Festivities include tree lightings, parades, live music, and theatrical performances throughout December.
Activities range from traditional Christmas celebrations to Hanukkah events and pioneer-themed craft days.
The year is winding down, which means the holiday season has arrived in Southwest Florida.
There’s plenty of events, from Christmas tree and menorah lightings to boat parades, plays and concerts. Here’s your ultimate guide so you can plan ahead because the next month will go by fast.
And if you don’t see an event listed and want to share, email it to dosborn@usatodayco.com and we’ll add it.
NAPLES THINGS TO DO INCLUDING ‘WHITE CHRISTMAS’
Irving Berlin’s White Christmas: Experience the 1954 film as it comes to life on stage at Moran Mainstage, Baker Theatre and Education Center, 100 Goodlette-Frank Road, Naples. The show runs now through Dec. 21. Tickets start at $44. (239) 261-7529 or gulfshoreplayhouse.org.
Johnsonville Night Lights in the Garden: Enjoy live music, festive treats and seasonal lighting nights in the Naples Botanical Garden, 4820 Bayshore Drive, Naples. Nov. 28-Jan. 4. Pricing and tickets available through naplesgarden.org.
Christmas at Palm Cottage: Holiday tours of Naples’ oldest house are available through the Naples Historical Society from Dec. 2-24. Free for members, $20 for non-members from noon-4 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday. Evening visits from 4-7 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday are free. Reservations available through napleshistoricalsociety.org. 137 12th Ave. S., Naples.
Naples Design District’s Holiday Stroll: This ninth annual event will bring family-friendly holiday activities to the design district. Enjoy live music, festive food and drink, train displays and more from 5-8 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 3. 111 10th St. S., Naples. Free admission, but RSVP through naplesdesigndistrict.com.
Mercato Tree Lighting: Enjoy an evening of festive fun 5:30-8 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 3, including live music, dance performances and the lighting of the largest real tree in Southwest Florida. Admission is free Because parking will fill up quickly, carpooling recommended. 9110 Strada Place, Naples.
Snow on Third Street South: Enjoy live Christmas music in Fleischmann Plaza Every Thursday and Friday from Dec. 4-30 from 5-8 p.m. Snow falls at 7 p.m. Third St., S., Naples. thirdstreetsouth.com.
SnowFest: Enjoy live music, local vendors, games, a holiday bouncy land, a festive movie and a visit with Santa from 3-7 p.m. Dec. 6 at Paradise Coast Sports Complex. Tickets are $8 upon entry, children 3 and under get in free. 3865 City Gate Blvd. S., Naples. playparadisecoast.com.
5th Avenue Christmas Walk and Tree Lighting Ceremony: Check out live music, a skating rink, a living nativity scene and Santa in Fifth Avenue’s 51st annual Christmas event. 5-10 p.m. Dec. 5 and 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Dec. 6. The Christmas tree lighting ceremony will begin around 6 p.m. on Friday, December 5. fifthavenuesouth.com.
Holiday Orchestra Concert: Join the Music Foundation of Greater Naples for an evening of holiday music from 4-6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, at the Moorings Presbyterian Church, 791 Harbour Drive, Naples. Free admission, but RSVP through musicfoundationnaples.org
Chanukah Celebration: Celebrate and learn about the holiday with the Collier County Public Library System from 5:30-6:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 8. Headquarters Regional Branch, 2385 Orange Blossom Drive, Naples. collierlibrary.org
City of Naples Christmas Parade: It begins at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 9, in downtown Naples. Parade starts at 3rd Street South and 9th Avenue South. Parade heads north toward Fifth Avenue South, goes east toward Eighth Street South, and ends in front of City Hall on Eighth Street South. naplesgov.com
Tuba Christmas: Annual musical event begins at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 12, in front of Sugden Plaza along Fifth Avenue South in downtown Naples.
Gingerbread House Viewing: Head to The Ritz-Carlton, Naples, 280 Vanderbilt Beach Road, to see a full-size gingerbread house beginning at 5:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 12. ritzcarlton.com
Marine Industries Christmas Boat Parade: The 36th annual event begins at 6 p.m. Saturday Dec. 13, 2025. Watch from Naples City Dock with a ticket but the boat parade can be viewed from Pinchers Tin City, Riverwalk Restaurant, Naples Landing, Kelly’s Fish House, The Boat House on Naples Bay, and Bayview Park. More at https://www.miacc.org/event/christmas-boat-parade-on-naples-bay/
Tinkers and Toy Makers Family Day: At this free event, make ornaments, foam dart blasters, spinning tops and more at Collier Museum at Government Center, 3331 Tamiami Trail E., Naples. Saturday, Dec. 13, from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. colliermuseums.com.
Menorah lighting: Annual Chanukah celebration in Naples is 5 p.m. Monday, Dec. 15, at Mercato in North Naples. chabadnaples.com
Naples Jewish Congregation Chanukah Celebration: Tuesday, Dec. 16, at 5:30 p.m. at Arbor Trace, 1000 Arbor Lake Drive. This buffet-style event includes traditional Jewish foods. $50 for members and immediate family, $60 for non-members and $20 for kids (chicken tenders and fries). Register through naplesjewishcongregation.org by Dec. 11.
Home for the Holidays: See TheatreZone’s original festive musical in its ninth annual production. Enjoy the Christmas songs, costumes and scenery at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 19 and 20 or 2 p.m. Dec. 20 and 21. Tickets start at $50. 13275 Livingston Road, Naples. (888)966-3352 or theatre.zone
MARCO ISLAND HOLIDAY HIGHLIGHT INCLUDE BOAT PARADE
Festival of Trees: Visitors are invited to stroll through a festive gallery of decked-out trees, vote for their favorite tree, and bid in the silent auction. Dec. 2-4, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. at Marco Island Center for the Arts, 1010 Winterberry Drive, Marco Island. marcoislandart.org.
Annual Tree Lighting and Community Celebration: Enjoy cookies, hot cocoa, live music and more festivities at 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6 at Veterans’ Community Park, 901 Park Ave., Marco Island. christmasislandstyle.com.
Holiday Street Parade: Join for the annual festive fun that starts where San Marco Road meets Balfour Drive and ends where San Marco Road meets Barfield Drive. 6:30 p.m. Dec. 13. christmasislandstyle.com
Cookies and Milk with Santa: Santa will fly in via helicopter for cookies, crafts and photos. 10 a.m.-noon Dec. 17, at Mackle Park. Free event with photos for purchase. 1361 Andalusia Terrace, Marco Island. cityofmarcoisland.com.
Christmas Island Style Boat Parade: Enjoy the water-bound festive lights and decorations on the Marco Island River at 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 20. christmasislandstyle.com.
A Pioneer Christmas ― Holiday Crafts: Learn how the pioneers on Marco Island decorated for Christmas while making your own festive craft. Dec. 27 from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Marco Island Historical Museum, Marco Island Historical Museum, 180 South Heathwood Drive, Marco Island. Check colliermuseums.com for the various dates and times.
HOLIDAY STROLL, MORE IN BONITA
Christmas at Farmer Mike’s in Bonita Springs: There’s a lot to do at this seventh-annual, month-long event: Slide down a snow slide, go on a hayride, visit Santa, roast s’mores, jump in bounce houses, marvel at a three-acre field of animated lights and more. 6-9 p.m. every Friday and Saturday, Nov. 29-Dec. 20. $20 admission (free for ages 2 and younger). Farmer Mike’s U Pick, 26031 Morton Ave., Bonita Springs. (239) 498-4576 or farmermikesupick.com
Holiday Stroll in Bonita Springs: Riverside Park comes to life with holiday lights, themed photo opportunities and nightly music from dusk to 9 p.m. (unless another event is scheduled). To celebrate the city’s 25th anniversary, this year’s event features extra lights and holiday decorations. Presented by the City of Bonita Springs. Dec. 1-Jan. 1. Free. Other activities include Holiday in the Park (4:30-8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 2) and the movie “The Santa Clause 2” shown on an outdoor screen (starting at dusk Friday, Dec. 5). Riverside Park, 10451 Old 41 Road, Bonita Springs. (239) 949-6262.
Holiday in the Park in Bonita Springs: The annual event features