They’re two of the biggest events to hit Fort Myers each year: The Edison Fest Junior Parade and the Edison Fest Grand Parade. But there’s more than just floats and marching bands happening at 2025’s Edison Festival of Light.

The 87th-annual event offers two weeks of fun, including car shows, a garden festival, a sing-along concert, a 5K race and a pet parade.

It’s all to honor and celebrate Fort Myers’ most famous winter resident, Thomas Edison. The inventor first came to Fort Myers in 1885 and lived next door to his equally famous friend, car manufacturer Henry Ford. Their former homes are now operated as a popular Fort Myers tourist attraction The Edison & Ford Winter Estates.

Here’s a closer look at all the Edison Fest events happening this weekend and later in Fort Myers. For more information, call 334-2999 or visit edisonfestival.org (unless otherwise noted).

OK Antique Car Show

More than 100 antique cars from local clubs and car owners are displayed on Henry Ford’s lawn along the Caloosahatchee River. Plus food trucks, music and more. 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 1. $25 admission includes access to the museum site. Edison & Ford Winter Estates, 2350 McGregor Blvd., downtown Fort Myers. 334-7419 or edisonfordwinterestates.org

Mrs. Edison’s Hymn Sing

Sing along at this 35th-annual event named after Mrs. Mina Edison, wife of famous Fort Myers resident Thomas Edison. The two shows feature the First Presbyterian Sanctuary Choir, guest soloists and more accompanied by piano and organ. 1 and 4 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 4. Doors open 30 minutes before each performance. Free admission (although canned goods and/or cash donations are requested to feed the hungry through Community Cooperative’s Sam’s Community Kitchen & Café). First Presbyterian Church of Fort Myers, 2438 Second St., downtown Fort Myers. 334-2261 or fpcfortmyers.org

STEMtastic Day of Discovery

An award-winning showcase of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) exhibits for local children and their families. Visitors can participate in an indoor and outdoor interactive area with STEM-related exhibits, games and presentations. Plus there will be children performing music, theater and acrobatics on the community stage. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 8. Free. Caloosa Sound Convention Center at Luminary Hotel & Co., 1375 Monroe St., downtown Fort Myers.

Mutt Strutt

Dogs and dog lovers wear costumes and gather at Centennial Park for a pet parade with a few “doggie floats.” The event also includes family-friendly games and activities, food, pet adoptions, vendors, contests and more. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 8. Free. Centennial Park, 2000 W. First St., downtown Fort Myers. To participate, email [email protected].

Edison Garden Festival

About 100 Florida garden vendors display and sell their exotic, tropical and native plants and trees at the annual Edison Garden Festival. You can also buy garden supplies and gift items, such as mulch, trellises, pottery, cut flowers, jewelry and artwork. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 8-9. Free (tours of the Estate homes, museum and lab not included). Edison & Ford Winter Estates, 2350 McGregor Blvd., downtown Fort Myers. 334-7419 or edisonfordwinterestates.org

Edison Festival Junior Fun Run

This kids run is open to children in grades 5 and below. Fun run lengths range from 100 meters to 1 mile. Noon to 1 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 9. $5 entry fee. Race starts at First and Lee streets in downtown Fort Myers. runsignup.com/Race/FL/FortMyers/EdisonFestivalofLightJuniorRun

More about the Edison Fest parade: 50 illuminating facts about the Fort Myers tradition

Edison Festival of Light Junior Parade

This smaller version of the Edison Festival of Light Grand Parade features kids and their families smiling and waving from floats, wagons, marching bands and more. More than 100 units participate in what’s billed as Florida’s largest youth parade. Many of these floats and parade units will appear in the grand parade, as well. 1:30-3:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 9. Free. The parade starts at First and Monroe streets in downtown Fort Myers.

Junior Coronation & Parade Awards

This awards ceremony for Junior Parade participants takes place right after the Junior Parade. In addition, the Junior King and Queen of the traditional “Royal Court of Edisonia” are crowned. The royal court will join the rest of the court on floats during the Grand Parade. Takes place immediately after the Junior Parade on Sunday, Feb. 9. Free. Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center, 2301 First St., downtown Fort Myers. Learn more at edisonpageantoflight.com.

Cracker Dinner

This annual event includes door prizes, a silent auction, a buffet dinner and a presentation about Fort Myers history. This year’s historical theme is “Trip from Toad Town to Billy’s Creek.” Cracker Dinner is presented by the Southwest Florida Historical Society. Presented by the Southwest Florida Historical Society. 5:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 10. $45. Broadway Palm dinner theater, 1380 Colonial Blvd., Fort Myers. Tickets sold at Broadway Palm. 278-4422 or facebook.com/SWFLHS

Thomas Edison’s Birthday Celebration

Come celebrate the birthday of Thomas Edison, the late inventor and part-time Fort Myers resident who died in 1931. The party includes birthday cake and a musical performance. 10 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 11. Free admission. Edison & Ford Winter Estates, 2350 McGregor Blvd., downtown Fort Myers. 334-7419 or edisonfordwinterestates.org

Edison Festival of Light 5K Run

This 3.1-mile race travels through downtown Fort Myers and along Cleveland Avenue. More than 1,400 people take part every year. 5:15 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 15. Entry fee is $35 in advance ($20 for youth) and $40 for everybody on race day. Coordinated by the Fort Myers Track Club. Race starts and finishes on Edwards Drive near Jackson Street in downtown Fort Myers. runsignup.com/Race/FL/FortMyers/EdisonFestivalofLight5K

Edison Festival of Light Grand Parade

The gigantic, two-hour parade is considered to be the biggest night parade in the Southeastern United States. Expect local marching bands, floats, local government and law enforcement officials, clowns and much more. 7-10 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 15. Free (although various local nonprofits also sell reserved “street seats”). The parade travels from Fort Myers High School to Cleveland Avenue and then north to downtown Fort Myers. Reserved street seats are $15. To order them, visit edisonfestival.org/street-seats.

Edison Festival of Light Parade Party

Millennial Brewing hosts this annual parade party with free bounce houses, free parking, four food trucks and lots of beer, wine, cider, seltzers and cocktails. The event is pet- and family-friendly. 4-11 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 15. Free. Millennial Brewing Company, 1811 Royal Palm Ave., downtown Fort Myers. 271-2255 or facebook.com/MillennialBrewing

Crafts on the River

Exhibitors display and sell handmade crafts during this non-juried event near the Caloosahatchee River. The two-day event includes jewelry, photography, paintings, sculptures and more. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 15-16. Free. Caloosa Sound Amphitheater in Centennial Park, 2000 W. First St., downtown Fort Myers.

Grand Parade of Light VIP Tent

Experience the big parade with VIP seating offering a great view of the main event, plus a deejay, food and drinks. 5:30 p.m. until the end of the parade, Saturday, Feb. 15. $60 for adults, $30 for children. The tent is set up at Edwards Drive and Hendry Street.

Classic Car Show

Hundreds of hot rods and classic cars line Edwards Drive for this annual event during Crafts on the River. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 16. Free. Edwards Drive in downtown Fort Myers.

Charles Runnells is an arts and entertainment reporter for The News-Press and the Naples Daily News. To reach him, call 239-335-0368 or email[email protected]. Follow on social media: Facebook (facebook.com/charles.runnells.7) and Instagram (@crunnells1).