From Clematis by Night to Sunfest you're sure to find great entertainment. Along with many fine restaurants and shopping, the Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts located downtown at City Place, is considered the premier location in West Palm Beach to spend an evening.
The city of West Palm Beach is approximately 58 square miles in size with a population over 120,000. It is the most populous city in Palm Beach County and is the county seat.
History Henry Flagler, who built Whitehall in Palm Beach, purchased the land from Lake Worth to Clear Lake paying $45,000. The city was founded by Henry Flagler as a place to house the servants who worked at the two grand hotels in Palm Beach. Henry Flagler's Florida East Coast Railroad was originally intended to end at West Palm Beach. Due to a deep freeze, the railroad was extended to Miami.
Education K-12 public education is administered by the School District of Palm Beach County, which is the eleventh largest school district in the country.
Palm Beach Community College is the oldest community college in Florida and was founded in 1933.
Palm Beach Atlantic is a four year private university. They have approximately 3,200 students with plans to continue expansion.
Northwood University is a four year private business college offering bachelor and graduate degrees. They have approximately 1,000 students and is a sister school to a main campus in Michigan.
Many other private facilities are available throughout the city from pre-school through college.
Arts and Culture West Palm Beach is home to many venues including the previously mentioned Kravis Center, the Norton Museum of Art, The Carefree Theater, the Meyer Amphitheater, which offers free, waterfront shows and the Palm Beach County Convention Center.
Festivals and Shows Sunfest,which is Florida's largest waterfront music and art festival takes place the first weekend in May. Founded in 1982 they now have an annual attendance of 275,000 people. Some past acts have been Lenny Kravitz, John Mayer, Kenny G, The Wailers, BB King, Joan Osborne, Sheryl Crow and the Goo Goo Dolls. Some surprise guest performances have been by Jimmy Buffet and Eric Clapton.
Other festivals and shows include the Palm Beach International Film Festival and the Palm Beach Boat Show.
City Festivals include the weekly Clematis By Night which offers free, live music, food and drinks. Moonfest is held each year prior to Halloween and during the winter months a downtown Green Market is held every Saturday.
