Christmas On Third Santa Courtesy Third Street South
(Courtesy Third Street South)
All across Southwest Florida, holiday celebrations light up the coast for the most wonderful time of the year. Events like White Christmas at the Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre, the Naples Holiday Boat Parade and Treasured Sounds of Christmas from the Charlotte Chorale bring merriment to the season, with a special Gulf twist. Here are some of the holiday events we won’t want to miss. Plus, see family-friendly holiday events to enjoy with the kids.
Nov. 13 - Dec. 31
Festival of Lights at Fishermen’s Village, Punta Gorda
View more than 1 million lights illuminate tropical scenes at Fishermen’s village and take pictures with Santa and the Grinch. Nightly canal cruises launch into the Punta Gorda Isles.
Nov. 18-Dec. 30
Irving Berlin’s White Christmas at Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre, Fort Myers
Open the holiday season with the classic tale about two ex-soldiers who become business partners and follow a pair of singing sisters to a charming inn in Vermont, where antics ensue. Enjoy dinner at the theater, which is in its 29th season, while singing along to the show’s title track.
Nov. 21
Christmas on Third, Naples
Join the 45th-annual tree-lighting ceremony, where you’ll be greeted by a jolly Santa as he arrives on a vintage fire truck. Live music and sweet treats promise a good time. Visit the locale on Thursdays and Fridays at 7 p.m. for some faux snowfall throughout the month.
Nov. 23 - Dec. 18
A Christmas Carol The Musical, The Naples Players
Blackburn Hall transforms for this Ebenezer Scrooge tale. The Charles Dickens classic gets a fresh take with music from Broadway composer Alan Menken (The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin) and songs like “God Bless Us Everyone” and “A Place Called Home.”
Nov. 25-Jan. 1 (Closed Dec. 24 & 25)
Holiday Nights Celebration at Edison and Ford Winter Estates, Fort Myers
See the historic property illuminated by thousands of lights and holiday exhibits at this 47th-annual spectacular. Kids can visit with Santa, sing along with carolers and tour the homes, dolled up with festive decorations.
Nov. 27
Nutcracker! The Magic of Christmas Ballet at Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall, Fort Myers
There’s nothing quite like The Nutcracker story to get you in the holiday mood. In its 30th-anniversary tour, the production features stars of the Ukrainian ballet joined by life-sized puppets and acrobatic routines, with extravagant costumes and sets.
Nov. 29 - Dec. 18
The Trees & Teas Festival at The Naples Players
Local designers deck out musical-themed trees—drawing inspiration from favorites like Hairspray and Wicked—for this annual holiday event. Sip on teas from The Spice & Tea Exchange of Naples as you peruse the scene.
Dec. 1
Holiday Taste of the Opera at Gulfshore Opera, Naples
Gulfshore Opera’s star performers command the room with their renditions of seasonal classics durin this this feast at The Club at the Strand. Book a table for four or six of your fellow music lovers.
Dec. 1-4
Festival of Trees at Sidney & Berne Davis Arts Center, Fort Myers
Local businesses design trees that are decked out in thematic splendor for this event that also includes a live auction, wine and paint session, and crafts for kids. Bring a toy donation, and you’ll get free admission. Proceeds benefit Goodwill Industries of Southwest Florida and the Sidney & Berne Davis Arts Center.
Dec. 2-3
5th Avenue Christmas Walk and Tree Lighting Ceremony
Naples’ Fifth Avenue transforms for the season with a two-day festival. Peruse the decorated streets, dine under baubles and garland, view a live nativity scene and meet Old Saint Nick. To keep up the holiday spirit, wander over to Third Street South on Thursdays and Fridays at 7 p.m. for some faux snowfall throughout the month.
Dec. 3
Christmas Arts and Crafts Fair at University Village Shops, Fort Myers
Get all your holiday shopping done in one place as dozens of artisans and artists fill University Village Shops.
Dec. 3
Treasured Sounds of Christmas from the Charlotte Chorale, Punta Gorda
Charlotte Chorale sets the tone for the season with their concert of traditional and contemporary favorites, like “Journey of the Kings” and “Jingle Bells.” Don’t sleep on the silent auction.
Dec. 10
Naples Holiday Boat Parade
Boats sail around the Naples Bay, decorated with lights and seasonal garb. Park yourself in Tin City, at the Naples City Dock or other spots along the water to get a clear view of the parade.
Dec. 10
Mistletoe Ball at the Charlotte Harbor Event & Conference Center, Punta Gorda
Whisk away to the Big Apple without leaving town in this ball for good when Charlotte Harbor Event & Conference Center transforms into New York City, with vignettes from the Rainbow Room (the famed venue known for its glitz, glamour and contemporary cuisine), Broadway and Central Park. Drink, dance and bid in a silent auction, all to support the Homeless Coalition.
Dec. 10-11
Bonita Springs Holiday of the Arts Festival
This festival brings artisans from across the country to Southwest Florida, with handmade ceramics, original paintings, textile arts and plenty of other giftable items.
Dec. 15-18
Holiday Pops with the Naples Philharmonic at Artis—Naples
Naples Philharmonic conductor Radu Paponiu leads this collaboration with Artis—Naples chorus groups. Free tickets are available for anyone who was impacted by Hurricane Ian.
Dec. 17
Winter Fest at Mercola Market, Cape Coral
Get out of the house for a day of holiday-filled activities. Fill your appetite with bites from food trucks as you browse the vendors and crafts from different artisans under festive Christmas lights.
Dec. 18
Christmas Fair at Bell Tower, Fort Myers
Bring out the family for a holiday celebration of crafts, artisans and food from local vendors at the open-air mall.
Dec. 21
Chanukah Celebration, Naples
Bring the family out for the Jewish Federation of Greater Naples’ festivities at Mercato on the Lawn. Light the menorah, gorge on Israeli food and listen to music from the Naples Klezmer Revival Band.
Dec. 30-31
Cirque Dreams Holidaze Event at Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall, Fort Myers
Acrobatics and music combine at this Fort Myers holiday performance. Catch holiday classics like “Deck the Halls” and “Winter Wonderland” in circus-style theatricals, with toy soldiers, reindeer, singers and dancers.