Free things to do in Wellington: Thursday concerts, Peaceful Waters, the Environmental Preserve tower, free horse shows, playgrounds and village events.
Last checked Oct. 10, 2026. Sources: the Village of Wellington’s facility and event pages, linked below; Wellington International’s visitor page; and the Palm Beach County Library System. Free means no admission fee; a few evening events charge for parking, and we say so.
A lot of what Wellington does best costs nothing. The village’s Thursday Nights in Wellington concerts are free, its two nature areas charge no admission, and Wellington International, home of the Winter Equestrian Festival, does not charge to get in or park during the day. Add a long calendar of free village events, from the Veterans Day parade on Nov. 11 to the Egg Hunt in March.
Who to call
- Parks and village events: Wellington Parks and Recreation, 561-791-4005
- Amphitheater: Wellington Community Services, 561-753-2484
- Library: Wellington Branch, 561-790-6070
Music
- Thursday Nights in Wellington, Wellington Amphitheater, 12100 Forest Hill Blvd.: food trucks and more than 35 market vendors from 5 to 9 p.m., live music at 6:30 p.m., free, most Thursdays (schedule).
- Weekend Concert Series: free tribute and local-band concerts on select weekends at the same stage (details). Bring a chair.
More in live music and nightlife.
Nature
- Peaceful Waters Sanctuary, inside Village Park off Pierson Road: 1,500 feet of raised boardwalk and a mile of trails through a 30-acre wetland, good for birding. Closes at dusk; closed 7 a.m. to noon on the second Tuesday of each month. No dogs.
- Wellington Environmental Preserve, 3491 Flying Cow Ranch Road: 410 acres with a paved path, boardwalk, butterfly garden and a six-story observation tower.
- Town Center Promenade, behind the Community Center at 12150 Forest Hill Blvd.: a lakeside walk on Lake Wellington, lit with holiday displays through December.
Horses
- Wellington International, 3400 Equestrian Club Drive: daily admission and parking are free, the venue says. During the Winter Equestrian Festival (January to April), daytime shows run Wednesday through Sunday. Bring a credit card for food; the venue is cashless.
- Saturday Night Lights and Friday Night Stars, the festival’s evening events: free general admission, but parking is $25.
See our Wellington International guide.
Parks and play
- Village Park, 11700 Pierson Road: a 2.5-mile asphalt trail with exercise stations.
- Scott’s Place Barrier-Free Playground beside the Amphitheater, and Tiger Shark Cove, 13800 Greenbriar Blvd.
- Wellington Dog Park at Greenbriar Park, 2975 Greenbriar Blvd.: off-leash, dawn to dusk, closed Thursday mornings.
- Pickleball: six courts at Greenbriar Park for first-come, first-served open play; bring your own paddles and balls, the village says.
Library
The Wellington Branch Library, 1951 Royal Fern Drive, lends books, e-books and audiobooks, offers computer training and has an active children’s section, according to the library system. It is open seven days.
Free village events, 2026-27
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Sat. Oct. 17 | Fall Festival, Village Park: free entry (activity bracelets sold) |
| Wed. Nov. 11 | Veterans Day Parade and Ceremony, 8:15 a.m., Veterans Memorial |
| Thu. Dec. 3 | Tree lighting, Amphitheater |
| Fri. Dec. 4 | Grand Menorah lighting, 5:30 p.m. |
| Sat. Dec. 12 | Holiday Boat Parade, Lake Wellington |
| Sun. Dec. 13 | Holiday Parade, Forest Hill Boulevard |
| Sat. March 27 | Egg Hunt, Village Park |
| Sat. May 15 | Kids to Parks Day and Bicycle Rodeo, Amphitheater |
| Mon. May 31 | Memorial Day Parade and Ceremony |
The Veterans Day Parade and Ceremony is held by the village with American Legion Post 390 to honor current and former members of the armed forces. The parade starts at 8:15 a.m. and the ceremony at 8:30 a.m. at the Wellington Veterans Memorial, at Forest Hill and South Shore boulevards.
What this means for you
- Free night out: Thursday at the Amphitheater.
- Free morning out: Peaceful Waters or the preserve tower.
- Free in winter: the horse shows at Wellington International.
More: kids’ activities, walking and biking trails and things to do this month.
Frequently asked questions
What is free to do in Wellington, Florida?
The Thursday night concerts at the Wellington Amphitheater, Peaceful Waters Sanctuary, the Wellington Environmental Preserve, daytime horse shows at Wellington International, the village playgrounds and most village events.
Is Peaceful Waters Sanctuary free?
Yes. There is no admission fee. It is inside Village Park off Pierson Road and closes at dusk; dogs are not allowed.
Can you watch the horse shows in Wellington for free?
Yes. Daily admission and parking at Wellington International are free. Evening Saturday Night Lights is free to enter but parking is $25.
When is the Wellington Veterans Day parade?
Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2026. The parade starts at 8:15 a.m. and the ceremony at 8:30 a.m. at the Wellington Veterans Memorial. It is free.
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