|
Southwest Florida |
|
Calender of Events |
| |
|
January |
| |
|
|
|
|
Bonita
Springs
National Art Festival |
|
The
Promenade |
|
Bonita Springs, Florida |
|
239
495-8989 |
|
|
|
|
A top-rated show two day
show midmonth featuring fine artists from around the
world. Also in March. |
|
|
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| |
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|
|
|
Medieval Faire |
|
Lakes Park |
|
Fort Myers, Florida |
|
239
693-8036 |
|
|
|
|
Two weekends of olde world
fun, including jousting, jugglers, live chess, period
food, kids activities, live entertainment, artisans and
antiques. |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Mullet
Festival |
|
Stan's Idle Hour Restaurant |
|
Goodland, Florida |
|
239
394-3041 |
|
www.stansidlehour.com |
|
|
Celebrating Goodlands
fishing heritage with an extravaganza of music and
tomfoolery. Three days midmonth. |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Naples
International
Art
Fest |
|
Fleischmann Park |
|
Naples, Florida |
|
239
263-1667 |
|
|
|
|
One of the nations top-rated
juried art festivals, with select artists and artisans,
and gourmet food. Last weekend of January. |
|
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| |
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|
|
|
Swamp
Buggy Races |
|
Florida Sports Park |
|
Route 951 |
|
East Naples, Florida |
|
239
774-2701 |
|
www.swampbuggy.com |
|
|
Nationally televised event;
the everglades equivalent of tractor pulls and monster
truck racing. |
|
|
|
| |
| |
|
February |
| |
|
|
|
|
ACE
Group Classic |
|
The
Club at Twin Eagles |
|
Naples, Florida |
|
239
877-FORE-TIX |
|
|
|
|
Nationally televise senior
golf tournament. One week in early February. |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Celebrate Cape Coral |
|
Cape
Coral, Florida |
|
239
549-6900 |
|
|
|
|
Month-long celebration
including a ball, antique car show, parade, music, and
art exhibits. |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Collier
County Fair |
|
Collier County Fairgrounds |
|
Naples, Florida |
|
239
445-1444 |
|
|
|
|
Good old-fashioned fair with
rides and exhibits. End of January and early February. |
|
|
|
|
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|
|
|
Edison
Pageant of Light Festival |
|
|
|
Fort
Myers, Florida |
|
239
334-2999 |
|
www.edisonfestival.org |
|
|
Two weeks early in the
month, the Edison Pageant of Light Festival commemorates
the birthday of Fort Myers' most notable resident,
Thomas Edison. The festival includes a children's
parade, culminating in a spectacular lighted night
parade. |
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|
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| |
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|
|
Everglades Seafood Festival |
|
Everglades City, Florida |
|
239
695-3941 |
|
|
|
|
Three days of music, arts,
crafts, and fresh seafood. Early February. |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Grecian
Festival |
|
St.
Katherines Greek
Orthodox Church |
|
Naples, Florida |
|
239
591-3430 |
|
|
|
|
Greek food specialties,
music, costumed dancers, and exhibits. First weekend of
February. |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Greek
Fest |
|
Greek Orthodox Church |
|
8210
Cypress Lake Dr |
|
Fort
Myers, Florida |
|
239
481-2099 |
|
|
|
|
Ethnic food and music. Three
days mid month. |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Naples
National
Art Fest |
|
Downtown |
|
Naples, Florida |
|
239
513-2492 |
|
www.naplesartcenter.org |
|
|
This prime art festival
takes place over two days in late February. |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Native
American &
Pioneer Heritage
Festival |
|
Collier-Seminole State Park |
|
Collier County, Florida |
|
239
394-3397 |
|
|
|
|
Honoring Local Heritage.
Third weekend of the month. |
|
|
|
| |
|
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|
|
Sanibel
Music Festival |
|
Sanibel Island, Florida |
|
239
336-7999 |
|
www.sanibelmusicfestival.org |
|
|
Features concerts by
classical artists across the nation. |
|
|
|
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|
|
March |
| |
|
|
|
|
Bonita
Springs
National Art Festival |
|
The
Promenade |
|
Bonita Springs, Florida |
|
239
495-8989 |
|
|
|
|
A top-rated show two day
show midmonth featuring fine artists from around the
world. Also in January. |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Country
Jam |
|
Vineyards Community Park |
|
Naples, Florida |
|
239
353-0404 |
|
www.countryjamnaples.com |
|
|
Top national country
entertainers, local acts, carnival rides, carnival
games, petting zoo, pony rides, mechanical bull, and
plenty of food. Mid-March weekend. |
|
|
|
| |
|
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|
|
Dig the
Arts Festival |
|
Lowdermill Park |
|
Naples, Florida |
|
239
263-8242 |
|
|
|
|
United arts council hosts a
day of music, art, sand sculpture, and kids games. One
day event in late March. |
|
|
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| |
|
|
|
|
Downtown Festival
of the Arts |
|
5th
Ave South |
|
Naples, Florida |
|
239
435-3742 |
|
|
|
|
Works by area artists and
others from around the country, music, and food. One
weekend in late March. |
|
|
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| |
|
|
|
|
Fort
Myers Beach
Lion's Club Shrimp
Festival |
|
Lynn
Hall Memorial Park |
|
Fort
Myers Beach, Florida |
|
239
463-9738 |
|
|
|
|
Blessing of the fleet, 5K
run, parade, and shrimp boil. Two days mid-month. |
|
|
|
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|
|
|
Lee
County Reading Festival |
|
Centennial Park |
|
Fort
Myers, Florida |
|
239
461-2914 |
|
|
|
|
One -day celebration of
literacy with prominent authors and related activities. |
|
|
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| |
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|
|
Sanibel
Shell Fair and Show |
|
Sanibel Community House |
|
2173
Periwinkle Way |
|
Sanibel Island, Florida |
|
239
472-2155 |
|
|
|
|
Showcases sea life, specimen
shells, and shell art. Four days in early March. |
|
|
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| |
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|
|
|
Seminole Indian Day |
|
Smallwood Indian Store |
|
Chokoloskee Island, Florida |
|
239
695-2989 |
|
|
|
|
Reenactments, period
clothing competition, entertainment and food of the
Seminole nation. |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Sounds
of Jazz |
|
Jaycee Park |
|
4125
SE 20th Place |
|
Cape
Coral, Florida |
|
239
573-3121 |
|
|
|
|
An outdoor concert featuring
popular jazz artists. Mid month. |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Swamp
Buggy Races |
|
Florida Sports Park |
|
Route 951 |
|
East Naples, Florida |
|
239
774-2701 |
|
www.swampbuggy.com |
|
|
Nationally televised event;
the everglades equivalent of tractor pulls and monster
truck racing. |
|
|
|
| |
| |
|
April |
| |
|
|
|
|
Earth
Day |
|
Sanibel-Captiva Conservation
Foundation |
|
3333
Sanibel-Captiva Rd |
|
Sanibel Island, Florida |
|
239
472-2329 |
|
|
|
|
Participants ride free
rental bikes to this midmonth homage to Mother Earth. |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Punta
Gorda Block
Party |
|
Punta Gorda, Florida |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Community celebration with
music, food, crafts, and a variety of events. Early
April. |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
River &
Blues Festival |
|
Centennial Park |
|
Fort
Myers, Florida |
|
239
338-3500 |
|
|
|
|
One day event midmonth
featuring live music, local food, and activities for
kids. |
|
|
|
| |
| |
|
May |
| |
|
|
|
|
A Taste
of Collier |
|
Fifth Ave South |
|
Naples, Florida |
|
www.tasteofcollier.com |
|
|
Naples renowned restraunts
serve samples of their specialties. Live Music. One Day. |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Charlotte Harbor
Florida Fishing Tournament |
|
Charlotte County, Florida |
|
941
625-0804 |
|
|
|
|
Thousands of dollars in
prizes, kids day, and barbeque. Monthlong. |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Cinco
De Mayo |
|
Iguana Mia Restaurant |
|
Cape
Coral, Florida |
|
239
573-3125 |
|
|
|
|
A celebration of Cape
Coral's Latin Population with food and entertainment. |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Great
Dock Canoe
Race |
|
Crayton Cove Restaurant dock |
|
12th
Ave South |
|
Naples, Florida |
|
239
263-9940 |
|
www.greatdockcanoerace.com |
|
|
More than 200 teams in wacky
costumespaddle across Naples Bay in good-spirited
competeition one Saturday. |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Isreal
Fest |
|
Patio De Leon |
|
Downtown |
|
Fort
Myers, Florida |
|
239
481-4499 |
|
|
|
|
One day early May devoted to
Jewish Culture and ethnic foods of the Middle east and
Eastern Europe. |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Ladies
Day Tarpon Tournament |
|
Charlotte County, Florida |
|
941
964-0568 |
|
|
|
|
All woman, all release
competition held on Mothers Day. |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Summer
Jazz |
|
Naples Beach Hotel |
|
851
Gulfshore Blvd |
|
Naples, Florida |
|
239
261-2222 |
|
|
|
|
A series of sunset concerts
under the stars on the third Saturday every of every
month, May through September. |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Taste
of Charlotte |
|
Fishermans Village |
|
Punta Gorda, Florida |
|
941
627-3539 |
|
|
|
|
Local restaurant cook-off.
Enjoy food, art, and music at this one day event. Early
May. |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Taste
of The Islands |
|
Sanibel Island, Florida |
|
239
472-3644 |
|
|
|
|
Sample food from Sanibel and
Captiva restaurants while enjoying live music and
competitions to benefit wildlife. One day: admission. |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Teddy
Bears Tea Party |
|
Teddy Bear Museum |
|
Naples, Florida |
|
866
365-BEAR |
|
www.teddymuseum.com |
|
|
Wear your finest Easter
bonnet and enjoy a full english tea with the bears.
Three sittings one day near easter. Reservations
Required. |
|
|
|
| |
| |
|
June |
| |
|
|
|
|
Caloosa
Catch &
Release Fishing Tornament |
|
South Seas Resort |
|
Captiva Island, Florida |
|
239
479-7916 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
South
Florida
PGA
Open |
|
Naples Golf Club |
|
851
Gulfshore Blvd |
|
Naples, Florida |
|
239
261-2222 |
|
|
|
|
Golf enthusiasts can qualify
to play side by side with golf PGA pros in this four day
competition. |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Taste
of the Beach |
|
Fort
Myers Beach, Florida |
|
239
454-7500 |
|
|
|
|
Sample foods from Local
Restaurants. |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Wildlife / Animal Awareness Expo |
|
1200
W. Retta Esplanade |
|
Punta Gorda, Florida |
|
941
575-3007 |
|
www.fishville.com |
|
|
A Saturday's worth of live
animal demonstrations and educational exhibits. Early
June. |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
World's
Richest
Tarpon Tournament |
|
Boca
Grande, Florida |
|
941
964-0568 |
|
|
|
|
A community festival
awarding a top prize of $125,000! Mid June. |
|
|
|
| |
|
July |
| |
|
|
|
|
Fourth
of July |
|
Naples Pier |
|
Naples, Florida |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fireworks at the pier follow
a Main Street parade. |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Kids'
Fishing
Day |
|
Fishermen's Village |
|
1200
W Retta Esplanade |
|
Punta Gorda, Florida |
|
941
639-5723 |
|
www.fishville.com |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Mango
Mania |
|
German-American Social Club |
|
2101
Pine Island Rd |
|
Cape
Coral, Florida |
|
239
283-4842 |
|
www.mangomaniafl.com |
|
|
Celebrates Pine Island's
favorite fruit with music and a stand selling mangos,
mango trees, mango drinks, mango cookies, and other
delicacies. One weekend in early July. Admission. |
|
|
|
| |
| |
|
August |
| |
|
|
|
|
Cape
In-shore Redfish Challenge |
|
Yacht Club Community Park |
|
Cape
Coral, Florida |
|
239
573-3121 |
|
|
|
|
A fishing tournament for all
anglers with cash prizes totaling $10,000 as well as
other awards. Two days in early August. |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Summer
Slam |
|
South Seas Resort |
|
Captiva Island, Florida |
|
239
479-7916 |
|
|
|
|
A two-day slam-bang fishing
competition limited to 75 boats and awarding more than
$15,000 in cash and prizes. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
October |
| |
|
|
|
|
Calusa
Nature Center Haunted Walk |
|
Calusa Nature Center |
|
3450
Ortiz Av |
|
Fort
Myers, Florida |
|
239
275-3435 |
|
www.calusanature.com |
|
|
The grandaddy of haunted
walks! Takes place nightly for a couple of weeks around
Halloween. |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
"Ding"
Darling Days |
|
Ding
Darling Wildlife Refuge |
|
Sanibel Island, Florida |
|
239
472-1100 |
|
|
One week in October devoted
to exploring the refuge and celebrating the birthday of
its namesake. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jazz on
the Green |
|
Florida Gulf Coast University |
|
Fort Myers, Florida |
|
239
477-4683 |
|
www.jazzonthegreen.com |
|
|
One day of smooth jazz by
well known artists. Admission. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Octoberfest |
|
German-American Social Club |
|
2101
Pine Island Rd |
|
Cape
Coral, Florida |
|
239
283-4842 |
|
www.gasc-capecoral.com |
|
|
Cape Coral celebrates its
strong German heritage with Octoberfest music, food, and
activities. Two weekends. |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Salute
to the Arts |
|
Throughout Charlotte County |
|
Charlotte County, Florida |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weeklong showcase of
performing and visual arts. Late October. |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Swamp
Buggy Races |
|
Florida Sports Park |
|
Route 951 |
|
East Naples, Florida |
|
239
774-2701 |
|
www.swampbuggy.com |
|
|
Nationally televised event;
the everglades equivalent of tractor pulls and monster
truck racing. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
November |
| |
|
|
|
|
American
Sandsculpting Contest |
|
Outrigger Beach & Holiday Inn
Gulfside Resorts |
|
Fort Myers Beach, Florida |
|
239
454-7500 |
|
www.sultansofsand.com |
|
|
Amateur and masters
divisions. One weekend in early November. |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Big
Arts Fair |
|
Sanibel Community House |
|
2173
Periwinkle Way |
|
Sanibel Island, Florida |
|
239
472-2155 |
|
www.bigarts.org |
|
|
Juried arts and crafts
exhibits. Thanksgiving weekend. |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Marco
Island Film
Festival |
|
Marco Movies, Mission Plaza |
|
Marco Island, Florida |
|
239
642-FEST |
|
www.marcoislandfilmfest.com |
|
|
Five days in early November
featuring more than 50 short, documentary, and
independant films. |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Old
Florida Festival |
|
Collier County Museum |
|
Naples, Florida |
|
239
774-8476 |
|
www.colliermuseum.com |
|
|
Living history from the
stone age to World War II, with food, crafts, games, and
demonstrations. First week of November. |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Taste
of the Town |
|
Centennial Park |
|
Downtown |
|
Fort
Myers, Florida |
|
239
277-1197 |
|
|
|
|
Local restaurants sell their
specialties; Live entertainment and children's games.
One Sunday in early November. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December |
| |
|
|
|
|
Christmas Luminary
Trail |
|
|
|
Sanibel & Captiva, Florida |
|
239
472-1080 |
|
|
|
|
More than three miles of
luminary candles line the main roads of Sanibel's &
Captiva's commercial areas, where businessed stay open
and srve up free drinks and food. One weekend early in
the month. Admission. |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Christmas Peace River Lighted
Boat Parade |
|
Charlotte County, Florida |
|
941
639-3720 |
|
|
|
|
A procession of boats in
holiday attire. Early December. |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Christmas Walk &
Avenue Lights |
|
Fifth Av South |
|
Naples, Florida |
|
239
435-3742 |
|
|
|
|
Holiday street and tree
lighting festivities, open houses at shops and other
merchants. Early December. |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Edison
/ Ford Homes Holiday House
|
|
2350
McGregor Blvd |
|
Fort
Myers, Florida |
|
239
332-6680 |
|
www.edison-fordestate.com |
|
|
Period and seasonal exhibits
and miles of light strings draw crowds to this popular
attraction. Admission. |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Holiday
Boat-a-Long |
|
Four
Freedoms Park |
|
Cape
Coral, Florida |
|
239
573-3125 |
|
|
|
|
Decorated boat parade with
live entertainment, Santa, christmas crafts and more. |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Naples
Bay Christmas
Boat Parade |
|
Naples City Dock |
|
Naples, Florida |
|
239
261-0882 |
|
|
An annual holiday maritime
event. Mid-December. |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
New
Years Eve
Art
Festival |
|
Fifth Av South |
|
Naples, Florida |
|
239
435-3742 |
|
|
|
|
Fine artisans fill the
street the weekend following Christmas. |
|
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