Are you about to have family descend on your warm, sunny Florida home for the holiday? I bet you’ll be looking for things to do with those guests! Below are Naples area Thanksgiving week events to get the family out of the house and keep everyone entertained. Click on the links for additional information about each event.
42nd Annual Christmas on Third Street South
November 19, 2018, from 6:00 – 9:00 PM
With snow showers! Naples’ Christmas starts on Third Street South as the Mayor lights the official beautifully decorated Christmas tree during Christmas on Third when everywhere there are twinkly lights and wonderful red and silver decorations, music and bells, singing and dancing and delicious treats. Crowds cheer and children watch in awe as Santa arrives while the snow falls. The crèche is alive at Third and Broad and joy and happiness fill the courtyards and plazas. Snow falls every night for the following week and Christmas on Third – reminds everyone of the pleasures to come.
2018 GCR Thanksgiving 5K at Cambier Park
GCR is excited to announce that we will be hosting the 6th Annual GCR Thanksgiving 5K this year on Thanksgiving!! The run/walk event will be held at Cambier Park at 7:30 AM on Thursday, November 22nd, 2018. This beautiful 5k course will wind through downtown Naples with festivities staged from the picturesque Cambier Park!! Pumpkin pie and apple cider will be served after the race! Plenty of FREE parking. Long Sleeve Shirts to all pre-registered participants! Race Medals to all finishers! FREE 100 yard dash for children 6 and under. FREE 1K fun run for children 14 and under.
This race benefits: St. Matthew’s House
We are collecting canned goods as well as clothing for St. Matthew’s House. Please bring your items to packet pick-up or to the registration area on the day of the race.
Naples Zoo: Washed Ashore: Art to Save the Sea
November 17 – April 21, 2019
On exhibit for the first time in Southwest Florida, Naples Zoo presents “Washed Ashore: Art to Save the Sea” from November 17, 2018 through April 21, 2019. Made entirely of plastic debris collected from beaches, the colorful and dramatic sculptures of marine animals represent the more than 315 billion pounds of plastic in oceans today and underscore the need for wildlife conservation. Naples Zoo will showcase eleven of the larger-than-life sculptures of marine life. Zoo guests are invited to get up close to view the sculptures, which range from an 11-foot-long shark and 16-foot-long parrot fish to an 8-foot-wide octopus and an 11-foot-tall polar bear. This exhibit is free with paid Zoo admission.
Bass Pro Shops: Santa’s Wonderland
November 11 – December 24
Enjoy the Magic of Christmas at Bass Pro Shops! Visit the ticket depot inside the store to receive a ticket to see Santa. In the meantime you can explore Santa’s Wonderland or shop the store while waiting in a virtual line. Each child that visits Santa receives a free 4×6 photo. Other photo packages and Christmas cards are available for purchase. See store for more details. Enjoy free crafts from 5pm-7pm during the week and Noon -5pm on Saturday & Sunday also enjoy other games and activities.
Gobble Gobble Four Miler
November 22
The Gobble Gobble Four Miler is a family friendly annual running event, taking place on Thanksgiving Day in beautiful Naples, Florida. As a cup free “Green Racing Event” it helps to promote sustainability and environmental impact awareness. 100% of the race’s proceeds go to benefit St. Matthew’s House, The mission of St. Matthew’s House (SMH) is to change lives in a spiritual environment that is both compassionate and disciplined, as well as providing housing for the homeless and food for the needy. A 501(c)(3) non-profit entity, SMH, along with Immokalee Friendship House, has been serving the homeless, hungry and hopeless in Collier County since 1987.
The Village Shops On Venetian Bay: Grand Illuminations
November 23 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Join us at The Village for our annual Grand Illuminations Tree Lighting Ceremony. Enjoy free photos with Santa, Dickens Period Carolers, a snow show, face painting, stories with Mrs. Claus, and much more. Tree lighting at 7 p.m.
The Village Shops on Venetian Bay: Holiday on the Bay
November 24 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Enjoy a festive snow show and take delight in holiday entertainment including complimentary photos with Santa, stories with Mrs. Claus, Dickens Period Carolers, dance group performances and extraordinary shopping and dining all evening. Snow show starts at 7 p.m.
Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre: Winter Wonderettes
November 15 – December 25
The Marvelous Wonderettes are the entertainers at Harper’s Hardware Holiday Party and like every year, Mr. Harper is scheduled to pass out the employee bonuses. When Mr. Harper doesn’t show, one of the girls goes to find him, but instead finds what she thinks are the bonuses, but they’re not and everyone is in for a big surprise! The 60s style holiday songs include Santa Baby, Santa Claus is Coming to Town, Jingle Bell Rock, Winter Wonderland and more.
Everglades Wonder Garden: Find It Fridays
November 23, 2018
Kids enjoy a scavenger hunt all day! Ask for more details at the ticket counter.
Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre: Elf The Musical
November 22 – December 25
Based on the holiday film of the same name, this hilarious musical comedy follows Buddy the Elf in his quest to find his true identity and help New York remember the true meaning of Christmas. Buddy, a young orphan, crawls into Santa’s bag and winds up in the North Pole where he is raised, unaware that he is human, until his enormous size and poor toy-making abilities cause him to face the truth. With Santa’s permission, Buddy embarks on a journey to discover his true identity. This modern day holiday classic is sure to bring out the true spirit of Christmas….after all, the best way to spread Christmas Cheer is singing loud for all to hear.