Edison Festival of Light: Grand Parade date, route and seats

Last checked Oct. 8, 2026. Dates, the route and seating come from the Edison Festival of Light, the nonprofit that runs the parades. This page is updated each year at the same address.

The Edison Festival of Light Grand Parade is Saturday, Feb. 20, 2027, from 7 to 11 p.m., ending in the downtown River District. The Junior Parade is Sunday, Feb. 14, 2027, from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. The festival honors Thomas Edison, who built his winter home on the Caloosahatchee River in Fort Myers in 1885, and calls its Grand Parade the largest night parade in the Southeast.

Know before you go

• Grand Parade of Light: Saturday, Feb. 20, 2027, 7 to 11 p.m.
• Junior Parade: Sunday, Feb. 14, 2027, 1:30 to 3:30 p.m., downtown River District
• Cost to watch: free from the curb; reserved street seats and a VIP tent are sold
• Road closures: the festival posts a road closures map on its site
• No drones along the parade route
• Questions: Edison Festival of Light, 239-334-2999, info@edisonfestival.org

The Grand Parade of Light: Saturday, Feb. 20

The festival’s events page describes a two-hour night parade with national participants, local marching bands, lighted floats, local officials and law enforcement. Every float must be lit and carry a Thomas Edison theme under the parade’s rules. The festival’s 5K race page estimates 200,000 spectators line the downtown streets on parade night.

Route. The festival’s posted Grand Parade map starts the parade by Fort Myers High School and runs east to U.S. 41 (Cleveland Avenue). It then heads north on U.S. 41 to Main Street, follows Main Street to Hendry Street, goes north on Hendry to Edwards Drive, then back south on Jackson Street to the finish at Second Street.

Seats. Watching from the curb is free. The festival also sells reserved street seats on its Street Seats page, which links to four sellers: Edison Parade Street Seats, Green Wave Street Seats, Cypress Lake Street Seats and Troop 761 Street Seats.

VIP tent. A VIP tent at Edwards Drive and Hendry Street opens at 5:30 p.m. and runs until the end of the parade, with food, drinks, a DJ and VIP parade seating. Tickets are sold through the link on the events page.

The Edison Festival 5K

The 5K runs through downtown before the Grand Parade. The 2026 race page listed a 5:15 p.m. start on Jackson Street, south of Edwards Drive, and more than 1,400 runners. The 2026 fees were $30 for adults and $15 for youth through Jan. 9, $35 and $20 after that, and $40 for anyone on race day.

The Junior Parade: Sunday, Feb. 14

The festival bills the Junior Parade as Florida’s largest youth parade, with more than 100 units of floats, marching bands, street performers and clowns. The posted Junior Parade map starts on Monroe Street, then follows Hendry Street, First Street and Lee Street to the finish at Edwards Drive.

Before it, the Junior Fun Run for children in fifth grade and younger takes First Street from noon to 1 p.m. Afterward, families gather at the Sidney and Berne Davis Art Center for awards and the crowning of the Junior King and Queen.

The rest of the festival

The festival fills most of February. Its events page lists these, several still marked TBA for 2027:

• Mrs. Edison’s Hymn Sing at First Presbyterian Church downtown. Canned goods and cash are collected for the Soup Kitchen at Community Cooperative.
• Antique Car Show on the Ford lawn at the Edison and Ford Winter Estates, included with admission.
• Thomas Edison’s Birthday Celebration at the estates, free (tours not included).
• Spring Garden Festival at the estates, with close to 100 plant vendors, free (tours not included).
• Regional Inventors Fair awards and the Thomas Alva Edison Kiwanis Science and Engineering Fair at Alico Arena.
• STEMtastic Day of Discovery at the Caloosa Sound Convention Center.
• Mutt Strutt at Edwards Drive and Monroe Street, with wiener dog races and a pet parade.
• Crafts on the River, a two-day craft show along Edwards Drive, and a Classic Car Show along Edwards Drive, both listed alongside the Grand Parade.

Road closures, parking and what to know

• Closures: the festival publishes a road closures map for the parade routes in the Maps menu on its site; check it in the week before.
• Parking: downtown street parking is free on weekends; see our River District guide for the garages and lots.
• Drones: the route is a no drone zone, and the festival says drones may be impounded unless approved by the festival or the Fort Myers Police Department.
• Weather: the festival’s rules say a parade can be canceled for weather, and no rain date is published.
• Can’t make it? The festival streams the parade live from its home page.

ArtFest Fort Myers fills the same downtown waterfront two weeks earlier; see our ArtFest guide. More: things to do in Fort Myers.

Frequently asked questions

When is the Edison Festival of Light parade in 2027?

The Grand Parade of Light is Saturday, Feb. 20, 2027, from 7 to 11 p.m., and the Junior Parade is Sunday, Feb. 14, 2027, from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m., according to the Edison Festival of Light.

What is the Edison Festival of Light parade route?

The festival’s route map starts the Grand Parade by Fort Myers High School, runs north on U.S. 41 and finishes downtown by way of Main Street, Hendry Street, Edwards Drive and Jackson Street, ending at Second Street.

Can I reserve a seat for the Edison parade?

Yes. The festival sells reserved street seats through its Street Seats page, and a VIP tent at Edwards Drive and Hendry Street with parade seating opens at 5:30 p.m. on parade night.

How old is the Edison Festival of Light?

It began as the Edison Pageant of Light in 1938. The Edison Festival of Light Inc. took over the public events in 1989, and the festival says it has run for more than 89 years.

Is there a race before the Edison parade?

Yes. The Edison Festival 5K runs through downtown before the Grand Parade. In 2026 it started at 5:15 p.m. on Jackson Street, south of Edwards Drive.