It’s officially fall, South Florida.
Even if we can’t tell by the weather, we’re quickly creeping into spooky season with two horror-themed attractions ready to get your adrenaline pumping. Explore fog-covered, high-production haunted houses that prey on your worst fears, step into spine-chilling scare zones, and brave eerie entertainment — all designed to test the nerves. (But beware: Don’t lose your voice screaming because there are also opportunities this weekend to sing along to the nostalgic hits of 1990s acts.)
So make your plans, grab your bravest friends, and let’s boo this!
Thursday
Sounds of Screams: Those ear-piercing shrieks you hear coming from the Miami-Dade County Fair Expo Center (10901 SW 24th St., Miami) on Thursday signal opening night for Sounds of Screams, a 13-acre, Halloween-themed amusement park. Enter the gates from 6 to 11 p.m. on select nights through Nov. 1, if you dare, and experience five immersive haunted houses. Themes are The Infected, Witch Trials of 1692, Mitos y Leyendas (Myths and Legends), Dead End and — for guests 18 and older only — The SOS House. You can also expect a scare zone, a midway with carnival rides and horror-themed treats, street foods, draft beer and signature craft cocktails. General admission starts at $49.99 and includes unlimited access to the haunted houses and carnival rides. Visit soundsofscreams.com.
Salt-N-Pepa co-headlines with TLC for the It’s Iconic tour stopping at Hard Rock Live in Hollywood on Thursday. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)
TLC & Salt-N-Pepa with En Vogue: Sorry, “No Scrubs” allowed at this show. R&B girl group TLC co-headlines with hip-hop’s Salt-N-Pepa, joined by opening act En Vogue, for the It’s Iconic tour. We can guess that hits from the 1980s and ’90s will include “Waterfalls,” “Push It” and “My Lovin’ (You’re Never Gonna Get It).” Showtime is 7:30 p.m. Thursday at Hard Rock Live at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino (1 Seminole Way, Hollywood). Tickets start at $82.50. Visit casino.hardrock.com/hollywood.
Friday
West Palm Beach Asian Food Festival: Saigon Night Market is bringing authentic Asian flavors to downtown West Palm Beach for a three-day festival. In addition to culinary offerings, enjoy shopping, music, karaoke, entertainment and cultural experiences from 2 to 10 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday at Centennial Square (100 N. Clematis St.). Free admission. Visit Instagram.com/saigonnightmarket.
Miamibloco’s Bateria Saideira is set to have its first theater performance at The Parker on Saturday. (Miamibloco/Courtesy)(Miamibloco/Courtesy)
Saturday
Miamibloco’s Bateria Saideira: This nonprofit, intergenerational community percussion orchestra will have its first-ever theater performance, as part of the Broward Center’s Amplify Arts initiative. “From the Streets to the Stage” will blend the sounds of Carnaval, samba and Afro-Brazilian percussion during an immersive musical journey set for 7:30 p.m. Saturday at The Parker’s Wells Hall (707 NE Eighth St., Fort Lauderdale). The group’s members learn the music and how to perform through classes, rehearsals, community events and street parades. Tickets start at $29.50. For a 20% discount, click “unlock offers” and enter code MB20. Visit miamibloco.org/parker.
Animal encounters are a highlight of the Palm Beach Zoo’s Wild Night Out for age 21 and up. (Palm Beach Zoo & Conservation Society/Courtesy)
Wild Night Out: “Decades After Dark, a Throwback to Jams of the Past” is the theme for the second-to-last, adults-only night of the season from 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday at the Palm Beach Zoo (1301 Summit Blvd., West Palm Beach). Guests age 21 and older can party after dark with animal encounters, zoologist chats, photo ops and music. Cocktails, craft beer and food will be available for purchase. Admission is $25, with funds supporting the zoo’s wildlife conservation and animal care efforts. Visit palmbeachzoo.org/wildnightout.
Lyrics & Laughs: ’90s Edition: If you grew up in the 1990s (or just wish you did!), this installment of Lauderhill Live’s entertainment series is for you — featuring big comedic and musical acts of the era. Hosted by Marvin Dixon, the throwback night will feature headliner Mark Curry, the comedian, actor and host best known for the TV sitcom “Hangin’ with Mr. Cooper.” Also in the house will be hip-hop stars Chubb Rock, Special Ed, Monie Love, JT Money, Kwamé and DJ Chill Will. Showtime is set for 8 to 10:30 p.m. Saturday at the Lauderhill Performing Arts Center (3800 NW 11th Place). For guests age 21 and older. Tickets start at $50. Visit lpacfl.com.
The Sunshine Cathedral in Fort Lauderdale will host “A Love Letter to Dolly Parton” on Sunday. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel file)
Sunday
“A Love Letter to Dolly Parton”: South Florida is continuing to honor the life, music and legacy of Dolly Parton a month after her death. Next up is a performance by musician Christopher Hamblin, an East Tennessee native and creator of “The Night of 1,000 Dollies,” at 7:30 p.m. Sunday at the Sunshine Cathedral Center for the Performing Arts (1480 SW Ninth Ave., Fort Lauderdale). The show comes to South Florida after a successful debut in Provincetown, Massachusetts, according to the venue. Proceeds benefit the Sunshine Pride House, a haven for homeless LGBTQ+ youth in Fort Lauderdale. Tickets are $25. Visit sunshinecathedral.org/arts.
Artist Sean Kenney captured a Times Square moment in Lego form. It is one of about 30 sculptures made from the plastic toy bricks on display in “Sean Kenney’s Brick Planet” at the Cox Science Center and Aquarium in West Palm Beach. (Imagine/Courtesy)
All weekend
“Sean Kenney’s Brick Planet”: Want to see every detail of New York City’s Times Square, or take an underwater journey with seahorses all replicated with Legos? This weekend is your last chance to view 30 Lego masterpieces of engineering created by New York City-based artist Sean Kenney. His “Brick Planet” exhibit, which opened in May, is on display through Sunday at the Cox Science Center and Aquarium (4801 Dreher Trail N., West Palm Beach). Brick by brick, immersive, themed galleries tell a story about the natural world, its animals and ecosystems, using large-scale sculptures, activities and building stations. While you’re at the science center, don’t miss the Innovation Station and “Flight Deck” simulator, as well as “Giants of the Ice Age,” among other exhibits. “Sean Kenney’s Brick Planet” is included with general admission: $26 for adults, $24 for teens 13 to 17 and guests age 60 and older, $22 for children ages 3 to 12, and free for those younger than 3. Visit coxsciencecenter.org.
LPM Restaurant & Bar in Miami is offering specialty cocktails as part of Negroni Week. (LPM Restaurant & Bar Miami/Courtesy)
Negroni Week: Imbibe Magazine and Campari have been putting the classic Italian cocktail in the spotlight for one week every year since 2013. This year’s celebration was set for Sept. 21 to 27 with bars and restaurants around the world helping to raise funds for Slow Food, a global movement to “ensure everyone has access to good, clean and fair food.” What’s in a Negroni? Equal parts gin, sweet red vermouth and Campari. Support the cause by ordering signature versions at South Florida spots including Felice in West Palm Beach and Miami; American Social in Boca Raton, Fort Lauderdale and Miami; and Sexy Fish and LPM Restaurant & Bar, both in Miami. Visit negroniweek.com for a full list of participating locations.
Cirque-style shows and fire performances entertain attendees at The Horrorland Scream Park in Miami’s Jungle Island (Horrorland/Courtesy)
The Horrorland Scream Park: Fright this way … In its seventh year, this spooky-season attraction has six haunted houses (Honky Tonk, The Orphanage, Seven Sins, Nyctophobia, The Covent, and Dr. Malice: Abomination Project), four immersive scare zones, a Circus of Terror show, fire dancers, music, themed bars, a Monster Parade, the Frankenstein Bar cocktail experience and food spread across 18 acres. The “full sensory nightmare,” as organizers describe it, is now scaring visitors from 7 to 10 p.m. on select nights through Nov. 1 at Miami’s Jungle Island (1111 Parrot Jungle Trail). Tickets start at $39.99. Parking is $20. Visit thehorrorland.com.
Hosting a must-attend event? Get it on our radar! Send the details to kabarnett@sunsentinel.com at least two weeks in advance to be considered for The Weekend Top 10.