SW Florida
44 coming up
A selection of what is on across Naples, Fort Myers, Estero, Fort Myers Beach, Bonita Springs, Marco Island, Sanibel, Captiva and Cape Coral. Updated every morning, and anything in the next couple of weeks gets checked again each day, so if something is cancelled or moved you will see it here.
On at the moment: Fort Myers · Naples · Sanibel · Bonita Springs · Fort Myers Beach · Estero · Cape Coral · Captiva
Highlighted days have something on. Tap one to see what's on that day.
Fort Myers
7:15 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. on October 30 and 31
Calusa Nature Center & Planetarium · Ticketed
3450 Ortiz Avenue, Fort Myers, FL 33905 · (239) 275-3435
The nature center's annual Haunted Walk takes visitors along its trails after dark on October weekends, with proceeds supporting the center's resident animals. A season pass covers every night through October 31.
Naples
Boo at the Zoo activities 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on each event day
Naples Zoo at Caribbean Gardens
1590 Goodlette-Frank Road, Naples, FL 34102 · (239) 262-5409
Naples Zoo runs its last Halloween-themed weekend of the year from Saturday, October 24 to Monday, October 26, with trick-or-treating for children 12 and under, costumed characters and live shows included with regular zoo admission.
Sanibel
6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Bailey Homestead Preserve · Registration required
1300 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, FL 33957
An evening walk at the Bailey Homestead Preserve on Sanibel, led by the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation, to look and listen for bats as they come out at dusk.
Bonita Springs
8 a.m. to noon
The Promenade at Bonita Bay
26795 South Bay Drive, Bonita Springs
The Saturday morning market at the Promenade at Bonita Bay, with produce, baked goods and crafts from area vendors, running every Saturday from October through May.
Naples
3 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Cambier Park, then 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Fifth Avenue South
Cambier Park · Free
755 8th Avenue South, Naples, FL 34102
A Halloween event at Cambier Park with live music, a costume contest, street entertainment and trick-or-treat stations, followed by an evening of live music along the Fifth Avenue South sidewalks from 5 to 8 p.m.
Fort Myers Beach
5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Stops across Fort Myers Beach · Ticketed
Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931
The Fort Myers Beach Community Foundation hosts a Halloween-themed crawl to stops across the island, with costumes, games and carnival-style activities benefiting local charitable causes.
Fort Myers
7:30 a.m. to 10 a.m.
Eastwood Golf Course · Registration required
4600 East Bruce Herd Lane, Fort Myers, FL 33905
A chip-timed Halloween morning 5K run and walk at Eastwood Golf Course, with a separate one-mile fun run, costumes encouraged and costume awards at the finish. Proceeds support the Fort Myers Police Athletic League.
Estero
8 p.m., doors 7 p.m.
Hertz Arena · Ticketed
11000 Everblades Parkway, Estero, FL 33928 · (239) 948-7825
A country concert by Gavin Adcock at Hertz Arena with special guests Braxton Keith and The Creekers, part of his national tour.
Fort Myers
9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Edison and Ford Winter Estates · Free
2350 McGregor Boulevard, Fort Myers, FL 33901 · (239) 334-7419
An outdoor fall event on the estates grounds with craft vendors, food trucks, live music and a pumpkin patch, running from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Entry to the festival is free; individual activities and the museum and laboratory carry their own fees.
Fort Myers Beach
4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Bayside Park · Free
Old San Carlos Boulevard at 1st Street, on Fort Myers Beach
Limited Edition plays the free Sunday afternoon show at Bayside Park on Fort Myers Beach. Bring a lawn chair; leashed pets are welcome.
Sanibel
9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Sanibel City Hall · Free
800 Dunlop Road, Sanibel, FL 33957
The Sunday market on the grounds of Sanibel City Hall, with produce, seafood, baked goods and crafts from area vendors, open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Sunday through May.
Naples
5:30 p.m.
Rookery Bay Environmental Learning Center · Registration required
300 Tower Road, Naples, FL 34113 · (239) 530-5972
An opening reception for The Gulf, a mixed media exhibition by Florida Gulf Coast University artists in the Rookery Bay Environmental Learning Center gallery. The exhibition stays up through January 28.
Fort Myers
5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Fort Myers River District · Free
Hendry Street and the surrounding blocks, downtown Fort Myers
Artist vendors from across Southwest Florida line the closed streets of downtown Fort Myers on the first Friday of the month to demonstrate, exhibit and sell their work, alongside the district's restaurants and galleries.
Cape Coral
10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Cape Coral Art Center · Free
4533 Coronado Parkway, Cape Coral, FL 33904
The Cape Coral Art Center opens its doors for a free open house, with tours of the facility, live art demonstrations and a chance to meet instructors ahead of the winter class and workshop season.
Sanibel
7:30 a.m.
Sanibel Community House · Registration required
2173 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, FL 33957
FISH of SanCap hosts a 10K and 5K run/walk starting and finishing at the Sanibel Community House, with a kids' fun run for ages 10 and under and an awards ceremony following the races.
Naples
9:30 a.m.
Rookery Bay Environmental Learning Center · Registration required
300 Tower Road, Naples, FL 34113 · (239) 530-5972
A guided forest bathing walk at the Rookery Bay Environmental Learning Center: an unhurried morning outdoors in the reserve, run by Rookery Bay as part of its wellness programs. Space is limited, so register ahead.
Fort Myers Beach
5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Sandy Bottoms Bar & Grill to Bayside Park · Free
2301 Estero Boulevard, Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931
An illuminated evening procession along Estero Boulevard on Fort Myers Beach, with individuals, businesses and community groups walking in illuminated costumes and lit displays to mark the start of the holiday season.
Fort Myers Beach
4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Bayside Park · Free
Old San Carlos Boulevard at 1st Street, on Fort Myers Beach
The Echo plays the free Sunday afternoon show at Bayside Park on Fort Myers Beach. Bring a lawn chair; leashed pets are welcome.
Estero
8 p.m.
Hertz Arena · Ticketed
11000 Everblades Parkway, Estero, FL 33928 · (239) 948-7825
The Italian vocal trio Il Volo brings its blend of opera and pop to Hertz Arena as part of its world tour.
Fort Myers
Caloosa Sound Convention Center and Centennial Park · Ticketed
Along the riverfront in the downtown Fort Myers River District
A four-day boat show on the downtown Fort Myers riverfront, with exhibitors in a 35,000 square foot air-conditioned convention hall and seminars, food trucks and live music in Centennial Park.
Sanibel
10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Tuesday to Friday; closed November 26 and 27
Bailey Homestead Preserve
1300 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, FL 33957
An exhibit of new work on the theme of plants and flowers, shown at the Bailey Homestead Preserve on Sanibel by the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation and the Sanibel-Captiva Art League.
Naples
10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Event Center at New Hope Ministries · Free
7675 Davis Boulevard, Naples, FL 34104
The 21st annual Naples Home & Garden Show brings home improvement, landscaping and outdoor living vendors together under one roof, with ideas and products for remodeling, renovation and yard projects.
Cape Coral
5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Cape Coral Art Center · Free
4533 Coronado Parkway, Cape Coral, FL 33904
An evening reception for Places I Remember, the exhibition in the Cape Coral Art Center's main gallery. The show stays up through December 17.
Sanibel
6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Bailey Homestead Preserve
1300 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, FL 33957
The Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation's annual evening of wine on the grounds of the Bailey Homestead Preserve on Sanibel, raising money for its work protecting the islands' coastal habitats.
Naples
9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Rookery Bay Environmental Learning Center
300 Tower Road, Naples, FL 34113 · (239) 530-5972
Classic cars on display on the grounds of the Rookery Bay Environmental Learning Center, an annual event run by Friends of Rookery Bay in support of the estuarine research reserve.
Bonita Springs
10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Car show site · Free
25592 Imperial Parkway, Bonita Springs, FL 34135
Corvettes of Naples hosts its annual all makes and models charity car show, with music, food, vendors and raffles. Proceeds help local charities.
Fort Myers Beach
4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Bayside Park · Free
Old San Carlos Boulevard at 1st Street, on Fort Myers Beach
Riverside plays the free Sunday afternoon show at Bayside Park on Fort Myers Beach. Bring a lawn chair; leashed pets are welcome.
Fort Myers Beach
10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily
DiamondHead Beach Resort
Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931 · (239) 454-7500
The 36th annual championship on Fort Myers Beach, where master and advanced amateur sand sculptors build large-scale works on the theme Stars, Stripes and Sand: Sculpting the American Story. Food vendors, live entertainment and sculpting demonstrations run alongside the competition.
Fort Myers
6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Fort Myers River District · Free
First Street and the surrounding blocks, downtown Fort Myers
Live musicians play at venues and on street corners across the downtown Fort Myers River District on the third Friday of the month, with the district's restaurants open along the way.
Naples
4:30 p.m.
Rookery Bay Environmental Learning Center · Registration required
300 Tower Road, Naples, FL 34113 · (239) 530-5972
An evening walk at the Rookery Bay Environmental Learning Center as daylight fades and the moon rises, part of the reserve's Nights in Nature programs.
Fort Myers
5K at 7:30 a.m.; Tot Trot about 8:45 a.m.
Edison and Ford Winter Estates · Registration required
2350 McGregor Boulevard, Fort Myers, FL 33901
The 47th annual Thanksgiving morning 5K run and walk, starting on McGregor Boulevard and finishing at Edison and Ford Winter Estates, with a short Tot Trot afterward. There is no race-day registration, so sign up ahead.
Naples
6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday to Thursday and 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday through December 17; from 6 p.m. nightly after that; closed December 24, 25 and 31
Naples Botanical Garden · Ticketed
4820 Bayshore Drive, Naples, FL 34112
Naples Botanical Garden stays open after dark for its holiday season, with the gardens lit by displays of lights along the paths through January 3.
Fort Myers
5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Fort Myers River District · Free
First and Hendry Streets, downtown Fort Myers, FL 33901
Artists and crafters set up on the closed historic streets of downtown Fort Myers for the first Friday of December, with music and holiday decorations through the district.
Estero
10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; parade at 6 p.m., tree lighting at 7 p.m.
Coconut Point · Free
Fashion Drive, Estero, FL 33928
An all-day holiday event at Coconut Point with a car and truck show, arts and crafts vendors, steel drums and tropical dance performances, ending with an evening parade and the lighting of the shopping center's tree.
Fort Myers Beach
6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
On the water
North Matanzas Pass, Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931
The 38th annual Christmas boat parade on Fort Myers Beach, with boats decorated in holiday lights cruising the waters of Matanzas Pass after dark.
Captiva
5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
'Tween Waters Inn & Marina · Ticketed
15951 Captiva Drive, Captiva, FL 33924
A beach concert on Captiva with the Ben Allen Band playing two full sets and a fireworks show at intermission. It is the fundraising half of FISH of SanCap's JOG N JAM, supporting the islands' social service programs.
Naples
9:30 a.m.
Rookery Bay Environmental Learning Center · Registration required
300 Tower Road, Naples, FL 34113 · (239) 530-5972
Rookery Bay repeats its guided forest bathing walk in December: a slow, quiet morning outdoors in the reserve as part of its wellness programs. Space is limited, so register ahead.
Naples
6:30 p.m.
Parade route through downtown
Naples, FL 34102
The City of Naples holiday parade rolls through downtown with lighted floats, marching bands, holiday music and performers, and Santa Claus closing the procession.
Bonita Springs
7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Riverside Park
10451 Old 41 Road, Bonita Springs, FL 34135
A big band jazz orchestra plays an evening outdoor concert in Riverside Park in downtown Bonita Springs, with a repertoire drawn from Glenn Miller, Count Basie and Duke Ellington. Bring a lawn chair.
Estero
5 p.m.
Hertz Arena · Ticketed
11000 Everblades Parkway, Estero, FL 33928 · (239) 948-7825
Ventriloquist and comedian Jeff Dunham brings his Inappropriate Contact Tour to Hertz Arena, with his cast of characters on stage for an early-evening show.
Bonita Springs
6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Riverside Park
10451 Old 41 Road, Bonita Springs, FL 34135
The Bonita Springs Concert Band plays an evening outdoor concert in Riverside Park in downtown Bonita Springs. Bring a lawn chair.
Fort Myers
6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Fort Myers River District · Free
First and Hendry Streets, downtown Fort Myers, FL 33901
Soloists, bands, DJs and drummers play across the historic streets of downtown Fort Myers on the third Friday of December.
Cape Coral
4 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Four Freedoms Park · Free
Cape Coral Parkway between Coronado Parkway and Santa Barbara Boulevard, Cape Coral
A parade of boats decorated in holiday lights, with stage entertainment, food trucks, crafts and a visit from Santa in the park beforehand, and a holiday movie on an inflatable screen after the parade. Bring a lawn chair or blanket.
Fort Myers
6 p.m. to 12:15 a.m.
Fort Myers River District
First and Hendry Streets, downtown Fort Myers, FL 33901
Downtown Fort Myers closes its streets for New Year's Eve with bands on five stages, dancing in the streets, and fireworks and a ball drop at midnight.
Some of the best of it is listed on this page for the coming days. It covers Naples, Fort Myers, Estero, Fort Myers Beach, Bonita Springs, Marco Island, Sanibel, Captiva and Cape Coral, and it is updated every morning, so what you are reading was checked today.
Every morning. Anything coming up in the next two weeks is checked again each day against the organizer, so if something is cancelled or moved, what you see here changes with it.
This is a selection, not a full listing. Far more goes on across nine markets than any one page could carry, so what you see here is some of the best known and best attended of it, the things worth planning a day around. If you want everything, the city and county calendars are the place to look.
City and county calendars, venues, chambers of commerce, local news and the organizers themselves. Nothing goes on this page without a source behind it, and nothing goes on it that I have not checked.
The markets themselves
