What's Happening in Palm Beach County: September 15 through 28

Mid-September in Palm Beach County is that lovely in-between season when summer finally loosens its grip and the first hints of fall arrive without ever giving up the sunshine. The county is humming right now: Hispanic Heritage Month has just begun, the restaurants are pulling out their best prix fixe menus, the farmers markets are at their peak, and two of the biggest concerts of the year land back to back at one world-class amphitheater. Over the next two weeks you can watch lanterns glow over a Japanese garden at dusk, cheer a local college football rivalry, wander a juried craft festival in the heart of Delray Beach, and catch a country superstar under the stars. Whether you live here year-round or you are an empty nester quietly exploring what a South Florida move could feel like, these two weeks are a wonderful window into this community. Here is exactly what is happening in Boca Raton, Delray Beach, and across Palm Beach County from September 15 through September 28.

What's happening this week, September 15 through 21?

This is a week with a little of everything: the start of a month-long cultural celebration, an after-hours evening in a glowing Japanese garden, a weekend of Florida football, and the easy rhythm of Sunday farmers markets. It is the kind of stretch that reminds you how much this county packs into seven ordinary days.

Tuesday, September 15

Hispanic Heritage Month Begins
September 15 through October 15 is National Hispanic Heritage Month, and Palm Beach County celebrates it with free concerts, family festivals, art programs, and cultural events all across the county. It is one of the most joyful months on the local calendar, a celebration that honors the communities that have shaped South Florida for generations.

Tasty Tuesdays at Sunset Cove Amphitheater, Boca Raton
6:00 PM to 9:00 PM at South County Regional Park, 20405 Amphitheater Cir, Boca Raton. Free admission, weather permitting. This weekly food truck rally, curated by Gourmet Truck Expo, brings a rotating lineup of food trucks, live music, and a friendly car show together under the evening sky. Bring a blanket or a camping chair and make a whole evening of it.

Spoken Word Open Mic, Arts Garage, Delray Beach
8:00 PM at 94 NE 2nd Ave, Delray Beach. Tickets typically $10. A dedicated evening for poets, storytellers, and lyricists in the warm, intimate 99-seat room at Arts Garage, and one of those evenings that reminds you how much creative talent lives in this community.

Wednesday, September 16

A perfect midweek evening for something low-key. Consider dinner at one of the 100-plus Palm Beach County restaurants participating in Flavor South Florida, the region's month long prix fixe dining celebration running through September 30. Menus are specially priced, many starting around $25, for lunch, brunch, and dinner, making it the easiest and tastiest way to explore new places. In Delray, Downtown Delray Beach Restaurant Month adds its own roster of more than 50 restaurants with prix fixe menus and happy hour specials all September long. Then take a sunset stroll along the Delray Beach Beachfront Promenade, where parking is easy on September weekdays and the ocean view never gets old.

Thursday, September 17

Sunset Stroll, Morikami Museum & Japanese Gardens
5:30 PM to 8:00 PM at 4000 Morikami Park Rd, Delray Beach. $12 members, $15 non-members. This month's edition is themed around Japanese fashion and cosplay, with a cosplay fashion showcase hosted by Florida Supercon, live taiko drumming by Fushu Daiko, koto performances by Emiko Koto, a Tea House demonstration at dusk, and Asian-inspired cuisine. As the sun drops behind the gardens and the paper lanterns glow, the drums echo across the water. Bring a light layer, because the garden air cools beautifully as evening falls.

Clematis by Night, West Palm Beach Waterfront
6:00 PM to 9:00 PM on the Great Lawn at 101 N Clematis St. Free admission. The longest-running free concert series in Florida. Food trucks arrive at 5:30 PM, then you settle onto the lawn with the downtown skyline behind you and the water in front.

Wellington Food Truck & Music Series
Food trucks from 5:00 PM to 8:30 PM, live music at 6:30 PM at Wellington Amphitheater, 12100 Forest Hill Blvd. Free admission. Another Thursday of rotating food trucks and live bands in an easy, family-friendly outdoor setting.

Wellington International September Horse Show
Thursday through Sunday, September 17-20, at Wellington International's Equestrian Village. The premier hunter/jumper competition of the month draws top riders from around the world, and it is a wonderful spectator outing even if you have never been to a show. Park and wander the rings, watch the horses, and feel the energy of the equestrian capital of the world, right in our own backyard.

"Beehive: The 60s Musical" - Opening Night, Delray Beach Playhouse
7:30 PM at 950 NW 9th St, Delray Beach. Tickets start at $45 through the Playhouse. This high-energy musical celebrates the great female vocalists of the sixties, from Aretha Franklin and Janis Joplin to Tina Turner and more. It runs through September 27, and it is a powerhouse of talent, nostalgia, and pure fun.

Friday, September 18

Art After Dark, Norton Museum of Art, West Palm Beach
5:00 PM to 10:00 PM at 1450 S Dixie Hwy. $10 adults and seniors, $5 students, free for members. The Norton's Friday-night tradition of live music, pop-up gallery talks, and a cash bar remains one of the most elegant ways to ease into the weekend. Wander the galleries in the evening light, then linger over a drink in the gardens.

From Cuba, With Love: The Story of a Peter Pan Kid, Arts Garage, Delray Beach
8:00 PM at 94 NE 2nd Ave, Delray Beach. Tickets through Arts Garage, typically $50 to $55. Written and performed by Dr. Manuel Prestamo, this moving one-man show tells the story of a child sent from Cuba to the United States during the Peter Pan Operation of the 1960s. An important piece of South Florida's own history, told with warmth and heart.

The Boss Project, The Funky Biscuit, Boca Raton
9:00 PM at 303 SE Mizner Blvd, Boca Raton. Tickets through The Funky Biscuit. A high-energy Bruce Springsteen tribute band takes the stage at Boca's most beloved live music room. Expect singalongs, sax solos, and a crowd that knows every word.

Candlelight: Tribute to Juan Gabriel on Strings, West Palm Beach
6:30 PM at First Presbyterian Church, 10500 N Military Trail. Tickets through Fever. The beloved Candlelight series surrounds you with hundreds of flickering candles as a live string ensemble performs the timeless music of Juan Gabriel, one of Latin music's most iconic voices. A serene, atmospheric evening.

Saturday, September 19

FAU Owls vs. FIU Panthers, Flagler Credit Union Stadium
6:00 PM kickoff on the FAU campus in Boca Raton, streaming on ESPN+. The two local Division I programs meet in the annual Shula Bowl, a rivalry that brings the whole county together. Parking lots open early, so make an afternoon of it and cheer on your colors.

Boca Raton Museum of Art, Mizner Park
10:00 AM to 11:30 AM for a Member Morning, then an afternoon Morning Makers drawing session inspired by the museum's exhibition of Frédéric Bruly Bouabré from 3:00 to 4:00 PM. A wonderful way to spend a cultured, creative Saturday at one of South Florida's finest art institutions.

Dyer Davis, The Funky Biscuit, Boca Raton
8:00 PM at 303 SE Mizner Blvd. Tickets through The Funky Biscuit. Rising blues guitarist and vocalist Dyer Davis brings his soulful, roadhouse sound to the Biscuit for a Saturday night that keeps the good times rolling.

Sharon Owens: An Enchanted Evening with Barbra, Boca Black Box
7:00 PM at 8221 Glades Rd, Boca Raton. Tickets through Boca Black Box. A sophisticated tribute of Streisand classics from the award-winning performer, the kind of polished cabaret evening Boca does so well.

"Beehive: The 60s Musical" - Delray Beach Playhouse
2:00 PM and 7:30 PM. The energizing musical about the women of sixties pop continues its run.

Sunday, September 20

Boca Farmers Market
9:00 AM to 1:00 PM at the Boca Raton Innovation Campus, 4950 Communication Ave. Free admission. Over 85 vendors selling fresh produce, artisan breads, local honey, organic meats, and handcrafted goods, year-round and rain or shine. Late-September produce is at its absolute best.

The Gardens GreenMarket, Palm Beach Gardens
8:00 AM to 1:00 PM at 10500 N Military Trail. Over 60 vendors with live music from 9:00 AM to noon. A beloved Sunday-morning ritual with seasonal produce and good coffee.

"Threads of Silver & Gold" - Closing Day at Morikami Museum
10:00 AM to 5:00 PM at 4000 Morikami Park Rd, Delray Beach. Included with museum admission ($10 to $15). This exquisite exhibition of Japanese textiles and crafts closes this Sunday, so it is your last chance to see it. The gardens alone are worth the trip.

"Beehive: The 60s Musical" - Delray Beach Playhouse
2:00 PM matinee. The sixties celebration continues its Sunday afternoon run.

What's on for the week of September 22 through 28?

The final full week of September is where the season truly kicks into gear. A hip-hop farewell tour and a country superstar headline the amphitheater, the weekend craft festival returns to the heart of Delray, the Saturday GreenMarket fills Old School Square, and the month-long dining celebrations reach their finale. There is plenty to plan around.

Tuesday, September 22

Tasty Tuesdays at Sunset Cove Amphitheater, Boca Raton
6:00 PM to 9:00 PM at South County Regional Park, 20405 Amphitheater Cir, Boca Raton. Free admission. This is one of the final Tasty Tuesdays of the summer season, so it is a sweet chance to enjoy the food truck lineup, the live music, and the easygoing amphitheater atmosphere one more time before the evenings cool.

Wednesday, September 23

Wu-Tang Forever: The Final Chamber, iTHINK Financial Amphitheatre
7:00 PM at 601-7 Sansburys Way, West Palm Beach. Tickets through Live Nation and Ticketmaster. One of hip-hop's most influential groups brings its farewell tour to South Florida alongside Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, a celebration built on decades of hits and a legacy that reshaped the genre. For fans, this is a rare chance to witness a piece of music history in an iconic open-air venue under the stars.

Delray Marketplace Music Fest
A new fall season of free live music kicks off at the Delray Marketplace Amphitheater, 4664 W Atlantic Ave. The weekly Wednesday-evening concert series, 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM, is a relaxed way to spend a midweek evening among the shops and restaurants. Bring a chair, grab a bite, and enjoy dinner and music in the open air.

Thursday, September 24

Clematis by Night, West Palm Beach Waterfront
6:00 PM to 9:00 PM on the Great Lawn at 101 N Clematis St. Free admission. The Thursday-night ritual continues, with live music, food trucks from 5:30 PM, and that unmistakable waterfront glow as the season's sunsets turn spectacular.

Meditation in the Museum + Vintage Gym, Old School Square
11:00 AM to noon at Old School Square, Delray Beach. A gentle wellness morning combining meditation in the museum with an old-school fitness class, a lovely way to center yourself mid-week.

Wellington Food Truck & Music Series
Food trucks from 5:00 PM to 8:30 PM, live music at 6:30 PM at Wellington Amphitheater. Free admission. Another Thursday of rotating trucks and live bands in the open air.

"Beehive: The 60s Musical" - Delray Beach Playhouse
7:30 PM. The sixties celebration continues as its closing weekend approaches.

Friday, September 25

Art After Dark, Norton Museum of Art, West Palm Beach
5:00 PM to 10:00 PM at 1450 S Dixie Hwy. $10 adults and seniors, $5 students, free for members. Live music, pop-up gallery talks, and a cash bar in an elegant evening setting.

Friday Artisan Market, Boca Center
From 5:00 PM at Boca Center, 5150 Town Center Circle, Boca Raton. Browse local artisans, makers, and vendors while enjoying live music and an easygoing evening in one of Boca's favorite outdoor gathering spots.

An Evening with Jarred Armstrong, Arts Garage, Delray Beach
8:00 PM to 10:00 PM at 94 NE 2nd Ave, Delray Beach. Tickets through Arts Garage. An intimate evening of music and storytelling from a South Florida favorite in the cozy 99-seat room.

Sip & Shop Night Market Edition, The Standard, Delray Beach
5:00 PM to 8:00 PM. An evening of boutique shopping, sips, and live music at The Standard in Delray, a fun way to ease into the weekend close to home.

Saturday, September 26

Tim McGraw, Pawn Shop Guitar Tour with 49 Winchester, iTHINK Financial Amphitheatre
7:00 PM at 601-7 Sansburys Way, West Palm Beach. Tickets through Live Nation and Ticketmaster. Country music superstar Tim McGraw brings his Pawn Shop Guitar Tour to South Florida alongside rising artist 49 Winchester. With a catalog spanning more than two decades of hits, this is a full-throttle Saturday night under the Florida stars that country fans will not want to miss.

31st Annual Downtown Delray Beach Craft Festival
Saturday and Sunday, 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM along NE 4th Ave in downtown Delray Beach. Free admission. Presented by Howard Alan Events, this juried weekend street fair brings dozens of local and national fine artists and crafters to the heart of Delray to showcase original art, handcrafted goods, jewelry, and more. Stroll the tents, talk with the artists, and pair it with lunch on Atlantic Avenue. It is the kind of weekend the downtown district was made for.

Delray GreenMarket, Old School Square
9:00 AM to 2:00 PM at 51 N Swinton Ave, Delray Beach. The Saturday market brings local farmers, food vendors, and artisans together in the historic heart of Delray, with fresh produce and homemade goods that make it a lovely morning outing.

Sunday, September 27

Boca Farmers Market
9:00 AM to 1:00 PM at the Boca Raton Innovation Campus, 4950 Communication Ave. Free admission. Over 85 vendors, year-round and rain or shine. The last Sunday of September is a beautiful marker of the season, with cooler mornings and local produce at its best.

The Gardens GreenMarket, Palm Beach Gardens
8:00 AM to 1:00 PM at 10500 N Military Trail. Over 60 vendors with live music from 9:00 AM to noon. The summer market season closes this Sunday before the fall market returns, so it is a lovely morning to stock up and hear a few favorite musicians.

Downtown Delray Beach Craft Festival
Second day of the weekend street fair in downtown Delray Beach. Another chance to browse the makers and take in the energy of Atlantic Avenue.

"Beehive: The 60s Musical" - Final Performance, Delray Beach Playhouse
2:00 PM matinee at 950 NW 9th St. The final curtain for this joyful celebration of sixties vocalists, a perfect Sunday-afternoon outing.

And what's just around the corner, September 28 through October 4?

Just past the main window, the calendar keeps its momentum into October:

• Thursday, October 1 - Boca After Dark Night Market returns to Sanborn Square in downtown Boca Raton, 6 PM to 9 PM, free, with local vendors and live music.
• Friday, October 2 - First Friday Art Walk returns to East Atlantic Avenue in Delray Beach, 6 PM to 10 PM, free, as galleries and restaurants spill out into the street.
• Saturday, October 3 - Zach Top, Cold Beer & Country Music Tour at iTHINK Financial Amphitheatre, 7 PM.
• Saturday, October 3 - Passport to Pours craft beverage festival at Mizner Park Amphitheater, Boca Raton.

What weekly events should you have on your radar?

Beyond the dates above, these recurring events give Palm Beach County its year-round rhythm:

• Clematis by Night - Every Thursday, 6 PM to 9 PM on the West Palm Beach Waterfront. Free live music and food trucks. The longest-running free concert series in Florida.
• Wellington Food Truck & Music Series - Every Thursday, food trucks 5 PM to 8:30 PM, music at 6:30 PM at Wellington Amphitheater. Free admission.
• Art After Dark at Norton Museum - Every Friday, 5 PM to 10 PM. Extended hours, live music, and a cash bar.
• Tasty Tuesdays at Sunset Cove Amphitheater - Every Tuesday through summer, 6 PM to 9 PM at South County Regional Park, Boca Raton. Free admission, food trucks and live music.
• Delray Marketplace Music Fest - Wednesday evenings, 6 PM to 8 PM at the Delray Marketplace Amphitheater, free live music all fall.
• Boca Farmers Market - Every Sunday, 9 AM to 1 PM at BRiC (4950 Communication Ave). Over 85 vendors. Year-round, rain or shine.
• The Gardens GreenMarket - Every Sunday, 8 AM to 1 PM at Palm Beach Gardens City Hall (10500 N Military Trail). Over 60 vendors with live music.
• Delray GreenMarket - Saturdays, 9 AM to 2 PM at Old School Square, 51 N Swinton Ave, Delray Beach.
• Friday Artisan Market - Friday evenings at Boca Center, 5150 Town Center Circle, Boca Raton, with local artisans and live music.

Why does Palm Beach County work so well for empty nesters and retirees?

The question I hear most often from people considering a move to South Florida is the one I asked myself years ago: "Will I find my community here?" And the calendar answers it more honestly than any sales pitch ever could.

In just these two weeks you could watch a hip-hop farewell tour one Wednesday and a country superstar the next Saturday, both at one world-class amphitheater. You could wander a 31-year-old juried craft festival in the heart of Delray Beach, watch lanterns glow over a Japanese garden while drums echo across the water, cheer a local college football rivalry, and meet neighbors over coffee at farmers markets with 85-plus vendors. That is not an unusual stretch. It is an ordinary two weeks in Palm Beach County, especially as the season begins.

These are not tourist attractions. They are the fabric of a community built around connection, culture, and quality of life. For empty nesters making the decision to downsize and relocate, that fabric is everything. When you choose a home in South Florida, you are not just picking a floor plan or a zip code. You are choosing a place where it is genuinely easy to stay active, stay curious, and stay surrounded by people who share your enthusiasm for this chapter of life.

On the practical side, Palm Beach County continues to offer compelling advantages for retirees. Florida has no state income tax and no Social Security tax. The homestead exemption can reduce your taxable property value by up to $50,000. The Save Our Homes amendment caps annual assessment increases at 3 percent once you establish residency. Homeowners aged 65 and older with qualifying household incomes may be eligible for additional exemptions. Healthcare is excellent, with Baptist Health Boca Raton Regional Hospital, Delray Medical Center, and Palm Beach Gardens Medical Center all providing nationally recognized care close to home.

More than two dozen 55-plus communities across the county offer active, amenity-rich lifestyles with clubhouses, pools, fitness centers, pickleball courts, and social calendars of their own. And with the Brightline station in Boca Raton providing rail access to Miami and Orlando, getting anywhere you want to go is effortless. Pair all of that with a calendar like this one, and it is easy to see why so many empty nesters choose to make this move their next chapter.

Your quick-reference event list for September 15 through 28

Thinking about making Palm Beach County your home?

If reading through this list stirs something in you, whether it is excitement, curiosity, or the quiet sense that this is the kind of life you have been waiting for, I want you to know that it is closer than you think. I know because I made the move myself, from Ohio to South Florida, carrying all the same questions and uncertainties you might be holding right now. And I have spent the last 25-plus years helping families make the same transition.

The decision to downsize and relocate is one of the biggest life changes you will ever make. But it is also one of the most rewarding. The freedom, the community, the cultural richness, the daily access to beauty and connection, all of it is real, and all of it is waiting for you here.

Whether you are just beginning to explore the idea of downsizing, you want to tour 55-plus communities in Boca Raton or Delray Beach, or you simply want someone who understands the process to walk you through the financial side of the decision, I am here for that conversation. No pressure. No sales pitch. Just honest, experienced guidance from someone who has walked this path many times.