Best Things to do in Fort Myers for Christmas
The holiday season is a perfect time to visit Fort Myers. Not only is the weather amazing, but it transforms into a tropical winter wonderland during the holiday season!
And palm trees with Christmas decorations?! It doesn’t get much better than that!
Whether you’re visiting with your entire family, with friends, or looking for a date night, there are several ways to get into the holiday spirit.
Whether you’re a local or visiting from out of town, I’ve put together some of the best festive activities and popular events in the area. Here are some of my favorite ways to experience Christmas in the Fort Myers area:
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Edison & Ford Winter Estates
Visiting the Edison and Fort Winter Estates is one of the best things to do in Fort Myers no matter the time of year, but the holiday season is even better. You still get to learn all about the history while seeing it all decorated for the holidays.
The Edison and Fort Winter Estates consist of two historic homes that were once owned by Thomas Edison and Henry Ford. They enjoyed spending the winter months there and the homes overlook the Caloosahatchee River.
There are also gardens and a museum on site. There are self-guided tours or you can check their website for guided tours which are only during certain dates/times.
Fort Myers Beach Boat Parade
One of the holiday events that you can’t miss is a boat parade. A boat parade is a quintessential Florida holiday event! I always view them as a fun community celebration and a great way to experience the spirit of the town.
Depending on where you watch the parade from, you might also get to experience have live entertainment such as Santa and musical performances.
You will need to travel a bit to one of the beach communities to experience a Christmas boat parade, but it’s an amazing tradition (and it’s just a short drive). Basically, boats are all decked out with lights and decorations. You never really know what you’ll see because they get really creative!
Here are some of the boat parades in the area:
- Fort Myers Beach Saturday, December 7, 2024 starting at 6:00
- Cape Coral December 21, 2024 starting at 6:00
- Marco Island Saturday, December 21, 2024 starting at 6:00
Holiday House Christmas Stroll
The Fort Myers Woman’s Community Club has been decorating historic Fort Myers in holiday decor since 1956.
The event used to decorate historic houses in the area, but now primarily decorates shops in downtown Fort Myers. These festive decorations are appropriately named Holiday House.
You don’t need tickets, you can just wander around. The decorations are in the windows of First Street in Fort Myers’ river district. The theme will be Christmas stories through the eyes of a child.
While you’re there, it’s a great place to do some holiday shopping. You can support the small businesses in the area while enjoying the decorations.
This event runs through December 31. It kicks off with a public tree lighting on November 29, 2024 in front of the Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center. After, you can join in on the 2024 inaugural stroll down First Street.
Festival of Trees
The Festival of Trees is a fun annual event involving local businesses. Local businesses decorate Christmas trees for you to enjoy. No two trees are the same and you’ll be amazed by the creativity! You can even vote for your favorite.
Festival of Trees is held at the Sidney and Berne Davis Art Center in downtown Fort Myers. The event is free but donations are encouraged to benefit the Southwest Florida Goodwill Foundation.
Holiday Express in Lakes Regional Park
The Holiday Express is one of the most unique activities for the holidays. The railroad will take you on a train ride through Lakes Park. The railroad will take you through holiday-decorated villages and the infamous tunnel of Christmas lights.
If you’re not familiar with Lakes Regional Park, it’s a gorgeous spot with boardwalks, a cafe, walking trails, and boat and bike rentals. There are also splash pads, but typically it’s too chilly to enjoy them during the holidays.
The Holiday Express will run from December 13-30. Their weekday hours are 10 am-2pm and 6pm-9pm and weekend hours are 10 am – 9 pm. They will close at 2 pm on Christmas Even and will be closed on Christmas day.
Children aged 1-5 are free. For everyone 6 and older, there is a $6.00 admission fee.
Holiday Lights at Calusa Nature Center and Planetarium
The Calusa Nature Center and Planetarium has a 1/3 mile trail, rescued animals that are unable to be released, and planetarium shows.
During the holiday season, the 1/3 mile trail is decorated with twinkling lights. After, you can sit by the fire, roast marshmallows, and drink hot chocolate.
This year (2024), they will be open these dates for the month of December: December 8th, 9th, 10th, 15th, 16th, 17th, 20th, 21st, 22nd, 23rd, 29th, and 30th.
Final Thoughts
From light displays to boat parades, Fort Myers, Florida, offers a mix of traditional and uniquely Floridian ways to celebrate Christmas. You’ll have a great time celebrating the season with the milder temperatures.
Whether you’re in town for a weekend or staying for the season, you’ll find plenty of festive events to add to your list of holiday celebrations. And maybe it will make such a lasting impression that you’ll come back year after year!
