December 2025 Holiday Events on Fort Myers Beach, Florida

December on Fort Myers Beach in 2025 is a mix of classic FMB holiday fun and post-recovery energy: lights on the bay, live music at Bayside Park, special events at Margaritaville, and New Year’s Eve in Times Square. Visitors get a small-town beachfront feel with plenty of concerts, markets, and holiday traditions all month long.

Below is an overview of the key December 2025 events on Fort Myers Beach, followed by a consolidated calendar with dates and times you can use for trip planning or relocation research.

1. Poinsettia Tree Lighting & Times Square Holiday Lights

The poinsettia “tree” has become one of the emotional symbols of Fort Myers Beach’s recovery. After first returning to a storm-scarred Times Square in 2022, the Town now treats it as an annual focal point of the season. The living tree of red poinsettias stands out against the sand and palms and draws visitors for photos day and night.

For 2025, the Town’s special events page notes that the Poinsettia Tree Lighting Ceremony is anticipated to return for a third year, and local promotions point to Friday, December 5, 2025 in the early evening (around 5:30–6:30 p.m.) in Times Square. Because weather and logistics can still force last-minute changes, visitors should confirm the exact date and time with the Town of Fort Myers Beach or the Greater Fort Myers Beach Chamber of Commerce before heading down.

What to expect:

• Holiday music and a countdown to the lighting
• The poinsettia tree and surrounding planters lit up for photos
• Easy walkability to bars, restaurants, and the beach around Times Square

Tip: Arrive early to enjoy sunset near the pier area, then stay in Times Square for dinner and live music at nearby venues.

2. 37th Annual Fort Myers Beach Christmas Boat Parade – December 6

The 37th Annual Fort Myers Beach Christmas Boat Parade is the marquee on-the-water holiday event for the island. The Greater Fort Myers Beach Chamber lists the 2025 parade for Saturday, December 6, 2025, from 6:00–8:00 p.m. Boats assemble by Salty Sam’s Marina beginning around 5:30 p.m. before heading under the Matanzas Pass Bridge and cruising along Estero Island on the back bay.

Highlights include:

• Dozens of boats wrapped in lights, inflatables, and holiday décor
• A route that covers North Matanzas Pass and the bayside of the island
• Great viewing from waterfront restaurants, the bridge, and some condo docks
• Charter options from local tour operators so you can watch from the water

For vacationers, it’s a photogenic, family-friendly event that feels uniquely coastal. For prospective buyers, it’s also a chance to feel out the nighttime energy of the marina districts, bayside neighborhoods, and waterfront dining scene.

3. Bayside Park Holiday Concerts – Fridays & Sundays

Bayside Veterans Park, located at the base of the Matanzas Pass Bridge just off Old San Carlos Boulevard, has turned into the island’s go-to live-music lawn. In December 2025, you can catch two separate free concert series: a louder, high-energy Friday night series and a more relaxed Sunday afternoon lineup.

Friday Night Concert Series

The Bayside Park Friday Concert Series is scheduled for select Fridays, with December performances set for December 5, 12, and 19, 2025 from 5:30–8:30 p.m.

• Dec 5: The Echo – high-energy 70s/80s rock and dance covers
• Dec 12: Wayward Souls – funk, soul, and rock with a danceable vibe
• Dec 19: Cinnamon Crows – variety band covering hits from several decades

Some listings also show a concert on Friday, Dec 26 (band to be announced), so you may have live music every Friday night of the month.

Sunday Afternoon Concert Series

On Sundays, the Bayside Park Sunday Concert Series offers a more laid-back slot from 4:00–7:00 p.m. confirmed for December 7, 14, 21, and 28, 2025. Acts include:

• Dec 7: Limited Edition – popular local band with a big, soulful sound
• Dec 14: Joe Yeoman – songwriter with original songs rooted in real-life stories
• Dec 21 & 28: Ongoing series dates, with rotating performers announced closer to the event

These shows are free. Bring a lawn chair, leave the coolers at home (outside food and drink are not allowed), and enjoy sunset with live music right on the back bay.

4. Margaritaville & Woman’s Club Christmas Tree Festival – December 12

One of the most distinctive local holiday happenings is the Fort Myers Beach Woman’s Club Christmas Tree Festival, hosted in the ballroom at Margaritaville Beach Resort at 251 Crescent Street. For 2025, this event is scheduled for Friday, December 12 from 5:30–8:30 p.m.

What you’ll find:

• Non-profits decorating trees and wreaths that are auctioned off in a silent auction
• A chili cookoff, bake sale, and booths selling local art and goods
• A lively, community-centered evening just steps from Times Square and the beach

If you’re visiting for the holidays, it’s a fun way to support the island’s recovery organizations. If you’re considering a move to the area, it’s also a great place to meet locals and experience the community side of Fort Myers Beach.

5. Art & Holiday Culture Around the Island

Beyond traditional holiday events, December 2025 includes an active art scene tied to the Fort Myers Beach Art Association & Gallery (FMBAA). Their calendar features seasonal exhibits and special programs such as “Art Divine,” along with occasional artist talks, demos, and gallery events.

Even if you’re primarily in town for the beach and boat parade, taking an hour to step into a local gallery can give you a deeper sense of the island’s creative community and the way artists are documenting the changes and recovery of Fort Myers Beach.

6. Winter Farmers Markets

The Town’s Special Events page also lists weekly Farmers Markets managed by Shop Local Productions, typically running in the October–April window with multiple Fort Myers Beach locations such as Times Square, Moss Marina, and Santini Plaza. Most operate from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on select weekdays.

In practice, by December you can usually count on:

• Fresh produce, baked goods, and ready-to-eat food vendors
• Local crafts, artwork, and holiday gifts
• Market sites that double as informal neighborhood meet-ups

Because the posted date ranges occasionally show inconsistent year labels, it’s wise to treat them as a guide rather than gospel and double-check the exact day and location for December 2025 markets on the Town’s website or the market operator’s page.

7. New Year’s Eve in Times Square – December 31 (No Fireworks)

The Fort Myers Beach New Year’s Eve listing for Wednesday, December 31, 2025 shows an all-day celebration centered on Times Square (830 Estero Boulevard). Restaurants, bars, and live-music venues create a walkable New Year’s corridor, but the Town has noted that there will be no official midnight fireworks display this year.

Instead, expect:

• Dinner and drinks at Times Square restaurants and bars
• Live music at various venues (schedules posted closer to the holiday)
• Trolley and tram service helping people in and out of the downtown district

The Town enforces ordinances against personal fireworks on the beach and open container rules outside designated areas, so plan on a more controlled, family-friendly New Year’s Eve that still feels festive, just without the typical pier-side fireworks show.

December 2025 Holiday Events Calendar – Fort Myers Beach

Here is a consolidated, at-a-glance calendar of major holiday and holiday-season events on Fort Myers Beach for December 2025. Always confirm details with event organizers before you go, as weather and logistics can affect dates and times.

*Poinsettia Tree Lighting date and time are based on current community promotions; the Town lists the 2025 event as anticipated to return, so confirm details before you go.

For the most current event updates, visitors can also check the Fort Myers Beach Chamber of Commerce event calendar and the Town of Fort Myers Beach Special Events page, both of which are updated frequently leading into the holiday season.