There is always something happening in Cape Coral, a vacation destination of natural beauty, fun family and pet-friendly activities and year-round festivals and events. In fact, there is a festival for nearly everything – the arts and jazz, mangoes and coconuts, boat races and parades, fireworks and feasting and even a Cape Coral festival for the Burrowing Owls! November to April is our high season and the festivities never end! Here is our guide to what happens, where and when in the ‘Waterfront Wonderland’ of Cape Coral.
January
In the second week of January, the streets of Cape Coral come alive with exhibitors and entertainers from across the nation at the Cape Coral Festival of the Arts, one of the biggest and most successful art events in Southwest Florida. Over 300 juried artists display their works of painting, pottery, sculptures, jewellery, photography, metal works and fine crafts to over 100,000 visitors. Celebrate Latino culture at the annual Viva Cape Coral Festival. The festival started out as a Cinco de Mayo fair celebrating Mexico’s heritage and has since developed into a festival and celebration of all Latin American countries. Shake your hips to some Latino jazz, sample traditional cuisine and enjoy the festivities of this fun-filled festival.
February
Cape Coral has the largest population of the Florida species of the charismatic pint-sized Burrowing Owl, bringing photographers from all over the world to photograph them. The Cape Coral Burrowing Owl Festival celebrates the start of the burrowing owl nesting season at Rotary Park each February, with great exhibits, talks and tours to the burrows. Savor the culinary delights from our local restaurants at Taste of the Cape, held annually each February at Four Freedoms Park. Live music, great food, a fantastic atmosphere and a great way to choose your favorite local restaurant.
March
All things Irish happen at the annual Cape Coral Irish Festival in March. Held at the German American Club, the festival has great Irish music and food, step dancing, crafts and games and the chance to win a trip to Ireland. Another March favorite is the Jazz and Blues Festival. Bring along a picnic to enjoy the delicious food and top-tapping music on the waterfront lawns of Marina Village.
April
Build and race your own boat at the Cardboard Boat Regatta, a fun and often hilarious event at Four Freedoms Park. This is a great pet-friendly event so bring along your four-legged friends to compete in the special doggy jumping and swimming events. All dogs are welcome.
May
Celebrate Cinco de Mayo in style with authentic drinks and dishes at the casual and colorful Iguana Mia Cantina. The end of May also sees the Shark-A-Thon Fishing Tournament come to the Cape Coral Westin, a fun event for fisherman. Last but not least, May welcomes Mother’s Day and Moms have free entrance with their little ones at the Sunsplash Family Waterpark.
June
It’s Dad’s turn for the free entrance to Sunsplash Family Waterpark for Father’s Day!
July
Start your Independence Day the right way at the pet-friendly Great American Picnic at Cape Harbour. Cape Coral salutes the nation with a patriotic acknowledgment to the troops followed by a day of great family activities. Bring your pets along to the “Best Patriotic Pet Contest,” show off your baking skills at the Apple Pie Contest and get the kids excited with a Banana Split Eating Contest! A fun Fourth of July event. Next up – RED, WHITE AND BOOM! Cape Coral’s Fourth of July Festival is awesome! The Cape Coral Bridge closes off for the event of the year. The festival begins at 4pm and ends with the most spectacular fireworks display enjoyed from either land or sea. Live entertainment, crafts, activities, free giveaways and so much more can be enjoyed as Cape Coral celebrates Independence Day.
Also in July is Mango Mania! A summer festival that celebrates the harvest of Pine Island’s mangoes. A fun family event with kid’s activities, games, music, entertainment and everything mango! Mango smoothies, bread, salsa, chutney and delicious ice-cream.
August
We love our pets, and even though there are no official festivals in August, we love to celebrate our furry friends. August brings the “Just for Fun” local dog show at Rotary Park. Any size dog can participate in 12 categories for awards and prizes. It’s a lot of fun for both pets and their owners and there are vendors selling food, dog treats and goodies.
September
Celebrate International Peace Day at the pet-friendly Peace Day in the Park in Jaycee Park. A festival of music, vendors and fun activities for the kids. Kids are always amped for the fun-filled Kids Fishing Derby at Yacht Club Beach held each September.
October
The Columbus Day Parade and Italian Food Fest kicks off October with a bang! Enjoy a day of Italian culture, amazing food and delicacies, even a pasta eating contest. Music fills the air as the parade makes its way through town. This, too, is the month that brings Oktoberfest to town and it’s everything German! Food, beer, music, dancing and plenty of kid activities at the Bavarian Gardens. October is the month of Halloween, so head down to the Haunted Hikes at Mike Greenwells for a little spooky fun and be sure to carve your pumpkin at the pumpkin patch at Faith Presbyterian Church.
November
The Cape Coral Coconut Festival at Sunsplash Family Waterpark celebrates Cape Coral’s uniqueness to the Southwest Florida area. Friday night is country night, Saturday night is rock night and Sunday has fire and hula dancers. This festival is a favorite with the locals with live music, rides, food, coconuts, crafts and fireworks! Also in November is the Veterans Day Parade, a chance to honor those who have fought and died for our country. Bring your family down to march with the veterans and salute America’s finest.
December
It’s the season to be jolly and Cape Coral certainly puts on a good show around Christmas time. Visit Santa at the Tree Lighting Ceremony on Cape Coral Parkway where fireworks and bubble snowflakes fill the skies. The second festival is Cape Coral’s Boat-A-Long Christmas Boat Parade, where all the boats light up for Christmas. Gather at Four Freedoms Park to watch the boats parade; you may even see Santa and his elves aboard! The year’s festivities end with a bang at the New Year’s Party at Cape Harbour of Marina Village Resort, where you can see the new year in with live music, dancing, and fireworks.
Other Cape Coral Events
Our Cape Coral sunsets are worthy of celebration and the first Wednesday of each month welcomes The Sunset Celebration at Yacht Club Beach. As evening wanes, stretch out on a beach chair and enjoy live entertainment, bring a picnic or take your pick from a food truck. The views of the Caloosahatchee River stretching over the Gulf of Mexico alone are worth the evening out!
The second Saturday in October, December, February and April brings Cape Coral Bike Night to town. A display of motorcycles line the streets, live rock music plays in the background and there are plenty of food vendors.
The World Famous Buckingham Blues Bar, home of Southwest Florida’s premiere live blues bar club is the best place for music lovers to meet and enjoy the best of the blues. Keep an eye on their events calendar, there is always something fun going on.
