Mid-November marks the real start of season in Naples and Southwest Florida. The weather is cooler, seasonal residents are back, and the weekend calendar is full of boats, music, art and food. Here is your guide to what is happening from Friday, November 13 through Sunday, November 15.
On the Water: The 54th Annual Fort Myers Boat Show
The Fort Myers Boat Show returns to the Downtown Fort Myers River District Thursday through Sunday, November 12-15, opening at 10 a.m. daily. Boats of all sizes are on display on land and in the water along the Caloosahatchee River, with marine accessories, fishing and boating seminars, food trucks and live music at Centennial Park. Admission is $20, and children 15 and under are free with a paid adult. Free parking with shuttle service is available at City of Palms Park.
For anyone dreaming about a home on the water in Naples, Bonita Springs or Marco Island, this is a great way to see what boating life here really looks like.
Holiday Magic: 'Twas the Night Before... by Cirque du Soleil
Cirque du Soleil's first-ever holiday production comes to Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall in Fort Myers with performances Friday at 7 p.m. and Saturday at 1 and 4 p.m. Inspired by the classic Christmas poem, the show blends acrobatics, aerial work, juggling and dance into a holiday story for all ages. It makes a great date night, and an easy choice if family is visiting.
Food and Wine: The USA TODAY Wine & Food Experience
Saturday from noon to 4 p.m., the USA TODAY Wine & Food Experience comes to Paradise Coast Sports Complex at 3940 City Gate Blvd. North in Naples. Guests sample signature bites from local chefs alongside wine, beer and spirits, with chef demonstrations throughout the afternoon. The event is 21 and over. Tickets are available at wineandfood.usatoday.com/naples.
Art, Community and Weekend Mornings
Naples Artcrafters hosts the Fine Arts & Craft Show at Cambier Park Saturday starting at 10 a.m. The Walk to End Alzheimer's begins at Baker Park Saturday at 8 a.m. Sunday morning, Cars and Coffee 239 brings classic and exotic cars to the Event Lawn at Mercato from 9 to 11 a.m., and the Holocaust Museum & Cohen Education Center opens its Portraits of Memory gallery at 3:30 p.m. Sunday evening, the November Night Market at Canary Club in Bonita Springs runs from 6 to 9 p.m. Farmers markets run Saturday at Third Street South, The Shoppes at Vanderbilt and the Promenade at Bonita Bay, with Sunday markets on Pine Ridge Road and Sanibel Island.
Live Music, Comedy and the Classics
Here Come the Mummies play Arts Bonita Friday night, followed by Given to Fly: The Pearl Jam Experience on Saturday and Sam Morrow on Sunday. Bryan Callen headlines Off the Hook Comedy Cafe Friday through Sunday. The Gulf Coast Symphony performs Haydn & Mozart Saturday in Fort Myers, the Naples Big Band plays Cambier Park Sunday at 2 p.m., and the Naples Philharmonic performs Beethoven's Septet at Artis Naples Sunday at 3 p.m. Live music fills patios all weekend, from Dogtooth Sports Bar and Blue Martini in Naples to Sugarshack Downtown in Bonita Springs and the Snook Inn on Marco Island.
Looking Ahead
Films Al Fresco screens A Christmas Story at Mercato November 17. Floyd Nation and PAWty in the Piazza are both November 19, Lindsey Stirling brings her Snow Waltz Tour to Barbara B. Mann November 20, and Thanksgiving at Mercato is November 26.
Why This Weekend Matters If You Are Considering Naples or Southwest Florida
A weekend like this one is what season feels like here. A morning on the docks looking at boats, an afternoon of local food and wine, a holiday show in the evening, and Sunday at the farmers market. It is not a vacation. It is simply how people live here once the weather turns cold up north.
If Naples has been on your mind, whether as a second home, a future move, or a place you are still getting to know, I am always happy to be a resource. Reach out anytime, or sign up for This Week in Paradise, my weekly guide to living, playing and owning in Southwest Florida, delivered to your inbox every Friday.
Diane Harris, Realtor and Luxury Properties Specialist
Serving Naples, Bonita Springs, Estero, Marco Island, Collier County, Lee County and the surrounding Southwest Florida area
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