Downtown Fort Myers' River District: brick streets, Art Walk and Music Walk, Florida Rep, the riverfront, the farmers market, free weekend parking and history.
Last checked Oct. 8, 2026. Sources: the Fort Myers River District and its event listings, the City of Fort Myers’ parking page, events calendar and Centennial Park page, Florida Repertory Theatre and our history and landmarks guide. River District: 239-313-5129.
The River District is downtown Fort Myers: the brick-paved blocks along the Caloosahatchee River, around First Street, Main Street, Bay Street and Hendry Street. It is the city’s oldest commercial district, its restaurant and bar quarter, its theater district and, on two Friday nights a month, a street party. The district’s own promoters say downtown has more historic buildings still standing than anywhere else in Southwest Florida.
At a glance
- Art Walk: first Friday, 5 to 9 p.m., First and Hendry
- Music Walk: third Friday, 6 to 10 p.m., First and Hendry
- Farmers market: Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Parking: street parking free weekends and after 5 p.m. weekdays
- River District: 239-313-5129. City Hall: 2200 Second St., 239-321-7000
The monthly walks
Art Walk fills the closed historic streets around First and Hendry on the first Friday of every month from 5 to 9 p.m., with art, music and artist vendors, plus the Children’s Entrepreneur Market, where children sell products they make. December’s Art Walk, on Dec. 4, 2026, is the Holiday Artisan Market.
Music Walk takes over the same streets on the third Friday of every month from 6 to 10 p.m.: soloists, singers, DJs, full bands, drummers, trios and duets. The River District says Art and Music Walks have run monthly for more than a decade.
| 2026 dates | Event | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Friday, Oct. 16 | Music Walk | 6 to 10 p.m. |
| Friday, Nov. 6 | Art Walk | 5 to 9 p.m. |
| Friday, Nov. 20 | Music Walk | 6 to 10 p.m. |
| Friday, Dec. 4 | Art Walk: Holiday Artisan Market | 5 to 9 p.m. |
| Friday, Dec. 18 | Music Walk | 6 to 10 p.m. |
| Thursday, Dec. 31 | Downtown NYE Celebration | 6 p.m. to 12:15 a.m. |
Theater and the arts
- Florida Repertory Theatre, 2268 Bay St. A professional theater company with two stages: the Historic Arcade Theatre and the smaller ArtStage Studio Theatre. Its 2026-27 season runs Sept. 18, 2026, to May 9, 2027. Box office: 239-332-4488.
- Sidney and Berne Davis Art Center, 2301 First St. The arts center in the 1933 former federal courthouse, home of downtown holiday lightings and the October Wicked Walk.
- Caloosa Sound Amphitheater, 2101 Edwards Drive. A downtown concert venue; the River District lists CAKE there on Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026.
The riverfront
Centennial Park, 2000 W. First St. A 10-acre city park on the Caloosahatchee in the historic downtown, with boat docks, a fishing pier, a launching ramp, covered pavilions, a playground and volleyball. The city’s Palm City Cinema: Reels on the River free movie nights are held here; the next is 6:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 9, 2026, according to the city’s listing.
Oxbow Bar and Grill, 1300 Hendry St., is a dockside restaurant on the river; see brunch in Fort Myers.
Food, drink and the market
The River District calls its restaurant blocks the Culinary District. The Fort Myers Culinary District Farmers Market runs Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. downtown, according to the city. Restaurants, bars and late openings are on our date night and live music and nightlife guides.
Parking
From the City of Fort Myers’ parking page:
- On-street parking is free all weekend and after 5 p.m. on weekdays.
- The city runs three downtown garages; the two busiest are the City of Palms Garage and the Main Street Garage. From June 25 through Oct. 31, 2026, the first two hours in the garages are free.
- Vehicles with a disabled placard or plate get four free hours at any on-street metered space, under Florida law.
More, including LeeTran buses into downtown, is on our getting around Fort Myers guide.
A little history
The Fort Myers Downtown Commercial District, about 82 acres of the River District, was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on Jan. 26, 1990. It takes in the old Lee County Courthouse on Main Street. The city itself was incorporated on Aug. 12, 1885. The full story is on our history and landmarks page.
What this means for you
- Plan a downtown night around the first or third Friday, and expect the streets around First and Hendry to be closed to cars.
- Park on the street for free after 5 p.m. on weekdays and all weekend.
- For a show, check Florida Rep’s season; for a concert, the Caloosa Sound Amphitheater.
Related: free things to do, New Year’s Eve in Fort Myers and farmers markets.
Frequently asked questions
When is Art Walk in downtown Fort Myers?
On the first Friday of every month, 5 to 9 p.m., on the closed streets around First and Hendry, with artist vendors and a children’s entrepreneur market. The next ones are Nov. 6 and Dec. 4, 2026.
When is Music Walk in Fort Myers?
On the third Friday of every month, 6 to 10 p.m., around First and Hendry streets, with soloists, bands and DJs. The next ones are Nov. 20 and Dec. 18, 2026.
Is parking free in downtown Fort Myers?
The City of Fort Myers says on-street parking downtown is free all weekend and after 5 p.m. on weekdays. Through Oct. 31, 2026, the first two hours are free in the city’s three downtown garages.
Is downtown Fort Myers a historic district?
Yes. The Fort Myers Downtown Commercial District, about 82 acres, was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on Jan. 26, 1990.
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