The holiday season is upon us and in full swing! This is a time for friends and family, and I'm sure a lot of relatives are eager to come visit their Florida family members. Escaping from the cold and spending winter breaks in the Florida sun and at the beaches sounds like a great alternative. If that is the case and your house has become a small hotel here is a list of things happening this weekend in SWFL to get your holiday spirits lifted Florida style. Showcase and GoNaples.com has put together this handy list to help you plan your Christmas fun.
Today- December 17, 2015
Naples Philharmonic Orchestra Holiday Pops Concert: With Michele Ragusa, vocalist, Philharmonic Center Chorale and Philharmonic Youth Chorale, under Stuart Chafetz, conductor, and James Cochran, director of chorales. 8 p.m. Dec. 13 through Dec. 18 and 2 p.m. Dec. 17. $22-$50. www.thephil.org or 239-597-1900.
"Let It Snow": Holiday entertainment, carolers, face painting and a snow show, 4-7 p.m. with snow show at 6 p.m. Dec. 17. Village on Venetian Bay, Naples. 239-261-6100.
Christmas Parade: 6:30 p.m. Dec. 17 starts at the corner of Balfour Drive and San Marco Road, Marco Island.
Movie in the Park: 6:30 Dec. 17, Veterans Community Park, 403 Elkcam Circle, Marco Island.
Timeless Treasures: Holiday pops concert, performed by the Southwest Florida Symphony, 8 p.m. Dec. 17, Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall, 8099 College Parkway, Fort Myers. $20-$80. 239-418-1500 or www.swflos.org
"Let It Snow": Holiday entertainment, carolers, face painting, with a snow show, 4 to 7 p.m. (6 p.m. snow show) Dec. 10 and Dec. 17, Village on Venetian Bay, Naples. 239-261-6100.
"A Christmas Carol": 8 p.m. Dec. 9-10, 14-17 and 2 p.m. Dec. 18, the Laboratory Theater of Florida, 1634 Woodford Ave., Fort Myers. $10-$20. 239-281-0481
This week
Santa's Wonderland: Games, activities and crafts: 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Mondays-Saturday and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sundays through Dec. 24, Bass Pro Shops, Gulf Town Center, 10040 Gulf Center Drive, Fort Myers. 239-461-7800
"A Christmas Survival Guide": Musical revue with 19 holiday songs, Tuesdays through Sunday evenings with selected matinees, today through Dec. 25, Palm Dinner Theatre, 1380 Colonial Blvd., Fort Myers. $25 to $46. Show only: $25.broadwaypalm.com or 239-278-4422. Read Chris Silk's review of this show
"It Came Upon A Midnight Fear": A Christmas-themed murder mystery, 6:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. on Sundays, Nov. 25 through Dec. 24, Seminole Gulf Railway, Murder Mystery Dinner Train, 2805 Colonial Blvd., Fort Myers. $65, Wednesdays-Fridays and Sundays; $73, Saturdays. 239-275-8487 or http://semgulf.com
Christmas Rail/Boats: Ride the Seminole Gulf Railway to Punta Gorda for a boat tour of the holiday lights Punta Gorda Isles. 3:30 p.m. Dec. 12-13, 19-20. Seminole Gulf Railway, 2805 Colonial Blvd., Fort Myers. $79. 239-275-8487 orhttp://semgulf.com
Southwest Florida Symphony Orchestra Holiday Pops Concert: Symphony side by side with Southwest Florida Youth Symphony, performing carols and favorites. Jim Stephenson conducting, Sara Dell''Omo, vocalist and the President's Own Marine Band, 8 p.m. Dec. 17, Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 19, Village Church at Shell Point, 15100 Shell Point Blvd., Fort Myers. $22 to $62, Dec. 17 or $99 family package; $25, Dec. 19. www.swflso.org or 239-418-1500
Christmas at Palm Cottage: Tuesdays and Wednesdays and Dec. 31 and 1 to 8 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays. 137 12th Ave. S., Naples. Free, members and children 10 and under; $6, others.
Irving Berlin's "White Christmas": Tuesday through Sunday evenings with selected matinees, Nov. 24-Dec. 25. Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre, 1380 Colonial Blvd., Fort Myers. $17-51. 239-278-4422 or http://www.broadwaypalm.com
"Frosty The Snowman": 10:30 a.m. Dec. 2, 4, 6, 8, 9, 13, 14, 16, 20, 23; 5:30 p.m. Dec. 12 and 19. A kid-friendly show by the Palm Dinner Theatre, 1380 Colonial Blvd., Fort Myers. $15 includes lunch and show. 239-278-4422 orbroadwaypalm.com
Edison & Ford holiday nights: Homes and gardens seasonally decorated, 5:30 to 9 p.m. Dec. 2-31, Edison & Ford Winter Estates, 2350 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers. $15, adults; $1, children 6-12, self guided tours; $20, adults; $1, children 6-12, guided tours. 239-334-7419
Dec. 27-31
Cirque Dreams Holidaze: 7:30 p.m. Dec. 27-29; 8 p.m. Dec. 30; 2 and 8 p.m. Dec. 31; 1 and 6:30 p.m. Jan. 1. Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall, 8099 College Parkway, Fort Myers. $26, $36, $46 and $61. 239-481-4849 or http://bbmannpah.com