It’s holiday season in Lee County and winter break is right around the corner, which means that holiday festivities are back. Lee County has many holiday experiences and activities for you and your friends and family of all ages. 

Sitting inside for the holiday season could be a depressing time, therefore it’s only right to go outside and dip yourself into the pool of Christmas joy and holiday festivities.

For starters, in Fort Myers there is the annual returning of the 48th Edison and Ford estate Holiday Nights located in downtown Fort Myers River District. This is a fun activity that you and your friends and family can enjoy by walking through the beautiful estate, filled with thousands of holiday lights and historical decorations for the holiday season. This experience is fun for all ages and is a beautiful way to get into the holiday spirit. This event will be open throughout December, ending on the 31st.

Another holiday experience is located in Lakes Park Fort Myers from December 15th to December 31st, and this is the Holiday Express Train. The train village has been transformed into a dazzling display of holiday decorations. The scale model railroad is all set for enchanting night time rides, fitting to be especially fun for younger children, but also very enjoyable for the whole family.

Another favorite of the holiday season, especially for the holiday classic fans, is the Nutcracker ballet. This astonishing holiday performance will be at Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall on December 29th and December 30th. While on the topic of performances, returning to Broadway Palm is “Elf” the musical, at Broadway Palm dinner theater, open till December 25th.

For all of the classic Christmas tree lovers, there are multiple Christmas tree yards where you and your family can go pick your favorite tree to bring home and decorate for the holidays. A local tree business is Uncle Al’s Christmas Trees, located in Fort Myers, but there’s also numerous tree pop up yards throughout Cape Coral.

If you’re in a crafty holiday spirit, you won’t want to miss the Christmas Arts and Crafts fair at Bell Tower this season. This event is perfect for all ages and will take place on December 17th from 10am to 3pm.

Anticipated by many locals comes the return of the over 40 year old tradition. This is the Cape Coral Christmas Boat Parade at Four Freedoms park featuring the boat parade, stage entertainment and performances, food vendors and the chance for children to meet Santa and his Elves. This event will be held on December 15th from 4-10pm.

If none of these events spark your interest, it’s always fun to make your own holiday activities like secret santa with friends and family. Another activity could be gathering friends and family to go caroling throughout your community. Maybe you have a sweet tooth, then it’s never too late to get into baking gingerbread cookies or decorating gingerbread houses. The possibilities of holiday festivities are endless.