Planning a quinceañera near Sunrise? The Center for Spiritual Living Fort Lauderdale, at 4849 N. Dixie Highway in Oakland Park, is about 20 minutes east along Oakland Park Boulevard. The Main Auditorium seats 275 for the program or 110 for a seated dinner, the lobby makes a natural grand-entrance space, and there is on-site parking for 150 vehicles.
At a glance
- From Sunrise: about 10.5 miles, roughly 20 minutes in typical traffic, almost all of it straight east on Oakland Park Boulevard.
- Main Auditorium: 2,944 sq ft; up to 275 auditorium-style or 110 for a seated dinner.
- Welcome Lobby: 1,418 sq ft; up to 200 cocktail-style for arrivals, photos and mingling.
- Multipurpose Room: 1,026 sq ft; up to 70 cocktail-style, handy as a getting-ready or kids’ room.
- Included: round tables, banquet chairs, basic linens and place settings for 200 with the auditorium.
- Kitchen and parking: kitchen access at no additional charge with the auditorium; on-site parking for up to 150 vehicles.
- To book: Jim Wood, Director of Operations, 954-566-2868.
Why Sunrise families look to Oakland Park for a quince
Sunrise has one of the larger Hispanic communities in western Broward. In the 2020 census, Hispanic or Latino residents made up about 35 percent of the city, the largest single group, and close to a third of residents age 5 and up speak Spanish at home. That adds up to a lot of fifteenth birthdays, and a lot of families comparing venues for the same handful of Saturdays.
The city loves a celebration of its own, too. Each November, Sunrise holds a Cultural Festival in City Park honoring the many cultures that live there, alongside an October Harvest Festival and a Fourth of July parade. Even the name has a cheerful backstory: the original Sunrise Golf Village settled on “Sunrise” because residents thought “Sunset Village” sounded too final.
When the guest list includes grandparents, padrinos and a full court of damas and chambelanes, families usually want one building that can handle every part of the night. A 20-minute drive east gets you a single venue for the entrance, the program and the dinner, with parking right outside.
How far is it from Sunrise?
From the center of Sunrise, the venue is about 10.5 driving miles away, roughly 20 minutes in typical conditions. The route is about as simple as Broward driving gets: roughly 7.5 miles east on West Oakland Park Boulevard (CR 816), a short hop north on I-95, then east on East Commercial Boulevard (SR 870) toward North Dixie Highway.
Those numbers are typical estimates measured from the middle of the city, not traffic-adjusted. Traffic varies, and a Panthers home game at Amerant Bank Arena or holiday shopping near Sawgrass Mills can slow the west end. If guests are coming from the Sawgrass or Springtree areas, tell them to leave a few extra minutes.
Parking and arrival for guests from Sunrise
On-site parking holds up to 150 vehicles. For a quince with 100-plus guests, that usually means everyone parks steps from the door, including abuela. Put the address, 4849 N. Dixie Highway, Oakland Park, on the invitation and in the group chat so nobody navigates to a different Dixie Highway building.
A quinceañera under one roof: entrance, program and dinner
Most quinceañeras follow a rhythm: guests arrive and mingle, the quinceañera makes her entrance, the family and court share the traditions, and then dinner and dancing carry the rest of the night. The building’s three rooms line up neatly with that flow.
The grand entrance in the Welcome Lobby
The 1,418-square-foot Welcome Lobby holds up to 200 cocktail-style. Set up a backdrop for photos, a guest book on the Guest Services desk, and appetizers while everyone arrives. The lobby’s two blue linen couches and club chairs give older relatives a comfortable seat while they wait for the big moment.
The program in the Main Auditorium
If you want a ceremony-style program, with the presentation of the quinceañera, the changing of the shoes, a candle ceremony or a family blessing, the Main Auditorium seats up to 275 in rows. The sound and video booth can run music cues, a photo slideshow of her first fifteen years, and a live stream for relatives who cannot travel, staffed by the Center’s team at additional cost.
Dinner for up to 110
For the meal, the auditorium seats 110 at thirteen 60-inch round tables. Plan the room with Jim so there is open floor for the court’s waltz and the father-daughter dance. If your guest list runs well past 110 for dinner, raise it early so the team can talk through the options with you.
Check rooms and capacities for your quince
Which room fits your guest count?
These are the capacities published on the venue’s rental page.
| Room | Size | Capacity | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Auditorium | 2,944 sq ft | 275 auditorium-style; 110 seated dinner | Quince program, dinner and dancing |
| Welcome Lobby | 1,418 sq ft | 200 cocktail-style | Grand entrance, photos, cocktail hour |
| Multipurpose Room | 1,026 sq ft | 70 cocktail; 50 auditorium; 40 conference | Court rehearsals, getting ready, smaller birthdays |
A 60-guest family party can live entirely in the Multipurpose Room. A full quince with a court and 100 dinner guests usually books the auditorium and lobby together. You can compare every room on the event space rental page.
What’s included: tables, linens, place settings and the kitchen
Party rentals add up quickly, so it helps to know what is already on site. A Main Auditorium rental includes use of:
- Thirteen 60-inch round tables seating 8 each, with basic linens
- 275 tan banquet chairs
- Rectangular buffet tables in three sizes, with basic linens
- Six high-top cocktail tables with black linens or spandex, plus six square card tables
- Place settings for 200: salad and dinner plates, full dinnerware, basic linen napkins and water glasses
- Kitchen access and password-protected complimentary Wi-Fi
The basic linens give you a clean base. Many families layer their own color scheme on top with runners, centerpieces and chair sashes; confirm décor plans with the Director of Operations before you buy anything.
The kitchen is there for your caterer, with two microwave ovens, a commercial coffee maker, a double-door refrigerator and a commercial reach-in refrigerator with 26 tray holders. Kitchen use carries no additional charge when you rent the Main Auditorium or Multipurpose Room.
Planning tip: Ask your caterer to plan around the place settings for 200 already on site. If the dinner is 110 guests, there are enough plates and glasses left for the dessert table and late-night snacks without renting extras.
Caribbean church celebrations and team banquets
Quinces are the headline, but they are not the only celebration in Sunrise. As of 2000, the city had one of the highest Jamaican shares of any U.S. community, and recent census survey data records more than 20,000 reports of West Indian ancestry, including Jamaican and Haitian. Church anniversaries, family reunions and milestone birthdays for those families fit the same auditorium-and-lobby setup.
Sunrise is also a sports town. It is home to the Florida Panthers at Amerant Bank Arena, back-to-back Stanley Cup winners in 2024 and 2025, and its youth programs have earned state titles of their own, including three for the Sunrise Soccer girls club in 2015. End-of-season banquets for a youth league fit nicely in the auditorium, with the projector running a highlight reel while players eat.
Curious what else goes on in the building? Browse the Center’s events calendar or see the Arts at CSL page for performances that use the same auditorium and sound system.
Planning checklist for a Sunrise quinceañera
- Set a guest range early, with separate numbers for the program and the seated dinner.
- Call Jim Wood at 954-566-2868 to check dates, ideally 6 to 12 months ahead.
- Schedule a walkthrough with the quinceañera, a parent and your caterer.
- Map the night: lobby entrance, program, dinner, waltz, then open dancing.
- Book the caterer and walk them through the kitchen equipment list.
- Request the sound and video booth if you want music cues, a slideshow or a live stream.
- Plan rehearsal time for the court; ask about using the Multipurpose Room.
- Confirm décor, music, timing and other policies with the Director of Operations.
- Send guests the Oakland Park address and parking details with the invitation.
When to book: plan 6 to 12 months out
Quinces happen all year, so there is no single peak season to dodge. The pressure point is Saturdays: the most popular dates go to the families who called first. Booking 6 to 12 months ahead gives you time to coordinate the dress, the court’s rehearsals and the caterer around a confirmed date.
If November is your month, remember the city’s Cultural Festival and the holiday calendar may already have relatives booked, so share the date with family as early as you can.
Families from neighboring cities use the venue too. See our notes for Plantation event space, Tamarac and Lauderdale Lakes, or start with the Broward County venue rental guide.
Frequently asked questions
How far is the venue from Sunrise?
The Center for Spiritual Living Fort Lauderdale in Oakland Park is about 10.5 driving miles from the center of Sunrise. In typical traffic that is roughly 20 minutes, mostly east on West Oakland Park Boulevard, then a short stretch of I-95 and East Commercial Boulevard. Game nights and holiday shopping traffic can add time.
How many guests can the venue hold for a quinceañera?
The Main Auditorium seats up to 275 auditorium-style for a program or 110 for a seated dinner. The Welcome Lobby holds up to 200 cocktail-style, and the Multipurpose Room holds up to 70 cocktail-style.
Can our caterer use the kitchen?
Yes. There is no additional charge for kitchen use when you rent the Main Auditorium or the Multipurpose Room. The kitchen has two microwave ovens, a commercial coffee maker, a double-door refrigerator and a commercial reach-in refrigerator with 26 tray holders.
Is there parking for guests?
Yes. The venue has on-site parking for up to 150 vehicles, so most family parties can park right at the building at 4849 N. Dixie Highway in Oakland Park.
What are some good party venues in Florida?
Good party venues match your guest count, include tables and chairs, have kitchen access for a caterer, and offer parking. In Broward County, the Center for Spiritual Living Fort Lauderdale in Oakland Park offers a 275-seat auditorium, a 200-person lobby, a smaller Multipurpose Room, place settings for 200 and parking for 150.
What are some small party venues near Fort Lauderdale?
For a smaller birthday or family party, look for a room sized to your group so it feels full rather than empty. The Multipurpose Room at the Oakland Park venue is 1,026 square feet and holds up to 70 cocktail-style, with tables, chairs and kitchen access included.
How do I get a rental quote and check dates?
Pricing is by inquiry. Call Jim Wood, Director of Operations, at 954-566-2868 for availability and a quote, or reach out through the Center’s contact page.
The best way to picture her entrance is to stand in the lobby yourself. Call Jim Wood, Director of Operations, at 954-566-2868 or send us a message to book a tour, and bring your questions about dates and setup. Every room is also on the Rent Our Space page.
