Naples Event Guide
Naples Calendar of Events Guide
Naples has a diverse set of events going on throughout the year, but particularly in the winter season. For comprehensive list events for the Naples Florida area go here: Naples Calendar of Events
Other helpful event guides include:
United Arts Council's Calendar
Naples News Calendar of Events
Popular Annual Events
I few noteworthy annual events include:
- Evening on Fifth. On the second Thursday of each month the Fifth Avenue South Area has many musicians and music bands on the sidewalks providing entertainment. The event has a festive atmosphere, and draws fun crowds in for dinner, shopping and hanging out on the avenue. The atmosphere differs by the seasons. It is usually a relaxed and joyous event. The February and March version on Fifth can take on a crowded fair feel because of its the peak season draw.
- St. Patrick's Day. A day I have circle on my calendar. Naples has the largest St. Patrick Day event in SW Florida. St. Pat activities and parade times differ each year, but the local paper will list the going's on.
- Great Dock Canoe Race. On a weekend in early May, the Great Dock Canoe Race takes place. This can be a little bit of a rowdy event. Participants paddle around a three mile race course in the Naples Bay. The participants decorate themselves and their vessel in accordance to that year's annual theme. Awards are given to winners (and wieners) in various categories and themed competitions. Spectators can watch from bridges and docks, but the big fest is watching from your boat.
- Festival and Celebration of Lights. For a tropical weather zone the downtown areas does a great job of putting things in a Holiday mood. The Third Street South area over the Thanksgiving Holiday time has festivities celebrating the holiday lighting of the street complete with artificial snow falling. Additionally, every Thursday before Christmas they have similar seasonal events with activities and music for the whole family.
Partying and Socializing
The Naples area at night is not that sleepy town from the 60s.
Naples offers entertainment choices for all tastes, including Jazz,
piano, country and rock venues. The Naples Daily News in its Friday
paper provides a full list of entertainment happenings.
Here's a few
of the places mixing it up:
- Fifth Avenue South. Fifth Avenue has a lot to offer. It starts with the dinner crowd enjoying fine or casual dining, along with other activities on the avenue. Later, the after dinner or socializing crowd comes along for late-night fun. That restaurant where you had dinner, might later in the evening have people kicking it to music. (Area #6 on map). if you are on the avenue after 10 pm, there will be several choices for hanging out and socializing.
- McCabes. The celebrating starts earlier at McCabes. The Irish are not going to be out partied. Irish tenors are around most nights singing ballads and getting patrons into it.
- Vergina. A fine restaurant across the avenue from McCabes. On Thursday to Saturday they have a small trio of musicians playing. The entertainment is in the back bar area until 11:30 pm or so, and their patrons are always having a good time. If you don't want to hang in the bar area, then listen to the tunes from the adjoining open courtyard.
- Yabba Yabba's. A lively restaurant that later in the evening pushes back the tables and brings in the music. They play dance music from 10:30 to 1:00 am Friday and Saturday nights. It can get pretty jumping at times there.
- Naples Beach Hotel. Every Sunday, weather permitting, the Naples Beach Hotel has a beach band playing by the pool area. This is an outdoor gathering that can be fun and crowded at times. It usually goes from 5:30pm to 8:30pm. The Naples Beach Hotel is at the west end of Golf Drive that runs along the border of the Hotel's golf course off of Tamiami. (Area #5 on the map).
- Stan's Idle Hour. Stan's Idle Hour on Marco Island can be a very entertaining place at times. Draws a fun crowd on Sunday afternoon with music and other entertainment. Very popular with young, old, rich and poor. Beach and casual attire. Definitely worth a visit if you are looking for a party. Come in a big group or just stop in. Located at the south eastern end of Marco Island in Goodland. Off of State Highway 92.