Fort Myers and Naples shows including Plies, Tower of Power
Looking for some fun concerts in Southwest Florida? Here are seven great options this November, from funk to rock to hip hop.
- Southwest Florida offers several events this weekend, including a boat show and a sand sculpting championship.
- The 35th-annual American Sand Sculpting Championship takes place on Fort Myers Beach.
- The 53rd-annual Fort Myers Boat Show will be held in downtown Fort Myers.
- Other events include the Fair at Fenway South and Florida Rep’s production of “Doubt: A Parable.”
Looking for some fun in Southwest Florida?
Here are our top things to do this weekend and beyond, including the Fort Myers Boat Show and 35th-annual American Sand Sculpting Championship. Plus a look at what’s ahead in November.
To submit events, email the details to reporter Charles Runnells at crunnells@gannett.com.
1. American Sand Sculpting Championship on Fort Myers Beach
The 35th-annual event brings top-tier sand-sculpting artists to the beach from around the United States and the world. Together, they turn Fort Myers Beach’s sand into giant sculptures of people, cities, octopuses or anything else they can imagine. The event also features amateur contests, a vendor village, live music, food stands and more. Thursday through Monday, Nov. 20-24. $5. Diamondhead Beach Resort, 2000 Estero Blvd., Fort Myers Beach. fmbsandsculpting.com
2. Fort Myers Boat Show
The 53rd-annual event features boating products, fishing and boating seminars, food, live music and hundreds of boats of all types from many different boat manufactures. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday through Sunday, Nov. 13-16. $20 (free for ages 15 and younger with paid adult admission). Free parking at City of Palms Park with shuttle service. The show takes place in Centennial Park, along the Caloosahatchee River and inside Caloosa Sound Convention Center in downtown Fort Myers. fortmyersboatshow.com
3. Fair at Fenway South
It’s the last weekend of the 11th-annual fair at JetBlue Park. The fun includes carnival rides, kids rides, live shows, midway games, fair food (including new options such as pickle pizza), vendors and an expanded Kiddieland. Now through Sunday, Nov. 16. Admission is $10-12. Other ticket deals and packages are available online. All shows are free with admission. Rides cost extra. Parking is $10. JetBlue Park, 11500 Fenway South Drive, south Fort Myers. fairatfenway.com
4. Pulp Paradise at Redbones Bar and Grill
The second-annual event celebrates “tropical surf music” with surf bands, vendors, the Miss Pulp Paradise pinup contest, bar games and more. The musical lineup includes Tampa “gothabilly” band Black Valley Moon and Fort Myers surf/rockabilly trio The Patina Turners. 2-7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 15. Free. Redbones Bar and Grill, 3604 Palm Beach Blvd., Fort Myers. facebook.com/RedbonesFL
5. Florida Rep’s ‘Doubt: A Parable’
Last chance to see John Patrick Shanley’s explosive, Pulitzer- and Tony-winning drama about a Catholic school principal who suspects an improper relationship between a popular priest and a student. Now through Sunday, Nov. 16. $74-$76. Florida Repertory Theatre, 2268 Bay St., downtown Fort Myers. 332-4488 or floridarep.org
MORE THINGS TO DO: Ben Folds, ‘Pretty Woman’
- Broadway Palm musical ‘Pretty Woman’: Now through Saturday, Nov. 15, at Broadway Palm dinner theater, 1380 Colonial Blvd., Fort Myers. $48-$98. 278-4422 or broadwaypalm.com
- Neil Simon comedy “Rumors”: Now through Sunday, Nov. 16, at Players Circle Theater, 13211 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers. $40-$55. 800-3292 or playerscircletheater.com
- Grammy-nominated blues singer-songwriter Shannon McNally: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 14, at Arts Bonita Center for Performing Arts, 10150 Bonita Beach Road, Bonita Springs. $49-54. 495-8989 or artsbonita.org
- Harry Chapin Food Drive Fundraiser Car, Truck and Bike Show: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 15, at Bell Tower, 13499 U.S. Highway 41, south Fort Myers. Free. bit.ly/3JfkX9X
- Outlaw country singer Creed Fisher: 8 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 20, at The Ranch Concert Hall & Saloon, 2158 Colonial Blvd., Fort Myers. $33-$70. 985-9839 or theranchfortmyers.com
- Pop singer, songwriter and pianist Ben Folds: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 20, at Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall, 13350 FSW Parkway, south Fort Myers. $51-$115. 481-4849 or bbmannpah.com
LOOKING AHEAD
‘Once Upon a Christmas Time’ at The MACC
This new, original musical celebrates the holiday season in a land far away, where fairytale creatures search for the meaning of Christmas to the tune of beloved holiday songs. Written by Southwest Florida Theatre Company’s music director, Julie Carver. Nov. 19-Dec. 6. $65-$74. Music & Arts Community Center, 13411 Shire Lane, south Fort Myers. 277-1700 or gulfcoastsymphony.org
Ukulele maestro Taimaine at Arts Bonita
Hawaiian ukulele player and music producer Taimane is renowned for her inventive, fiery playing on songs that blend classical, flamenco and rock sounds. She performed on NPR’s popular Tiny Desk concert series in 2020. 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 21. $42-$52. Arts Bonita Center for Performing Arts, 10150 Bonita Beach Road, Bonita Springs. 495-8989 or artsbonita.org
‘A Christmas Story’ at Broadway Palm
The musical version of the massively popular holiday movie, complete with the infamous leg lamp, the Red Ryder rifle, pink bunny pajamas, an irritable department-store Santa and a triple-dog dare to lick a freezing flagpole. Nov. 21-Dec. 28. $78-$98 ($43-$48 for ages 12 and younger). Broadway Palm dinner theater, 1380 Colonial Blvd., Fort Myers. 278-4422 or broadwaypalm.com
Fort Myers Music Walk
Downtown Fort Myers comes alive with music at this monthly celebration with bands in the streets and inside the bars and venues. 6-10 p.m. Friday, Nov. 21. Free. Music Walk takes place on the third Friday of each month. Downtown Fort Myers. facebook.com/RiverDistrictAlliance
Tellabration 2025!
Storytellers tell stories for both kids and grown-ups at this annual event. It’s one of many Tellabration performances organized by the National Storytelling Network and taking place all over the world. The stories can be funny, poignant, true or fictional. Presented by longtime local storytelling group The Tamiami Tale Tellers. 2-4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 22. Free. Peace Community Church, 17671 Pine Ridge Road, Fort Myers Beach. 849-7666
BackStreets Sports Bar’s 30th anniversary block party
The popular Cape Coral bar and live-music venue celebrates its big birthday with live bands, drinks and food trucks. The musical lineup includes Red Hannah, Deep Cover, Two Looping Vibes, Timothy Craig, Rock Republic. 3-10 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 22. Free ($100 for VIP upgrade, including an anniversary T-shirt, private bar, swag bag and more). BackStreets Sports Bar, 915 S.E. 47th Terrace, downtown Cape Coral/South Cape. 945-7555 or facebook.com/BackStreetsSportsBar
Charles Runnells is an arts and entertainment reporter for The News-Press and the Naples Daily News. To reach him, call 239-335-0368 or email crunnells@gannett.com. Follow or message him on social media: Facebook(@charles.runnells.7), Instagram (@crunnells1) and X (@CharlesRunnells)
