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January – What’s Happening in Southwest Florida

January 5, 2021 |

HAPPY NEW YEAR! We’ve found many things to be excited about in this issue of What’s Happening in Southwest Florida.

Broadway Palm Dinner Theater presents:

  • Happy Days | The Broadway Musical | Now thru February 14| ​ Happy days are here again as all your favorite characters are back including Richie, Potsie, Ralph Malph and the “king of cool” Arthur “The Fonz” Fonzarelli in this all-new musical based on the hit TV series. The famed drive-in malt shop and number one hangout Arnold’s is in danger of demolition, so the gang comes up with a plan to help. Return to the days of 1959 Milwaukee complete with varsity sweaters, hula hoops, and jukebox sock-hoppin” fun!

Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center

New art exhibit every month from local to world-renowned artists. Exhibits are open from January 1- 27th. Call ahead for gallery hours for other times, 239.333.1933. $1 Donation Entry Fee. This month’s exhibits feature:

  • Vision of the Underworld | Vision of the Underworld is a project that brings personal and universal dreamscapes to life. The paintings are a retrospective of past works and a debut of new paintings not yet fully witnessed.

25th Annual Naples New Year’s| January 2 -3
The show is held in the heart of downtown Naples. Guests can enjoy cultural art set-ups along 5th Ave South. Artistic mediums include ceramics, digital art, fiber/leather, furniture, glass, graphics/printmaking, jewelry, metal, mixed media 2D, painting, photography, sculpture, and wood.

Cape Coral Art Festival & Market Place| January 4 -31
This year, the Cape Coral Art Festival & Market Place will not be held in person. You will be able to explore the event from your computer where you will be able to add/remove items in your cart. Live events online during the festival weekend!

Yappy Hour at Bell Tower Shops | January 8 from 6 – 8 pm
The area’s largest pet-friendly social hour, providing an evening of fun for pet lovers and their four-legged friends. Yappy Hour runs from 6 – 8 PM the second Friday of every month (weather permitting) in center court of Bell Tower Shops.

Fort Myers Seafood & Music Festival |  January 8-10
The 3rd Annual Fort Myers Seafood & Music Festival will be held on the waterfront in the historic downtown Fort Myers. Festivities begin January 8th from 4 PM to 10 PM, January 9th from 11 AM to 10 PM, and January 10 from 11 AM to 6 PM. General admission is FREE! Enjoy foods cooked fresh on site with a variety of side dishes and desserts. Enjoy live musical performances while eating.

Día de Los Reyes Festival |  January 9 from 1 – 5 PM
Día de Los Reyes is an outdoor family festival located at the Brotherhood of Heroes Resource Center & Museum. It honors the Hispanic tradition of the three kings’ holiday. Enjoy food, a domino tournament, cigar rolling demonstration, and interactive activities/entertainment throughout the festival.

Fort Myers Vegi Festival |  January 10 from 10 AM – 4 PM
Find healthy plant-based foods and local sources of eco-friendly and cruelty-free products! Also, you will be able to learn the science behind the benefits of a  plant-based diet.

Tour de Cape |  January 22-24
It’s the 30th Anniversary of Tour De Cape! The weekend includes a 5k, a 3-mile family bike ride, and 15-30-62-100 mile bike tours in the northwest and southwest regions of Cape Coral. The weekend will begin with a kick-off celebration at Cape Harbour from 5 – 8 PM! Click here for more information.

Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall

  • Gulfshore Opera: La Boheme | January 24 | 6:30 PM | ​ Opera’s greatest love story comes to life; follow the bohemian revolution of the late 19th century. Lobby doors open 1 hour before the show!
  • The Rocket Man Show | January 27 | 7:30 PM | ​ In the show, Rus recreates the magic & live persona of a young Elton. Enjoy a visual, theatrical, funny, and interactive show!

Farmers’ Markets & Social Distancing Events

Cape Coral Downtown Farmers’ Market – Open Saturdays from 8 am – 1 pm in Club Square. One of the largest markets in Southwest Florida!

Surfside Sunshine Farmers’ Market – Located in the Shops at Surfside, NW corner of Veterans Parkway & Surfside Boulevard will be open every Tuesday from 1 – 6 pm now through April, 2021.

Lakes Park Farmers’ Market – Now open every Wednesday from 9 am – 1 pm at Lakes Regional Park, 7330 Gladiolus Drive in Fort Myers. Parking is free during market hours at the park.

  • Vendors at the above locations will offer produce, foods, soaps & pet foods.  Visitors are asked to wear face masks and maintain social distancing recommendations.  Additional staff will be stationed at the markets to encourage people to follow social distancing guidelines.​

Alliance Market – The Alliance for the Arts GreenMarket is open to the public from 9 am – 1 pm every Saturday, with added precautions & following CDC guidelines. The Wednesday drive-thru pickup service initiated in response to COVID-19 will also remain in operation. Located at 10091 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers.

Local Roots Online Farmers’ Market – Offering curbside pick-up or delivery from vendors.  Go to www.localrootsonlinefarmersmarket.com to order.

Amusements, Museums & Zoos ~ Oh My!

IMAG@HOME – As leaders in STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) and local history education, the IMAG is bringing the history and science center into the homes of many with a daily schedule of programs that entertain and nurture our intellectual curiosity and desire to learn. Think of IMAG@HOME as your “daily dose of history and science” in a new, fun digital way. Click HERE to learn more.

Calusa Nature Center is full of events as well. Be sure to check their calendar for their next Nature Hike or Alligator Talk!

Edison and Ford Winter Estates – For children ages 18 months – 5 years, we are offering a Preschool Program: Emerging Inventors the First and Third Tuesday of each month, now through April, 2021 | 10 – 11 am.

FastTrax Entertainment, previously known as Zoomers, will soon be open. To be in the KNOW, sign up for their newsletter!

Naples Zoo is open for full outdoor experiences at a limited capacity. Click HERE before you go.

Shell Factory Nature Park – Come check out their new carousel ~ just $1/ride! You can also purchase special fun park packages online. There is so much to do at the Shell Factory – check out their calendar. A month full of live performances and flea markets!

Sky Zone Trampoline Park – The originators of wall-to-wall aerial action! Always working to invent epic new ways to play, gather, and compete. Sky Zone is a space to move, create, and be yourself. And there’s enough room for everyone, so all kids ~ and kids at heart ~ can play together. Come bounce the day away or schedule that special birthday celebration! Learn more HERE.

Tour Sanibel Island with Tarpon Bay Explorers
Kayak & Standup Paddleboard tours along with Nature & Sealife Cruises have resumed at J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge. Rentals such as kayaks, canoes, stand-up paddleboards, and bikes are on a first-come, first-serve basis. Reservations are recommended for guided kayak, paddleboard, and boat tours.  Call 239.472.8900 and visit them online.