Season has arrived in Naples and Southwest Florida. Snowbirds are settling in, restaurant patios are filling up, and the event calendar finally matches the weather. Here is your guide to what is happening from Friday, November 6 through Sunday, November 8.
Taste of Mercato Kicks Off the Season
On Saturday from 5 to 8 p.m., Mercato in North Naples hosts Taste of Mercato in The Piazza at 9110 Strada Place. Guests sample signature dishes from nine Mercato restaurants, including The 239 Naples, The Hampton Social, Old Vines, Taberna Burntwood, Violi and Waxin's, with fall sips and live music from the Brad Allison Band. Tickets are $75 per person and proceeds benefit The Guadalupe Center, a local nonprofit supporting students in Immokalee. Space is limited, so book ahead.
Open Studios in the Naples Art District
Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., the Naples Art District opens its working studios along Shirley Street, Yahl Street, Seward Avenue, J&C Boulevard and Janes Lane. Visitors can watch demonstrations, see works in progress and buy or commission original art directly from painters, sculptors, photographers, ceramicists and jewelers. Open Studios continues throughout the season, and the district's online Studio Status Tool shows which studios are open on any given day.
Worth the Drive: Florida International Air Show in Punta Gorda
The Florida International Air Show returns to Punta Gorda Airport Saturday and Sunday, celebrating America's 250th anniversary. Gates open at 9 a.m., with flying beginning around noon. Expect military aircraft, aerobatic performances, skydiving demonstrations and Red Bull Air Force pilot Kevin Coleman. Saturday's opening ceremonies include more than 80 military recruits taking their oath of enlistment. Punta Gorda is roughly an hour and fifteen minutes north of Naples.
Live Music: Richard Marx, Firefall and More
Richard Marx plays Seminole Center in Immokalee Saturday at 8 p.m., and blues guitarist Christone "Kingfish" Ingram brings The Hard Road Tour to the same stage Friday. Arts Bonita hosts Frontiers, a Journey tribute, on Friday and Firefall on Sunday. Artis Naples presents Super Duos Saturday, and the Gulf Coast Big Band opens its season at Cambier Park in downtown Naples Sunday at 2 p.m. Local favorite Rock Republic plays Sugarshack Downtown Friday, The Beer Bar at Seed to Table Saturday and Stan's in Goodland Sunday afternoon.
Family Fun and Community Events
The Florida Panther Festival runs Saturday morning at Naples Zoo, and the Illuminations Parade lights up Estero Boulevard on Fort Myers Beach Saturday evening. Artis Naples hosts Community Day on Sunday, and Yellow Ribbon Family Day fills the Event Lawn at Mercato Sunday afternoon. For something quieter, Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary leads a beginner swamp walk Saturday morning.
Comedy, Culture and Farmers Markets
Omgitswicks & Friends headline Off the Hook Comedy Cafe all weekend, and Steve Marshall plays Snappers Comedy Cafe in Fort Myers. Artis Naples previews Rock & Roll History, an exhibition of Baron Wolman's iconic photography, on Friday. Farmers markets run Saturday at Third Street South, The Shoppes at Vanderbilt, Miromar Outlets and the Promenade at Bonita Bay, with Sunday markets on Pine Ridge Road and Sanibel Island.
Looking Ahead
Cirque du Soleil brings 'Twas the Night Before... to Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall November 13-14, and Lindsey Stirling's Snow Waltz Tour arrives November 20.
Why This Weekend Matters If You Are Considering Naples or Southwest Florida
The first weekends of season show what so many people come here for. A food festival under the palms, an afternoon talking with local artists, live music almost everywhere you turn, and weather that lets you enjoy all of it outside. It is not a vacation itinerary. It is simply how people live here, week after week.
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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