Best things to do this week in SWFL: Celtic fest, anime con, Renaissance faire and more

Looking for some entertainment in Southwest Florida?

Here are five fun things to do this weekend and beyond, including the SWFL Anime-Fest, the 20th-annual Caloosahatchee Celtic Festival and the reopening of Fort Myers comic shop Hero Trader.

Plus, we look ahead at more things to do in the coming weeks: Tanya Tucker, ArtFest Fort Myers 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. Caloosahatchee Celtic Festival in downtown Fort Myers

The 20th-annual music fest celebrates its big anniversary with Celtic and Irish-music bands Albannach, The Screaming Orphans, Syr, Byrne Brothers, West of Galway and more. Plus food, dancers and vendors. Noon to 10 p.m. Saturday, noon to 9 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 27-28. Daily admission is $12-$15 per day, or $20-$25 for a weekend pass. Caloosa Sound Amphitheater in Centennial Park, 2000 W. First St., downtown Fort Myers. cityftmyersrecreation.ticketleap.com/2023-caloosahatchee-celtic-festival

2. SWFL Anime-Fest in Fort Myers

The second-annual convention celebrates anime, manga and pop culture with celebrity guests, vendors, trivia, a cosplay contest, panel discussions and more. Celebrity guests include voice actors John Swasey ("One Piece," "Full Metal Alchemist"), Alyson Leigh Rosenfeld ("Pokemon," "Yugioh"), Sarah Roach ("Attack On Titan," "My Hero Academia") and Laurie Steele ( "One Piece," "Dragon Ball Z"). 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 28. $20. Free admission for ages 10 and younger. Doubletree by Hilton Fort Myers at Bell Tower Shops, 13051 Bell Tower Drive, south Fort Myers. swflanimefest.com

3. Venezia Renaissance Faire in Bonita Springs

The annual Renaissance and medieval faire returns for its second weekend.  The fun includes medieval games, jousting, battles, strolling entertainers, musical acts, medieval-style food (such as turkey legs), chariot races, vendors and more. 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 27-28. Next to Bonita Springs Poker Room, 28001 Old 41 Road, Bonita Springs. veneziarenaissancefaire.com

4. Hero Trader comic shop reopens in Fort Myers

The comic shop reopens after closing in April 2023 so its owners could focus on "our next venture." Now they're back and reopening in the same location. The store's grand reopening starts at 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 27, with a store-wide sale all day. Hero Trader, 13251 McGregor Blvd., Unit 106, south Fort Myers. 219-6724 or herotrader.com

5. Lehigh Acres movie in the park: 'The Little Mermaid'

Watch Disney's live-action remake of the classic movie "The Little Mermaid" on an outdoor screen. Free popcorn and water. Plus food will be sold by Pelicans SnoBalls of Lehigh Acres and Red’s What the Food truck. Bring your own blankets and chairs. If there's bad weather, the event will move into the Veterans Park Recreation Center gymnasium. 6:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 26. Free. The front athletic field at Veterans Park, 55 Homestead Road S., Lehigh Acres. facebook.com/VeteransRecCenter

MORE THINGS TO DO THIS WEEK

Sanibel Invitational Art Fest

About 70 artists show and sell their work at this annual outdoor art festival. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday through Sunday, Jan. 26-28. Free (although donations are encouraged). The fest benefits the Sanibel Community Association and the Sanibel Community House. Sanibel Community House, 2173 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel Island. boulderbrook.net/sanibel-invitational-art-fest-artist-january

Romantic comedy 'Butterflies Are Free' at Players Circle

Last chance to see this 1969 Broadway hit at Players Circle. The story involves a young, blind songwriter who defies his overprotective mother by moving into his own apartment. He develops a close relationship with the sexy actress next door, but then his mom arrives and chaos ensues. Now through Sunday, Jan. 28. $35-$55. Players Circle Theater, 13211 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers. 800-3292 or playerscircletheater.com

South Cape Best Martini Competition Trolley

Ride trolleys and stop at 10 different downtown Cape Coral bars and restaurants for martini and appetizer samples at this 18th-annual event. Then vote on your favorites. 7-11 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 27. $30-$35 ($25 for designated drivers). Check-in happens from 6-7:30 p.m. at Big John Plaza near Pinch-A-Penny (1221 Cape Coral Parkway E.) and Dolphin Key Resort (1502 Miramar St, Cape Coral, under the front awning). Late check-in until 10 p.m. at Dolphin Key Resort. facebook.com/SouthCapeHospitalityAndEntertainmentAssociation

'Who Chiseled That?' one-woman show at Snappers

Comedian and motivational speaker Merit Kahn performs her one-woman show subtitled, "The Story of a Life Unscripted, Unstoppable and Unexpectedly Funny." Her heartfelt journey travels from dating to the chaos of divorce and career changes. 7 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 28. $30. Snappers Comedy Club, 8595 College Parkway, Unit 270, south Fort Myers. 479-5233 or snapperslaughin.com

'Remember…': International Holocaust Remembrance Day event

Lab Theater hosts this community event for International Holocaust Remembrance Day. The program includes Holocaust survivors and other speakers, songs, instrumental music and Holocaust-themed readings. 7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 29. $10. The Laboratory Theater of Florida, 1634 Woodford Ave., downtown Fort Myers. 218-0481 or laboratorytheaterflorida.com

BodyTraffic at BIG ARTS

Los Angeles modern-dance company co-founded and led by influential dance leader Tina Finkelman Berkett. They’re known for their technical skill, challenging repertoire and theatricality. 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 30. $65 ($10 for students). BIG ARTS, 900 Dunlop Road, Sanibel Island. 395-0900 or bigarts.org

'Remember: The Story of Abe Price' at Arts Bonita

This new, original play is based on the true story of Holocaust survivor Abraham Piasecki. It’s presented in cooperation with Gulfshore Playhouse Education and Naples' The Holocaust Museum. A talkback takes place after both shows. Noon and 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 30. $20 for adults, $10 for students. Limited no-cost tickets are also available for students. Arts Bonita Center for Performing Arts, 10150 Bonita Beach Road, Bonita Springs. 495-8989 or artsbonita.org

LOOKING AHEAD

Lab Theater's 'Stew'

Last chance to see this fast-paced family dramedy about a mother, a daughter and grandchildren making a meal on an important Saturday morning. As the stew heats up, so does the unease and tension in the kitchen. Now through Saturday, Feb. 3. $35. The Laboratory Theater of Florida, 1634 Woodford Ave., downtown Fort Myers. 218-0481 or laboratorytheaterflorida.com

Theatre Conspiracy's 'Which Way to the Stage'

Last chance to see this "playful yet profound comedy" at the Alliance for the Arts. The story follows two Broadway superfans eagerly awaiting their idol, Idina Menzel, after her performance. Then a sexy stranger appears and upends their long friendship. Performed by Theatre Conspiracy. Now through Saturday, Feb. 3. $32. Alliance for the Arts, 10091 McGregor Blvd. Fort Myers. 939-2787 or artinlee.org

Diamond Rio at The Ranch

The country stars have charted dozens of hit singles since their 1991 debut, including "Meet Me In The Middle," "Beautiful Mess," "Unbelievable" and "One More Day." Pure Country opens the show. Show starts at about 9 p.m. Friday, Feb. 2. $43-$80. The Ranch Concert Hall & Saloon, 2158 Colonial Blvd., Fort Myers. 985-9839 or theranchfortmyers.com

Tanya Tucker at B.B. Mann

The country-music legend is known for hits such as “Two Sparrows in a Hurricane, “If Your Heart Ain’t Busy Tonight,” “Texas (When I Die)” and, of course, “Delta Dawn.” 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 2. $40-$83. Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall, 13350 FSW Parkway, south Fort Myers. 481-4849 or bbmannpah.com

ArtFest Fort Myers

Check out 224 artists who show and sell their work at the 24th-annual outdoor art festival. The fest has expanded to Jackson Street this year, making room for 24 more artists than usual. Activities include the Art Under 20 high-school art competition, a food court, live performances on the community stage, a timed 5K race (8 a.m. Sunday), a sidewalk chalk-art competition, a children's craft area and the second-annual Symphony on the Sound pops concert (with Gulf Coast Symphony performing at 7 p.m. Friday at Caloosa Sound Amphitheater). 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 3-4.  There’s also an opening night preview from 6-9 p.m. Friday, Feb. 2. Free admission. Edwards Drive between Heitman and Lee streets in downtown Fort Myers. 768-3602 or ArtFestFortMyers.com

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, Bonita Springs shows, events: Celtic fest, anime con