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Annual Events On The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel
There are events all year long on The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel, but here are a few of the highlights.
There are events all year long on The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel, but here are a few of the highlights.
Edison Festival of Lights – All February long, Fort Myers celebrates the birthday of its most illustrious historical figure, Thomas A. Edison, in befitting fashion. Edison, who built a home on the banks of the Caloosahatchee River and spent winters there, invented the lightbulb. So it’s apropos that the month of activities culminates with a lighted night parade. Invention competitions, parties, craft shows and a 5K run are all part of the hoopla. 239-334-2999, www.edisonfestival.org
  Edison Festival of Lights concertCourtesy of the Edison Festival of Lights |
Artfest Fort Myers – Each February, Fort Myers’ free, two-day arts celebration decorates downtown with the first-class artwork of more than 200 recognized artists from across the country. Enjoy live entertainment, a high school art competition, and children’s art activities. 239-768-3602, www.artfestfortmyers.com
Southwest Florida and Lee County Fair – Come to a good old-fashioned county fair with Midway rides and agricultural exhibits at North Fort Myers’ Lee Civic Center grounds. It runs for 10 days the end of February into early March. 239-543-8368, www.leeciviccenter.com
Sanibel Shell Fair & Show – For 70 years, folks have gathered on Sanibel Island to celebrate its beaches’ worldwide reputation for seashells. The Shell Fair features shell displays and crafts, food and entertainment for three days in early March. Admission to the fair is free. For admission to the inside shell show, a donation of $3 per person is recommended. 239-472-2155, www.sanibelcommunityhouse.com
 Sanibel Shell Fair and Show |
Fort Myers Beach Shrimp Festival & Parade – Two days of festivities in March pay homage to Fort Myers Beach’s harvest of sweet, pink shrimp. It’s an event that’s been around for close to 50 years. The local Lions Club boils up 1,000 pounds of shrimp for the 40,000 people who attend. Other activities include a 5K Treasure Run, kids run, parade and crowning of the Shrimp Queen. 239-454-7500, www.fmbchamber.com
River & Blues Festival – Hosted by the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association, this one-day music- and food-lovers’ extravaganza every April takes place on the scenic Caloosahatchee River in what’s known as the River District, historic downtown Fort Myers. Area restaurants dish out appetizing menu items, national bands serve up tasty tunes and specially planned activities amuse the children. The event benefits the Harry Chapin Food Bank. 239-338-3500, www.riverandbluesfestival.com
MangoMania Tropical Fruit Fair – The Pine Island mango headlines for two days in mid-July as fans go crazy for mango preserves, milkshakes, cakes, cookies – you name it. The festival also presents live music, kids activities and rides, contests and other diversions. Admission is $6 for adults, free for children ages 9 and younger. 239-283-0888, www.mangomaniafl.com
 The annual River & Blues Festival |
"Ding" Darling Days – In conjunction with National Wildlife Refuge Week, Sanibel Island’s J.N. “Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge hosts a weeklong birding and eco-festival in October. Activities culminate in Saturday Family Fun Day, where everything is free, including narrated tram refuge tours, hot dogs, beverages and wildlife presentations. 239-472-1100, www.dingdarlingdays.com
American Sandsculpting Championship Festival – Fort Myers Beach and its famously moldable sand host this major competition during five days in mid-November. In addition to witnessing the Master Sculptors Competition, spectators can participate in an amateur’s contest. Broadcast music, demonstrations and beach barbecues keep the free, 20-year-old event lively. 239-454-7500, www.sandfestival.com
CoCoNut Festival – In Cape Coral, November means “party" for one entire weekend in the middle of the month at Sun Splash Festival Grounds. Lively up yourself in tropical mode with national musical acts, gymnastic entertainment, carnival rides, tropical food, waterskiing shows, contests, coconut crafts, fireworks and more. 239-573-3121, www.cocofest.com
Holiday House – The Edison & Ford Winter Estates gets electrified with a million twinkling lights for the entire month of December, and local musicians perform nightly. Holiday House pays tribute to the friendship of Thomas Edison and Henry Ford and the festivity of the season at a more than 30-year-old Fort Myers tradition that some 30,000 visitors enjoy each year. Admission is $15 for adults, $1 for children ages 6-12. 239-334-7419, www.efwefla.org/hh.asp
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