Local SWFL Events
Local SWFL events are celebrated by our residents, tourists and neighboring cities alike. Join in on the fun for people of all ages! For more information on things to do and events in Naples, Marco Island and the Everglades, visit the current events calendar at www.ParadiseCoast.com.
Evening on Fifth
Downtown Naples Association | Musicians and entertainers perform free the 2nd Thursday evening of the month along Fifth Avenue South in downtown Naples.
Thursdays on Third
Third Street South | Musicians and entertainers perform free every Thursday evening between October and May and every Third Thursday between June and September along Third Street South in downtown Naples.
Southwest Florida Nature Festival
Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve | Guided trips to birding hot spots, educational and fun family activities from January 15-17, 2010.
Mullet Festival
Stan’s Idle Hour | A colorful weekend of seafood, arts & crafts, music and wild fun and silliness, including the Buzzard Lope Dance Contest, all at Stan’s Idle Hour in the village of Goodland on Marco Island from January 30-31, 2010.
Wine on Water
Wine on Water Festival | A series of publicly accessible, value priced wine tasting experiences from January 27-31, 2010 on board sightseeing boats and at waterfront locations in Naples.
Naples Winter Wine Festival
Naples Winter Wine Festival | An exclusive annual event, now the most successful charity wine auction in the world. World-class vintners and chefs descend on Naples from January 29-31, 2010 to entertain the bidders at this star-studded event.
34th Annual Everglades Seafood Festival
Everglades Seafood Festival | Indulge in fresh seafood, enjoy top county music, arts & crafts and more in Everglades City from February 5-7, 2010.
ACE Group Classic PGA Champions Tour
ACE Group Classic | This year’s ACE Group Classic takes place February 8-14, 2010 and moves play to The Golf Lodge at The Quarry
Naples National Art Festival
Naples Art Association | One of the top juried art shows in the Southeast takes place at Naples’ Cambier Park February 20-21, 2010.
Mercato Fine Arts Festival
Mercato Fine Arts Festival | This inaugural juried festival takes place March 6-7, 2010 and will showcase works in all media by 125 artists from across the country. Enjoy the art surrounded by great shopping and dining at the Mercato in north Naples.
St. Patrick’s Day Parade
The annual downtown Naples St. Patrick’s Day Parade happens on March 13, 2010. The route begins at 11 a.m. at 3rd St. South then turns east on 5th Ave. South.
Florida Panther Week
Friends of the Florida Panther Refuge | Join in on free guided activities at Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge, Big Cypress National Preserve and other locations, Hikes, bike rides, interpretive seminars and much more from March 13-20, 2010.
Naples Music Festival
Garden of Hope and Courage | Foreigner, The Spinners and Powerhouse perform live on March 21, 2010 at Third Street South to benefit the Garden of Hope and Courage.
Naples Downtown Festival of the Arts
Downtown Naples Association | Fifth Avenue South, Naples on March 27-28, 2010
5th Annual Paradise Coast Kayak Festival
Paradise Coast Paddlers Club | On the beach behind Capri Fish House, Isles of Capri on April 11, 2010
Sea Turtle Nesting Season
The annual season for sea turtles to build nests and lay their eggs on Southwest Florida beaches is May 1 – October 31. Regulations require beachside lighting to be turned off to avoid disorienting turtle hatchlings making their way to the Gulf of Mexico.
Taste of Collier
Taste of Collier | On May 2, 2010, sample the tastiest treats from Collier County’s top restaurants. Now located at Bayfront.
Great Dock Canoe Race
Great Dock Canoe Race | Wildly decorated canoes and costumed paddlers compete in this annual “just for fun” race event in Naples Bay in front of The Dock restaurant and Naples City Dock. Watch this race on Saturday, May 8, 2010
EVP Pro Volleyball Tour
Sports Council of Collier County | Head to Vanderbilt Beach for all the action in the sand at the annual EVP Extreme Volleyball Tour event in Naples on May 29, 2010
SummerJazz on the Gulf
Naples Beach Hotel & Golf Club | Free summer jazz concerts on the lawn overlooking the Gulf of Mexico at the Naples Beach Hotel & Golf Club. There’s one concert per month in June, July, August and September.
Spammy Jammy
Little Bar Restaurant | Crazy party at Little Bar Restaurant in the village of Goodland on Marco Island. Revelers appease the Hurricane gods with contributions of creative SPAM sculptures. Attendees come in their best pajamas. Don’t ask, just show up and have a great time in late June, 2010
Naples 4th of July Parade and Fireworks
www.naplesgov.com | Enjoy the parade from 10 to Noon in downtown Naples. Free fireworks show from Naples Pier at 9 pm on July 4, 2010
Clyde Butcher’s Annual Labor Day Muck-About
www.clydebutcher.com | September 4-6, 2010 is a weekend filled with guided swamp walks in the Big Cypress National Preserve, Florida folk music, large format camera demonstrations, food and more.
60th Annual Swamp Buggy Parade
Swamp Buggy Races | Naples’ oldest and most unique parade. Watch the swamp buggies parade in October 2010 downtown prior to the start of the Fall Classic races.
Swamp Buggy Fall Classic
Swamp Buggy Races | The world’s fastest and muddiest races! Only at Florida Sports Park in Naples in October 2010
Celebrate the Arts Month
United Arts Council of Collier County | Annual celebration of the arts throughout Collier County with hundreds of artistic shows, performances and events during the month of November
Naples International Film Festival
Naples International Film Festival | Silverspot Luxury Cinema at Mercato on November 4-7, 2010
Hats in the Garden Luncheon & Fashion Show
Naples Botanical Garden | Annual fundraiser for Naples Botanical Garden focused on high fashion happens in November 2010
Paradise Coast Kayak Symposium
Saltwater Sports | Five days of kayak-related events, seminars, races, tours and more during November at various locations in Collier County.
Festival of Lights
Third Street South | Annual start to the holiday season happens November 22, 2010 in Old Naples, with the ceremonial tree lighting, music and snow falling throughout the evening.
Celebration of Lights
Third Street South | Nightly holiday entertainment and snow falling all along Third Street South on November 22, 23, 25, 26, 27, 2010.
Shark Shootout
Shark Shootout 2009 | Greg Norman’s annual PGA-sanctioned nationally televised tournament event takes place in December at Tiburon Golf Club at The Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort, Naples.