The heart of Southwest Florida, Fort Myers is never short of activities and attractions to offer to different kinds of travelers. The area is well-known for being the home of numerous gracious estates with historic significance, not to mention rolling plantations, beautiful beaches and waterfront areas, and lively communities to explore. And as for the community calendar, it’s always marked with a wide variety of events, from small community gatherings, fairs, and weekend markets, to some of the best-juried art events in the region.
If you’re looking to experience the community, we highly recommend you check out these popular festivals in Fort Myers, Florida.
1. Naples National Arts Festival
Recognized as one of the top 25 art shows in the country, Naples National Arts Festival is a must-visit for art aficionados not just from the United States but all over the globe. Every year, about 200 artists join to have their art displayed for everyone to see and to be judged by some of the biggest names in the industry today. Aside from high-quality art, Naples National Arts Festival also features food and drinks from a variety of vendors and a couple of other activities, such as a concert to cap off the entire event.
Naples National Arts Festival
Address: Cambier Park & 8th St. South, Naples, FL 34102, United States
Website: Naples National Arts Festival
Takes place: February
Price: Free
2. Sanibel Arts & Crafts Festival
Held every President’s Day weekend, the Sanibel Arts & Crafts Festival started out over 30 years ago and continues to thrive as one of the premier art shows in the region. It’s hosted by the Sanibel-Captiva Rotary Club. The entire area is transformed into a series of mini art galleries, showcasing the works of over 120 artists from Florida and beyond. On display are paintings, glass sculptures, locally made jewelry, and more.
Sanibel Arts & Crafts Festival
Address: 2173 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, FL 33957, United States
Website: Sanibel Arts & Crafts Festival
Takes place: February
Price: Free
3. Left Bank Artfest
Organized by the Marco Island Foundation for the Arts, Left Bank Artfest is the preeminent arts and crafts show in Marco Island. It offers a chance for locals to showcase their artistic abilities, whether it’s in painting landscapes, jewelry making, music, or photography. In the process, Left Bank Artfest brings the community together through their shared love for art.
Left Bank Artfest
Website: Left Bank Artfest
Takes place: October - April
Price: Free
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4. Peace River National Art Festival
Posted by boulderbrook productions on Monday, 11 March 2019
Every year, the Visual Arts Center of Punta Gorda puts together the Peace River National Art Festival to celebrate the artistic talent that overflows not just in Punta Gorda but in the entire Charlotte County. As artists showcase their works, everyone gets treated to live music entertainment, food, wine, and more drinks. The Peace River National Art Festival usually takes place over two days in Laishley Park. You can find all sorts of creative works here, from the traditional ones such as painting and photography to stone sculptures, metalworking, pottery, fiber arts, to leather works.
Peace River National Art Festival
Address: 100 Nesbit St, Punta Gorda, FL 33950, United States
Website: Peace River National Arts Festival
Takes place: March
5. Fort Myers Seafood & Music Festival
When it comes to festivals, the most common pairing is usually art and music. But in Fort Myers, things are quite different. Every January, the city celebrates the Fort Myers Seafood & Music Festival, an odd pairing, but it works nonetheless! This weekend affair is relatively young (they only held the inaugural festival last year), but it already cemented its reputation as one of the events to look forward to in Fort Myers. From Friday through Sunday, you can enjoy fresh seafood cooked in various ways, then dance to live music performances from local acts.
Fort Myers Seafood & Music Festival
Address: 1400 Hendry St, Fort Myers, FL 33901, United States
Website: Fort Myers Seafood & Music Festival
Takes place: January
Price: Free (general admission); 75 USD (VIP tent)
6. Cape Coral Arts & Music Festival
#FlashbackFriday The Cape Coral Arts and Music Festival is right around the corner! Did you know that the first festival...
Posted by Cape Coral Arts & Music Festival on Friday, 14 December 2018
Now, on to the more traditional pairing. Arts and music take center stage at the Cape Coral Arts & Music Festival, one of Cape Coral’s longstanding events. The Rotary Club of Cape Coral has been hosting and sponsoring this event for over 30 years. With over 300 exhibitors signing up to join every year, Cape Coral Arts & Music Festival is the biggest juried art show in Southwest Florida. Aside from exhibits and art sales, the event also features live music performances from carefully selected local acts. Overall, Cape Coral Arts & Music Festival is a great way to immerse yourself in the local culture. And for artists, this is the best chance to do some networking to advance their careers.
Cape Coral Arts & Music Festival
Address: Cape Coral Pkwy W, Cape Coral, FL 33914, United States
Website: Cape Coral Arts & Music Festival
Takes place: January
Price: Free
7. Bonita Springs National Art Festivals
Bonita Springs National Art Festivals takes the cake for being the longest-running art festival in Southwest Florida. Not only has it been around for 45 years, the festival also has three separate weekend shows from January through March, which is why it’s called Bonita Springs National Art Festivals. This is not just one festival, but three! Ranked as one of the best fine art festivals in the country, Bonita Springs National Art Festivals attracts over 200 artists from the country and abroad. There are 16 categories in total, and in each area, you can get the chance to meet the minds behind the masterpieces and even purchase something to take home with you.
Bonita Springs National Art Festivals
Address: 10450 Reynolds St, Bonita Springs, FL 34135, United States
Website: Bonita Springs National Art Festivals
Takes place: January - March
Price: Free
8. ArtFest Fort Myers
Running head to head with Bonita Springs National Art Festivals for the title of premier art festival in Southwest Florida is Fort Myers’ very own ArtFest. It’s a weekend gathering for art out in the waterfront of Fort Myers’ historic downtown. ArtFest Fort Myers starts out with an opening night fete complete with live entertainment, food, and drinks. The festival proper starts the next day and continues well into the weekend. You can meet the participating artists, purchase an artwork or two, sign your kids up for an art program, sample the fare from festival vendors, and more. If you get VIP access, you can enjoy overflowing treats, catered lunches, reserved parking, open bar, and more during the entire weekend.
ArtFest Fort Myers
Address: 1375 Monroe St, Fort Myers, FL 33901, United States
Website: ArtFest Fort Myers
Takes place: February
Price: Free (general admission); 125 USD (VIP access)
9. Bonita Brew Fest
Have you had enough of the arts? Bonita Brew Fest offers a different kind of fete. This time around, the festivities are centered around some of the finest craft beers and hard ciders made in Southwest Florida. With your ticket, you’ll get to sample over 200 different kinds of beer, and be able to drink your favorites over and over again (but don’t forget to drink moderately!). To complement these, Bonita Brew Fest also features food stalls and live music to keep the party going for the rest of the day. As alcoholic beverages are involved, Bonita Brew Fest is only open for those aged 21 years and above. Identification cards and tickets must be presented at admission.
Bonita Brew Fest
Address: 10450 Reynolds St, Bonita Springs, FL 34135, United States
Website: Bonita Brew Fest
Takes place: February
Price: 17 USD (designated driver); 49 - 55 USD (general admission); 75 USD (VIP)
10. Edison Garden Festival
If gardening and landscaping are your passion, don’t forget to check out Edison Garden Festival. Held in the sprawling grounds of the Edison and Ford Winter Estates, the Edison Garden Festival is one of the biggest plant sales in Southwest Florida. You’ll get the chance to purchase different kinds of gardening effects, from plants to tools, from over 20 participating vendors. There are food trucks to keep everyone going and live music to keep things lively.
Edison Garden Festival
Address: 2350 McGregor Blvd, Fort Myers, FL 33901, United States
Takes place: November
Price: Free
Find out what Fort Myers has to offer by checking out these festivals
Purchase artworks to remember your trip to Fort Myers, drink all the craft beer you want, and maybe even start your life as a plant parent when you pick up a seedling at the Edison Garden Festival. And in case you’re looking for more things to enrich your Fort Myers trip, browse our website for related travel guides.
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