Best things to do in Fort Myers, Bonita: Art fests, live music, more

Looking for some fun in Southwest Florida?

Here are our top things to do this weekend and beyond, including two big art festivals, some New Orleans funk and a smash-hit Broadway pop musical. Plus a look at what’s ahead in February.

1. ArtFest Fort Myers

Southwest Florida fusion-glass artist Josephina Espinosa is one of about 200 artists showing and selling their work at the 2026 ArtFest Fort Myers.

Browse and buy art from about 200 artists at the 26^th-annual fest. Other activities include the Art Under 20 high-school art competition, a food court, live performances on the community stage, a timed 5K race (8 a.m. Sunday), a sidewalk chalk-art competition, a children's craft area and the annual Symphony on the Sound pops concert (with Gulf Coast Symphony performing from 6-9 p.m. Friday at Caloosa Sound Amphitheater). 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 7-8. There’s also an opening night preview from 6-9 p.m. Friday, Feb. 6. Free. Edwards Drive between Heitman and Lee streets in downtown Fort Myers. 768-3602 or ArtFestFortMyers.com

2. Bonita Springs National Art Festivals series

Art lovers check out the January 2024 Bonita Springs National Art Festival.

The second of three annual art festivals featuring more than 200 artists at each event. The fests benefit Arts Bonita, including their programs and scholarships. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 7-8. Free with a suggested $5 donation. Riverside Park, 10450 Reynolds St., downtown Bonita Springs. 495-8989 or artsbonita.org/artfest

3. Bonita Springs Seafood & Music Festival

Munch on food from various seafood vendors and listen to live musical acts playing reggae, rock, blues and soul. The musical lineup includes Paisley Craze, Soundwall Jackson, Phenomenal Animal, Deb & The Dynamics, Sean Chambers and more. There’s also a marketplace with arts, crafts and other products. Friday through Sunday, Feb. 6-8. Free admission. Takes place next to The Poker Room, 28001 Old 41 Road, Bonita Springs. paragonfestivals.com

4. Broadway pop musical “& Juliet”

Fabiola Caraballo Quijada and Joseph Torres star in the North American Tour of "& JULIET"

Broadway smash “& Juliet” reimagines Shakespeare with a surprising twist: Juliet lives and goes on a journey of self-discovery in Paris — all set to a pop soundtrack packed with hits by Britney Spears, Bon Jovi, Katy Perry, Backstreet Boys and more. Tuesday through Sunday, Feb. 3-8. $59-$115. Limited seating available. Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall, 13350 FSW Parkway, south Fort Myers. 481-4849 or bbmannpah.com

5. French Quarter Funk Fest

If you love the fun, funky sounds of New Orleans, this free music fest is worth the trip to Immokalee. Musical acts include Buckwheat Zydeco Jr., The Soul Rebels, Dirty Dozen Brass Band and more. Starts at 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 7. Free general admission, $34 for front-row seating, VIP available. Seminole Casino Hotel, 506 S. First St., Immokalee. 658-1313 or moreinparadise.com

MORE THINGS TO DO: Fort Myers Art Walk, Puppy Bowl, Antique Ford Car Show

• Fort Myers Art Walk, monthly event featuring new art exhibits in downtown Fort Myers galleries and art vendors outside on First Street: 5-9 p.m. Friday, Feb. 6, on First Street in downtown Fort Myers. Free. facebook.com/fortmyersartwalk
• SWFL Super Card Show, huge event with more than 300 tables of sports cards, Pokémon and more. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 7-8, at Caloosa Sound Convention Center, 1375 Monroe St., downtown Fort Myers. $10-$17. swflsportscardshow.com
• Feast for the Senses, second-annual fundraiser with live entertainment and five courses of dinner designed to stimulate each of your five senses. 6-10 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 7, at Alliance for the Arts, 10091 McGregor Blvd. Fort Myers. $500. 939-2787 or artinlee.org

Cape Coral's annual Puppy Bowl is a Super Bowl-themed event with Cape Coral Animal Shelter dogs wearing tiny football uniforms and playing in a miniature football field. There's even an umpire.

• Antique Ford Car Show, annual show with classic cars displayed on automobile pioneer Henry Ford’s former lawn in Fort Myers: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 7, at Edison & Ford Winter Estates, 2350 McGregor Blvd., downtown Fort Myers. $28 includes admission to Edison Estates and its attractions. 334-7419 or edisonfordwinterestates.org
• Puppy Bowl IV, annual Super Bowl-themed event with shelter dogs wearing tiny football uniforms and playing in a miniature football field. 11 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 8, at Cape Coral Animal Shelter, 325 SW 2nd Avenue, Cape Coral. Free. capecoralanimalshelter.com
• Renowned Argentinian organist Hector Olivera: 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 8, at Sanibel Congregational Church of Christ, 2050 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel Island. Free. sanibelucc.org

LOOKING AHEAD

“Beyond Van Gogh” and “Beyond Monet: The Immersive Experience” make their Estero debut on Friday, Feb. 6. Paquin Entertainment Group presents the exhibits.

Beyond Van Gogh and Beyond Monet: The Immersive Experience

Step inside Claude Monet’s gardens and Vincent Van Gogh’s swirling stars in two immersive shows that uses projections and symphonic music to bring more than 700 of the artists’ famous paintings to life. Feb. 13-March 29. $37-$48. Coconut Point, 23106 Fashion Drive, Estero. beyondexhibitions.com

'The Play That Goes Wrong'

In this hilarious hybrid of Monty Python and Sherlock Holmes, things quickly go from bad to much, much worse as a cash-strapped, accident-prone drama society tries to stage a murder mystery. Feb. 13-March 1 (discount previews Feb. 10-12). $74-$76. Florida Repertory Theatre, 2268 Bay St., downtown Fort Myers. 332-4488 or floridarep.org

FOX News’ Brian Kilmeade

A promotional poster for "FOX & Friends" host Brian Kilmeade's “The History, Liberty & Laughs Tour.”

The FOX & Friends host and Florida resident visits Fort Myers with his “The History, Liberty & Laughs Tour.” The live show also streams on FOX Nation. 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 14. $38-$92. Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall, 13350 FSW Parkway, south Fort Myers. 481-4849 or bbmannpah.com

Edison Festival of Light Junior Parade

Scenes from the 2025 Edison Festival of Light Junior Parade in downtown Fort Myers on Sunday, Feb. 9, 2025. The annual event features, floats, bands, smiling families and kids.

This smaller version of the Edison Festival of Light Grand Parade features kids and their families smiling and waving from floats, wagons, marching bands and more. More than 100 units participate in what’s billed as Florida’s largest youth parade. Many of these floats and parade units will appear later in the grand parade, as well. 1:30-3:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 15. Free. Downtown Fort Myers. 334-2999 or edisonfestival.org 

Charles Runnells covers arts and entertainment for The News-Press and the Naples Daily News. To reach him, call 239-335-0368 or email [email protected]. Follow or message him on Facebook(@charles.runnells.7), Instagram (@crunnells1) and X (@CharlesRunnells).

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This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Best things to do in Fort Myers, Bonita: Art fests, live music, more