It’s a busy month with so many festivities on the schedule. Southwest Florida offers many great ways to celebrate the season during December. Here are a few!

At the Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre, A Christmas Carol, holiday classic story with ghosts from Christmas Past, Present, and Future, and, of course, Ebenezer Scrooge and his infamous phrase, “Bah, Humbug!” runs from November 22 to December 25, 2024.” It’s perfect for the whole family!” says Jenny Boswell, Social Media & Marketing Coordinator. The show includes a delicious buffet with Dinner & Show tickets. 

Matinee shows are an option, and show-only options are available. The Elves and the Shoemaker is playing in the Children’s Theatre from December 3 to December 24, 2024. The classic favorite is how elves help restore a poor cobbler to prosperity.  A child-friendly buffet is offered beforehand, with all tickets for $25 each. 

Plan Your Visit: Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre, 1380 Colonial Blvd., Fort Myers, 239-278-4422, broadwaypalm.com

Another great family option is the Holiday Lights at the Calusa Nature Center and Planetarium. “Join us for Holiday Lights every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday in December from Friday, December 6 through Sunday, December 29. Stop by for holiday music, have some hot chocolate and roast marshmallows at the firepit, enjoy the decorations in and around the Nature Center, and walk the 1/3 of a mile fully decorated Pint Loop Trail,” says Executive Director Eric Raddatz.  

Plan Your Visit: Calusa Nature Center and Planetarium, 3450 Ortiz Ave. Fort Myers, 239-275-3435, calusanature.org

At Bell Tower, in addition to the regular monthly events like Happy Hour with Gulf Coast Humane Society that take place on the 2nd Friday of each month from 6-8 pm, the Festive holiday events include Strolling Santa from Friday, December 6 to Monday, December 23, 2024. Other December events include the Annual Tree Lighting On Friday, December 6, from 6 to 9 pm, Yappy Hour Pet Photos with Santa Paws on Friday, December 13, from 6 to 8 pm, Rockin’ Around the Bell 5k on Saturday, December 14, at 8 am, Family Fun Night Thursday, December 19 from 5 to 7 pm, and the Artisan Market on Sunday, December 22 from 10 am to 3 pm. 

Plan Your Visit: Bell Tower, 13499 S. Cleveland Ave., Fort Myers, 239-489-1221, belltowerfl.com.