Holiday Nights lights at the Edison and Ford Winter Estates run Nov. 27 to Jan. 3. Plus Santa at Edison Mall, a tree lighting and the Holiday Artisan Market.

Last checked Oct. 8, 2026. This page is updated each year at the same address. Sources: the Edison and Ford Winter Estates 2026-27 events calendar (PDF), Edison Mall, Gulf Coast Town Center, the Fort Myers River District and the City of Fort Myers events calendar. Edison and Ford Winter Estates: 239-334-7419.

The biggest holiday light display in Fort Myers is the oldest: Holiday Nights at Thomas Edison’s and Henry Ford’s winter homes on McGregor Boulevard, which lights the riverfront grounds every night from Thanksgiving weekend into January. Around it are Santa at Edison Mall, a tree lighting at Gulf Coast Town Center and a Friday night holiday market on the closed streets downtown.

The downtown lighting ceremony and any city parade are on a separate page: Christmas parade and tree lighting in Fort Myers.

At a glance

  • Holiday Nights: Nov. 27 to Jan. 3, 5:30 to 9 p.m., closed Dec. 24 and 25. 2350 McGregor Blvd.
  • Santa: Edison Mall, Nov. 20 to Dec. 24.
  • Tree lighting: Gulf Coast Town Center, 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 28.
  • Holiday Artisan Market: downtown, 5 to 9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 4.

Light displays

Holiday Nights, Edison and Ford Winter Estates, 2350 McGregor Blvd. The estates’ 2026-27 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. Admission is charged; tickets and prices are on the estates’ site once they are posted. The estates also hold a Bromeliad Sale on Dec. 5-6.

Gulf Coast Town Center, 9903 Gulf Coast Main St. The center lights its tree at its 9th annual Tree Lighting Ceremony, 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 28, with Candy Cane Lane, holiday entertainment, Santa and Mrs. Claus, and face painting. Guests are asked to bring a new, unwrapped toy or a cash donation for Ronald McDonald House Charities of Southwest Florida.

Neighborhood displays: if your street goes all out, tell the newsroom with the address range and the nights it is lit, and we will consider it for this list.

Santa visits

Date Event Where
Nov. 20 to Dec. 24 Photos and visits with Santa; walk-ups welcome, online booking Edison Mall, Dillard’s Concourse, 4125 Cleveland Ave.
Saturday, Nov. 28, 5 to 8 p.m. Santa and Mrs. Claus at the tree lighting Gulf Coast Town Center
Sunday, Dec. 6, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Sensitive Santa, a supportive visit for children with sensory, physical or developmental needs Edison Mall
Monday, Dec. 7, 5 to 7 p.m. Paws and Claus, pet photos with Santa Edison Mall

Edison Mall is closed on Thanksgiving Day, so there is no Santa that day. City Santa events from last season, including Breakfast with Santa and Miracle on Broadway at the Skatium, are on our Christmas parade and tree lighting page; the city had not posted 2026 dates when we checked.

Holiday markets downtown

  • Holiday Artisan Market: the River District’s December Art Walk, 5 to 9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 4, on the closed streets around First and Hendry, with art, crafts and music. River District: 239-313-5129.
  • December Music Walk: 6 to 10 p.m. Friday, Dec. 18, same streets.

More holiday shopping, store hours and Small Business Saturday are on our Black Friday and holiday shopping page.

Hanukkah

Hanukkah 2026 begins at sundown on Friday, Dec. 4. No public menorah lighting in Fort Myers had been announced when we checked. Congregations and organizations holding one can send us the details and we will add them here.

What this means for you

  • Holiday Nights is the one to plan for: it runs every night except Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
  • Edison Mall’s Santa starts the week before Thanksgiving; Sensitive Santa is Dec. 6.
  • Christmas Day is Friday, Dec. 25: city trash routes for Friday move to Saturday, Dec. 26, under the city’s holiday collection schedule, and LeeTran does not run.

Related: Christmas parade and tree lighting, New Year’s Eve in Fort Myers and things to do this month.

Frequently asked questions

When is Holiday Nights at the Edison and Ford Winter Estates in 2026?

From Friday, Nov. 27, 2026, through Sunday, Jan. 3, 2027, 5:30 to 9 p.m. nightly, closed Dec. 24 and 25, according to the estates’ 2026-27 events calendar.

Where can I see Santa in Fort Myers?

Edison Mall has Santa in the Dillard’s Concourse from Friday, Nov. 20, through Christmas Eve, plus a Sensitive Santa morning on Sunday, Dec. 6, and pet photos on Monday, Dec. 7.

When is the Gulf Coast Town Center tree lighting?

The 9th annual Tree Lighting Ceremony is 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 28, 2026, with Candy Cane Lane and Santa and Mrs. Claus.

Is there a Christmas market in downtown Fort Myers?

Yes. The River District’s December Art Walk is the Holiday Artisan Market, 5 to 9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 4, 2026, around First and Hendry streets.