holiday happenings

NO SNOW BUT LOTS OF LIGHTS

It won’t be snowing in Southwest Florida for the first time in many years. The annual Snowfest in Collier County — known for dumping a hundred tons of snow made from 1,200 blocks of ice every year so Florida kids can indulge in the northern experience — has melted away. So have the snowy fields and icy toboggan run usually seen in Bonita Springs’ Riverside Park. These events have been canceled due to the pandemic. But the holiday spirit continues to sparkle in Lee, Collier and Charlotte counties with a large menu of events that will go on with safety precautions and some compromises in place. Here’s a look at some of the happy holiday happenings.

LEE COUNTY

Festival of Trees

This four-day event features 20 extravagantly decorated trees to peruse, vote for and try to win. The event also includes gifts and goodies. Festivities begin Thursday, December 3. The big wreath lighting starts at 7 p.m. Friday, December 4; Santa and the mayor lead a stroll down First Street to the art center, where the wreath is lit and The Nowhere Band performs.

“We are trying,” says Carolyn Johnson, vice president of communications and development at Goodwill Industries of Southwest Florida. “There will be sanitizing stations, mask recommended signs and capacity limits.” • When: Festival of Trees viewing is 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. December 3, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. December 4, 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. December 5 and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. December 6. Wreath lighting starts at 7 p.m. December 4. Tree raffle drawing is 4 p.m. December 6. • Where: Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center, 2301 First St., Fort Myers • Cost: $2 to see the trees; free for ages 5 and younger • Details: 239-995-2106, ext. 2247, or goodwilltrees.com

Santa’s Block Party

Part of the Festival of Trees, Goodwill’s annual Block Party features fun activities and a holiday workshop where kids create holiday art, decorate a Publix cookie and more. There will also be food, entertainment, games and prizes. Children will not be allowed to sit in Santa’s lap this year, but they can visit at a safe distance. New this year is a train ride around the art center. One free ride is included with workshop admission. • When: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, December 5 • Where: Outside the Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center, 2301 First St., Fort Myers • Cost: Block Party is free; Children's Workshop is $6 per child; vendors will also be selling food. Train ride is $2. • Details: 239-333-1933 or goodwilltrees.com

Breakfast with Santa

Have breakfast with the jolly ol’ man himself, make a craft, write a letter to Santa and take a socially distanced selfie with him. All food items and craft supplies are individually wrapped and available to take home. • When: 9:30-11:30 a.m. Saturday, December 5 • Where: North Fort Myers Recreation Center, 2000 N. Recreation Park Way, North Fort Myers • Cost: $3 per child • Details: 239-533-7200 or leeparks. org

Holiday Nights at Edison Ford

The 45th annual Holiday Nights has a few changes to help make the event fun while keeping people socially distanced.

“We are requiring masks,” says spokesperson Lisa Wilson. “We are going to have the tree lighting on the Ford property because there is a lot more room. Around the banyan tree gets a little crowded.”

The 60 trees created by Lee County children will also move to the Ford side where there is more room. “We are really trying to think about how people can enjoy this event safely,” Lisa adds. “Typically Monday and Tuesday nights we have less people, so people who are being extra cautious can come Monday or Tuesday nights.”

This year’s theme is Sounds of the Season and pertains to music. • When: 5:30-9 p.m. through January 3; closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. • Where: Edison and Ford Winter Estates, 2350 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers • Cost: $20 for adults, $10 for ages 13-19, $2 for ages 6-12. Free for members. Guided tours at 6 and 7 p.m. nightly are $30 for adults, $25 for teens and $18 for children. Lee County residents get $5 off on Monday nights. • Details: 239-334-7419 or edisonford.org

Holiday House

Winter Wonderland is the theme for the 64th year of this annual event in the historic Burroughs and LangfordKingston homes in downtown Fort Myers. Think cool colors, like pale blue. Organizers have had to curtail and change some of the activities due to the pandemic. One loss: sitting on Santa’s lap.

“That is one of the things we had to concede sadly this year,” says Paige LeBoutillier, chair of publicity. “Due to COVID, we did not think it was the right thing to expose Santa or the children to COVID.”

Face masks are required, and the number of guests will be limited. The tours will go in one direction with circles laid out on the floor to direct people through the safest route. It will also be limited to the first floor to avoid crowding on the narrow staircase. The upstairs will be decorated in the windows to be seen from the outside.

“Through all of this, with every challenge, there is opportunity,” Paige says. “The opportunity for us is to be innovative.”

Tours are self-guided. Tickets can be purchased online. Money raised goes back to the Burroughs and LangfordKingston Homes to help pay for upkeep and improvements. • When: 5-9 p.m. December 9-20 (last tour at 8:30) • Where: Burroughs and Langford-

Kingston Homes, First and Fowler streets in downtown Fort Myers • Cost: $5 for adults, free for ages 10 and younger and military with ID. • Details: fmwcc.net or facebook.com/ HolidayHouseFortMyers

Holiday in the Park

There will be no blizzard in the park this year. The annual festival that featured toboggan slides, snow and icy fun has been canceled. Instead, Riverside Park will be decked out in lights.

“We are encouraging people to visit and take a holiday stroll and enjoy the lights,” says city spokesperson Debbie Valente. • When: December 1 through January 2 • Where: Riverside Park, 10450 Reynolds St., Bonita Springs. • Cost: Free • Details: 239-949-6262

A Holiday Time in the Park

Watch Disney’s “A Christmas Carol” in the park following social distancing guidelines. Bring chairs or blankets for seating. Santa arrives on a fire truck, so bring a camera to take your child’s photo with Santa and Mrs. Claus. A North Pole mailbox will also be available for letters to Santa. Free popcorn and cookies will also be available. • When: 5-9 p.m. Friday, December 11 • Where: Veterans Park, 55 Homestead Road S., Lehigh Acres • Cost: Free • Details: 239-369-1521 or leeparks.org

Holiday Movie in the Park

Watch Disney’s “The Santa Clause” on the big screen. Socially distanced family spaces will be marked. Bring lawn chairs or blankets for seating. Arrive at 6 p.m. to pick your spot. Popcorn and bottled water will be provided to the first 150 participants. • When: 6:30 p.m. Saturday, December 12 • Where: North Fort Myers Park, 2000 N. Recreation Park Way, North Fort Myers • Cost: Free • Details: 239-533-7200 or leeparks.org

Santa Fest

Enjoy bounce houses, food trucks, photos with Santa and a movie in the park, 2003’s “Elf.” Movie begins at 6:15 p.m. • When: 3-9 p.m. Saturday, December 19 • Where: Wa-Ke Hatchee Park, 16760 Bass Road, south Fort Myers • Cost: Free; toy donations for Golisano Children’s Hospital encouraged. • Details: 239-432-2154 or leeparks. org

COLLIER COUNTY Gingerbread House

Every year The Ritz-Carlton, Naples — that’s the one on the beach — builds a giant gingerbread house in its lobby with more than 100,000 pieces of candy and 2,000 pounds of carved gingerbread. The house goes up the Friday after Thanksgiving and usually opens to the public the following week. This year officials at The RitzCarlton don’t know how many days it will be open to the public because they want to avoid crowds.

“The very first week of December it might be available; closer to the holidays we probably won’t be able to manage the capacity,” says Jaime Moench, the marketing director for the resort. • When: Call for public opening times and days • Where: The Ritz-Carlton, Naples, 280 Vanderbilt Beach Road, Naples • Cost: Free to view • Details: 239-598-3300

Supper with Santa

Breakfast with Santa is turning into Supper with Santa.

“It’s kind of different,” says Kyle Pryce, supervisor at Immokalee Community Center. Kyle says the event will be held outside due to COVID-19. • When: 6-8 p.m. Saturday, December 5 • Where: Immokalee Community Park, 321 N. First St., Immokalee • When: Cost: $5 • Details: 239-252-4449 or collierparks.com

Holiday Parade

Join the Collier County Sheriff’s Office and enjoy floats and displays from your car for a socially distanced holiday experience. • When: 6:30-9 p.m. Wednesday, December 9 • Where: Collier County Fairgrounds, 751 39th Ave. N.E., Naples • Cost: Free • Details: 239-252-9300 or colliersheriff.org

Cookies and Milk with Santa

This event was tentative when we spoke with a Collier County parks spokesperson. The plan is social distancing, face mask-wearing photos with Santa, crafts and Santa letters. For ages 5-12. Registration required. • When: 9-11 a.m. Saturday, December 12 • Where: Eagles Lakes Community Park, 11565 Tamiami Trail E., Naples • Cost: $2 • Details: 239-252-3527 or collierparks.com

Holiday Drive-In

The city of Naples is planning one holiday event: a drive-in movie. On the screen: “A Christmas Story.” The film will be shown on a 33-foot screen with a 12,000-lumen projector as part of The Naples Players series.

At the end of the month, TNP Drivein Movie Night features “Disney’s Frozen 2” (December 29 and 30). For more movie night events, visit naplesplayers.org/drive-in-movies. • When: 8 p.m. Tuesday, December 15 (parking begins at 7 p.m.) • Where: 300 Eighth St. S., Naples • Cost: $20 per car for The Naples Players season ticket holders and members of the Naples Zoo or Naples Botanical Garden, $45 for general admission, $60 for VIP parking. • Details: 239-434-7340 or naplesgov. com/calendar/2020-12; get tickets at my.naplesplayers.org/overview/571.

Christmas at Palm Cottage

The historic Palm Cottage in Naples gets decorated with traditional holiday décor. The annual activities and 10 Days of Christmas will not take place this year, but guests can still tour the decorated cottage. Masks will be encouraged, but not required. All staff and volunteers will be wearing masks. There will be tours led by docents, selfguided tours and hybrid tours where the docent will do the explaining outside each room and then let guests visit the rooms. The cottage tours are $5 this year instead of $13.

“We thought this would be a nice gift to the community to come and visit the cottage all decorated,” says Nancy Holcolm, who is organizing the event. • When: Wednesday through Saturday, December 1-26 (closed December 24 and 25); tours are at noon, 1, 2 and 3 p.m. with reservations Wednesday through Friday and 1-4 p.m. Saturday (last tour at 3 p.m.). • Where: Palm Cottage, 137 12th Ave. S., Naples • Cost: $5 for ages 10 and older, free for younger children and members • Details: Reservations for tours are recommended; call 239-261-8164 or visit napleshistoricalsociety.org.

Teddy Bear Tea

tradition,” says Jaime Moench, the marketing director for The RitzCarlton, Naples. Oversized teddy bears fill the lobby. A storyteller reads favorite childhood tales while youngsters enjoy hot chocolate, sweet treats and Santa visits. Reservations required. • When: 2:30 p.m. December 15 and 16, 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. December 17-23 • Where: The Ritz-Carlton, Naples, 280 Vanderbilt Beach Road, Naples • Cost: $110 per person (includes tax and service charge) • Details: 239-514-6001

Pancakes & Pajamas

There will be pancakes, pictures with Santa, crafts and music. • When: 9-11 a.m. Saturday, December 19 • Where: Immokalee South Park, 418 School Drive, Immokalee • Cost: $2 • Details: 239-252-4000 or collierparks.com

CHARLOTTE COUNTY Festival of Lights Holiday Showcase

Although an official Lighting of the Village ceremony will not take place this year due to COVID-19, you can see the Village decorated in a million lights and decorations throughout the month. The theme is whimsical, “The Teddy Bear Tea is an annual

CANCELED The following events have been canceled due to COVID-19 concerns. • Naples Christmas Parade • Naples Christmas Tree Lighting • Tuba Christmas • Holiday on the Bay and Santa Paws at Venetian Village • Snowfest • Breakfast with Santa in Golden Gate

“With COVID, we didn’t think we could do it safely,” says Vickie

Wilson, supervisor at Golden Gate Community Center about Breakfast with Santa. “The community center will be decorated with lights so people can just drive by and see it.” traditional Christmas. There’s also entertainment most days. • When: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday, noon to 6 p.m. on Sundays, through December 31 • Where: Fishermen’s Village, 1200 W. Retta Esplanade, Punta Gorda • Cost: Free Details: 941-639-8721 or fishville.com Christmas Light Canal Cruise

Seeing the lights and holiday decorations by water has been a tradition for more than 30 years in Punta Gorda. Cruise the city’s canals aboard a King Fisher Fleet vessel. • Where: Leaves from Fishermen’s Village Marina, 1200 W. Retta Esplanade, Punta Gorda • When: 6, 7:30 and 9 p.m. December 1-31 • Cost: $25 for adults, $15 for ages 3-11, free for younger little ones • Details: 941-639-0969 or kingfisherfleet.com

New Year’s Eve Celebration

Naples and Fort Myers Beach canceled their New Year’s Eve fireworks displays this year, but Fishermen’s Village hadn’t decided yet at press time. The annual fireworks display and celebration is billed as a family-friendly New Year’s Eve, and it usually includes music, dancing, face painting, hair glitter, LED juggling, plate spinning, balloon creations and fireworks at midnight.

“Our plan is to do it, but we need to be responsible,” says Kathy Burnam, the marketing and events manager for Fishermen’s Village. • When: The celebration begins at 6 p.m. December 31; fireworks are at midnight. • Where: Fishermen’s Village, 1200 W. Retta Esplanade, Punta Gorda • Cost: Free • Details: 941-639-8721 or

fishville.com

BOAT PARADES Fort Myers Beach Christmas Boat Parade

The 32nd annual parade is set to sail. About 40 boats are expected to be decorated for this yearly event. A map of the complete route is available online. • When: 6-8 p.m. Saturday, December 5 • Where: The parade begins at Salty Sam’s Marina and passes by Parrot Key Caribbean Grill, Matanzas on the Bay, Nervous Nellie’s, Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille, Dixie Fish Co., the Original Shrimp Dock Bar & Grill, and Bonita Bill’s Waterfront Cafe. It also runs past the Pink Shell Resort & Marina, Moss Marina and Matanzas Inn. • Details: 239-454-7500 or fortmyersbeach.org/events/christmasboat-parade

Bonita Springs Christmas Boat Parade

Boaters are getting ready for the 35th annual parade on the Imperial River in Bonita Springs.

“We are looking forward to having a great year,” says Adam Botana, vice president of Bay Water Boat Club and the event organizer. “I think it’s going to be a lot bigger this year. There are so many more people on boats now. We are looking forward to it. We want to spread the Christmas cheer. We have to have something to do. We want to keep the Christmas spirit going.” • When: 5:30 p.m. Saturday, December 12 • Where: Begins and ends at Bay Water Boat Club, 5124 Bonita Beach Road, Bonita Springs. Travels up the Imperial River to Flossmor Drive and then comes back. The best place to see it is from the Imperial River Boat Ramp, 27551 S. Tamiami Trail, or the bridge. • Details: bonitaboatparade.com or look for Bonita Springs Christmas Boat Parade on Facebook. Christmas Boat Parade on Naples Bay

The 33rd annual Christmas Boat Parade on Naples Bay features All That Glitters as its theme.

“Hopefully just something bright to close out one of the worst years,” says Tiffany Sawyer-Schank, executive director of the Marine Industries Association of Collier County. “Finding what shines for the end of 2020. And looking forward to a better year.”

About 25 to 30 boats typically participate in the parade. It’s free to enter. There are lots of prizes for the winners. Masks are encouraged.

All proceeds go to the Ricky King Children’s Fund. • When: 6:15 p.m. Saturday, December 12 • Where: Parade may be viewed from the Naples City Dock (limited), Pinchers Crab Shack at Tin City, Riverwalk Restaurant, Naples Landings, Kelly’s Fish House, The Boat House and Bayview Park. • Details: 239-682-0900 or miacc.org

Cape Coral Holiday Boat-ALong

Cape Coral’s 44th annual Holiday Boat-A-Long features a parade of more than 100 decorated boats and a bunch of holiday activities that have been recreated to keep people more socially distanced. For the first time, people must register for a free ticket to the event.

“We normally have 5,000 people,” says Kristin Bean, senior recreation specialist with the city. “This year we are limiting it to 2,500 people that can get their free tickets in advance. For people that don’t get a ticket or don’t feel comfortable coming, we will have a live streaming of the parade so they can watch from home.”

This year there will be no arts and crafts for children. Santa will be there, but children will not be allowed to sit in his lap. There will be socially distanced visits with Santa. There will also be holiday music.

The boat parade will be followed by a movie in the park. Since “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” was rained out last year, it will be shown this year. Instead of food vendors at tables, there will be food trucks. • When: The festival begins at 4 p.m. Saturday, December 19. The boat parade starts at sundown, which is around 6 p.m. Event ends at 10 p.m. • Where: The best place to view is Four Freedom’s Park, 4818 Tarpon Court, Cape Coral, where the holiday festival takes place. • Details: 239-573-3123 or capeparks.org. To register, go to bit.ly/37IP5FB.

The Saturday Night Before Christmas Eve Boat Parade

The 20th annual parade is a big one. Every year, it attracts 15,000 to 20,000 spectators and is billed as the Biggest Annual Event in the Isles. The 4.5-mile route is lined with people cheering, ringing cowbells and banging on tambourines.

The parade is also unique because it goes only one way and has no big turns. The cheering crowds are only 50 feet from the lighted boats, giving an excellent view of the decorations. Besides decorations, the boats have carolers and performers. About 35 to 50 boats participate in the event.

“Every year is special,” says Harris Bowers, who organizes the parade.

Use the map on the event page and scout out an empty lot along the route.

“Come out the day before or early on parade day and stake your space,” Harris recommends. “The most empty lots are in the Almar area. Last year the traffic was backed up unbelievable. Come early. Bring your lawn chairs. If you show up at six o’clock, you are going to miss the parade.” • When: 6 p.m. Saturday, December 19 • Where: Punta Gorda Isles, west of U.S. 41; the parade starts in a canal parallel to Almar Drive and ends in Yellowfish Lagoon. • Details: puntagorda boatparade.com