‘Holiday Nights on the Lawn’ begins Friday
City of Cape Coral launches three-day celebration to ring in the season
Thanksgiving is not only a day for turkey and pumpkin pie — it heralds in the biggest holiday season of the year.
And the city of Cape Coral has you covered with a three-day festival to begin Friday night,
The city is expanding its usual tree-lighting ceremony to a multi-day “Holiday Nights on the Lawn” celebration set for Nov. 29 to Dec. 1.
The free, family-friendly event will be held on the front lawn at City Hall, with a myriad of holiday events scheduled each night from 4 to 8 p.m. The event is being put on by Cape Coral leadership and the city’s Parks and Recreation Department Special Events Division.
“We’ve traditionally done a one-night tree lighting,” said Special Events Coordinator, Todd King. “We do have the city’s largest Christmas tree on the lawn at City Hall. This year, we wanted to do a multi-day event. We have a myriad of elements to raise people’s holiday spirits, which we’re excited about.”
With a festive tree and menorah lighting on Friday evening, Holiday Nights on the Lawn will feature activities for all ages, including an ice skating rink, a holiday drone show, face painter and caricature artist each night from 4-6 p.m., food trucks, vendors, and various live entertainment. Santa will be available for photos each night from 5 to 7 p.m.
Highlights of the event include:
• Nov. 29: The sounds of the Southwest Florida Symphony at 4:30 p.m., followed by the lighting of the 50-foot holiday tree and menorah at 5:30 p.m. As the sun sets, families can enjoy a showing of “Arthur Christmas” on the giant inflatable screen.
• Nov. 30: In addition to other festivities, enjoy a screening of “Elf” at 6 p.m. The evening concludes with a drone light show at 8 p.m.
• Dec. 1: The festivities continue with a showing of “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” at 6 p.m.
“Any time you’re doing a holiday event, it’s our goal and hope that it raises the holiday spirit of families,” King said. “It gets them prepared to enjoy a wonderful season together. Kids get excited about Santa. As a community, it’s the time of year when there’s a good reason to be of good cheer and spread peace, love and joy with all of our neighbors.”
King said the ice skating ring will be made of synthetic ice, and everything will be provided at the event for people to participate.
“We’re excited to try it for the first time,” King said. “We’re excited to work with the company, and they’re excited to provide us with that simulated holiday experience of ice skating.”
King said the city is looking to build the Holiday Nights on the Lawn as an ongoing tradition for residents for years to come.
“We look forward to share these holidays evenings with the entire community, and the leadership of Cape Coral is very excited about this event on the lawn at City Hall,” King added.
For more information, call 239-573-3128 or email seclerk@capecoral.gov.
Cape Coral City Hall is at 1015 Cultural Park Blvd.