Come to the beaches along Naples and watch a dazzling fireworks display to herald the start of 2009 from 7:30-8 p.m.

Check out one of the top art shows in the country, featuring artists from across the United States at the New Year’s Downtown Festival of the Arts from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. December 27-28 along 5th Avenue. During the festival, enjoy great art, food, music and more.

During the entire month of December, you can take part in the winter wonderland of Celebration during Now Snowing.

On December 1, Celebration Town Center will kick off the Now Snowing event with a special tree lighting ceremony performance by Tony Wynn & Groove Factor. Now Snowing features strolling Charles Dickens Carolers, photos with Santa, the Celebration Express, horse-drawn carriage rides and nightly snowfall at 6 p.m., 7 p.m., 8 p.m. and 9 p.m.

Watch as Downtown Naples lights up for the holidays at 6 p.m. on December 4, with open houses at businesses and entertainment along 5th Avenue South. Santa and the mayor of Naples will light the tree at 6 p.m., followed by entertainment.

Kick off the holiday shopping season at the Naples Renaissance Fall Art Festival from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on November 29 at the Naples Depot.

 

This invitational festival features 150 national, regional and local artists who will sell their original watercolors, paintings, drawings, photography, sculpture, ceramics, glass, jewelry and more. As a kick-off to the holiday shopping season, this Thanksgiving weekend festival is a perfect opportunity to find a one-of-a-kind gift for someone special. Food vendors and entertainment will be provided.

Experience the Halloween spirit against a background of swamps and alligators during the Fall Festival at Gatorland in Orlando on October 25-26.

Fall Festival activities at the theme park include a Halloween maze, pumpkin patch, trick-or-treat stations, holiday crafts, animal encounters and more. Children wearing a costume will receive free admission when accompanied by a paying adult.

To purchase your discounted theme park tickets to Gatorland, click here.

On your next theme park vacation in Orlando get ready for a haunting good time at the annual Gators, Ghosts, and Goblins Gator Hallow nighttime event at Gatorland, October 24-25 from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.

This spooktacular trip through the heart of the deep, dark central Florida swamp is sure to put the fright into Halloween this year.  This one-of-a-kind tour through the swamps at Gatorland by flashlight is sure to be one of the wildest encounters you have this holiday.

Get your discounted theme park tickets to Gatorland here.

The king of the hill in outboard powerboat racing is the “Champ” boat, raced around the world. At Lake Avalon in Naples on November 1-2, watch as these speed demons go from zero to 100 mph in 3.5 seconds and reach speeds near 140 mph. The high speed and nimble handling of these craft will create very exciting racing on the waters of Lake Avalon. A portion of ticket sales will benefit Collier County children’s charities. Admission is $20.

Celebrate German-style with authentic Oktoberfest music, food and fun from 5-9 p.m. on October 23 at The Village on Venetian Bay.

 

Get in the Halloween spirit in Downtown Naples from 6:30-9:30 p.m. on October 31. 5th Avenue hosts this celebration complete with costume contests at various locations and tons of fun for the whole family.