The biggest night in Hollywood this week lands Saturday, October 10, when the city's Hispanic Heritage Festival fills ArtsPark at Young Circle from 3 to 9 p.m. with a Parade of Nations, a salsa headliner from Puerto Rico and performers representing Cuba, Colombia and Peru. It is the anchor of a busy stretch in this corner of Broward County, one that also brings a free Friday movie under the stars, a salsa and Latin jazz afternoon at T.Y. Park, nightly music on the Broadwalk and a history talk run by local young people.

Everything below runs between Wednesday, October 7, and Wednesday, October 14, 2026, and every date and time comes from the City of Hollywood calendar.

Saturday: Hispanic Heritage Festival at ArtsPark

The city is putting this one on with the Hispanic Affairs Council, Koffee Kult and La Casita Tropical, and the bill is deeper than a typical park concert. Melina Almodovar headlines for Puerto Rico. Lisett Morales represents Cuba, Juano represents Colombia and Ysabella Eslava represents Peru. Around them the city has lined up Mariachi Aventureros, the drummers of Tambores Venezolanos Vino Tinto, Carnaval de Barranquilla Miami USA, Ritmo Dance Studios and a long roster of Hollywood school groups.

That last part is what makes it feel like a neighborhood event rather than a booked show. Music students and a Latin dance crew from Hollywood Hills High are on the list, along with performers from Hollywood Academy of Arts and Science, Avant Garde Academy, Hollywood Hills Elementary, Driftwood Middle, Apollo Middle and Boulevard Heights Elementary. If you have a kid in any of those schools, there is a decent chance someone you know is on stage.

Why go: get there for the 3 p.m. start. The Parade of Nations runs from 3 to 4, and it is the most colorful way to open a long afternoon and evening of music at 1 Young Circle in downtown Hollywood.

Friday: free movie night in the ArtsPark amphitheater

On Friday, October 9, the ArtsPark Movie Night screens The Super Mario Galaxy Movie at 8 p.m. in the amphitheater. It is free, it is family friendly and seating is on the lawn, so bring a blanket or beach chairs.

One house rule worth knowing before you pack a cooler: city parks are plastic and foam free, so single-use items like plastic water bottles and utensils are not allowed on the grounds. Bring a refillable bottle.

Why go: this is one of the easiest Friday nights in Broward County for a family. It costs nothing, it sits right in downtown Hollywood, and you can grab dinner nearby before the 8 p.m. start.

Saturday afternoon: salsa and Latin jazz at T.Y. Park

If you want to make a full day of Saturday, start at T.Y. (Topeekeegee Yungee) Park, 3300 N. Park Road, where the Friends of T.Y. Park host Cachí y Saoco Nuevo for live salsa and Latin jazz from 4 to 6 p.m. at Pavilion 12. The concert is part of the group's free series, food trucks will be parked nearby and lawn chairs or blankets are the move. The concert itself is free, though a park gate fee may apply.

Why go: the timing works. The music wraps at 6, which leaves time to drive down to Young Circle and catch the back half of the heritage festival before it ends at 9.

Wednesday through Sunday: free music on the Broadwalk

Every Wednesday through Sunday from 7 to 9 p.m., the Hollywood Beach Theatre at 200 Johnson St. puts on free live music right on the Hollywood Beach Broadwalk, with room in front of the stage to dance. The lineup is programmed by Margaritaville Hollywood Beach Resort rather than the city, and the music changes night to night. This week that means shows on October 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 14.

Why go: it is the simplest good plan on the beach. Walk the Broadwalk at sunset, get something to eat on Johnson Street and land in front of the stage by 7.

Sunday: young historians take the mic

The Hollywood Historical Society continues its monthly lecture series on Sunday, October 11, from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Marta-Beth Friedman Stirling Road Library, 3151 Stirling Road. This month's session, History Heroes, flips the usual format: it gives the floor to young people speaking about the city's past, with Susan Ostheim and Andy Ruffner listed as speakers, according to the city calendar.

Why go: Hollywood has a lot of stories, and this is a rare chance to hear the next generation tell them.

Saturday: help build a public art piece in west Hollywood

Also on October 10, from 3 to 6 p.m., the Peace and Love in the Community Art Workshop at the Kay Gaither Community Center, 6291 Funston Street, invites residents to design individual pieces that will be joined into one large art installation for public display. Kyle Harris of Harris Art Studio leads it. All ages are welcome and no art experience is needed, but children under 12 need an adult with them and space is capped at 20 people.

Why go: most public art just appears one day. This is a chance to have a piece of it be yours. With only 20 spots, show up early.

How to plan the week

If you only do one thing, make it Saturday at ArtsPark: it is the largest gathering on the city's calendar this week and the one most likely to put your neighbors, and their kids, on stage. If you have the energy for more, Saturday is built for stacking, with art in the afternoon on Funston Street or salsa at T.Y. Park, then the festival downtown, and the Broadwalk stage still going if you want to end the night by the ocean. Hollywood does not always get credit for how much it puts on for free, and this week is a good argument that it should.