Annual Events Calendar for Naples, Fort Myers, Sanibel-Captiva Island FL

While vacationing in Southwest Florida, you will want to find out what there is to do in the area while you are in town. We have searched and selected many of the most popular and interesting annual events through-out the areas of Naples, Fort Myers, Fort Myers Beach, Sanibel Island, Captiva Island, Marco Island, Estero, Bonita Springs and beyond.

For more information on events included on this calendar, see The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel website.

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SOUTHWEST FLORIDA ANNUAL EVENTS

Month Name Location Description
January Bonita Springs National Art Festival Bonita Springs The Centers for the Arts Bonita Springs presents three fine arts/fine crafts festivals each year in Bonita Springs. Enjoy the artworks of 200 National and International artists while supporting the many programs of the Centers for the Arts. These festivals are rated one of the top Fine Art Festivals in the USA Juried events. Artists are selected by a panel of experts and festival proceeds support community art activities.
January Cape Coral Arts & Music Festival Cape Coral Cape Coral warms up in January during this two-day celebration of music and visual arts held in venues across town.
January Fort Myers Seafood & Music Festival Fort Myers This three-day festival brings live music, arts & crafts and street food vendors to the Fort Myers River District.
February ArtFest Fort Myers Fort Myers Held on the first weekend of February along the Fort Myers waterfront, ArtFest features the works of some 200 artists selected by a juried commission.
February Bonita Springs National Art Festival Bonita Springs The Centers for the Arts Bonita Springs presents three fine arts/fine crafts festivals each year in Bonita Springs. Enjoy the artworks of 200 National and International artists while supporting the many programs of the Centers for the Arts. These festivals are rated one of the top Fine Art Festivals in the USA Juried events. Artists are selected by a panel of experts and festival proceeds support community art activities.
February Burrowing Owl Festival Cape Coral Cape Coral has Florida's largest population of burrowing owls. This festival, sponsored by Cape Coral Friends of Wildlife, celebrates the city's avian emblem.
February Edison Festival of Lights Fort Myers Science, crafts and community events commemorating Thomas Edison and his life in Fort Myers.
February Southwest Florida Lee County Fair North Fort Myers Folk dancing, car rallies, pro wrestling, horse events and livestock. Plus rides, food & fun.
March Bonita Springs National Art Festival Bonita Springs The Centers for the Arts Bonita Springs presents three fine arts/fine crafts festivals each year in Bonita Springs. Enjoy the artworks of 200 National and International artists while supporting the many programs of the Centers for the Arts. These festivals are rated one of the top Fine Art Festivals in the USA Juried events. Artists are selected by a panel of experts and festival proceeds support community art activities.
March Fort Myers Beach Shrimp Festival & Parade Fort Myers Beach Parades, music and the crowning of the Shrimp Festival Queen at Fort Myers Beach's largest annual event.
March Sanibel Shell Fair & Show Sanibel Island Held in the first week of March, this is the largest shell fair and emporium in the country.
March Southwest Florida Reading Festival Fort Myers Enjoy multiple stages with renowned authors who share the inside scoop on their latest work and what makes a story idea click. Buy a book and have your favorite author sign it.
March Spring Training - Boston Red Sox Fort Myers Nonstop sun and blue skies in early spring make a perfect backdrop for watching the Red Sox practice at JetBlue Park, also known as Fenway South.
March Spring Training - Minnesota Twins Fort Myers Since 1991, the Twins have held their spring training in sunny Florida at Hammond Stadium at the CenturyLink Sports Complex.
April Fort Myers Beach Film Festival Fort Myers Beach Film producers, indie film fans and filmmaking talent, both local and international, come to Fort Myers Beach in sunny spring to celebrate their craft and passion.
July Mango Mania Pine Island Pine Island and Matlacha's kooky celebration of all things mango includes a mango queen, mango cook-off and lots of live music.
September Island Hopper Songwriter Festival Various Lee County Locations Island Hopper Songwriter Fest is a 10-day music festival in Southwest Florida, drawing some of country music's greatest singer-songwriters from Nashville and nationwide. Enjoy 80+ artists, 100+ shows, most of which are free and in small, intimate venues across Captiva Island, Fort Myers Beach, and in downtown Fort Myers.
October Ding Darling Days Sanibel Island Ding Darling Days celebrates the birthday of the refuge's namesake, father of the Federal Duck Stamp program and Pulitzer Prize-winning cartoonist, Jay N. "Ding" Darling, and features activities for the entire family, birding, and eco-tours, wildlife presentations, kayaking, and more.
October Oktoberfest Cape Coral The German American Social Club of Cape Coral hosts this extravaganza of Teutonic food, dancing, music and, of course, beer, during the last two weekends of October.
November American Sand Sculpting Championship Fort Myers Beach Fort Myers Beach hosts this fun-filled event, which includes World Class Master Sand Sculptors, as well as amateurs. Other highlights include Quick Sand Speed Sculpting, Sand Sculpting Demonstrations, a kids activity area, music and a vendor village. Food and beverages are available for purchase.
November Captiva Holiday Village Captiva Island During the holiday season from Thanksgiving weekend through the mid-December, Captiva Island transforms into a magical holiday village. The businesses are twinkling with lights and decorated magnificently. In addition, you’ll enjoy live musical performances, a Christmas tree lighting, luminary festival, golf cart parade and caroling.
November Coconut Festival Cape Coral Held during the second weekend of November, the Coconut Festival is a celebration of all things Cape Coral. Expect music, family-friendly activities, rides, carnival games and lots of good food.
November Fort Myers Tipoff Fort Myers This event, held at the Suncoast Credit Union Arena on the campus of Florida SouthWestern State College, brings the best of the country's college basketball teams to Southwest Florida.
November Sanibel Writers Conference Sanibel Island Hosted by Florida Gulf Coast University, this conference takes place at BIG Arts on Sanibel Island. It features readings and workshops by an impressive collection of authors.
December Burroughs & Langford Kingston Homes' Holiday House Fort Myers These two histori homes are decorated by the Fort Myers Women's Community Club during December and are open each evening.
December Edison and Ford Winter Estates' Holiday Nights Fort Myers From early December to New Year's Day (closed Christmas Eve night and Christmas Day) the estates are open for viewing the lights and decorations, plus special exhibits and performances.
December Sanibel Luminary Holiday Stroll Sanibel Island In early December, visitors can wind their way along 3 miles of Christmas candles illumination Periwinkle Way on Sanibel Island.