Christmas lights, parades & where to stay
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Christmas lights, the Cape Coral boat parade and more, Thanksgiving through New Year's in Cape Coral and Fort Myers: the 2026 events worth planning around, and a heated pool home to come back to.
Hi, we're Jamal and Kellsey, the owners of Beachy Keen, a 3-bedroom pool home in Southwest Cape Coral. Every year guests ask us what is going on around town for Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's, so we put the 2026 highlights in one place. Cape Coral and Fort Myers do the holidays Florida style: Christmas lights under palm trees, a lighted boat parade, Santa in flip-flop weather, and plenty of evenings warm enough to sit outside.
Listed in date order. Tap an event to jump to its details. Event details come from each organizer's published listings. Times can change, so please check with the organizer before you head out.
When: Saturday, November 7, 2026, 11 AM
Where: Cape Coral Parkway, Cape Coral
A hometown parade along Cape Coral Parkway honoring local veterans. Arrive early for a good spot along the route.
Source: Fort Myers Living (explore.fortmyersliving.com). Please confirm dates and times with the organizer before you go.
When: Friday and Saturday, November 27 to 28, 2026, 4 to 8 PM
Where: Cape Coral City Hall, Cape Coral
The city's Thanksgiving-weekend kickoff: tree and menorah lighting, skating, a trackless train, food trucks, visits with Santa and a holiday movie each night, plus a drone show on Saturday. A good first outing if you are in town for Thanksgiving.
Source: City of Cape Coral. Please confirm dates and times with the organizer before you go.
When: November 27, 2026 to January 3, 2027, 5:30 to 9 PM (closed December 24 and 25)
Where: Edison and Ford Winter Estates, Fort Myers
One of the best-known Christmas light displays in Southwest Florida, set in the historic winter homes and gardens of Thomas Edison and Henry Ford along the Caloosahatchee River in Fort Myers. This is a ticketed event, so buy tickets ahead for popular nights.
Source: Edison and Ford Winter Estates. Please confirm dates and times with the organizer before you go.
When: Saturday, November 28, 2026, 5 to 8 PM
Where: Gulf Coast Town Center, Fort Myers
An evening tree lighting at the outdoor shopping center near the airport, a handy stop if you are picking up holiday gifts.
Source: Gulf Coast Town Center. Please confirm dates and times with the organizer before you go.
When: November 20 to December 24, 2026
Where: Edison Mall, Fort Myers
Santa photos for the kids (and grandkids) during the season. Check the mall's schedule for daily hours and reservations.
Source: Edison Mall. Please confirm dates and times with the organizer before you go.
When: Friday, December 4, 2026, 5 to 9 PM
Where: Fort Myers River District, downtown Fort Myers
Local artists and makers in the historic downtown streets, good for one-of-a-kind gifts.
Source: Fort Myers River District. Please confirm dates and times with the organizer before you go.
When: Saturday, December 5, 2026, 4 to 10 PM
Where: Cape Coral Parkway, Cape Coral
Cape Coral's big holiday street festival on Cape Coral Parkway, with a tree lighting and free photos with Santa.
Source: Cape Coral Chamber of Commerce. Please confirm dates and times with the organizer before you go.
When: Friday, December 18, 2026, 6 to 10 PM
Where: Fort Myers River District, downtown Fort Myers
An evening of live music around the historic downtown streets of Fort Myers, with dinner spots close by.
Source: Fort Myers River District. Please confirm dates and times with the organizer before you go.
When: Saturday, December 19, 2026, 4 to 9 PM
Where: Four Freedoms Park and Bimini Basin, Cape Coral
Decorated boats parade through Bimini Basin while families watch from Four Freedoms Park. Free to watch. Beachy Keen is not on the water, but the park is a short drive from the house.
Source: City of Cape Coral. Please confirm dates and times with the organizer before you go.
The Cape Coral Farmers' Market runs on Saturday mornings in season, with local produce, baked goods, plants and crafts. It's an easy way to stock the kitchen for a holiday dinner. Source: Cape Coral Farmers' Market. Please confirm hours before you go.
Naples is about an hour's drive south of Cape Coral, depending on traffic. Please confirm times with the organizers.
A hotel room gets small fast when the whole family is in town. At Beachy Keen everyone has room to spread out, and you can make the holidays your own.
Thinking about Thanksgiving week or a Christmas vacation rental near Fort Myers? Check availability for your holiday dates or send us a message.
Between light shows and parades, here is where to find the rest of what you need for a Southwest Florida holiday.
The holidays are just the start of winter in Southwest Florida. If you'd like to stay past New Year's, Beachy Keen is set up for stays of a month or more, with a washer and dryer, a workspace and everything you need in the kitchen. See our snowbird and winter rentals page and our monthly rentals page, then ask us for winter rates for your dates. The winter calendar books early.
Looking for more to do? Our Cape Coral area guide covers beaches, parks and restaurants, and travel nurses on winter contracts can see our travel nurse housing page. Bringing the dog? Read our pet policy.
The season kicks off Thanksgiving weekend. Holiday Nights on the Lawn at Cape Coral City Hall runs November 27 and 28, 2026, and Holiday Nights at Edison and Ford Winter Estates in Fort Myers opens November 27 and runs through January 3, 2027. The Cape Coral Holiday Festival of Lights is Saturday, December 5, and the Holiday Boat-a-Long is Saturday, December 19. Please confirm times with each organizer.
In December 2026, plan around the Cape Coral Holiday Festival of Lights on Cape Coral Parkway (Saturday, December 5) and the Holiday Boat-a-Long at Four Freedoms Park and Bimini Basin (Saturday, December 19). Across the river, add Holiday Nights at Edison and Ford Winter Estates, the River District Holiday Artisan Market (December 4) and the December Music Walk (December 18). Mild weather also makes December good for beaches, parks and dinner outside.
The best-known Christmas light display in Fort Myers is Holiday Nights at Edison and Ford Winter Estates, open evenings from November 27, 2026 to January 3, 2027 (closed December 24 and 25). It is ticketed, so buy ahead for popular nights. Gulf Coast Town Center also lights its tree on Saturday, November 28.
The Cape Coral Holiday Boat-a-Long lighted boat parade is Saturday, December 19, 2026, from 4 to 9 PM, per the City of Cape Coral. Decorated boats parade through Bimini Basin, and families watch from Four Freedoms Park. It is free to watch. Arrive early for a good spot along the seawall.
Thanksgiving weekend 2026 is the start of the holiday season: Holiday Nights on the Lawn at Cape Coral City Hall (November 27 and 28), the opening of Holiday Nights at Edison and Ford Winter Estates (November 27), and the Gulf Coast Town Center tree lighting (November 28). Santa is also at Edison Mall from November 20.
Santa visits Holiday Nights on the Lawn at Cape Coral City Hall (November 27 and 28) and the Cape Coral Holiday Festival of Lights (December 5), which offers free photos with Santa. Edison Mall in Fort Myers has Santa photos from November 20 to December 24, 2026. Check the mall's schedule for daily hours and reservations.
Usually mild. December days in Cape Coral are typically in the 70s, with cooler evenings that can dip into the 50s, so bring a light jacket for outdoor light shows. A heated pool makes swimming comfortable even on cooler days.
Many Fort Myers Beach restaurants and businesses have reopened as the island rebuilds after the 2022 and 2024 hurricanes, but hours change often. See our Fort Myers Beach rebuild timeline for the latest before you drive over.
Yes. Beachy Keen has a heated private pool inside a screened lanai, so you can swim on Thanksgiving and Christmas week, even on cooler days.
Yes, when the dates are open. Holiday weeks book early, so check availability on our booking page or send us your dates. The home sleeps up to 6 guests in 3 bedrooms with 2 bathrooms and a full kitchen for holiday dinners.
No. Beachy Keen is not on the water. The lighted boat parade is best seen from Four Freedoms Park at Bimini Basin, a short drive from the house.
More answers are on our FAQ page.
Happy holidays, and we hope to host you this season!
Jamal and Kellsey
Book Direct
See live availability and book direct with Jamal and Kellsey, or message us about longer stays and monthly rates.