We found three Christmas parades and tree lightings in and around Fort Myers–Naples with 2026 dates: one parade and two tree lightings and lighting nights, all free to watch. Each one has the date, start time, price and a link to the organizer’s page.
By date
Filter to what fits your evening, then tap one for its time, price and kid notes.
Tree lighting · Fri4DecFriCape Coral Holiday Lighting CeremonyTree lighting · Fri8DecTueCity of Naples Christmas Parade
Parade · TueNothing matches that filter yet.
Christmas parades
Start time, price and what to know with little kids, from each organizer’s own page.
3rd St. S. and 9th Ave. S. to City Hall on 8th St. S. · Naples, FL · downtown
Good to know: Floats, marching bands and Santa wind from 3rd Street South up 5th Avenue South and finish at City Hall.
Know one we missed?Send us the organizer’s page and we’ll check the date and add it.Suggest a parade
Tree lightings
Most lightings are short and happen at dusk, often with Santa, music or cocoa.
Fifth Avenue South · Naples, FL · downtown
Good to know: The Naples tree lighting opens a two-day Christmas Walk on Fifth Avenue South with a concert band.
Cultural Park Theatre, 528 Cultural Park Blvd. · Cape Coral, FL · about 10 miles from Fort Myers
Good to know: The fourth year of this community lighting at Cultural Park Theatre. Bring a lawn chair.
Before you go
SpotGet there earlyA curb spot near the start means little ones see everything and you can leave before the end.
WarmDress for standing stillWatching is colder than walking. Bring a blanket for the stroller and an extra layer.
TimingCheck the start timeLighted parades start after dark. Daytime parades are easier for nap schedules.Keep planning
November: things to do in Fort MyersEvery dated listing for the month, by weekDecember: things to do in Fort MyersEvery dated listing for the month, by week
Free things to do in Fort MyersFree days, free events and places that never charge
Thanksgiving weekend in Fort MyersParades, turkey trots and what’s open on Thursday
The Nutcracker in Fort MyersBallet and touring shows, sensory-friendly flagged
Christmas markets in Fort MyersChristkindlmarkts and winter wonderlands with hours
This week in Fort MyersDated outings for ages 0–6, checked every ThursdayGood questions
City of Naples Christmas Parade: Tue, Dec 8, 2026, Tue. Dec. 8, 6:30–8 p.m. (Naples, FL · downtown).
Fifth Avenue South Christmas Walk & Tree Lighting at Fifth Avenue South: Dec 4 – Dec 5, Fri. Dec. 4, 5–10 p.m. (tree lighting about 6 p.m.); Sat. Dec. 5, 10 a.m.–10 p.m. Cape Coral Holiday Lighting Ceremony at Cultural Park Theatre, 528 Cultural Park Blvd.: Fri, Dec 4, 2026, Fri. Dec. 4, 5–8:30 p.m.
All of the ones we list are free to watch: Fifth Avenue South Christmas Walk & Tree Lighting, Cape Coral Holiday Lighting Ceremony and City of Naples Christmas Parade. Some charge for extras like Santa photos or rides, and each card says so.
Evening ones start after dark and are colder, so bring layers and a blanket for the stroller. Get there early for a curb spot near the start so little ones can see.
Each listing comes from the venue’s or organizer’s own page and links to it. We only list a date, time or price when that page shows it, and anything we can’t confirm stays off. These were last checked Oct 30, 2026, and we recheck them every week through early December. How we choose and check.
One short email every Thursday evening with the best things to do with little ones in Fort Myers that weekend, parades included.
