FORT MYERS, Fla. - - This weekend's chilly temperatures definitely made it feel a lot more like Christmas, and after tonight, downtown Fort Myers is going to look more like it too. With the flip of switch, it was Christmastime in Fort Myers. Today's festivities kicked off bright and early with a Christmas art festival showcasing local artists. "Oh gosh, there's all kinds of fascinating things, you just have to appreciate peoples' artistic abilities when you come to something like this," Shirley Fox said.


Over at Centennial Park, kids pulled out their sleds to ride down the makeshift snow hill while others gave Santa a sneak preview of their wish lists. But the crowning moment for many was seeing those colorful bulbs light up the night sky. "It's so exciting, so exciting," said Essie Robinson. "Makes the child inside you come alive!"

Mayor Randy Henderson did the honors of flipping the switch on the 25-foot blue spruce before leading the crowd down First Street to light up the rest of downtown. "I think it's beautiful. It's just breathtaking because I was here a few years ago when it was not like this. It's just gorgeous," said Mary Wilcoxoen, who is visiting from Indiana.

The city has nearly 20 different events planned in the Holiday Stroll Season. The best part is, the majority are either free or low-priced.

Festival of Trees
FREE event; 3rd Annual Christmas tree decorating competition to benefit Goodwill Industries of Southwest Florida
November 27 - 28, 11 AM - 9 PM; November 29, 11 AM - 7 PM; November 30 - December 2, 11 AM - 9 PM
Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center, 2301 First Street, (239) 333-1933, www.SBDAC.com or www.tuxandtrees.com

Hand-Made Christmas Art Festival
FREE event; Local artists will create works of art along First Street as well as selling their wares
November 28, 11 AM - 6 PM
First Street, (239) 939-2553

Holiday Joy & Jazz
FREE event; Jazz performances, many FREE children's holiday activities, and a visit from Santa Claus
November 28, 3 - 7 PM
Centennial Park, (239) 321-7530

The Holiday Stroll Street & Tree Lighting
FREE event; Centennial Park Tree Lighting, First Street Lighting & Procession with Fort Myers Mayor Randy Henderson, Sidney & Berne Davis Tree Lighting, and Procession to Holiday House at the Langford-Kingston & Burroughs homes
November 28, 7 PM -11 PM Lighting Ceremony, through December
Centennial Park, River District Streets, Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center at 2301 First Street & Langford-Kingston and Burroughs homes at the corner of First Street & Fowler (239) 321-7100

Holiday House
Low-Cost event; the 34-year tradition from the Fort Myers Woman's Community Club features tours of two decorated historical Fort Myers homes, the Langford-Kingston and Burroughs homes, as well as visiting with Santa Claus, holiday music, and a singing Christmas tree; Admission is $5 for adults, FREE for children 12 and under
November 28 - December 23, 5 - 9 PM
Langford-Kingston & Burroughs Homes, corner of Fowler and First streets, www.fmwcc.com

Holiday Dreams 2009
FREE event; Inaugural holiday lights display with holiday trees at the festive botanical gardens
November 28, 7 PM - 9 PM, through January 1
The Butterfly Estates, 1815 Fowler Street, (239) 690-2359, www.thebutterflyestates.com

2009 Tux & Trees Gala
Ticketed fundraiser; Black-tie fundraiser with valet parking, cocktail hour with decadent desserts and the opportunity to bid on spectacular holiday trees and wreaths at a live auction (trees donated from the Festival of Trees event) to benefit Goodwill Industries of Southwest Florida; Tickets $100 per person
December 4, 6:30 - 10 PM
Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center, 2301 First Street, (239) 995-2106, www.tuxandtrees.com

Friday Night Live Free Concert Series
FREE event; Christmas music is featured for each headline musician/band in the outdoor Patio de Leon each week; produced by Frank Greathouse of Real Guitars & Vintage Instruments
December 4, 5 - 8 PM (Grits & Gravy, Quirky Rhythm & Blues with some VERY strange Christmas selections); December 11, 5 - 8 PM (Paul Cottrell, Serious fun with Christmas music); and December 18, 5 - 8 PM (Cheeky Monkey, Pop and Christmas)
Patio de Leon, (239) 334-4638

Art Walk
FREE event; the ongoing first Friday of the month Art Walk includes 9 River District art galleries and venues
December 4, 6 - 10 PM; January 1, 6 - 10 PM
River District Art Galleries & Venues, (239) 332-0161, www.fortmyersartwalk.com

Breakfast With Santa
Low-Cost event; Event includes Breakfast and a chance to meet with the Jolly Old Elf himself; Breakfast is $15 each for adults, $12 each for children up to age 15
December 5, 8 - 11 AM
Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center, 2301 First Street (239) 333-1933, www.SBDAC.com

Holiday Carol Sing (The Soup Kitchen Benefit)
Low-Cost event; the 19th year for this popular old-fashioned sing-a-long includes three performances by the First Presbyterian Church Choir, soloists, and other special guests, as well as a Santa's House display, live manger, and appearances by Santa Claus and Frosty the Snowman; admission is at least 2 cans of non-perishable food and a voluntary cash donation for The Soup Kitchen.
December 10, 1 PM, 4 PM, 7PM
First Presbyterian Church, 2438 Second Street, (239) 334-7419

"The Santaland Diaries"
Low-Cost play performances; The Florida Repertory Theatre presents this offbeat comedy about an out-of-work, cynical writer who takes a job as a Macy's elf, only to endure the worst of Christmas spirit; tickets range from $20 to $42 depending on performance, check for times
December 10 - 31
Florida Repertory Theatre, 2267 First Street, (239) 332-4488, www.floridarep.org

Edison & Ford Holiday Nights 2009
Low-Cost event; The historic homes and gardens will be seasonally decorated with colored Christmas lights and historic decorations filling 20 acres of gardens in a display befitting the father of the Christmas light; $15 admission for adults, $1 admission for children 6-12 years old, $8 for students & $13 for college students with college ID)
December 11 - January 2, 5:30 - 9 PM, closed Christmas Eve & Christmas Day
Edison & Ford Winter Estates, 2350 McGregor Boulevard, (239) 334-7419, www.efwefla.org

Holiday Downtown Antique Market
FREE event; Stroll Hendry Street to find holiday treasures from the past.
December 12, 9 AM - 3 PM
Hendry Street, (239) 689-6246

Holidayland
Low-Cost event; Many seasonal, hands-on children's activities from around the world;
Holiday activities are free or with an additional low cost in addition to special-priced admission to the museum, one free child per paying adult.
December 12, 10 AM - 5 PM
Imaginarium Hands-On Museum, 2000 Cranford Avenue, (239) 321-7420, www.imaginariumfortmyers.com

"Imagine Christmas"
Low-Cost event; Enjoy an evening of entertainment with this performance; Optional donation may be requested during the event.
December 19-20, 7 PM
First United Methodist Church, 2466 First Street, (239) 332-1152, www.fumcftmyers.org

Downtown Countdown
FREE event; Annual New Year's Eve party in the downtown Fort Myers River District will feature entertainment and the famous ball drop at midnight
December 31, 8 PM - 1 AM
The River District Streets, (239) 321-7100