Art festivals in SW FL: A guide to the best shows in Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Bonita
It's a good time to be an art lover in Southwest Florida.
Art-festival season has finally arrived, and you'll find all kinds of art at these sprawling, outdoor events: Paintings, sculptures, jewelry, photography, handmade purses and lots more.
In all, more than 25 fests are scheduled to happen between now and the end of March in Fort Myers, Naples, Bonita Springs, Cape Coral and the rest of Southwest Florida.
Here’s a guide to all the biggest festivals happening over the next four months:
CAPE CORAL ART FESTIVAL AND MARKETPLACE
When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 13-14
Where: Cape Coral Parkway between Del Prado Boulevard and Southeast 10th Place, downtown Cape Coral.
Admission: Free
Number of artists and crafters: More than 300
Juried: Yes
Year the festival started: 1985
Organizers: Rotary Club of Cape Coral
More about the festival: The festival is considered to be the first and largest juried art fest in Lee County. The event includes Artway on the Parkway (an exhibit of work by Lee County students), food vendors and a marketplace featuring vendors and local businesses and nonprofits. Popular Lee County painter Leoma Lovegrove is this year's poster and T-shirt artist.
Info: capecoralartfestival.com
NAPLES ARTCRAFTERS
When: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the second Saturday of each month from October through April. The next festival is Jan. 13
Where: Cambier Park, 580 Eighth S. St., downtown Naples.
Admission: Free
Number of artists: 50-70 artists and crafters
Juried: Yes
Year the festival started: 1966
Organizers: Nonprofit arts organization Naples ArtCrafters
More about the festival: The nonprofit fest is run entirely by volunteers. All artists are local and must be members of Naples ArtCrafters.
Info: naplesartcrafters.com/shows
BONITA SPRINGS NATIONAL ART FESTIVALS
When: The annual series of festivals takes place January through March, starting Jan. 13-14. Two more fests are scheduled for Feb. 10-11 and March 2-3. Fest hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Where: Riverside Park, 10451 Old 41 Road, downtown Bonita Springs.
Admission: Free with a suggested $5 donation
Number of artists: More than 200
Juried: Yes
Year the festival started: 2000
Organizers: Arts Bonita
More about the festival: The fests benefit Arts Bonita, including their programs and scholarships.
Info: 495-8989 or artcenterbonita.org/artfest
ART FEST NAPLES INVITATIONAL
When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 20-21
Where: Fleischmann Park, 1600 Fleischmann Blvd., Naples (across from Coastland Center mall near Naples Zoo).
Admission: Free (although donations requested)
Number of artists: About 120
Juried: Yes
Year the festival started: 1998
Organizers: Art Fest Naples
More about the festival: The 27th-annual fest benefits the nonprofit St. Vincent de Paul Naples. A portion of proceeds will go to the organization's Meals on Wheels program.
Info: 634-2337 or artfestnaples.com
SANIBEL INVITATIONAL ART FEST
When: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday through Sunday, Jan. 26-28
Where: The Sanibel Community House, 2173 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel Island
Admission: Free (although donations are encouraged)
Number of artists: 70 or fewer
Juried: Yes
Year the festival started: 2015
Organizers: Boulderbrook Productions and the Sanibel Community Association
More about the festival: The annual festival benefits the association and the Sanibel Community House.
Info: 293-9448 or boulderbrook.net
UPTOWN NAPLES FINE ART FESTIVAL
When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 27-28
Where: Pelican Bay at the intersection of Laurel Oak Drive and U.S. Highway 41 in Naples.
Admission: Free
Number of artists: 125
Year the festival started: 2021
Organizers: Howard Alan Events
More about the fest: The fest moves to a new location this year. It's close to the stores and restaurants at Waterside Shops. This year's fest will benefit Habitat for Humanity of Collier County.
Info: 561-746-6615 or artfestival.com
MERCATO ART CELEBRATION
When: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, and 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 27-28
Where: Mercato, 9132 Strada Place, North Naples
Admission: Free
Number of artists: About 70
Juried: Yes
Year the festival started: 2024
Organizers: Naples Picasso Events
More about the festival: This new festival features local and national artists. Mercato bars and restaurants will be open to sell food and drinks.
Info: naplespicasso.com
ART IN THE PARK
When: The first Saturday of the month through April. Hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The next event happens Saturday, Feb. 3 at Fleischmann Park.
Where: Art in the Park divides its time between Mercato shopping center, 9118 Strada Place, North Naples; and Cambier Park, 755 Eighth Ave. S.
Admission: Free
Number of artists: Up to 48
Juried: Yes
Year the festival started: 1957
Organizers: Naples Art Institute
More about the festival: The monthly event features all local artists. It’s believed to be the first outdoor art fest ever held in Naples.
Info: 262-6517 or naplesart.org
ARTFEST FORT MYERS
When: The 24th annual festival takes place 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 3-4. There’s also an opening night preview from 6-9 p.m. Friday, Feb. 2.
Where: Edwards Drive between Heitman and Lee streets in downtown Fort Myers
Admission: Free. VIP tickets are $135 and include access to the VIP Club, food, reserved parking and VIP seating for Friday’s Symphony on the Sound concert.
Number of artists: 224
Juried: Yes
Year the festival started: 2001
Organizers: ArtFest Fort Myers Inc.
More about the festival: The fest has expanded to Jackson Street this year, making room for 24 more artists than usual. Also new this year: An Emerging Artist program featuring four U.S. artists chosen by a jury, as well as a tent featuring live art-demonstrations all weekend (including basket weaving and painting).
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 second-annual Symphony on the Sound pops concert (with Gulf Coast Symphony performing at 7 p.m. Friday at Caloosa Sound Amphitheater).
Info: 768-3602 or ArtFestFortMyers.com
SANIBEL ART AND CRAFT FESTIVAL
When: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday through Sunday, Feb. 9-11.
Where: The Sanibel Community House, 2173 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel Island
Admission: Free (although donations are encouraged)
Number of artists: 70 or fewer
Juried: Yes
Year the festival started: 2015
Organizers: Boulderbrook Productions and the Sanibel Community Association
More about the festival: The annual festival benefits the association and the Sanibel Community House.
Info: 293-9448 or boulderbrook.net
COCONUT POINT ART FESTIVAL
When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 17-18
Where: Coconut Point shopping center, 23130 Fashion Drive, Estero
Admission: Free
Number of artists: More than 200
Juried: Yes
Year the festival started: 2006
Organizers: Howard Alan Events
More about the festival: The 18th-annual juried fest includes art demonstrations.
Info: 561-746-6615 or artfestival.com
BONITA SPRINGS FINE ARTS AT THE PROMENADE
When: Noon to 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 23-25
Where: The Promenade at Bonita Bay, 26795 S. Bay Drive, Bonita Springs.
Admission: Free
Number of artists: 25-30
Juried: Yes
Year the festival started: 2017
Organizers: Boulderbrook Productions
Info: 293-9448 or boulderbrook.net
NAPLES ART INSTITUTE NATIONAL ART FAIR
When: 5-9 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 23-25
Where: The festival moves this year to Park Street and Cambier Park, 755 Eighth Ave. S., downtown Naples.
Admission: Free with donations appreciated
Number of artists: About 250
Juried: Yes
Year the festival started: 1979
Organizers: Naples Art Institute (formerly Naples Art)
More about the festival: The 45th-annual juried event is a major fundraiser for Naples Art Institute. It moves to Cambier Park this year, due to proposed City of Naples limitations on crowd sizes at Fifth Avenue South events, according to Naples Art Institute.
Info: naplesart.org
SANIBEL CAPTIVA LIONS CLUB ARTS & CRAFTS FAIR
When: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday and Saturday, March 1-3
Where: Sanibel Community Center, 2173 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel Island
Admission: $5 (free for ages 11 and younger)
Number of artists and crafters: 70
Juried: Yes
Year the festival started: About 1984
Organizers: Sanibel Captiva Lions Club and Boulderbrook Productions
More about the festival: The 38th annual festival raises money for The Sanibel-Captiva Lions Club’s vision- and hearing-based charities, other charities and local scholarships. The fair also includes a silent auction with more than 100 items and a raffle in the community house. Food and refreshments are available.
Info: 293-9448, boulderbrook.net
BABCOCK RANCH ART SHOW
When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, March 9-10
Where: Founder’s Square, 42850 Crescent Loop, Babcock Ranch
Admission: Free
Number of artists: 50
Juried: Yes
Year the festival started: 2019
Organizers: ArtFest Fort Myers and Babcock Ranch’s developer, Kitson & Partners
More about the festival: The sixth-annual event features food trucks along Lake Babcock Drive, plus refreshments provided by Babcock Ranch’s Square Scoops, Slater’s Goods and Provisions, and the Lakehouse Kitchen and Bar.
Info: BabcockRanchArtShow.com
BAYFRONT NAPLES ART SHOW
When: 10-6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, March 16-17
Where: Bayfront Naples, 465 Bayfront Place, Naples
Admission: Free
Number of artists: About 70
Year the festival started: 2024
Organizers: Naples Picasso Events
More about the festival: This new festival features local and national artists. Bayfront's restaurants and bars will be open to serve food and drinks during the event.
Info: naplespicasso.com
PEACE RIVER NATIONAL ART FESTIVAL
When: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, March 16-17
Where: Laishley Park, 100 Nesbit St., downtown Punta Gorda
Admission: Free with a suggested donation
Number of artists: About 70
Juried: Yes
Year the festival started: 2005
Organizers: Boulderbrook Productions
More about the festival: The 19th-annual Peace River National Art Festival benefits Punta Gorda's Visual Arts Center. Food, beer and wine will be sold.
Info: boulderbrook.net or visualartcenter.org
NAPLES ART DOWNTOWN ART FAIR
When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, March 23-24
Where: The festival moves this year to Park Street and Cambier Park, 755 Eighth Ave. S., downtown Naples.
Admission: Free with donations appreciated
Number of artists: About 250
Juried: Yes
Year the festival started: About 1988
Organizers: Naples Art Institute
More about the festival: The 36th-annual festival is a fundraiser for Naples Art Institute. It moves to Cambier Park this year, due to proposed City of Naples limitations on crowd sizes at Fifth Avenue South events, according to Naples Art Institute.
Info: 262-6517 or naplesart.org
BONITA SPRINGS MASTERS ART FESTIVAL
When: Noon to 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, March 23-24. There's also a preview from 3-7 p.m. Friday, March 22.
Where: The Promenade at Bonita Bay, 26795 S. Bay Drive, Bonita Springs.
Admission: Free
Number of artists: 25-30
Juried: Yes
Year the festival started: 2017
Organizers: Boulderbrook Productions
Info: 293-9448 or boulderbrook.net
CANCELED OR POSTPONED
ESTERO FINE ART SHOW: The juried art fest has ended its run at JetBlue Park due to higher rent costs, according to the organizer. The fest was run by Michigan- and Florida-based art festival company Hot Works.
SANIBEL-CAPTIVA ROTARY CLUB ARTS & CRAFTS FESTIVAL: The 2024 fest at Sanibel Community House has been canceled due to Hurricane Ian. It's set to return Feb. 15-16, 2025. sanibelartfair.com
LEFT BANK ARTFEST: The monthly art-festival series isn't happening this year at Marco Island Esplanade on Marco Island. Organizers say they didn't get approval to hold the fest there, and they'll try again next season.
— Charles Runnells is an arts and entertainment reporter for The News-Press and the Naples Daily News. To reach him, call 239-335-0368 (for tickets to shows, call the venue) or email him at [email protected]. Follow or message him on social media: Facebook (facebook.com/charles.runnells.7), X (formerly Twitter) (@charlesrunnells), Threads (@crunnells1) and Instagram (@crunnells1).
This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Art festivals in Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Bonita Springs in 2024
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