Holiday Nights at the Edison and Ford Winter Estates runs Nov. 27, 2026, to Jan. 3, 2027. The downtown lighting is at the Sidney and Berne Davis Art Center.
Last checked Oct. 8, 2026. This page is updated each year. Most 2026 holiday dates are not out yet, so the downtown events below are from 2025 (and the last tree lighting the River District posted, in 2024) and say so. The Edison and Ford Winter Estates has published its 2026 dates. Sources: the City of Fort Myers events calendar, the Fort Myers River District and the Edison and Ford Winter Estates.
Fort Myers’ holiday season centers on downtown and McGregor Boulevard: a lighting ceremony at the Sidney and Berne Davis Art Center on First Street, Santa events at city venues, and Holiday Nights, the decades-old light display at Thomas Edison’s and Henry Ford’s winter homes.
Who to call
- Edison and Ford Winter Estates: 239-334-7419, 2350 McGregor Blvd.
- Sidney and Berne Davis Art Center: 239-333-1933, 2301 First St.
- City of Fort Myers: City Hall, 239-321-7000
- Official pages: the city’s events calendar and the estates’ events calendar
Holiday Nights: Nov. 27, 2026, to Jan. 3, 2027
The Edison and Ford Winter Estates’ 2026-27 major events calendar lists Holiday Nights from Friday, Nov. 27, 2026, through Sunday, Jan. 3, 2027, 5:30 to 9 p.m. nightly, closed Dec. 24 and 25. Last season, the city’s listing called it the 50th annual celebration, with thousands of lights and hundreds of historic decorations. 2025-26 admission was $23 for adults, $13 for teens 13 to 19, $3 for children 6 to 12 and free for children 5 and younger and members, with $5 off for Lee County residents with ID on Monday nights. Check the estates for 2026 prices.
Tree and wreath lighting downtown
The downtown lighting is held at the Sidney and Berne Davis Art Center, 2301 First St.:
- 2024: the River District’s annual Downtown Tree Lighting, 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 29, with carols, Santa and snow, free. Listing.
- 2025: the art center’s annual Giant Wreath Lighting Ceremony, 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5, followed by a free concert. Listing.
The art center’s Festival of Trees, trees decorated by local businesses to raise money for Goodwill of Southwest Florida and the art center, ran Dec. 4-7, 2025, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; admission was $2, free with a new toy and free for children under 5. Listing.
Parades
We found no citywide Christmas parade on the City of Fort Myers’ 2025 calendar. The city’s Holiday in the Park at Roberto Clemente Park, 1936 Henderson Ave., on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, 2 to 7 p.m., included a Soul Santa Parade and Living Museum along with train rides, food trucks and live music, as part of the park’s grand reopening with the Lee County Black History Society. Listing.
Santa and holiday events in 2025
| Date (2025) | Event | Where | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Friday, Dec. 5, 5 to 9 p.m. | Miracle on Broadway: Santa and Mrs. Claus at 6 p.m., free skating at 6 and 8:30 p.m. | Skatium, 2250 Broadway | Free |
| Saturday, Dec. 6, 9 a.m. to noon | Breakfast with Santa, with a free toy while supplies last | City of Palms Park east lot, 2201 Edison Ave. | Free |
| Saturday, Dec. 6, 5 p.m. | Holly Jolly Ice Show Spectacular | Skatium, 2250 Broadway | From $10 |
What this means for you
- Holiday Nights dates for this season are set: Nov. 27 to Jan. 3, closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
- Watch this page in November for the downtown lighting and city Santa events.
- Downtown parking: see getting around Fort Myers.
Related: holiday lights and Christmas events, things to do this month, history and landmarks and parks and trails.
Frequently asked questions
When is the Fort Myers tree lighting?
The 2026 date is not out yet. The downtown lighting is held at the Sidney and Berne Davis Art Center, 2301 First St.: a tree lighting at 7 p.m. Nov. 29, 2024, and a giant wreath lighting at 7 p.m. Dec. 5, 2025.
Does Fort Myers have a Christmas parade?
The city’s 2025 calendar listed no citywide Christmas parade. Its Holiday in the Park at Roberto Clemente Park on Dec. 6, 2025, included a Soul Santa Parade.
When is Holiday Nights at the Edison and Ford Winter Estates?
Nightly from Nov. 27, 2026, to Jan. 3, 2027, 5:30 to 9 p.m., closed Dec. 24 and 25, according to the estates’ 2026-27 events calendar.
Where can kids see Santa in Fort Myers?
In 2025 Santa visited the city’s free Miracle on Broadway at the Skatium on Dec. 5 and the free Breakfast with Santa downtown on Dec. 6. The 2026 dates are not out yet.
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