The most festive time of the year is here, and there are plenty of opportunities for people in Southwest Florida communities to enjoy an evening of holiday entertainment for the whole family.
This Sunday at Mariner High School, the legendary Lee County Community Band will hold its annual Christmas concert, allowing attendees to be immersed in the joy and magic of the holiday season.
The fun, free program begins at 3 p.m., and the band will perform a variety of sacred and secular music, including traditional carols and beloved holiday songs. At the concert, we will perform classic songs such as: “Ride on a sleigh” “Have a nice Christmas.” And let’s sing a song that everyone will know.
“We’ll be playing a lot of familiar Christmas songs that people of all ages can enjoy.” Lee County Community Band Vice President and clarinetist Susan Layman said. “For a lot of our older audience members, it’s a chance to take a trip down memory lane.”
The 50-member adult band features two vocalists, Jiang Feng and Fred Lam, who perform selected songs.
Hanukkah songs are also performed to celebrate the Jewish holiday.
“There’s nothing difficult, all the songs are popular.” Rayman said. “Reminiscing about when you were young at Christmas is a happy, bright time. And it’s also a wonderful time when people bring out their families. Every age group in the audience can relate. It’s the same thing that people know and love. It’s music. You smile and tap your toes as you walk away.”
The program is just over an hour long and is free to attend, but donations are accepted to help with the band’s costs.
Members are musicians from all walks of life living in Lee, Collier and Charlotte counties.
“Quite a few of us live in Cape Coral.” Rayman said. “But many of us are retired music teachers or active semi-professional or professional musicians.”
LCCB’s program reflects the band’s reputation for lively, upbeat music, including old favorites, energetic marches, patriotic and seasonal tunes, hits from Broadway and the silver screen, and sing-alongs. We promise a fun mix of things like. Other free concert dates are January 14th, February 11th, March 10th, and April 7th. All shows will be held at Mariner High School (701 Chiquita Blvd) at 3 p.m.
“Concerts are a fun time.” Rayman said. “Even though we have a lot of older people in our audience, it’s not music that only older people can enjoy. Our music appeals to people of all ages.”
For more information, visit leecountyband.org.
If you are interested in joining the band (we need a flutist), please call 239-600-9052.
Upcoming holiday activities include:
• Reindeer run
The City of Cape Coral’s Reindeer Run 5K and Family Fun Run will be held this Saturday, Dec. 9, at Coral Oaks Golf Course, 1800 NW 28th Ave.
The 5K run through several lands (Grinch Land, Rudolph Land, and Nightmare Before Christmas Land) departs at 5 p.m., and check-in begins at 4 p.m.
Family Fun Run ends at 6 p.m.
Participants are asked to dress in the holiday spirit to take part in a 5K or 1.5 mile Family Fun Run along a cart path through the golf course.
Registration fees for the Family Fun Run are $15 for children ages 4-12 and $20 for adults ages 13 and older. Registration includes a performance shirt, refreshments and video finish while supplies last. Registration day fees will increase to $20 for children and $25 for adults.
The 5K is priced at $25 and includes a performance shirt while supplies last, snacks, 5K chip time, and a video finish. The registration day fee increases to $30.
There is also a combo – 5K and Family Run – priced at $35 and includes a performance shirt, snacks, 5K chip time and video finish while supplies last. The registration day fee increases to $40.
The first 300 participants will receive a medal. They are also experimenting with glow-in-the-dark shirts for this year’s event.
Registration is available at Reindeer Run 5K & Family Fun Run – 2023 at runsignup.com.
• Grinch Fest
This Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Big John’s Shopping Center will be transformed into a winter wonderland as the Grinch himself discovers just how wonderful Christmas is. This event promises to be a memorable experience for families and individuals of all ages.
Event highlights:
— Pajama Party: Attendees are encouraged to wear their most comfortable pajamas to get in the holiday spirit.
— Hula Hoop Contest: Test your skills in an exciting hula hoop contest.
— Free Cotton Candy: Satisfy your sweet tooth with fluffy, sweet treats.
— Free Popcorn: Get in the festive spirit and enjoy a classic movie snack.
— Free Shaved Ice: Cool off with a colorful ice treat.
— Live Music: Hear the sounds of the season with live music performances.
— Games: Participate in fun and festive games for all ages.
— Crafts: Get creative with holiday-themed crafts and activities.
— Food Trucks: Enjoy delicious meals from a variety of local food trucks.
— Fun for everyone: Grinch Fest promises non-stop fun and entertainment for everyone.
This event is free and open to all ages. “And it’s a great opportunity to come together as a community and experience the joy and togetherness that Christmas brings.” said the organizer.
Grinch Fest is presented by SJC Technology and John Michaels Diamond & Jewelry Store.
• Cape Coral Boat Parade
The City of Cape Coral will hold its annual Holiday Boat-A-Long and Christmas Movie on Dec. 16 from 4 to 10 p.m.
This free, family-friendly event will be held at Four Freedoms Park, 4818 Tarpon Court, and will feature stage entertainment, local food trucks, crafts, a visit from Santa Claus and more. The boat parade begins at 7:30 p.m., and The Polar Express will be shown on a giant inflatable screen at 8 p.m.
“Be sure to bring your own lawn chairs and blankets to enjoy the festivities.” City officials made this clear.
Participants will also be able to watch boats line up in Bimini Basin for the parade. The parade will first pass the park’s beach and then make its way down the various canals of South Cape Coral.
Anyone interested in participating in the parade can call Sea Tow at 239-945-4820 to register.
The Northwest Cape Coral Neighborhood Association’s 3rd Annual Christmas Boat Parade will also be held Dec. 16 at 6:45 p.m.
The parade begins at the Spreader Channel, just south of the Bonefish Canal. The route crosses Bonefish east, turns at the end, and heads west back to the spreader channel. The parade then continues north to Wazee Lake before heading east down the Hermosa Canal. The route then heads west back to Wazee Lake and follows the shoreline west to the spreader channel. From there, the cruise continues north to the Horseshoe Canal, before finally turning east and heading back west to the Spreader Channel, where the parade ends.
Best places to watch the show include the end of the Tropicana Parkway and the three bridges that connect to the Bonefish Canal, Hermosa Canal, and Horseshoe Canal.
If it rains, the parade will be postponed to Sunday.
• Florida Family Christmas
The Southwest Florida Concert Band will present the “Florida Family Christmas Concert” with featured vocalist Janna Brown on Sunday, Dec. 17 at 2 p.m. at South Fort Myers High School.
A 40-member community band will perform a concert of seasonal music, giving the audience a chance to sing along to their favorite carols. The program begins its journey with Leroy Anderson’s classic sleigh ride. For all the children, the band will perform the film score from “The Polar Express” and the ballet “The Nutcracker.” Janna Brown sings Broadway’s Christmas and the Merry Santa Baby along with the Christmas list. The band will be playing the ever-popular Christmas Festival, a collection of well-known melodies, and get into the Christmas spirit with swing-jazz versions of some of the songs, along with Christmas Alla Big Band. The Holiday Sing-Along gives the audience the opportunity to sing along to Christmas carols. The Brass Monkeys Quintet will perform some Hanukkah music. The show ends with Mrs. Claus reading the story “It Was the Night Before Christmas” and the lights dimming. “Good night everyone.”.
All concerts are free and donations accepted.
South Fort Myers High School is located at 14020 Plantation Road, Fort Myers.
Information about the group, scholarship programs and other performances can be found at SouthwestFloridaConcertBand.org.
• “The Nutcracker” by Barbara B. Mann
of “The Nutcracker! Magical Christmas Ballet” returns to the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall on December 29th for two shows. Now in its 31st year, the annual North American tour of family traditions brings together and shines a light on some of the brightest minds in the field. The 2023 production brings together a record number of international talent, including the principal dancers of Ukraine’s great opera houses and his 40 world-class artists from Japan, Italy, Turkey, and more. will appear.
For more information or to purchase tickets, visit nutcracker.com.