20 Holidays and Festivals to Explore
Celebrate Southwest Florida through holiday lights, parades, seafood traditions and art festivals. These 20 curated picks span the year; pending dates are clearly marked and are not confirmed upcoming events.
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Information researched October 8, 2026. Confirm current schedules, hours, availability, weather notices and ticket policies with each official organizer. The selection is a curated guide, not a measured popularity ranking. Team images are AI-created illustrations of imagined outings, not evidence of an actual visit; venue layouts, displays and programming may differ.
FORT MYERS
Holiday Nights at Edison and Ford Winter Estates
Schedule: Nov. 27, 2026–Jan. 3, 2027
Historic estate grounds and gardens become an illuminated holiday outing after dark. Plan a leisurely evening walk among festive displays.
Plan your visit: Holiday admission and selected operating evenings may differ from daytime visits.
Official information → · Published date information
CAPE CORAL
Holiday Festival of Lights
Schedule: Dec. 5, 2026
A downtown holiday celebration with a decorated streetscape, community entertainment and family activities. Combine the festivities with a casual meal.
Plan your visit: Review the official schedule and downtown traffic arrangements.
Official information →
CAPE CORAL
Holiday Boat-a-Long
Schedule: Dec. 19, 2026
Watch decorated boats around Bimini Basin from Four Freedoms Park while enjoying the community holiday program. It is a shoreline viewing event.
Plan your visit: Bring suitable seating and check the boat procession and stage schedule.
Official information →
CAPE CORAL
Holiday Nights on the Lawn
Schedule: Nov. 27–28, 2026
A civic-lawn celebration with a Christmas tree, menorah and seasonal family programming. Enjoy an outdoor holiday evening with neighbors and visitors.
Plan your visit: Check the program for each night and any weather updates.
Official information →
NAPLES
Christmas on 5th
Schedule: Dec. 4–5, 2026
Fifth Avenue South hosts a holiday celebration with lights, seasonal shopping and downtown festivities. Leave time for a restaurant stop while exploring the avenue.
Plan your visit: Dining reservations and special activities may need separate arrangements.
Official information →
NAPLES
Christmas on Third
Schedule: Opening celebration Nov. 23, 2026
Third Street South celebrates the season with festive lights and holiday programming, including artificial snowfall. Explore the shopping district and its evening atmosphere.
Plan your visit: The Nov. 23 opening celebration begins a seasonal program; confirm individual activity dates.
Official information →
SANIBEL & CAPTIVA
Sanibel & Captiva Luminary Holiday Stroll
Schedule: 2026 dates awaiting organizer confirmation
Luminaries and island businesses create a welcoming seasonal stroll through village areas. This community tradition is a relaxed way to enjoy island holiday spirit.
Plan your visit: Organizer information reviewed still displayed prior-year dates; check for the confirmed 2026 schedule.
Official information →
PUNTA GORDA
Fishermen’s Village Festival of Lights
Schedule: Lighting Nov. 14; festival Nov. 15–Dec. 31, 2026
Holiday lights brighten a waterfront shopping and dining destination. Wander the promenade and choose a meal or a separately booked seasonal experience.
Plan your visit: Lighting celebration is Nov. 14; check the calendar for music and any separately ticketed cruises.
Official information →
MARCO ISLAND
Christmas Island Style Street Parade
Schedule: Dec. 12, 2026
Illuminated floats and community groups bring holiday cheer to San Marco Road. Plan a spectator outing and enjoy the evening procession.
Plan your visit: Review the route and arrive early for suitable viewing space.
Official information →
BONITA SPRINGS
Happy Haunts Halloween Stroll
Schedule: Oct. 22–31, 2026
A family-friendly downtown Halloween stroll uses lights, music and projections to create seasonal atmosphere. Enjoy a festive walk among the displays.
Plan your visit: Nightly stroll programming is separate from the Oct. 31 downtown trick-or-treat event.
Official information →
FORT MYERS
Edison Festival of Light
Schedule: Grand Parade Feb. 20, 2027
Illuminated floats, bands and community celebrations honor the Edison connection to Fort Myers. The Grand Parade is the centerpiece of a wider event program.
Plan your visit: Junior Parade is Feb. 14; check individual routes, parking and event schedules.
Official information →
FORT MYERS BEACH
Fort Myers Beach Lions Shrimp Festival
Schedule: March 13–14, 2027
A coastal festival celebrating shrimp, community traditions and arts and crafts. Explore the organizer’s program for food, parade and other scheduled activities.
Plan your visit: Check locations, ticket details and road closures for each activity.
Official information →
LABELLE
Swamp Cabbage Festival
Schedule: Next dates awaiting organizer confirmation
A local heritage celebration with food, community festivities and creative vendors. It offers a different perspective on the inland communities of Southwest Florida.
Plan your visit: The next festival dates were not confirmed in the organizer information reviewed; check before booking.
Organizer’s 2026 event record (past event) →
CAPE CORAL
Cape Coral Art Festival & Marketplace
Schedule: Jan. 9–10, 2027
Outdoor artist booths and a marketplace turn the downtown district into a browsing destination. Leave time to talk with artists and explore varied work.
Plan your visit: Confirm the current festival map, parking and daily opening hours.
Official information → · Published date information
FORT MYERS
ArtFest Fort Myers
Schedule: Feb. 5–7, 2027
A waterfront art festival brings juried artists and creative community activities to downtown. Browse artwork and enjoy the riverfront setting.
Plan your visit: Opening night is Feb. 5; the main festival weekend is Feb. 6–7.
Official information →
BONITA SPRINGS
Bonita Springs National Fine Art Festivals
Schedule: Jan. 9–10, Feb. 6–7 and March 6–7, 2027
Juried fine art weekends at Riverside Park offer several opportunities to browse artists’ work. Choose one festival or return for another lineup.
Plan your visit: Check the organizer’s information for each separate weekend.
Official information →
NAPLES
Naples National Art Fair
Schedule: Feb. 19–21, 2027
A juried art fair in Cambier Park brings creative work to a central Naples setting. Plan a browsing day with time for downtown dining.
Plan your visit: Use the current Cambier Park information and check hours and admission guidance.
Official information →
CAPE CORAL
Red, White & BOOM!
Schedule: 2027 program awaiting city announcement
Cape Coral’s Independence Day tradition combines community entertainment with fireworks. It is a seasonal planning idea while the next city program is awaited.
Plan your visit: The July 4, 2026 event has passed; wait for the city’s 2027 announcement before making event-specific plans.
Official information →
NAPLES
St. Patrick’s Day Parade
Schedule: 2027 date awaiting official confirmation
A community parade brings Irish-themed festivities to Naples each March. Plan a daytime spectator outing once the next route and date are announced.
Plan your visit: The city listing reviewed covered the past March 14, 2026 parade; verify the 2027 announcement.
Official information →
EVERGLADES CITY
Everglades Seafood Festival
Schedule: Feb. 19–21, 2027
Seafood, music, arts and crafts and festival activities bring visitors to Everglades City. Combine food browsing with the community atmosphere.
Plan your visit: Review current admission and payment guidance; the organizer prohibits lawn chairs, coolers and pets.
Official information →Explore Southwest Florida with Mary and Ty
Mary Wespiser Dickey and Ty Wespiser are siblings and business partners at the Wespiser Dickey Team, Barclay’s Real Estate Group. Planning a move, selling a home, or exploring commercial property? We can help you get to know the communities that fit your plans.
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