Kick off the summer on Memorial Day weekend at the Great American Beach Party, a tradition in the City of Fort Lauderdale. Celebrate with family and friends as a portion of Fort Lauderdale’s world-famous beach transforms into an entertainment mecca.

Highlights from this free, family-friendly event include live bands, water slides, a kids zone, a classic car show, an art show, a sand sculpting contest, a SOCOM Para-Commandos parachute jump, a military tribute, the Walk of Fame ceremony, vendors, exhibitors, and so much more!

• Great American Beach Party Flyer

Saturday, May 23, 2026

• 12 PM - 6:00 PM
• Las Olas Oceanside Park

Entertainment Schedule

Walk of Fame

The City established the Walk of Fame in 2010 at the inaugural Great American Beach Party to pay tribute to the legendary Connie Francis on the 50th Anniversary of “Where the Boys Are,” the 1960 film which made Fort Lauderdale an overnight sensation and a “must see” destination for visitors.

Walk of Fame Honorees are recognized by making sustained, positive impacts in one or more of the areas listed below but not limited to:
• Providing a positive outlook for the future of our youth,
• Contributing to the quality of life for our citizens,
• Fostering the spirit of our community,
• Bringing positive recognition to the City, locally or nationally,
• Making Fort Lauderdale a place to live, work, or play,
• Encouraging people to visit Fort Lauderdale as a destination of choice.

As part of the awards program, each honoree receives a commemorative paver that is placed in the Walk of Fame to memorialize their outstanding accomplishments. The Fort Lauderdale Walk of Fame is located on the beach along the east side of A1A at Las Olas Boulevard. Walk of Fame Honorees are announced at the Great American Beach Party, which is tentatively scheduled to take place on the Saturday of Memorial Day Weekend.

2026 Walk of Fame Honorees

Linda B. Carter, Champion of Youth

• Devoting more than four decades to building permanent institutions that strengthen
  youth, families and non-profits, she has raised the overall quality of life in the city
  and region.

• Dr. Bill Kent advanced Fort Lauderdale’s global aquatics reputation by revitalizing
  the International Swimming Hall of Fame, championing “Every Child a Swimmer” to
  protect youth and leading Team Horner’s employee ownership program.

Stacey Ritter, Leader in Tourism

• As CEO of Visit Lauderdale, she has contributed dramatically to the sustainability
  and growth of the city of Fort Lauderdale and the region.

John P. "Jack" Seiler, Mayor, 2009-2018

• As a 25-year elected public servant and former Mayor, he was a driving force
  behind what Fort Lauderdale has become today.

Transportation Information

Travel stress free! Avoid the traffic jam and the hunt for a parking space. Instead, enjoy a quick ride by the sea!

Beach Parking

$25 Event Rate (Honored until midnight.)

• Las Olas Garage - 200 E. Las Olas Cir
• Fort Lauderdale Beach Park - 700 Seabreeze Blvd
• North Beach Parking Lot - 725 N. Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd
• On-Street Parking - From Vistamar St to SE 5th St

Downtown Parking

Riverwalk Center Garage - 150 SE 2nd St

• Hourly rates apply - Registered Residents $1.50/hour, Visitors $3.00/hour

Water Taxi

Departures every 35-40 minutes with service towards the beach at Stop #6: International Swimming Hall of Fame. Enjoy unlimited Water Taxi rides all day (10 a.m. to 10 p.m.) from any stop for one fare. For more information or to buy tickets, visit www.watertaxi.com. 

• Fares
  • Adults/Senior/Military - $25
  • Kids 5-11 - $18
  • Kids Under 5 - Free
• Pick-Up Locations
  • Stop 1: Stranahan House on Riverwalk, 420 SE 6th Ave
  • Stop 8: GALLERYone Double Tree Hotel, 2670 E. Sunrise Blvd
• Drop-Off Location
  • Stop 7: International Swimming Hall of Fame

Traffic Advisory

Las Olas Boulevard between A1A and Seabreeze Boulevard will be closed from 5:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday, May 23. Poinsettia Street between A1A and Almond Avenue will be closed from 5:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 23 until 9 p.m. on Monday, May 25.

Northbound A1A traffic may access turnarounds at Cortez and Castillo Streets. Southbound A1A traffic may access turnaround at 600 Seabreeze Boulevard.

Motorists should expect heavy traffic and are encouraged to avoid the area and seek alternate travel routes or transportation.

• Traffic Advisory Flyer

Video

Photos

Visit our Photo Albums page to see our complete Great American Beach Party gallery.