Add These Fort Myers Holiday Activities to Your Calendar

In Florida, the closest you'll get to a "White Christmas" is in your dreams, or in the white sand on the beaches. But, that doesn't mean you can't feel holiday cheer when you live in a place like Fort Myers that is warm and sunny almost all year round. Here are some of the great Fort Myers activities that will help you get in the holiday spirit.

27^th Annual Beach Christmas Boat Parade

This may not be your typical Christmas parade, but you’re sure to enjoy Fort Myer’s festive spin on this holiday event. Held on December 5th, the Christmas Boat Parade will pass through Matanzas Harbor and the first two canals of Siesta Isles. It’s free to watch, so bring the whole family along.

Edison and Ford Winter Estates

The Edison and Ford Winter Estates are important cultural attractions in the Fort Myers area during any time of the year. And during the 36^th annual Holiday Nights, the estates are decked out with authentic period decorating and twinkling lights and stay open past sunset so you can enjoy the beauty. Visitors have the added treat of live music and on special nights Santa Claus even shows up for a visit.

Burroughs Home and Gardens

Sponsored every year by the Fort Myers Woman's Community Club, the Burroughs Home is open every night from December 12 through the 23rd. Each room is beautifully decorated with traditional holiday decorations and thousands of lights both inside and out transform this historic home into a magical wonderland. Visits from Santa and special treats like breakfast for dinner are just some of the highlights. 

Tux and Trees Gala

Held on Saturday, December 5, this classy annual event brings out the most elegant in Fort Myers to raise money for the Southwest Florida Goodwill Foundation. The beautiful Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center in the historic Fort Myers River District is the site of this year’s event. Guests will be entertained by live music and enjoy hors d'oeuvres with local celebrities as they all bid on gift certificates, beautifully decorated themed trees and worthy little luxuries during the event’s live and silent auctions. 

Holiday in the Park

What better way to experience holiday cheer than with live music from local musicians and with fun events for the whole family? This annual event typically happens in the first week of December and is a big community event. It might not actually be very cold outside, but Fort Myers does its best to create the scene with a "snow slide," cider, cookies, and of course the lighting of the city’s Christmas tree. Little ones will want to wait in line to see Santa and get a gift from him, too.

Know of any other fun, must-attend holiday events? Share them in the comments below.