulevard with performances running the full four hours. Consistently free, consistently good.
Magic Show, 9pm — A sleight-of-hand set by "Magic Jack" Maxwell to close out the night. Free.
The Art and Culture Center of Hollywood (1650 Harrison St) typically runs a pre-ArtWalk champagne gallery tour at 5pm for those who want a head start.
No cover, no wristbands. Just show up.
Visual Arts Pavilion + Hot Glass Studio
Inside the park's Visual Arts Pavilion, you'll find a rotating gallery space and one of the more unexpected amenities in all of Broward County: a working glass-blowing studio. Hot Glass offers free demonstrations and paid classes for anyone who wants to try it.
The gallery is free and open Monday through Thursday, 3–9pm. It rotates exhibitions featuring local, national, and international artists across painting, sculpture, photography, and mixed media. Not a museum — more like a neighborhood gallery that's easy to walk into without feeling like you need to be an art person.
Playground, Splash Pad & the Baobab Trees
The family infrastructure at ArtsPark is genuinely solid. The covered playground handles the usual South Florida heat, and the splash pad is exactly what it sounds like on a 90-degree afternoon in the 954.
Less expected: the park contains five Baobab trees — native to Africa, second-widest tree species in the world, and almost nowhere else in the United States. They're massive, shade-giving, and worth a stop even if you're not there for an event.
The lighted walking path loops the entire park and is a low-key good spot for an evening walk when nothing else is on the calendar.
Tips & Logistics
Getting there: ArtsPark is at 1 Young Circle, Hollywood FL 33020 — the circle formed by US-1 and Hollywood Boulevard in downtown Hollywood. If you've never navigated the roundabout, approach from Hollywood Boulevard heading west and take your time finding the exit.
Parking: Metered street parking surrounds the park ($1.50/hr Mon–Thu, $3/hr Fri–Sun). Municipal garages nearby run $1–2/hr. No parking inside the circle itself.
For concerts: Arrive early. The Hollywood Arts Park Experience shows draw a real crowd, and the lawn fills from the front. Chairs and blankets are welcome; hard-sided coolers and outside food aren't permitted for ticketed events.
Best time to visit: October through April is peak season for South Florida outdoor events. That said, ArtWalk and the Visual Arts Pavilion run year-round regardless of weather.
Why It's Worth It
ArtsPark at Young Circle is the kind of place that makes Hollywood FL residents feel good about where they live. Real acts, free shows, a neighborhood that's actually walkable, and programming that runs every single month. It's not trying to be Miami. It doesn't need to be.
If you're new to Broward or just haven't made it to Hollywood yet, this is the starting point.
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