Anime, art and Hanukkah starts. Your roundup of Pembroke Pines weekend events
Whether you were hard at work — or hardly working — this week, Pembroke Pines is giving you a reason to celebrate.
Lined up for Friday, Dec. 12, through Sunday, Dec. 14, are workouts, a holiday Anime convention, art gallery gatherings and ideas for how to kick off Hanukkah 2025.
Got your attention now? Check out this list of Pembroke Pines weekend events for more details:
Pens, Pencils and Pastels
Get a creative start to your weekend with this adult coloring class held at Southwest Regional Library’s “creation station” from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Friday. Art materials — including pens, pencils and pastels — will be provided by the Friends of the Library, the local chapter of the Broward County nonprofit that helps with funding. Admission is free and open to the public with registration.
Info: https://broward.libnet.info
Mommy & Me Winter Party
Round Robin Play Group — a South Florida mommy and me organizer — invites families to a Winter Party at Pembroke Pines’ Little Kids Playzone from 11 a.m. to noon on Friday. Kids ages 6 months to 3 years can enjoy an indoor gym, musical circle time and snowy sensory play for festive fun. All children must be accompanied by a caregiver and tickets cost $20.
Info: https://www.roundrobinplaygroup.org
Sunrise Strides
Get a running start to your Saturday with this 1-5 mile trot at 7 a.m. with Pines Running Co. The run club departs from Qwench Juice Bar — 150 S. Flamingo Road — and welcomes runners of all paces to this sunrise jog. Once you’ve gotten your miles in, enjoy a 20% discount on Qwench smoothies and bowls for post-run fuel.
Info: https://www.instagram.com
2025 Christmas Winter Festival
Florida Technical College’s annual Winter Festival returns from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday at the school’s Pembroke Pines campus, 12520 Pines Blvd. Headlining the event are free photo opportunities with Santa, giveaways for several electronic devices, light bites, a coloring station and campus tours. Admission is free, but guests must register for a raffle entry the day of the event.
Info: https://www.eventbrite.com
Studio 18 Art Complex Holiday Market
Need inspiration for your holiday shopping? Find unique gifts at the Studio18 Holiday Market from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday. The gallery’s resident artists will sell small crafts and original stocking stuffers — including paintings, ceramics, jewelry, prints and ornaments — for $20 and under to encourage Pines art lovers to shop local. Admission to the market is free and open to the public.
Info: https://www.ppines.com
OtakuFest
Calling all Japanese culture fans: South Florida’s largest anime, gaming and cosplay festival is making a one-day appearance in Pembroke Pines. OtakuFest — known for its annual three-day summer convention in Miami — is hosting a holiday special from noon to 8 p.m. on Saturday at the Charles F. Dodge City Center. Attendees can expect meet-and-greets with industry guests, interactive panels, gaing tournaments, holiday-inspired cosplay and an ugly sweater competition. Admission is $27.45 for adults, $10 for kids and free for children ages 5 and under.
Info: https://www.otakufest.com
Sensory Saturday: Calm, create and explore
The Frank C. Ortis Art Gallery invites its neurodivergent friends and family to calm, creative fun from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Saturday. Visitors can explore the gallery and participate in art activities in a low-stimulation setting complete with soft lighting, reduced sound, a cozy bean bag zone and access to sensory tools. Admission is free and open to all ages.
Info: https://www.thefrankgallery.org
Frank Contemporaries
Dive into the creative process of resident artists at the Frank C. Ortis Art Gallery from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday. Creatives Lisu Vega and Sibel Kocabasi give a brief presentation on their backgrounds, artistic practices and the themes behind their exhibitions — Vega’s “Lo Que Me Habita” and Kocabasi’s “The Silence That Remains” — before taking visitors on a guided tour. Admission is free and open to the public.
Info: https://www.ppines.com
PembrokeKIDS: Santa Photos at Kendra Scott
Snap a picture with Santa Claus at this Sunday holiday photo opportunity hosted by jewelry store Kendra Scott’s Pembroke Gardens location. Kids can also enjoy complimentary milk and cookies as well as ornament crafts. Tickets are $5 and only required for children, not parents.
Info: https://www.eventbrite.com
Wellness Sunday x JETSET on the Mat
End the weekend with a full-body sweat at this mat pilates class from 9:50 to 10:50 a.m. on Sunday. Jetset’s Pembroke Pines studio will host the exercise event, which includes goodie bags with branded grip socks and several raffles and giveaways. Registration is required and tickets are $25. Walk-ins will not be accepted.
Info: https://www.eventbrite.com
Hanukkah celebrations
Need ideas for how to ring in the Festival of Lights from Sunday, Dec. 14, through Monday, Dec. 22? Check out this list of Hanukkah events in Pembroke Pines.
