If you are looking for things to do in Naples, Bonita Springs, Estero or Marco Island this weekend, you are in the right place. Southwest Florida stays busy all summer long, and this weekend is no exception. From live music downtown to a museum-worthy exhibition and a morning full of muscle cars, here is what is happening around Naples and Southwest Florida from Friday, July 17 through Sunday, July 19.

Friday Night: Live Music and Live Theater

Friday kicks off with the Fort Myers Music Walk, a free event held on the third Friday of every month in the River District. From 6 to 10 p.m., downtown Fort Myers fills with live performances from local and regional musicians, right in the restaurants and streets.

If country music is more your speed, catch the Ben Allen Band at Backyard Social from 7 to 10 p.m. Allen is a Southwest Florida favorite and a former semifinalist on The Voice.

Theater fans will want to know that Disney's Frozen: The Broadway Musical opens at Arts Bonita's Hinman Auditorium at 7 p.m., with tickets starting at $24.

Saturday: Farmers Markets, Art Studios and Live Sports

Saturday mornings in Naples and Southwest Florida almost always start at a farmers market, and this weekend is no different. Markets are running in Naples, Bonita Springs, Estero, Cape Coral and Fort Myers, most starting between 8 and 9 a.m.

If you love supporting local artists, the Naples Art District opens its studios from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. It is a rare chance to meet the people behind the work and shop directly from their collections.

Sports fans can catch FC Naples take on South Georgia Tormenta FC at Paradise Coast Sports Complex at 7:30 p.m., with tickets starting at $14. Music lovers will want to head to Celebration Park for a live rock performance from Casey Bishop, from 6 to 9 p.m.

Families have plenty of options too, with Camp Rock Jr. opening at The Naples Players and Seussical KIDS taking the stage at Marco Island Center for the Arts.

Sunday: Muscle Cars, Comedy and More Farmers Markets

Sunday morning belongs to Cars and Coffee 239 at Mercato, from 9 to 11 a.m. This month's showcase spotlights American muscle cars, with live music and coffee on the lawn.

Comedy fans will not want to miss Maurice Benard, best known for playing Sonny Corinthos on General Hospital, at Off the Hook Comedy Club at 1 p.m. Farmers markets continue on Sanibel, Pine Ridge Road and in Cape Coral for anyone who missed Saturday's options.

A Few Things Running All Weekend

A handful of exhibits are worth carving out time for no matter which day you visit. Alliance for the Arts' group exhibition, The Perspectives That Shape Us, runs through August 1 and reflects the depth of Southwest Florida's creative community. The Ritz-Carlton Naples has extended its Summer Dining Passport through September 30, featuring special pricing at Dusk, Lobby Bar, Nolita and Sofra.

Why It Matters If You Are Considering a Move

Weekends like this one are a good reminder of what life in Naples and Southwest Florida actually looks like. It is not just beaches and golf, though there is plenty of both. It is live music every week, farmers markets that never really stop, an active arts community and events that fill the calendar twelve months a year, not just in season.

If you have been thinking about a move to Naples, Bonita Springs, Estero or Marco Island, this is the kind of thing worth knowing before you make a decision. The lifestyle here is not something you visit for a week and leave behind. It is something you get to live in every single weekend.

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Diane Harris

Naples & Southwest Florida Luxury Properties Specialist

Serving Naples, Bonita Springs, Estero, Marco Island, Collier and Lee County