December 1, 2018 • Kid-Friendly Activities
Looking ahead to December!! The holiday season will begin with a bang!!!! So many family friendly choices on December 1st!!!
Santa Visits Shell Factory
Shell Factory And Nature Park, 2787 North Tamiami Trail, North Fort Myers
Dec. 1, 2 and 8, 15 – 16, 22 – 23 at 10 a.m.
Shell Factory & Nature Park offers unique, outdoor family fun with over 400 animals, petting zoo, Soaring Eagle Zip Line, bumper boats, 4 free museums, a full service restaurant, an arcade, Safari Cafe, a Fudge Shop, 68,000 sq ft retail space with a Christmas house and more. 239-995-2141
Fort Myers Beach Christmas Boat Parade
North Matanzas Pass, Fort Myers Beach
Saturday, Dec. 1 • 6 p.m.
The parade travels through the back bay & will pass by establishments such as Parrot Key, Matanzas on the Bay, Doc Ford’s and Nervous Nellies where you can kick back and enjoy the fun. The parade will pass though Matanzas Harbor and the first two canals of Siesta Isles. 239-454-7500
Light Up Estero
Estero Park, 9200 Corkscrew Palms Blvd., Estero
Saturday, December 1 • 4 – 7 p.m.
Enjoy food, music, kid-friendly crafts, a visit from Santa and family fun at the annual holiday tree lighting ceremony.
This is a free event hosted by The Estero Rotary Club. 239-533-1470
Family Fun Day-Santa’s Block Party
Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center, 2301 1st St., Fort Myers
Saturday, December 1 • 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
An opportunity for kids to create holiday art, color Christmas and holiday cards, decorate cookies from Publix, and build a wooden craft with The Home Depot. Kids can also write letters to Santa and our military service members, play games, and bounce in a bounce house. Admission to the Children’s Workshop is just $6 per child. 239-333-1933
Santa Fest 2018
Wa-Ke Hatchee Recreation Center, 16760 Bass Road, Fort Myers
Saturday, December 1 • 9 a.m. to noon
Come join us at the Wa-Ke Hatchee Recreation Center Annual Santa Fest. Santa Claus is coming to town and he wants to have breakfast with you! Enjoy fun activities and crafts, and bring your camera for a great photo opportunity with the jolly man himself. Cost: $5/child or a toy donation. 239-432-2154
Gulf Coast Symphony: The Nutcracker
Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall, 13350 FSW Parkway, Fort Myers
Saturday, December 1 • 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Gulfshore Ballet and Gulf Coast Symphony present Tchaikovsky’s holiday classic, The Nutcracker. This two-act ballet is based on a story by E.T.A. Hoffmann that centers on a family’s Christmas Eve celebration. It is a great introduction to classical music and dance for children. Performed with full symphony orchestra. 239-481-4849
Bonita Springs Holiday In The Park
Riverside Park, 10450 Reynolds Street, Bonita Springs
Tuesday, December 4 • 4:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Come enjoy the sounds of the season featuring the very popular blizzard with a giant snow slide, snow piles for
the children, train rides and free cookies and cider! Santa and Mrs. Claus will arrive by horse and carriage! Free. www.cityofbonitasprings.org
Jingle Bell Bash
Children’s Museum of Naples, 15080 Livingston Rd, Naples
Saturday, December 1 • 6 – 8 p.m.
Friends from around the community will join us for an evening of winter fun, a tree lighting ceremony, snacks, and appearances by Santa and Mrs. Claus and fun activities all night long. Tickets are $10/C’mon Members and $20/General Public. Buy yours now at www.cmon.org.
Winter Wonderland Christmas Breakfast!
Chick-Fil-A Cypress Lake, 13610 S Tamiami Trail Fort Myers
Saturday, December 1 • 8:30 a.m. or 9:30 a.m.
Join us for a magical morning of crafts, slime, and letters to Santa. Special guest appearance by Elsa and Olaf. Space is limited, RSVP for our 8:30 a.m. or 9:30 a.m. seating. 239-433-9030
Holiday Festival of Lights
Cape Coral Parkway, Downtown Cape Coral, between SE 15th Ave. and Candia Street
Saturday, December 1 • 4 – 10 p.m.
For over 28 years, downtown Cape Coral has hosted the largest Holiday celebration between Tampa and Miami. Over 20,000 family, friends and neighbors will gather together to ring in the holiday season. Lots of holiday fun including the official tree lighting and Santa’s arrival, FREE Kidz Street play area, Tiny Tots Train ride, 25 ton Snowdrift Slide, over 20 holiday performances on 4 stages. www.capecoralchamber.com