Downtown Palm Beach Gardens, formerly Downtown at the Gardens: the lakeside carousel, splash pad, CMX IMAX, restaurants, live music and free events.

Last checked Oct. 9, 2026. Facts come from Downtown Palm Beach Gardens and its events calendar, its code of conduct and each business’s own site, linked below.

Downtown Palm Beach Gardens is the city’s open-air gathering place: shops, restaurants, a movie theater and a carousel set along a lake at 11701 Lake Victoria Gardens Ave. Long known as Downtown at the Gardens, it now goes by Downtown Palm Beach Gardens and calls itself “A Place by EDENS.” Whole Foods Market, REI and Life Time anchor it, alongside locally owned businesses. It is free to visit, and most of its events are free.

Who to call

Things to do

What Hours Notes
The Downtown Carousel 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily On the waterfront since 2010; credit card only at the kiosk
Splash pad 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily Free; water jets and fountains
CMX Cinemas Downtown at the Gardens 16 & IMAX 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. daily First-run movies and IMAX
Muse Paintbar By session Painting nights and classes for all ages

The carousel’s animals are hand-crafted figures of creatures unique to South Florida, and riders get lakeside views, according to the center. Ride packages cost less with a same-day receipt from a Downtown shop or restaurant.

Restaurants and live music

The center lists casual and full-service restaurants on its restaurants page. Three with regular evening events on its calendar:

  • Avocado Cantina, Suite 4105. Live music Fridays, 8:30 to 11:30 p.m. Open 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Sunday, according to its site.
  • Voodoo Bayou, Suite 5095. Southern Cajun food, with bands on Friday and Saturday nights and at Sunday brunch. Its Friday sets on the center’s calendar run 9:30 p.m. to midnight.
  • Yard House. Happy hour 3 to 6 p.m. weekdays and a late-night happy hour from 10 p.m., on the center’s calendar.

Free events

From the center’s events calendar:

  • Outdoor Movie Night, 7 to 9 p.m. on the Green Space: Friday, Oct. 30; Friday, Nov. 13; Friday, Dec. 18. The center names the films closer to each date.
  • Artisan Market on the Green, Saturday, Oct. 17, noon to 7 p.m.: handcrafted goods from local makers, run by Pop Up & Shop Up.
  • Life Time Run Club, Thursdays, 7 to 9 p.m.
  • Halloween Spooktacular, Saturday, Oct. 24, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the splash pad, with free carousel rides; see Halloween events.

Rules to know

The center’s code of conduct:

  • Everyone under 18 must be with a supervising adult from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. daily.
  • No smoking within 25 feet of buildings, entrances, restaurant patios and park spaces.
  • No overnight parking, and no parking in fire lanes.
  • No soliciting or handing out flyers without management’s written permission, and no photography or recording without management’s permission.

Nearby

The Gardens Mall, 3101 PGA Blvd., is the city’s other big shopping center, with Saks Fifth Avenue, Nordstrom and Macy’s and weekend brunch at three restaurants; see brunch and Black Friday and holiday shopping. The Sunday GreenMarket at City Hall, 10500 N. Military Trail, is the city’s weekly market.

What this means for you

  • Families: the carousel and splash pad are a morning out; the splash pad is free.
  • Evenings: movies on the Green Space, live music on Fridays, late-night happy hour.
  • Teens: an adult must be with anyone under 18 after 8 p.m.

More: live music and nightlife, date night and kids’ activities.

Frequently asked questions

What is Downtown Palm Beach Gardens?

The open-air shopping, dining and entertainment center at 11701 Lake Victoria Gardens Ave., formerly called Downtown at the Gardens. It is anchored by Whole Foods Market, REI and Life Time.

The Downtown Carousel runs 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. Rides are sold at the carousel’s kiosk, by credit card only.

Is there live music at Downtown Palm Beach Gardens?

Yes. Avocado Cantina has live music Fridays from 8:30 to 11:30 p.m., and Voodoo Bayou has bands Friday and Saturday nights and at Sunday brunch.

What free events are at Downtown Palm Beach Gardens?

The center lists outdoor movie nights on the Green Space (Oct. 30, Nov. 13 and Dec. 18, 7 to 9 p.m.), a Life Time run club on Thursday evenings and seasonal events such as its Halloween Spooktacular.

Is there a curfew for teens at Downtown Palm Beach Gardens?

Under the center’s code of conduct, everyone under 18 must be with a supervising adult from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. daily.