No snow but lots of lights

It won’t be snowing in Southwest Florida for the first time in many years. The annual Snowfest in Collier County — known for dumping a hundred tons of snow made from 1,200 blocks of ice every year so Florida kids can indulge in the northern experience — has melted away. So have the snowy fields and icy toboggan run usually seen in Bonita Springs’ Riverside Park. These events have been canceled due to the pandemic. But the holiday spirit continues to sparkle in Lee, Collier and Charlotte counties with a large menu of events that will go on with safety precautions and some compromises in place. Here’s a look at some of the happy holiday happenings.

LEE COUNTY

Holiday Nights at Edison Ford

The 45th annual Holiday Nights has a few changes to help make the event fun while keeping people socially distanced.

“We are requiring masks,” says spokesperson Lisa Wilson. “We are going to have the tree lighting on the Ford property because there is a lot more room. Around the banyan tree gets a little crowded.”

The 60 trees created by Lee County children will also move to the Ford side where there is more room.

“We are really trying to think about how people can enjoy this event safely,” Lisa adds. “Typically Monday and Tuesday nights we have less people, so people who are being extra cautious can come Monday or Tuesday nights.”

This year’s theme is Sounds of the Season and pertains to music.

Holiday House

Winter Wonderland is the theme for the 64th year of this annual event in the historic Burroughs and Langford-Kingston homes in downtown Fort Myers. Think cool colors, like pale blue. Organizers have had to curtail and change some of the activities due to the pandemic. One loss: sitting on Santa’s lap.

“That is one of the things we had to concede sadly this year,” says Paige LeBoutillier, chair of publicity. “Due to COVID, we did not think it was the right thing to expose Santa or the children to COVID.”

Face masks are required, and the number of guests will be limited. The tours will go in one direction with circles laid out on the floor to direct people through the safest route. It will also be limited to the first floor to avoid crowding on the narrow staircase. The upstairs will be decorated in the windows to be seen from the outside.

“Through all of this, with every challenge, there is opportunity,” Paige says. “The opportunity for us is to be innovative.”

Tours are self-guided. Tickets can be purchased online. Money raised goes back to the Burroughs and Langford-Kingston Homes to help pay for upkeep and improvements.

Holiday in the Park

There will be no blizzard in the park this year. The annual festival that featured toboggan slides, snow and icy fun has been canceled. Instead, Riverside Park will be decked out in lights.

“We are encouraging people to visit and take a holiday stroll and enjoy the lights,” says city spokesperson Debbie Valente.

A Holiday Time in the Park

Watch Disney’s “A Christmas Carol” in the park following social distancing guidelines. Bring chairs or blankets for seating. Santa arrives on a fire truck, so bring a camera to take your child’s photo with Santa and Mrs. Claus. A North Pole mailbox will also be available for letters to Santa. Free popcorn and cookies will also be available.

Holiday Movie in the Park

Watch Disney’s “The Santa Clause” on the big screen. Socially distanced family spaces will be marked. Bring lawn chairs or blankets for seating. Arrive at 6 p.m. to pick your spot. Popcorn and bottled water will be provided to the first 150 participants.

Santa Fest

Enjoy bounce houses, food trucks, photos with Santa and a movie in the park, 2003’s “Elf.” Movie begins at 6:15 p.m.

COLLIER COUNTY

Gingerbread House

Every year The Ritz-Carlton, Naples — that’s the one on the beach — builds a giant gingerbread house in its lobby with more than 100,000 pieces of candy and 2,000 pounds of carved gingerbread. The house goes up the Friday after Thanksgiving and usually opens to the public the following week. This year officials at The Ritz-Carlton don’t know how many days it will be open to the public because they want to avoid crowds.

“The very first week of December it might be available; closer to the holidays we probably won’t be able to manage the capacity,” says Jaime Moench, the marketing director for the resort.

Holiday Parade

Join the Collier County Sheriff’s Office and enjoy floats and displays from your car for a socially distanced holiday experience.

Cookies and Milk with Santa

This event was tentative when we spoke with a Collier County parks spokesperson. The plan is social distancing, face mask-wearing photos with Santa, crafts and Santa letters. For ages 5-12. Registration required.

Holiday Drive-In

The city of Naples is planning one holiday event: a drive-in movie. On the screen: “A Christmas Story.” The film will be shown on a 33-foot screen with a 12,000-lumen projector as part of The Naples Players series.

At the end of the month, TNP Drive-in Movie Night features “Disney’s Frozen 2” (December 29 and 30). For more movie night events, visit naplesplayers.org/drive-in-movies.

Christmas at Palm Cottage

The historic Palm Cottage in Naples gets decorated with traditional holiday décor. The annual activities and 10 Days of Christmas will not take place this year, but guests can still tour the decorated cottage. Masks will be encouraged, but not required. All staff and volunteers will be wearing masks. There will be tours led by docents, self-guided tours and hybrid tours where the docent will do the explaining outside each room and then let guests visit the rooms. The cottage tours are $5 this year instead of $13.

“We thought this would be a nice gift to the community to come and visit the cottage all decorated,” says Nancy Holcolm, who is organizing the event.

When: Wednesday through Saturday, December 1-26 (closed December 24 and 25); tours are at noon, 1, 2 and 3 p.m. with reservations Wednesday through Friday and 1-4 p.m. Saturday (last tour at 3 p.m.).

Where: Palm Cottage, 137 12th Ave. S., Naples

Teddy Bear Tea

“The Teddy Bear Tea is an annual tradition,” says Jaime Moench, the marketing director for The Ritz-Carlton, Naples. Oversized teddy bears fill the lobby. A storyteller reads favorite childhood tales while youngsters enjoy hot chocolate, sweet treats and Santa visits. Reservations required.

Pancakes & Pajamas

There will be pancakes, pictures with Santa, crafts and music.

CHARLOTTE COUNTY

Festival of Lights Holiday Showcase

Although an official Lighting of the Village ceremony will not take place this year due to COVID-19, you can see the Village decorated in a million lights and decorations throughout the month. The theme is whimsical, traditional Christmas. There’s also entertainment most days.

Christmas Light Canal Cruise

Seeing the lights and holiday decorations by water has been a tradition for more than 30 years in Punta Gorda. Cruise the city’s canals aboard a King Fisher Fleet vessel.

New Year’s Eve Celebration

Naples and Fort Myers Beach canceled their New Year’s Eve fireworks displays this year, but Fishermen’s Village hadn’t decided yet at press time. The annual fireworks display and celebration is billed as a family-friendly New Year’s Eve, and it usually includes music, dancing, face painting, hair glitter, LED juggling, plate spinning, balloon creations and fireworks at midnight.

“Our plan is to do it, but we need to be responsible,” says Kathy Burnam, the marketing and events manager for Fishermen’s Village.