Has it already been a year? Well, calendars don’t lie.
The holiday season has arrived in Southwest Florida, and it’s always good to plan ahead to enjoy the festivities.
From Marco Island to North Naples and Bonita Springs, there’s a little something for everyone to celebrate this most wonderful time of the year.
Here’s our list of holiday events. If you’d like to add one, please email information to [email protected] and we will include it.
NAPLES
“Magic of Lights”: 6 to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 6 to 10 p.m. Friday through Sunday. Runs through Dec. 31. Collier County Fairgrounds, 751 39th Ave. NE, Naples. A new, drive-through, holiday-themed display with dozens of displays, illuminated canopies and digital animation. Ticket prices per vehicle are $30 Monday-Thursday and $35 Friday-Sunday through Dec. 7. Then the cost is $35 Monday-Thursday and $40 Friday-Sunday from Dec. 8-Dec. 31. Complete schedule, tickets at magicoflights.com.
LaPlaya Holiday Marketplace: LaPlaya Beach & Golf Resort will host its first Holiday Marketplace from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 29, at the resort, 9891 Gulf Shore Drive N., in its Vanderbilt Ballroom. Attendees may enjoy an “elegant bay front shopping experience” with various vendors on hand. A welcome reception includes a glass of Champagne and hors d’oeuvres and a three-course lunch ends it. Cost to attend starts at $55 ($56.45 after fees). More at laplayaresort.com.
Snowfest: Annual event is 3-9 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2, at Paradise Coast Sports Complex, 3940 City Gate Blvd., Collier County. Have fun with snow, games, bounce houses, face painting, music and more. $5 admission. playparadisecoast.com
Fifth Avenue South Christmas Parade: Head to downtown Naples for this annual tradition. The parade begins at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 5, on Broad Street South and finishes on Eighth Street South.
Fifth Avenue Christmas Walk and Tree Lighting Ceremony: 50th annual event is 5-10 p.m. Friday, Dec. 8, and Saturday, Dec. 9, along Fifth Avenue South in downtown Naples. Watch the official Christmas tree lighting Dec. 8 in Sugden Plaza and experience a living nativity by the First Church of the Nazarene, skating rink, live music and Santa Claus.
Chanukah Festival of Lights: The Jewish Federation of Greater Naples invites the public to its free, community-wide celebration of Chanukah at 5 p.m. Monday, Dec. 11, at Mercato on the Lawn, 9110 Strada Place in Naples. Event will include lighting of menorah candle holder, music by the Naples Klezmer Revival Band, balloon creations, crafts and songs and Israeli food, donuts and chocolate Chanukah gelt. jewishnaples.org.
Tuba Christmas: Annual concert in Sugden Plaza has become a Naples tradition. Concert begins at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 15. fifthavenuesouth.com
“Winter Wonderettes“: Holiday musical from Gulfshore Playhouse set in a small-town hardware store where a quartet ― in the spirit of the Andrew Sisters ― treats the audience to timeless Christmas classics in a merry and interactive show. Performances at various times through Dec. 17 at the Norris Center, 755 Eighth Ave. S. Tickets from $40. gulfshoreplayhouse.org or (239) 261-7529
“Home for the Holidays”: Annual musical at TheatreZone, 13275 Livingston Road, Naples, runs Dec. 15-17. Uplifting songs for the holiday season. Tickets from $50. theatre.zone or at the box office, 888-966-3352, ext. 1.
MARCO ISLAND
Marco Island Christmas Style Boat Parade: On Dec. 16, islanders host this festive event. Watch the boats sail, decked with festive holiday lights and decorations! Recommended viewing spots include The Esplanade on Smokehouse Bay and Snook Inn on the Marco River. The parade starts at 6 p.m., but its’ advised to arrive early.
BONITA SPRINGS
Holiday Stroll: Head to Riverside Park, 10451 Old 41 Road, Bonita Springs, to enjoy lights, nightly music and more from dusk to 9 p.m. Dec. 1-Jan. 1. Free. 239-949-6262
Holiday in the Park: Tree lighting, school bands, a snow slide and even “snow flurries” make this a popular event every year in Bonita Springs. 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
Compton & Bennett in “THE HOME… for the Holidays!”: Naples comedy duo returns 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. 239-495-8989 or artsbonita.org
Bonita Springs Christmas Boat Parade: Annual holiday 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 requested. 239-992-6997 or bonitaspringshistory.org
“A Christmas Carol: A Live Radio Play”: Dickens’ holiday classic gets reimagined as a 1940s radio broadcast and features vintage commercials, live sound effects and musical underscoring. Performed by Arts Bonita Theatre. Thursday through Sunday, Dec. 7-10. $35. Arts Bonita Center for Performing Arts, 10150 Bonita Beach Road. 239-495-8989 or artsbonita.org
Bonita Springs-Estero Chanukah Festival: Celebrate the Jewish holiday with the lighting of a giant menorah, kids crafts and activities, doughnuts, latkes, kosher deli and live music. 4:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 10. Free. The outdoor event takes place at Chabad of Bonita Springs, 24611 S. Tamiami Trail. 239-949-6900 or jewishbonita.com
Zach Bartholomew Trio: Musicians perform “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” which is the music of pianist/composer Vince Guaraldi, including songs from the beloved holiday cartoon “A Charlie Brown Christmas.” Audiences will also learn more about Bartholomew’s life and career. 2 and 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 12. $35. Arts Bonita Center for Performing Arts, 10150 Bonita Beach Road, Bonita Springs. 495-8989 or artsbonita.org
ESTERO
Coconut Point parade, tree lighting: Estero shopping mall kicks off holiday season with a night activities, including 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
Dave Osborn is the regional features editor of the Naples Daily News and The News-Press. You can email him at [email protected] and follow his social media on Instagram and Threads @lacrossewriter.