Best things to do in Lee County: Fort Myers Beach Boat Parade, Cape Festival of Lights
Looking for some entertainment in Southwest Florida?
Here are five fun things to do this weekend and beyond, including Joe Bonamassa at Hertz Arena and the return of the Fort Myers Beach Boat Parade.
Plus, we look ahead at more things to do in the coming weeks: The Bonita Springs Christmas Boat Parade, Lab Theater's 'Yippee Ki-Yay Merry Christmas!' and more.
EVENT SUBMISSIONS: Got anything cool happening next weekend or later? I’m always looking for concerts, festivals and other great events for my weekly Top 5 things to do. To be considered, email me the details at crunnells@gannett.com or message me at facebook.com/charles.runnells.7.
1. Fort Myers Beach Boat Parade
The 35th-annual Fort Myers Beach Boat Parade returns after being canceled in 2022 due to Hurricane Ian. The parade's illuminated boats – led by Santa and Mrs. Claus − start at Salty Sam's Marina and travel northwest along Matanzas Pass, under the Matanzas Pass Bridge and through Estero Pass, Hurricane Pass and into Pelican Pass. They circle Pelican Island, travel back through Estero Pass into San Carlos Bay heading toward Pink Shell Beach Resort and Marina. Then they head back under the Matanzas Pass Bridge to Salty Sam's. Spectators can vote online for the People's Choice Award. Some of the best options for parade viewing include are along the pedestrian walkway atop Matanzas Pass Bridge, the shoreline by Bayside Park, and local bars and restaurants.6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2. Free. Fort Myers Beach shoreline. fortmyersbeach.org/events/christmas-boat-parade
2. Joe Bonamassa at Hertz Arena
The blues rocker returns to Southwest Florida. 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 1. $79-$159. Limited seating remains. Parking on site is $30 (no cash accepted). Hertz Arena, 11000 Everblades Parkway, Estero. 948-7825 or hertzarena.com
3. Florida Rep's 'A Sherlock Carol'
The regional premiere of Mark Shanahan’s holiday whodunnit mashes up Charles Dickens and Sherlock Holmes. On a Christmas Eve haunted by the ghosts of past, present and future, a grown-up Tiny Tim begs Sherlock Holmes to investigate the strange death of Ebenezer Scrooge. Dec. 1-17. $61-$65. Florida Repertory Theatre, 2268 Bay St., downtown Fort Myers. 332-4488 or floridarep.org
4. Compton & Bennett in 'THE HOME… for the Holidays!'
Naples comedy duo Compton & Bennett return after a nearly sold-out run last season at Arts Bonita. This time, they're taking on the holiday season with an all-new music revue about Nutcracker tutus, golf cart parades, "Wrapper's Delight" and more. 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 2-3. $45. Arts Bonita Center for Performing Arts, 10150 Bonita Beach Road, Bonita Springs. 495-8989 or artsbonita.org
5. Cape Coral Holiday Festival of Lights
The annual event attracts thousands of people to ring in the holidays with a 15-ton snow slide, photos with Santa and the lighting of the city's official Christmas tree. Other activities include the Candy Cane Park kids area with inflatables, a Tiny Tots Train ride, food, vendors, and live performances on three stages. 4-10 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2 (opening ceremony at 5:45 p.m., followed by the tree lighting and Santa’s arrival at 6:15 p.m.). Free. Cape Coral Parkway between Del Prado Boulevard and Candia Street, downtown Cape Coral. holidayfestivalcc.com
MORE THINGS TO DO
Festival of Trees
The 17th-annual event showcases uniquely decorated Christmas trees and wreaths loaded with gifts. The trees and wreaths are raffled to benefit Goodwill Industries of Southwest Florida and the Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center. Vote for your favorite tree and buy raffle tickets to win one. Nov. 30-Dec. 3. $2 (free for ages 4 and younger). Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center, 2301 First St., downtown Fort Myers. sbdac.com/festival-of-trees
Holiday Stroll in Bonita Springs
Riverside Park comes to life with holiday lights, themed photo opportunities and nightly music from dusk to 9 p.m. (unless another event is scheduled). Presented by the City of Bonita Springs. Dec. 1-Jan. 1. Free. Riverside Park, 10451 Old 41 Road, Bonita Springs. 949-6262
Tropical Holiday Parade and tree lighting at Coconut Point
The Estero shopping mall celebrates the season with a night full of tropical-themed holiday activities, including the lighting of a 32-foot-tall tree, live steel-drum music, tropical and Polynesian-inspired performances by New Alliance Performing Arts, a Toys for Tots drive, food trucks selling Caribbean-inspired food, vendors, photos with Santa and the main event: The 7 p.m. Tropical Holiday Parade. Santa Claus leads the parade, which also features high-school bands, the Lee County Sheriff's Office, Estero Fire Rescue and more. The event takes place 5-8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2. Free. Coconut Point, 23106 Fashion Drive, Estero. facebook.com/CoconutPointMall
Dunbar's Holiday in the Park
The annual event celebrates the holidays with a Christmas tree lighting, decorations, lights, the Soul Santa Parade, bounce houses, museum tours, food trucks, vendors, live entertainment and a toy giveaway. This year’s theme is “Soul Lights and Shining Stars." 3-7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2. Free. Organized by the Lee County Black History Society. Roberto Clemente Park, 3265 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Dunbar. 332-8778 or leecountyblackhistorysociety.org
SW-FloridaCon in Fort Myers
The pop-culture convention returns with more than 125 exhibitors, live wrestling, a cosplay contest, video-game tournaments, vendors, panel discussions and celebrity guests. Celebrities include movie director Tom McLoughlin ("Friday the 13th Part VI: Jason Lives"), comic-book writer Mike Baron (creator of Nexus and Badger), wrestler Fred Ottman and comic-book artist Pat Broderick (Alpha Flight, Legion of Super-Heroes, Green Lantern). 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 3. $20 (free for ages 10 and younger). Hilton DoubleTree Hotel, 13051 Bell Tower Drive, south Fort Myers. swfloridacomiccon.com
Christmas Carol Sing
Sing along to holiday music and help feed the hungry at this 32nd-annual event. The 90-minute show features the First Presbyterian Church Choir, soloists and other guests singing holiday carols with audience sing-a-longs. Two shows at 3 and 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 5. Doors open 30 minutes before show time. Free admission (although donations of cash or at least two canned goods are requested for Community Cooperative). First Presbyterian Church, 2438 Second Street, downtown Fort Myers. 334-2261 or fpcfortmyers.org
Holiday in the Park
The annual event features "snow flurries" in the park, a tree lighting, a snow slide, school bands and other live performances, a visit from Santa and the entire park decorated with holiday lights. Food and beverages available for purchase. Guests may bring lawn chairs and blankets, but no pets or coolers. 4:30-8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 5. Free. During the event, Old 41 Road will be closed between Wilson and Ragsdale streets. Riverside Park, 10450 Reynolds St., downtown Bonita Springs. 949-6262 or cityofbonitasprings.org
LOOKING AHEAD
Calusa Nature Center's 'Holiday Lights'
Stroll a one-third-mile walking trail decorated with Christmas lights. Plus you can catch a holiday laser show in the planetarium (tickets are extra). 6-9 p.m. Friday through Sunday, Dec. 8-30. $10 ($5 for ages 3-12). Calusa Nature Center & Planetarium, 3450 Ortiz Ave., Fort Myers. 275-3435 or facebook.com/CalusaNature
Colt Ford at The Ranch
The country rapper/singer's hits include "Workin' On," "Slow Ride," "Reload" and "Shoulda Named It After Me." Kendall Tucker opens. Show starts at about 9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 8. $37-$75. The Ranch Concert Hall & Saloon, 2158 Colonial Blvd., Fort Myers. 985-9839 or theranchfortmyers.com
Lab Theater's 'Yippee Ki-Yay Merry Christmas!'
A musical parody of the Bruce Willis action flick "Die Hard," which many people consider to be a holiday classic. The show also skewers other ‘80s action movies. Expect action, explosions, jokes and even dance numbers. Dec. 8-23. $40. Half-price previews Dec. 6-7. The Laboratory Theater of Florida, 1634 Woodford Ave., downtown Fort Myers. 218-0481 or laboratorytheaterflorida.com
Bonita Springs Christmas Boat Parade
The annual holiday parade returns with more lighted, decorated boats traveling along the Imperial River. This year's event is being organized by the Bonita Springs Historical Society. The parade launches at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 9, at the Bay Water Boat Club, 5124 Bonita Beach Road S.W., and proceeds along the Imperial River and under U.S. 41 to Jolly Roger Lane, before turning around and returning to the boat club. Prime viewing includes the U.S. 41 Bridge, Riverwalk Park and the Imperial River Boat Ramp. Donations are requested to keep the parade going. For more information or to donate, call 992-6997 or visit bonitaspringshistory.org.
Charles Runnells is an arts and entertainment reporter for The News-Press and the Naples Daily News. To reach him, call 239-335-0368 (for tickets to shows, call the venue) or email him at crunnells@gannett.com. Follow or message him on social media: Facebook (facebook.com/charles.runnells.7), X (formerly Twitter) (@charlesrunnells), Threads (@crunnells1) and Instagram (@crunnells1).
This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Fort Myers, Cape Coral things to do: Boat parade, Festival of Lights
