What to do in October in Naples: Halloween events, theater season starting up
HALLOWEEN EVENTS
For a complete list, visit our Halloween events calendar.
Boo at the Zoo: 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Oct. 13-16 at Naples Zoo, 1590 Goodlette-Frank Road. Free admission for children in costume. Trick-or-treat trail, education station, games, costume contest, and prizes each day. 239-262-5409 or napleszoo.org/boo
Fall Fest: 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 30. Paradise Coast Sports Complex, 3940 City Gate Blvd. N., Naples. Venture Church Naples and Paradise Coast Sports Complex have organized a free family event with activities, food trucks, inflatables, trick or treating for the kids and much more. There will be a special gift for all kids who come in costume. Visit naplesfallfest.com to register.
GENERAL EVENTS, MORE
"Evening on Fifth": Enjoy night of live music, food and fun. "Evening On Fifth" is along Fifth Avenue South from 6:30-9:30 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 28, with the following one Thursday, Nov. 9. Also enjoy shopping and dancing in downtown Naples. For more call 239-692-8436 or visit FifthAvenueSouth.com.
Bonita Springs Food Truck Festival: 12 food trucks serve up gourmet smash burgers, Mexican pizzas, German currywurst, vegan food, barbecue, ice cream and more. Plus a bounce house, craft vendors and live music from reggae act Sprout Duo and R&B singer/guitarist Dale Schwegel of the Old 41 Band. 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 28. $5 (free for ages 12 and younger). Riverside Park, 10451 Old 41 Road, Bonita Springs. southerneventproductionsfl.com/food-truck-festival
Visit a museum: Collier County has a rich history, and there's five museums to learn about it — Collier Museum at Government Center (Naples), Museum of the Everglades, Immokalee Pioneer Museum at Roberts Ranch, Naples Depot Museum, and Marco Island Historical Museum. Visit colliermuseums.com to learn more.
Revs Institute: The Revs Institute has reopened after being closed two months for maintenance. Schedule a visit at revsinstitute.org or 239-687-7387. The car museum ― among the top 10 in the U.S. ― is at 2500 S. Horseshoe Drive, near Naples Airport.
COMING IN NOVEMBER
Artisan Marketplace: The eighth annual event is 10 a.m-4 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Nov. 3-4, at the Naples Woman's Club, 570 Park Street, Naples. Free. More than 18 artists will present their works for sale, offering unique jewelry, art, accessories, food, ceramics and more. A silent auction also will feature the work of at least two fine arts scholarship winners. A cocktail party and tour of the artists booths begins at 5:30 p.m. Nov. 3, featuring cocktails and food by Chef Vincenzo Betulia. Tickets for the cocktail party are $80 or $100 and can be purchased at napleswomansclub.org.
COMEDIANS AT OFF THE HOOK
The She Gone Tour With Becky Robinson: The comedian performs standup at 6 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 15, at Off The Hook Comedy Club, 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Road, No. 1100. $25 general admission, plus a fee. offthehookcomedy.com or 239-389-6901 ― The Friday and Saturday shows are SOLD OUT.
Rob Little: The comedian performs standup at 7 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday, Oct. 17-19, at Off The Hook Comedy Club, 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Road, No. 1100. $25 general admission, plus a fee. offthehookcomedy.com or 239-389-6901
Kountry Wayne: The comedian performs standup at 7 and 9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 20; 6 and 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 21; and 6:45 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 22, at Off The Hook Comedy Club, 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Road, No. 1100. $30 general admission, plus a fee. offthehookcomedy.com or 239-389-6901
Florida's Funniest Comedian Competition: Amateur comedians compete at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 24, at Off The Hook Comedy Club, 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Road, No. 1100. $15 general admission, plus a fee. offthehookcomedy.com or 239-389-6901
Lindsey Glazer: The comedian performs standup at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 25, at Off The Hook Comedy Club, 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Road, No. 1100. $25 general admission, plus a fee. offthehookcomedy.com or 239-389-6901
Carlos Mencia: The comedian performs standup at 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 26; 6:30 and 8:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 27, and Saturday, Oct. 28; and 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 29, at Off The Hook Comedy Club, 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Road, No. 1100. $25 general admission, plus a fee. offthehookcomedy.com or 239-389-6901
CONCERTS, INCLUDING HARDY AT HERTZ ARENA
All That Jazz: Concerts featuring saxophonist Grant Stewart at 6 and 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 11, at Artis―Naples, 5833 Pelican Bay Blvd. Stewart performs with Naples Philharmonic Jazz Orchestra. Tickets $55. artisnaples.org or (239) 597-1900
Blair Crimmins & The Hookers: The six-piece Atlanta band plays ragtime and New Orleans-style jazz with smoky vocals, clever lyrics and a modern twist. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 14. $42-$49. Arts Bonita Center for Performing Arts, 10150 Bonita Beach Road, Bonita Springs. 495-8989 or artsbonita.org
Ben Allen Band: Popular Southwest Florida-based country band performs at 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 14, at Sneaky Pete's, 3465 Bonita Beach Road SW, No. 20, Bonita Springs. More at sneakypetesbonita.com or (239) 498-8887
Beethoven Piano Trio: The Naples Philharmonic Sypert Salon Chamber Music concert is at 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 15, and Tuesday, Oct. 17, at Artis―Naples, 5833 Pelican Bay Blvd. Features Russian-American pianist Natasha Paremski. Tickets from $57 (floor seats are sold out). artisnaples.org or (239) 597-1900
Hardy: the mockingbird & THE CROW: The American singer, songwriter performs at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 20, in Hertz Arena, 11000 Everblades Parkway, Estero. From $39.75, parking $30 plus fees. More at or hertzarena.com 239-948-7825
Unlimited Devotion ― Celebrating Music of the Grateful Dead: 8-10 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 21, at South Street City Oven and Grill at Founders Square, 8845 Founders Square Drive, Naples. Tickets from $20 general admission. More at 239-331-4149 or southstreetnaples.com.
Justin Moore: The You, Me & Whiskey tour rolls into Estero for a 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 27, concert. From $39.50, parking $30 plus fees. Hertz Arena, 11000 Everblades Parkway, Estero. 239-948-7825 or hertzarena.com
Naples Dixieland Jazz Band: 2-4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 29, outside at Cambier Park, Sixth Avenue South and Eighth Street South. Other concerts are set for the same time and place Nov. 19, Jan. 7, Feb. 11, March 10 and April 21. Please bring lawn chairs. All concerts free but donations greatly appreciated and needed. naplesjazzsociety.com
Live music at Miromar Outlets: Enjoy musicians playing on the plaza, between Ford’s Garage & Naples Flatbread and in the Restaurant Piazza. More at miromaroutlets.com.
COMING IN NOVEMBER
Centennial Music Festival: Noon Saturday, Nov. 4, on lawn overlooking the river behind the historic Rod & Gun Club in Everglades City, the first Collier County seat when it was founded in 1923. Lineup includes Raiford Starke, Marie Nofsinger, Rita Youngman, Gator Nate and Charlie Pace. Also arts and crafts for sale and auction. Lunch will be hot dogs and soft drinks. $50 for reserved seat, $20 general admission, available at eshp.org. Event benefits the Everglades Society for Historic Preservation, a nonprofit whose current project is restoration of the old Bank building.
Naples Jazzmasters Dixieland Band: 2-4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 4, indoors at River Park Community Center, 301 11th St. N., Naples. Other concerts are set for the same time and place Dec. 9, Jan. 6, Feb. 3, March 2 and April 6. All concerts free but donations greatly appreciated and needed. naplesjazzsociety.com
FAMILY FUN
Movies on the Lawn: See “The Nightmare Before Christmas” at 7 p.m. Oct. 17, on the Mercato event lawn. Bring chairs and blankets. Mercato’s event lawn is at 9127 Strada Place, Naples. Upcoming films, which are on the third Tuesday of the month: “Knives Out” at 5:45 p.m. Nov. 21; and “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” at 5:45 p.m. Dec. 19. More at experiencemercato.com
THEATER SEASON KICKS OFF, PLUS DAVID SEDARIS, DANCE, MORE
David Sedaris: The satirist and bestselling author brings his wit and sarcasm to Artis―Naples, 5833 Pelican Bay Blvd., at 8 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 18. The 66-year-old humorist has written numerous New York Times best sellers, with the first being "Naked" in 1997 containing essays about growing up in Raleigh, North Carolina. His latest book, "Happy-Go-Lucky," published in May 2022 and is a collection of semi-autobiographical essays. From $55. artisnaples.org or (239) 597-1900
Daniel Lewis Dance Sampler: The 13th annual event features some of Florida’s most dynamic and diverse companies and choreographers on one stage. The program will include a special performance of Robert Battle’s Rush Hour from the New World Dance Ensemble. Other companies on stage will include the Arts Ballet Theatre of Florida Ballet, Dance NOW! Miami, Zest Collective and more. 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 6, at Artis―Naples, 5833 Pelican Bay Blvd. From $29. artisnaples.org or (239) 597-1900
Naples Players: 2023-24 theater season with "The Dining Room," a comedy of manners by American playwright A. R. Gurnsey. While Naples Players' downtown theater undergoes renovations, "The Dining Room" will be performed at Naples United Church of Christ in McSpadden Hall, 5200 Crayton Road, from Oct. 4-22. Performances are 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays, 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays. General tickets are $49, and season ticket holders are offered a price of $39. More at NaplesPlayers.org or (239)263-7990.
Gulfshore Playhouse: The play "26 Miles" by Quiara Alegria Hudes, directed by Laura Moreno, "is the story of a broken family rediscovering understanding, redemption, and love," said the venue's website. Performances at various times from Oct. 12-Nov. 5 at the Norris Center, 755 Eighth Ave. S. Tickets from $40. gulfshoreplayhouse.org or (239) 261-7529
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ART EXHIBITS
Botanical Revolution: Artist Tamara Kostianovsky utilizes repurposed clothing and other textiles to create dynamic works of sculpture that reference humankind’s connections to nature by echoing the forms of birds, tree stumps, plants and cow carcasses. This exhibition, the artist’s first in the southeastern United States, will include new work inspired by the bird and plant life of Southwest Florida. Exhibition runs Sept. 2 through April 7 on first floor of the Baker Museum, 5833 Pelican Bay Blvd., Naples. artisnaples.org or 239‑597‑1111
Rookery Bay art exhibit: Friends of Rookery Bay and United Arts Collier will present their “2023 Summer Exhibition” at the Rookery Bay Environmental Learning Center, 300 Tower Road in Naples, through Oct. 27. Selected works are from 30 artists who depict Florida nature in a wide variety of media. Admission to reception is free and includes wine and light refreshments, but reservations are required at rookerybay.org/events.
First Friday: Art Reception hosted by contemporary art gallery Things I Like by Catherine in the Bayshore Arts District. Featured artworks by Stacie Krupa. Friday, Oct. 6, at 5-8 p.m. Things I Like by Catherine, 3954 Bayshore Drive, Naples. (239) 778-4665. Free
First Friday: Art Reception hosted by contemporary art gallery Things I Like by Catherine in the Bayshore Arts District. Featured artworks by Mark Hunt. Friday, Nov. 3, at 5-8 p.m. Things I Like by Catherine 3954 Bayshore Drive, Naples. (239) 778-4665. Free
KARAOKE, MORE MUSIC, TRIVIA AND MORE
Open Jam: 7-10 p.m. Tuesday's Z's Music Kitchen, 12655 Tamiami Trail E., Naples. Enjoy music and food. More at 239-304-9552 or zsmusickitchen.com.
Karaoke: 7 p.m. Thursdays at Z's Music Kitchen, 12655 U.S. 41 E., Naples. Visit Z's Music Kitchen on Facebook.
Jebry's Jazz and Blues Jam Session: 6 to 9 p.m. every Monday at Dogtooth bar and restaurant, 5310 Shirley St., Naples. 239-431-7004.
Karaoke: 10:30 p.m. Mondays and Tuesdays at Sneaky Pete's, 3465 Bonita Beach Road SW, No. 120, Bonita Springs. 239-498-8887. sneakypetesbonita.com
Karaoke: 7-10 p.m. Tuesdays at Z's Music Kitchen, 12655 U.S. 41 E., Naples. Visit Z's Music Kittchen on Facebook.
Trivia: 7:30-9:30 p.m. Tuesdays at South Street City Oven and Grill at Goodlette Corners, 1410 Pine Ridge Road, Suite 4, Naples.
Trivia: 7:30-9:30 p.m. Wednesdays at South Street City Oven and Grill at Founders Square, 8845 Founders Square Drive, Naples.
NAPLES INVITATIONAL, MORE ART EXHIBITS
Naples Invitational: The newest exhibit at Naples Art, 585 Park St., Naples, will showcase local artists through Oct. 15. Curated by Naples Art Executive Director and Chief Curator Frank Verpoorten, "this exhibit will feature an intergenerational and interdisciplinary group of approximately 40 artists, whose dynamic works reflect the complexities and opportunities of the American experience today," Naples Art's website reads. Free to Collier County residents, with proof of county residence (driver’s license); Naples Art Institute members and students; and children younger than 18. Cost is $10 for everyone else. naplesart.org
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Three Degrees of Separation: Artistic Connections in the Permanent Collection: New exhibit runs through fall 2023 on first floor of The Baker Museum, 5833 Pelican Bay Blvd., Naples. Exhibition unites range of works from the museum’s permanent collection in a new interpretation to tell the story of artistic connections in the Americas between 1907 and 1968. Divided into five sections, each explores aspects of Modern art. bakermuseum.org
FARMERS MARKETS
Third Street South Farmers Market: 7:30-11:30 a.m. Saturdays in parking lot behind Tommy Bahamas. Fresh produce, flowers, pastas, seafood, baked goods, prepared foods, jams, relishes, fresh-roasted coffee, more. Music, dog treats. From April through October, market will leave Third Street South and set up in parking lot behind Tommy Bahamas
St. Paul’s Farmers Market: 8 a.m.-noon Saturdays at 3901 Davis Blvd., St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Naples. Gift shop and unique boutique.
Golden Gate Community Farmers Market: Open year-round, Saturdays 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturdays at 4701 Golden Gate Parkway, Golden Gate; Sundays 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Sundays at 11725 Collier Blvd., Golden Gate. Visit farmermarket2.com for more.
Immokalee State Farmers Market: Open 7 a.m.-7 p.m. daily year-round at 424 New Market Road E., Immokalee. For more, call 239-658-3505 or visit fdacs.gov.
Friends of Koreshan Sunday Market has returned. It's open 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Sundays at a new location, Three Oaks Town Center, 18731 Three Oaks Parkway, south Lee County. More on Facebook
Inyoni Organic Farm: This 6-acre all-organic farm offers online ordering with Saturday pickup on the farm. Learn more at facebook.com/inyoniorganicfarm.
Estero Farmers Market at Miromar Outlets: Open 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays near Corkscrew Road entrance; 10801 Corkscrew Road, Estero. Find it on Facebook for more.
Pine Ridge Road Farmers Market: Open 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Sundays at 3370 Pine Ridge Road, North Naples. Find it on Facebook for more.
OTHER EVENTS
Plastics pollution solution: Plastics Task Force of the League of Women Voters of Collier County will present an in-depth look at the plastics pollution problem facing Collier County, the U.S. and the world. 11:30 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 5, at Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Greater Naples, 6340 Napa Woods Way, Naples. Learn how the plastic industry evolved, the challenges of recycling, the impacts of micro-plastics, and much more. After the 25-minute presentation, there will be Q&A and an invitation to take a plastics reduction pledge. Free admission and no registration required.
Collier Fruit Growers Inc. Food Club: Meets twice monthly, weekly every Thursday, from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. at IFAS – Collier Fair Grounds, 14700 Immokalee Road, outside to the left of the butterfly garden. The club also meets monthly 7-9 p.m. on the third Monday at the Greater Naples Fire Rescue Dept., 14575 Collier Blvd., Naples. Enter through the east door (Collier Boulevard) side of the Administration Building. collierfruit.org.
Dave Osborn is the regional features editor of the Naples Daily News and News-Press. Follow him on Instagram and Threads @lacrossewriter and on Twitter @NDN_dosborn.
This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Things to do in Naples in October: Halloween fun, theater season
