Greater Fort Lauderdale Event Calendar – Submission Guidelines, Tips and Tricks

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GEOGRAPHIC AREA COVERED: The Greater Fort Lauderdale Event Calendar focuses on events occurring in Greater Fort Lauderdale and the downtown Riverwalk District.  Other events in Broward County will be approved based on their relevance to our followers and partners.  EVENTS IN MIAMI AND PALM BEACH COUNTY DO NOT FIT OUR SUBMISSION GUIDELINES.

TYPES OF EVENTS: All special and recurring events are eligible for inclusion.  Priority is given to free and non-profit events.  Events generally not eligible include networking events, organization/group meetings and events occurring in bars and restaurants (happy hours/theme nights/holidays) unless in partnership with a non-profit organization.  

EVENT SUBMISSION: Complete ALL fields (including event image) for approval.  No incomplete or partial submissions are allowed; if you later need to update information email calendar@GoRiverwalk.com

  • NAME AND EMAIL: This information is only for Riverwalk staff to contact you if there are issues with your posting. Provide a valid, individual email address.
  • EVENT NAME: This will be the title online for your event. Please do not put in all caps unless the event is titled that way.  (Limit of 50 characters, spaces included)
  • WHEN: DATE AND TIME: For events occurring on a single day or consecutive days, enter the start and end date and event times.
    • MULTIPLE SESSIONS/SEATINGS: Use the “Add Time Slot” option, do not create separate events for each time slot. 
    • RECURRING EVENTS:
    • Check the recurring event box when your event reoccurs repeatedly, regularly and/or on non-consecutive days. For example: 3rd Wed of the month, the 5th of every month, 1st and 3rd Saturday.  If the recurrences are consecutive “Monday, April 4 and Tuesday, April 5”, this is a single event happening for 2 days, not a recurring event. “Event Duration” box – If each recurrence is 2 days, enter 1.  If each recurrence is 3 days (Friday-Sunday) select 2.
    • Customization – If there are dates in the recurrence where the event will not happen and/or dates that are out of the normal schedule, use the “+Event Dates” and “+Unavailable Dates” options at the bottom. 
  • WHERE: Enter location name if one location; if location does not prepopulate, enter the address.   If there are multiple locations or the event is virtual, enter a web address.
  • DETAILS: This should be a detailed, informative description of your event. You can add additional hyperlinks to websites and emails in this box if you wish. 
  • SUMMARY (NEW): A short summary about your event.  Limit of 80 characters, spaces included
  • EVENT LINK: the website for your event.  MUST START WITH “https://”
  • ORGANIZATION: The name of the organization hosting the event.
  • NOT-FOR-PROFIT: Is your organization a non-profit?
  • ORGANIZATION LINK: The link to your organization’s website. MUST START WITH “https://”
  • YOUR PHONE (not required): Organization phone number
  • CATEGORY: Select the category that best relates to your event.
  • EVENT IMAGE: You must upload an image for your event here. Please keep in mind that the website requires images with a minimum size of 200 * 200 pixels and a maximum up to 700*700 pixels and the file size of 200 kb or less! For best display your image should be square.  IF THE IMAGE DOES NOT FIT THESE GUIDELINES YOUR IMAGE WILL BE CROPPED TO IT’S MOST EFFECTIVE DISPLAY AT THE CALENDAR EDITOR’S DISCRETION.

APPROVAL PROCESS: Events will typically be approved within 2 business days, but may take longer.  You will receive an email notification only after the event is approved. Approved events are eligible to be included in Go Riverwalk Magazine’s Events Connection, Riverwalk’s weekly events e-mail and our social media; no further action is required.  For inclusion in Go Riverwalk Magazine events must be submitted at least 1 month before the calendar month of the event (for events occurring in May, events must be submitted by April 1 to be eligible for inclusion).

If you have any questions, submit with an error and need to make a correction, or later need to make an update, please email calendar@GoRiverwalk.com with the subject “Calendar Submission Update” and the name of the event.

Empowerment Village

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Gain more independence with free immediate resourced available to empower you!

Presented by the City of Fort Lauderdale’s Neighbor Leadership Academy – Cohort 14.

Monday, January 19, 2026
9 AM to 11 AM
Provident Park

Provided by your local, community organizations.

October 2025 Fall Get Downtown at YOLO

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On Oct. 7, Riverwalk members and corporate partners joined staff and Board members at YOLO on Las Olas for the fall Get Downtown, Riverwalk’s twice-a-year general membership reception. YOLO is the perfect setting to welcome members back
for the start of event season, and the perfect partner to host this long-time event. Thank you to the team at YOLO that always delivers great service and food, and to our members and partners who empower us to deliver great events, year after year.

YOLO
333 E Las Olas Blvd, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301

October 2025 Power Mixer at The Lobby on New River

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On Oct. 27, Riverwalk again ventured south of the river for the final Power Mixer of the year at The Lobby on New River (formerly Masa & More). Riverwalk Trustee and Executive members and Corporate Partners enjoyed an evening at this unique venue, a new neighborhood hangout at the
intersection of downtown and Rio Vista, situated right along the Riverwalk. Thank you to our sponsors, FitFactor Training and Dynamix for their
support of the evening, and to our host, Rob Wild, for welcoming the Riverwalk community into his establishment.

The Lobby on New River
(formerly Masa & More)
510 SE 5th Ave, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301

Riverwalk Exclusives – December 2025 Go Riverwalk Magazine

Derrick Gruner – Member Profile December 2025

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Derrick Gruner
Trustee Member

“We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” – Winston Churchill

Community involvement has always been important to me. In faith we are taught to be good stewards, and meaningful stewardship necessarily
includes community.

My personal stewardship journey began when I was the youngest vice president in the history of our local chamber of commerce and continued through terrific programs like Leadership Jacksonville (Class of 2005), Leadership Miami (Class of 2009) and Leadership Los Angeles (Class of 2014). It has included sitting on the board of directors for youth offender intervention non-profit Inside-Outside of Jacksonville, serving on the board of directors of the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce, and continues today in my second year of service on the Riverwalk board of directors.

I discovered Fort Lauderdale’s own Riverwalk by an accident of serendipity. A frequent cyclist, the paths are part of a scenic route from my South Bank neighborhood to the beach. It was some time before I realized that the Riverwalk is more than mere physical infrastructure, it is in fact an organization that by its very definition is the steward of our community’s most iconic aspect beyond the beach. Being drawn to the Riverwalk organization’s mission of stewardship as consistent with my own, I joined and soon began volunteering. Th e Riverwalk organization is comprised of like-minded souls who are not here for profit but are passionate stewards of a vital asset and tireless in their efforts to create a vibrant community. So, when I am asked aft er hours of volunteering in the blazing South Florida sun at a Riverwalk event why I do it, the answer is simple: this is how we make a life!

Membership – December 2025 Go Riverwalk Magazine

Jarrett Blakeley – Member Profile November 2025

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Jarrett Blakeley
Corporate Partner
Founder,
Blakeley Law Firm, P. A.

When attorney Jarrett Blakeley moved to Fort Lauderdale 15 years ago to begin his personal injury career, his first home was alongside the Riverwalk. The area quickly became a central part of his life, offering inspiration as he built what would grow into one of Florida’s respected personal injury practices. Today, he still spends much of his free time along the Riverwalk with his family, enjoying its local businesses, cultural events and scenic beauty.


Blakeley is the founder of Blakeley Law Firm, which has offices in Fort Lauderdale, Miami, West Palm Beach and Jacksonville. The firm focuses almost exclusively on representing victims of car, motorcycle, truck and rideshare accidents. Known for pairing aggressive advocacy with genuine compassion, the firm has recovered over $200 million for injured clients across Florida.
For Blakeley, joining and supporting Riverwalk

For Blakeley, joining and supporting Riverwalk Fort Lauderdale represents both a professional commitment and a personal one. “Fort Lauderdale is not just where we practice law – it’s home,” he said. “Being part of Riverwalk means giving back to the community that has supported me from the very beginning.”

Th rough this partnership, Blakeley Law Firm continues its dual mission: advocating for accident victims in the courtroom while also supporting the cultural and civic heartbeat of the city it proudly calls home.

Membership – November 2025 Go Riverwalk Magazine

The 16th Annual Riverwalk Stone Crab & Seafood Festival This Saturday, January 3, 2026 Will Feature Stone Crabs and Seafood Dishes From Local Vendors and Purveyors

Posted on by Jeremy

Fort Lauderdale, FL – December 30, 2025 – The 16th Annual Riverwalk Stone Crab & Seafood
Festival will highlight some of South Florida’s amazing seafood vendors and purveyors this
Saturday, January 3, 2026, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m at Esplanade Park. This annual celebration of
South Florida’s dynamic culinary scene features free admission, tantalizing seafood bites and fun
for all families, with the iconic Hermit Crab races returning and new in 2026, the Grove Lounge for
those 21 and over.

What to Expect at Seafood Festival:

  • Fresh Stone Crabs and more presented by sponsor Vinny’s Stone Crabs & Seafood
  • A diverse lineup of local restaurants and gourmet food trucks offering signature seafood dishes and a $5 item including:
    Garlick Crabhouse, Catch and Cut, Florida’s Best Caribbean Seafood Market, Florida’s Fine Food Corp, Frank Pepe’s Pizzeria Napoletana – Delray Beach, Sherri’s Crab Cakes, Popo’s Seafood, Mr. Lobster, Lobsta Rolls, Fisheria Ensenada, Tio Paella and Eat Da Bone BBQ
  • The Hermit Crab Races sponsored by Finster Murphy’s Fresh Seafood
  • NEW IN 2026: The Grove Lounge at Seafood Festival – A premium experience for attendees 21 and over with open bar and small bites. Bar sponsored by Swiggle, and supported by Tierra de Ensueño Tequila, J Street Imports (Wines), Bella Principessa Prosecco and Papa’s Grappa, with more to come. Food from Chimney House and Red Door Asian Bistro (while available) with additional food offerings in the works. All food and drink are available while supplies last. Lounge area opens at 11:30 am with last admission at 3:15 pm.

More information about the event including registration is available at
www.GoRiverwalk.com/seafood with updates through Riverwalk’s social media accounts,
@RvierwalkFTL on Facebook and Instagram.

The generous support of event sponsors and Riverwalk partners ensures that attendance at the Stone
Crab & Seafood Festival remains free and open to the public. We thank our event sponsors:
Toothaker.org, Bloom Sparkling Energy, Original Fat Cats, Vinny’s Stone Crabs & Seafood, Finster Murphy’s Fresh Seafood, Catch & Cut, Swiggle, Tito’s Handmade Vodka, Morningstar Storage – Fat Village, GoRiverwalk Magazine and S. Mark Graphics.

For more information and sponsor and vendor inquiries contact events@GoRiverwalk.com or call
954‑468‑1541.

About Riverwalk Fort Lauderdale, Inc.
Riverwalk Fort Lauderdale is a 501(c)(3) non-profit charitable organization responsible for the
programming, beautification and activation of Riverwalk Park and the Riverwalk District.
Composed primarily of volunteer private citizens and overseen by a board of directors, all members
uphold the organization’s directive, as stated in its mission statement, “to be the catalyst in building
and nurturing Riverwalk and the Riverwalk District as a vibrant community connected by the New
River.” Funding for this mission comes from hosting a wide range of fundraising, networking and
membership events, grants, and by publishing local information on our informative website and in
Go Riverwalk magazine.