Tree Lighting Ceremony

Tree Lighting Ceremony - Cape Coral has a Christmas Tree Lighting Festival that is fun for the whole family!

Getting into the Christmas spirit can be hard in Florida, it's usually in the low 80's for November and December with lots of sunny days.

While I used to get my Christmas shopping done in October when I lived in Connecticut .......... because you never knew when snow storms or the flu would hit.

Here in Florida, I finally realize the first week in December that I better get it together and start my shopping. Going to the tree lighting helps to get me in the mood for the season, the festivities are hosted by the Cape Coral Chamber of Commerce. They go from 4-10PM, and the date for 2018 is December 1.

Downtown Cape Coral Parkway is closed off to make room for lots of food, local business, and craft vendors.

There are bounce houses and slides, rock climbing, and tons of activities for kids.

Talent of all ages performs from 3 different stages, and you will also find music coming from shops and restaurants that line the street.

A big pile of snow is formed into 2 slides for kids to sled down ......... for many of them, it's the first time they've seen snow!

Near the snowpile is a choo choo train ride filled with kids having fun. One of Santa's helpers drives the train clanging a bell, ringing in the holidays.

Finally around 6:15PM, over in front of Big John's Plaza, the tree is lit, while "snow" is blowing around and it looks just gorgeous!

Then Santa arrives, sometimes on a horse-drawn carriage to hear the little one's Christmas wishes and to pose for photos.

Your Cape Coral Christmas isn't complete without a visit to this most festive of Christmas festivals and many people from the Cape and surrounding towns won't miss it!