Know the best events happening in town each weekend by joining our newsletters.
Check the organizations’ websites for the latest information.
September 2022
Through Nov. 27
Helen Frankenthaler: Late Works, 1990-2003
The Baker Museum is among the first in the country to get this unique collection that looks at the later years of the Abstract Expressionist pioneer, known for her experimentation with materials and techniques. artisnaples.org
Through Dec. 10
The Exquisite Moving Corpse
In the 1920s, surrealist artists developed “exquisite corpses,” collaborative figurative works done on passed-around pieces of paper. During the pandemic, 60 artists modernized the idea, with each creating a 1-minute clip that responds to the last frame. The result is this hour-long weird and beautiful tour de force, with renowned conceptual artists including Jack Massing, William Wegman, Chip Lord and Kristin Lucas. rauschenberggallery.com
Through Nov. 2023
STICKWORK
Wander through intricately twisted structures made by North Carolina-based environmental artist Patrick Dougherty, using 30,000 pounds of willow saplings at Naples Botanical Garden. naplesgarden.org
Sep. 8-28
Sizzle Dining
The semi-annual event offers two- and three-course prix fixe menus at dozens of the top restaurants across Lee and Collier counties (Osteria Tulia, Campiello, Bleu Provence and A Table Apart all participate), with a portion of the proceeds benefitting food insecurity for elementary school children. sizzledining.com
Sep. 13, Oct. 30, Nov. 21, Dec. 15
Rockin’ on the River
The new Caloosa Sound Amphitheater in Downtown Fort Myers kicks off its debut season with a free concert series along the Caloosahatchee River starring English rock band The Fixx; ’70s soft rock group Pablo Cruise; country singer Lorrie Morgan and swinging jazz emsemble Big Bad Voodoo Daddy. luminaryhotel.com
Sep. 16
The Play that Goes Wrong
In its Southwest Florida debut, this award-winning comedy shows director Annette Trossbach’s propensity for breaking the mold. The play within a play draws from Sherlock Holmes’ classic whodunnit and Monty Python’s absurd humor, as a drama student produces a murder mystery on a low budget. laboratorytheaterflorida.com
Sep. 16-25
Eighth Annual Island Hopper Songwriter Fest
Discover the lyrical talent local and national songwriters and musicians as they perform at intimate venues on Fort Myers Beach and Sanibel. fortmyersbeach.org
Sep. 22
Earth, Wind & Fire
With more than 50 years of performing together, the nine-time, Grammy Award-winning band always brings down the house with groovy hits like “September” at Fort Myers’ Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall. bbmannpah.com
Sep. 23-24
Jim Gaffigan: The Fun Tour
The Emmy Award-winning comedian and actor, known for his clean comedy, brings his hilarious observations on everyman, everyday issues (and lots of food jokes) to Barbara B. Mann. bbmannpah.com
Sep. 29
Luke Bryan: Raised up Right Tour
The best-selling country artist and American Idol judge performs in Estero with double-platinum artist Mitchell Tenpenny and Country Music Awards winner Riley Green. hertzarena.com
October 2022
Oct. 5
Lady A: Request Line Tour
The five-time, Grammy Award-winning country band performs at Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall, with opening act Dave Barnes, the songwriter behind hits like Blake Shelton’s “God Gave Me You.” bbmannpah.com
Oct. 14
Trevor Noah: Back to Abnormal World Tour
Expect plenty of political satire and a whole lot of sarcasm from The Daily Show host—one of the most astute comedians on the scene—performs at Hertz Arena. hertzarena.com
Oct. 15
Pitbull: Can’t Stop Us Now Tour
Mr. Worldwide, the Miami-born, Latin hip-hop artist, headlines with the Australian rapper behind “Fancy,” Iggy Azalea. hertzarena.com
Oct. 15
The Paradise Coast Wine & Food Experience
Some of the brightest stars in Naples’ culinary scene converge at Cambier Park for tastings and demos, with praised local restaurants like 21 Spices by Chef Asif and Sea Salt represented. usatoday.com
Oct. 21-23
29th RedSnook Catch & Release Charity Fishing Tournament
The weekend-long competition supports the Conservancy of Southwest Florida’s mission to fight for clean waterways, with launch sites from Naples, Goodland and Chokoloskee. Kick-off with an outdoor happy hour celebration at Naples’ Florida Sports Park on Friday. conservancy.org
Oct. 27-30
14th Annual Naples International Film Festival
Regularly touted as one of the best film festivals in the region, Artis—Naples’ NIFF brings buzzy, thought-provoking documentaries, shorts and narratives, with an emphasis on sparking dialogue and showcasing diverse perspectives. artisnaples.org
Oct. 28-30
13th Annual Naples Stone Crab Festival
The live music by local favorites like Matty Jollie and a slate of arts vendors are the icing on the cake for this bountiful celebration of our regional delicacy. stonecrabfestival.com
November 2022
Nov. 1-26
Mally Khorasantchi at Harmon Meek
The internationally recognized, local artist showcases her large-scale expressionist works at the iconic downtown Naples gallery. harmonmeekgallery.com
Nov. 6-7
WINK’s Taste of the Town
Food trucks touting barbecue, seafood and international eats fill Fort Myers’ Centennial Park for this weekend-long celebration, with live music and family-friendly activities. bscevent.com
Nov. 10
BalletX
Contemporary ballet and classical music coalesce when the world-touring BalletX dances to tunes from Naples Philharmonic at Artis—Naples. artisnaples.org
Nov. 10
Reba: Live in Concert
The Queen of County has been hard at work lately, releasing a new album, producing and starring in a Lifetime flick, and now, blessing us with her musical chops when she performs in Estero. hertzarena.com
Nov. 10-13
50th Annual Fort Myers Boat Show
Boat lovers are sure to find their new ride—and engines and boat lifts and fishing gear—when more than 500 boats and hundreds more aquatic accessories go on display along the Caloosahatchee River in downtown Fort Myers. swfmia.com
Nov. 12
Kevin Hart: Reality Check Tour
His movies, like Get Hard and Ride Along, made him famous, but it’s Kevin Hart’s stand-up that showcase what he does best: make you laugh with his self-deprecating wit. hertzarena.com
Nov. 12-13
4th Annual WolfStock Festival
Shy Wolf Sanctuary Education & Experience Center in Naples hosts this fundraising beer festival to benefit its resident rescued wolves. Local brewers pour their latest releases and 12-year-old musical prodigy Champ Jaxon (who’s been on The Ellen DeGeneres Show) performs. wolfstockfl.org
Nov. 12 – Dec. 4
Steel Magnolias
Inspired by the Oscar Award-winning film, this play follows six, quick-witted women in the South when tragedy strikes. gulfshoreplayhouse.org
Nov. 12 – Feb. 12
M.C. Escher: Reality & Illusion at Naples Art
More than 100 works showcase the fantastical genius of the artist best known for his mind-bending sketches and tessellations. naplesart.org
Nov. 23 – Dec. 18
A Christmas Carol The Musical
The Naples Players’ rendition of Charles Dickens’ famed Ebenezer Scrooge tale has become as much of a tradition as anything else you’ll do this holiday season; don’t miss it. naplesplayers.org
Nov. 25 – Dec. 23, Dec. 26-30 & Jan. 1
Johnsonville Night Lights in the Garden
Thanks to the creative illuminations, blooming gardens, festive food and drink stations and lively roaming entertainment, Naples Botanical Garden’s holiday experience sells out many of its dates; get tickets early. naplesgarden.org
Nov. 25 – Dec. 30
Holiday Nights at the Edison & Ford Winter Estates
Another ’tis-the-season tradition in Southwest Florida, the illuminated grounds at the historic estates dazzle with thousands of lights, historically accurate decorations and live music some nights. edisonford.org
Nov. 27
30th Anniversary Tour of NUTCRACKER Magic of Christmas Ballet
The Moscow Ballet’s epic production of the Nutcracker comes to Barbara B. Mann. In solidarity with Ukraine, the ballet company renamed its show this year and is donating part of the proceeds to relief efforts. bbmannpah.com
December 2022
Dec. 3
33rd Annual Fort Myers Beach Christmas Boat Parade
Boats are decked with lights and Florida-centric Christmas decor for an illuminated cruise down the back bay, starting at Salty Sam’s Marina. Watch from Bayfront Park or one of the nearby waterfront restaurants. fortmyerbeach.org
Dec. 8
Frankie Valli & the Four Seasons: Greatest Hits Concert
The original Jersey Boy still puts on a killer show with his powerful falsetto and vocal range that shot him to fame in the ’60s. Catch the 88-year-old Frankie and his award-winning band in their return to Barbara B. Mann. bbmannpah.com
Dec. 10
QBE Shootout, Live Fest
Country star Brad Paisley headlines the musical event for golf legend Greg Norman’s annual charity tournament, which goes on throughout the weekend at Tiburón Golf Club at The Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort. livefest.com
Dec. 16 – Jan. 15
Freud’s Last Session
Florida Repertory Theatre in Fort Myers presents this intellectual tour de force, which takes place on the brink of World War II, as aging neurologist Dr. Sigmund Freud invites budding author C.S. Lewis to debate the existence of God. floridarep.org
Dec. 27 – Jan. 1
Hadestown
This eight-time Tony Award-winning musical tells the parallel love stories of Orpheus and Eurydice, and Hades and Persephone. Come for the extravagant set, stay for the Grammy Award-winning scores, written by singer-songwriter Anaïs Mitchell. artisnaples.org
January 2023
Jan. 14
Scene to be Seen
Naples Art’s annual gala peaks with a wearable art runway show, in which local designers create showstopping designs from unlikely materials, like magazine pages and foraged peacock feathers. naplesart.org
Jan. 14-15, Feb. 11-12, Mar. 4-5
Bonita Springs National Art Festivals
These winter and spring art fairs bring more than 200 juried artists from across the globe to Bonita Springs’ Riverside Park. Proceeds benefit the Centers for the Arts Bonita Springs. artcenterbonita.org
Jan. 14 – Sep. 10
Frida and Her Garden
A year in the making, this garden-within-a-garden recreates Frida Kahlo’s La Casa Azul, her famed blue house in Mexico City, surrounded by blooming botanicals that inspired her works and monumental animal sculptures covered in folk art. naplesgarden.org
Jan. 19-22
Naples Boat Show
Azimut Yachts, Galeon and Aquila Power Catamarans are just some of the top boat purveyors who fill Naples City Docks for this long-running boater favorite.
Jan. 21-22
25th Annual Art Fest Naples
Hundreds of artists and artisans exhibit at Fleischmann Park in Naples during this show, benefitting STARability Foundation and its programs to help individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities thrive. artfestnaples.com
Jan. 21 – Feb 5
Mexicana Fiesta Honoring Frida Kahlo
For Naples Art Districts’ Art & Design Expo, the collective’s artists create vivid murals inspired by the Mexican feminist icon—part of a countywide celebration of Hispanic culture. naplesartdistrict.com
February 2023
Feb. 2-5
Cars on Fifth
Naples’ Fifth Avenue South fills with muscle cars, pristine classics and splashy supercars (with an emphasis on Ferraris) for this nearly-20-year-old concourse. carsonfifth.com
Feb. 3-5
ArtFest Fort Myers
One of Fort Myers’ biggest art festivals fills the historic downtown district with works from more than 200 artists, live music and local food, along with arts and crafts activities to inspire young artists. artfestfortmyers.com
Feb. 3 – Mar. 5
The Importance of Being Earnest
In its 25th season, the Florida Repertory Theatre performs the Oscar Wilde classic about two people pretending to be something they are not. floridarep.org
Feb. 7-25
New Works by Reynier Llanes at Harmon Meek
The young, Cuban artist, known for his detailed coffee paintings, was recently named as New Superstar of Southern Art by Oxford America. harmonmeekgallery.com
Feb. 10 – Mar. 11
Sweeny Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
Fort Myers’ boundary-pushing Lab Theater brings this cult classic vengeful tale of love and murder to life in Fort Myers. laboratorytheaterflorida.com
Feb. 17-19
53rd Everglades City Seafood Festival
There is one rule for everything served at this food festival in the Stone Crab Capital of the World: It must be local. That’s why hundreds flock to the tiny Everglades town in February for fresh Gulf catches and Floridian fare like gator bites and swamp cabbage. evergladesseafoodfestival.org
Feb. 18
Edison Festival of Light: Grand Parade
Honoring winter resident Thomas Edison, the 84-year-old parade has marching bands, floats and costumed performers strutting down the streets, starting at Fort Myers High School and ending downtown. edisonfestival.org
Feb. 19
SWFL VegFest 2023
Hosted at Farmer Mike’s U Pick in Bonita Springs, this ode to plant-forward living features vegetarian food trucks, cooking demos, wellness vendors and talks from doctors and pros spreading the veggie gospel. aplantbaseddiet.org
Feb. 25-26
Naples National Art Show
For 44 years, Naples Art has curated hundreds of accomplished national artists, working in more than a dozen mediums, for this annual show at Cambier Park in downtown Naples. naplesart.org
March 2023
Mar. 1 – Apr 2
The Sound of Music
The Naples Players perform the five-time Oscar and Tony award-winning, true story of the famed von Trapp Family’s musical adventures. naplesplayers.org
Mar. 2-4
86th Annual Sanibel Shell Show
Sanibel-Captiva Shell Club hosts this world’s-longest-running shell festival (with all the mollusk-themed art and activities you can handle) at Sanibel Community House. sanibelshellclub.com
Mar. 7-11
ECHO Global Food & Farm Festival
Local food insiders, like Rose O’ Dell King of Rosy Tomorrows Heritage Farm and chef David Robbins, descend on the North Fort Myers 57-acre farm for cooking demos, holistic-living workshops (learn to make kombucha) and lunches that draw from ECHO’s eight tropical gardens. echonet.org
Mar. 11-12
Fort Myers Beach Lions Club Shrimp Festival
Celebrate our Pink Gold with a show-stopping 2-mile parade down Estero Boulevard, a rowdy shrimp-eating contest, the Pink Gold Shrimp Boil at Lynn Hall Beach Park and the crowning of the Shrimp Festival Queen. fortmyersbeachshrimpfestival.com
Mar. 14-19
Jesus Christ Superstar
This iconic rock opera, written by Broadway legend Andrew Lloyd Webber with music by Tim Rice, celebrates its 50th anniversary with a nationwide tour. See the lively reenactment of Jesus Christ’s final weeks (from Judas’ perspective) on stage at Artis—Naples. artisnaples.org
April 2023
Apr. 4-8
Troupe Vertigo Latin Extravaganza
The California group known for blending circus, theater and dance performs alongside Naples Philharmonic—directed by local favorite, Pops conductor Jack Everly—in a tribute to Georges Bizet’s Carmen, a four-part opera based on the novella of the same name. artisnaples.org
Apr. 15-22
US Open Pickleball Championships
Naples has easily become the capital for this rising sport, as evidenced by this major tournament that takes place at East Naples Community Park. The pro matches are already sold out, but you can still watch amateurs play on more than 50 courts and get tickets for the Margaritaville Party in the Park on Apr. 23. usopenpickleballchampionship.com
Apr. 18-23
Mean Girls
Here’s a nostalgic show for the millennial crowd: Tina Fey’s Broadway production takes the stage at Artis—Naples. Watch the drama unfold as formerly homeschooled Cady enters the cut-throat world of high school cliques. artisnaples.org
Apr. 22
Earth Day Festival
Conservancy of Southwest Florida hosts this Earth Day party at its 21-acre nature center in Naples. Kids love the animal encounters, boat tours and riding the new Learning Adventure Bus; grown-ups appreciate the eco lectures, food trucks and nature walks. conservancy.org
Apr. 22
34th Annual “Ding” Darling Day Conservation Carnival
J.N. “Ding” Darling Wildlife Refuge brings its conservation mission to Fort Myers’ Lakes Park, with ranger-guided tours, an urban birding workshop and nature journaling with artist Rachel Pierce. dingdarlingsociety.org
May 2023
TBD
Great Dock Canoe Race
In this Naples tradition that toasts the end of the busy season, year-round locals deck out their canoes in quirky decor and race to the block party and parade on the mainland. Though canceled in the last few years, we have our fingers crossed for a 2023 return. naplesgov.com
May 6
27th Annual Taste of the Beach
As season comes to a close, chefs from Fort Myers beach restaurants set up tents at Salty Sam’s Marina to serve their best dishes with hopes of winning the Taste of the Beach Awards. Local favorites including Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille, Pinchers and The Rude Shrimp Co. are known to take home titles in categories ranging from best appetizer to seafood to vegan and vegetarian. fortmyersbeach.org
May. 17-21
13th Annual Fort Myers Film Festival
A red carpet leads directors, actors and guests into Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center for opening night of the highly anticipated festival, with locally and internationally produced shorts, indie films and documentaries screened at venues throughout the city. fortmyersfilmfestival.com
May 19
“Ding” Darling & Doc Ford’s Tarpon Tournament
Anglers compete to catch the biggest silver king, with tournament proceeds going to fund water and wildlife research at J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge. dingdarlingsociety.org
