It’s one of the most beautiful times of year to visit the Fort Myers area. Every neighborhood, attraction and accommodation sparkles with the joy that the season brings. The 50th Annual Holiday Nights Celebration at Edison and Ford Winter Estates continues now through Jan. 4. Take a Christmas Eve boat ride to an island to visit Santa. Get in the holiday spirit with “A Christmas Carol, the Musical,” at Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre through Dec. 25. Enjoy lights and music during a holiday stroll at Riverside Park in Bonita Springs through Jan. 1. Visit visitfortmyers.com/events for more listings that include:
Holiday events
Bonita Springs Holiday Stroll
Now through Jan. 1, 2026, don’t miss a magical holiday stroll through Bonita Spring’s Riverside Park and downtown area. The park sparkles with lights, family photo locations and holiday music. cityofbonitasprings.org
Edison and Ford Winter Estates celebrates 50 years of Holidays
This local favorite celebrates its 50th annual Holiday Nights celebration that runs now through Jan. 4, 2026 (closed Christmas Eve and Christmas night.) The theme this year is Golden Jubilee and will feature gold lights and decorations. Check schedule and details: edisonfordwinterestates.org
Luminary island strolls on Sanibel and Captiva
The 39th annual Luminary Stroll kicks off the season on Sanibel on Dec. 5 and Captiva on Dec. 6. It’s a special evening along the candle-lit pathways when visitors and locals gather enjoy with family and friends. Activities will include a live Nativity scene, Santa visits, live music and special treats and activities at island businesses and organizations. sanibel-captiva.org
Fort Myers Beach Christmas Boat Parade
Once of several area boat parades, the 37th annual Fort Myers Beach event starts at 6 p.m. on Dec. 6 from Salty Sam’s Marina and promises a fleet of decorated boats, music and fun. Check details: fortmyersbeach.org/events/37th-annual-boat-parade
Zach Bartholomew: A Charlie Brown Christmas
Arts Bonita
Performing Arts Center
Dec. 11
artsbonita.org/performances
Holiday Express Train, Lakes Park, Fort Myers
Dec. 12-30
Ride on the Holiday Express as the Train Village route transforms into a dazzling display of holiday decorations and lighting. Free for ages 1-5 and $6 for ages 6 and up. 10 a.m.-2 p.m.; 6-9 p.m., Monday-Friday and 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, Dec. 12 through Dec. 30. (Note: The train will close at 2 p.m. on Christmas Eve and be closed on Christmas Day.) leeparks.org/lakespark
Annual Lighting of the Port Boca Grande Lighthouse & Museum
Dec. 13
Live Christmas music and refreshments
bips.org/event-details/lighting-of-the-lighthouse-4
Cape Coral Holiday Boat-a-Long and Christmas Movie
Dec. 20
Four Freedoms Park
tinyurl.com/capecoralboatalong
Santa’s Dolphin and Wildlife Cruises and Christmas Eve Sunset Cruise
Adventures in Paradise
Dec. 24 (check times)
adventureinparadiseinc.com/cruises/holiday-cruises
Holiday House at Langford-Kingston House, downtown Fort Myers
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday through Dec. 18
Enjoy the magic of the holidays in beautifully decorated rooms at this historic home, and a scavenger hunt that takes you to decorations throughout historic downtown. Check details at fmwcc.net/house
The Trial of Ebenezer Scrooge
Now through Dec. 21
Florida Repertory Theatre, downtown Fort Myers
Historic Arcade Theatre
floridarep.org/show/the-trial-of-ebenezer-scrooge
Calusa Nature Center & Planetarium, Fort Myers
Holiday Lights on Pine Loop Trail
Friday, Saturday, Sunday nights in December
calusanature.org/holidaylights
Spring Training schedule announced
It’s almost like Christmas when we receive the spring training schedule. We look forward to a great season as Lee County hosts the 2026 Spring Training for the Minnesota Twins at the Lee Health Sports Complex and the Boston Red Sox at JetBlue Park. Ticket information and schedules:
Boston Red Sox
mlb.com/redsox/spring-training
Minnesota Twins
mlb.com/twins/spring-training
Accommodations news
Make a difference during your stay
Visit Fort Myers is proud to be the first Florida destination to partner with Kind Traveler, an acclaimed innovator in sustainable travel. Participating hotels and their nonprofit partners offer a chance for visitors to give back with a portion of their booking going to a local organization that supports sustainable travel. Check accommodations and their nonprofit partners at visitfortmyers.com/kind-traveler
Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort & Spa, Bonita Springs, renovations
A multimillion-dollar renovation of meeting and event space is underway at Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort & Spa. With completion this fall, the renovation complements recent updates to its rooms, waterpark and restaurants.
With ocean blues, deep lush greens and sandy beige accents, the meeting space will be updated with new carpeting, wall coverings and artwork. Lighting will feature an extravagant mesh chandelier reminiscent of a brilliant conch shell in the Estero Ballroom and lighting installations with opalescent glasswork and silver accents throughout the additional spaces. The Calusa Ballroom Terrace renovations include redesigned landscaping providing settings reminiscent of a tropical garden. hyattregencycoconutpoint.com
Welcome back, Shalimar Beach Resort, Sanibel Island
Shalimar Beach Resort has opened as the first Sanibel Island resort to be completely rebuilt, post-Hurricane Ian. The new construction, 33-room resort offers Gulf-front studios, one- and two-bedroom villas.
The first new hotel to open on Sanibel in 40 years, the property was built with hurricane resiliency in mind: impact doors, windows, walls, roof structure. Buildings are 6 feet above the base flood elevation. More than 500 concrete pilings are installed below the foundation. With a sensitivity to the natural environment, turtle lighting has been installed for protection during nesting season. shalimar.com
More reopenings
Best Western Plus Beach Resort, Fort Myers Beach
After a complete renovation, the 75-room, beachfront property has reopened. Suites, rooms, a private beach, complimentary breakfast, heated pool, watersports and pet-friendly accommodations are available. bwbeachresort.com
Jensen’s Twin Palm Resort and Marina, Captiva Island
Popular since its opening in 1977, the vacation and fishing spot with direct access to Pine Island Sound, is welcoming visitors. With 14 historic cottages decorated in nautical and seashell themes, the property includes a fueling station, boat rentals, store and everything visitors need for a vacation in this treasured spot of Captiva Island’s history. jensensmarina.com
