Rally is researching the season
Christmas with kids in Bonita Springs
In Bonita Springs, Christmas comes with a snow slide on a warm Florida night. The city lights its tree at Riverside Park, then lights up downtown for a month.
2026 Christmas events are coming in late November
We are confirming this season's Christmas events in Bonita Springs with every host. Subscribe and we'll email you the day they are released.
Free. One email a week with new events in Bonita Springs. Unsubscribe anytime.
The story of Christmas in Bonita Springs
How Bonita Springs celebrates
Bonita Springs begins its Christmas season at Riverside Park with Holiday in the Park, the city's tree lighting night. The mayor, city council and officials from the fire district and sheriff's office light the tree, and families enjoy a visit from Santa, a snow slide and flurries, dance performances and school bands. After that, the Holiday Stroll turns the downtown corridor into a nightly display of lights, photo spots and holiday music from December 1 through New Year's Day, and local businesses compete in a lighting contest.
Christmas last year in Bonita Springs
In 2025 the Holiday Stroll ran from December 1 to January 1, free, from dusk to 9 p.m. nightly unless another event was scheduled. Holiday in the Park took place on Tuesday, December 2, from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Riverside Park, with free admission and food and drinks for sale. Old US 41 Road closed between Wilson and Ragsdale Streets at 3:30 p.m.. The business lighting contest was judged on December 1, and the winner was announced at the park the next evening. Movies in the Park showed Santa Clause 2 on December 5.
Fun facts about Christmas in Bonita Springs
A snow slide and flurries make a warm Southwest Florida night feel wintry, and kids can ride the slide at Holiday in the Park. Businesses along downtown Bonita Springs compete in a holiday lighting contest. A local 2026 to 2027 Riverside Park calendar also lists a Kris Kringle Village on December 12 and 13 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., a Bonita Springs Concert Band evening on December 13 and the Holiday Stroll from December 1 to January 1.
Traditions today
- Holiday in the Park: The city's tree lighting night at Riverside Park, with Santa, a snow slide, flurries and school bands.
- Holiday Stroll: A nightly display of lights, photo spots and music along downtown from December 1 to January 1.
- Business lighting contest: Downtown businesses are judged on their holiday lights, with the winner announced at Holiday in the Park.
- Movies in the Park: A free outdoor holiday movie night at Riverside Park, such as Santa Clause 2 in 2025.
- Kris Kringle Village: A two-day December event listed on the Riverside Park calendar.
A fact for kids
In Bonita Springs, it is warm enough for shorts at Christmas, so the city builds a snow slide and makes flurries at its tree lighting.
Questions about Christmas in Bonita Springs
How does Bonita Springs start its Christmas season?
Bonita Springs starts the season with Holiday in the Park, a tree lighting night at Riverside Park. In 2025 it took place on December 2, with Santa, a snow slide, flurries, dance performances and school bands. The Holiday Stroll of downtown lights begins the same week and runs through New Year's Day.
What is Holiday in the Park?
Holiday in the Park is the City of Bonita Springs' free tree lighting event at Riverside Park, 10450 Reynolds St. In 2025 it ran from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. and included a visit from Santa, a snow slide, flurries, dance performances, school bands and food for sale. See our Bonita Springs Christmas events guide on this page for this year.
Who lights the Christmas tree in Bonita Springs?
In 2025 the mayor, city council members and officials from the Bonita Springs Fire Control and Rescue District and the Lee County Sheriff's Office lit the holiday tree at Holiday in the Park. Seeing firefighters and deputies at the ceremony is a nice moment for kids who like community helpers.
Does it snow in Bonita Springs at Christmas?
Not naturally, since this is Southwest Florida, but the city brings the snow in. Holiday in the Park has a snow slide and flurries, so kids can play in winter-style fun on a warm evening. The city also sets up the snow slide as part of the free tree lighting night at Riverside Park.
What is the Bonita Springs Holiday Stroll?
The Holiday Stroll is a free nightly display along downtown Bonita Springs. In 2025 it ran from December 1 to January 1 with holiday lights, themed photo spots and music from dusk to 9 p.m. unless another event was scheduled. The 2026 to 2027 calendar lists it from December 1 to January 1 again.
Is there a lighting contest in downtown Bonita Springs?
Yes. During the Holiday Stroll, downtown businesses compete in a lighting contest. In 2025 the businesses were judged on December 1, and the winner was announced on December 2 at Holiday in the Park. A walk along the corridor after dark lets kids pick their own favorite display.
Does Santa visit Bonita Springs?
Yes, Santa visited Holiday in the Park at Riverside Park in 2025, and the city included his appearance in the free event along with the snow slide, flurries and school bands. Check our Bonita Springs Christmas events guide on this page for the confirmed 2026 schedule.
Is Holiday in the Park free?
Admission to Holiday in the Park was free in 2025, with food and beverages sold separately. The Holiday Stroll is also free. For the most recent details, you can call the city at 239-949-6262, and our Bonita Springs Christmas events guide on this page lists what we could confirm for this season.
When is Holiday in the Park in 2026?
A local Riverside Park calendar for 2026 to 2027 lists Holiday in the Park on December 1 from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m.. The city's own page we read still described the 2025 event, which took place on December 2. Confirm the date with the city before you go.
Where is Riverside Park?
Riverside Park is at 10450 Reynolds St in downtown Bonita Springs. On the night of Holiday in the Park in 2025, Old US 41 Road was closed between Wilson Street and Ragsdale Street starting at 3:30 p.m., so plan your route and parking ahead of time and leave extra minutes for walking. The event ran from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. that night.
What is Movies in the Park?
Movies in the Park is a free outdoor movie night at Riverside Park. On Friday, December 5, 2025, it showed Santa Clause 2, rated G, as part of the city's holiday lineup at Riverside Park. Check the city's calendar to see whether a holiday movie night returns this season.
What is Kris Kringle Village?
Kris Kringle Village is listed on the 2026 to 2027 Riverside Park calendar for December 12 and 13, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.. The calendar does not describe its activities or prices, so check with the city before planning your visit. Our Bonita Springs Christmas events guide on this page lists confirmed events.
Is there a concert for families in December?
The Riverside Park calendar lists a Bonita Springs Concert Band evening on December 13 from 6 to 8 p.m. and the Stardust Memories Band on December 8 from 7 to 9 p.m.. The calendar does not describe kid activities, but music is often an easy choice for families.
Are there Nutcracker shows near Bonita Springs?
A local events listing shows North Fort Myers Academy for the Arts performing The Nutcracker on Friday, December 4, 2026, at 7 p.m. at the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall in Fort Myers, with tickets from $22. It is a short drive north, and it is not in Bonita Springs itself.
Can kids decorate gingerbread houses in Bonita Springs?
A local listing shows a Festive Gingerbread House Decorating Class at Sweet Revenge Cooking School in Bonita Springs on December 11 and 19, 2026, from 10 a.m. to noon, for $70. The listing does not say whether it suits children, so ask the school before booking.
How can I explain Holiday in the Park to a toddler?
Tell your toddler that the whole town gathers at Riverside Park to turn on the Christmas tree lights. There is a snow slide, Santa and school bands, and it is still warm outside. Showing a photo of the tree beforehand can make the lights feel less surprising.
What time should we arrive for tree lighting night?
In 2025 Holiday in the Park ran from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m., and the road closure began at 3:30 p.m.. Arriving soon after 4:30 gives small children time to try the snow slide and meet Santa before the evening gets crowded. Bring water and sun protection for the early hours.
Is there a Christmas parade in Bonita Springs?
The sources we read for Bonita Springs did not list a Christmas parade. The city's main holiday events are Holiday in the Park, the Holiday Stroll and Movies in the Park, so families looking for a parade may need to check nearby towns.
Where can kids see Christmas lights in Bonita Springs?
The Holiday Stroll is the easiest place. It lights the downtown corridor nightly from December 1 to January 1, with holiday photo spots and music, and it is free. Holiday in the Park at Riverside Park adds the tree lighting on opening night. Our Bonita Springs Christmas events guide on this page lists confirmed dates.
Why is Christmas in Bonita Springs different from other cities?
Bonita Springs celebrates in warm weather, so the city adds a snow slide and flurries to its tree lighting. Its downtown Holiday Stroll runs for a whole month, and local businesses compete in a lighting contest. The result feels more like a small-town evening outdoors than a big-city parade.
Sources
- Holiday, City of Bonita Springs
- Riverside Park Calendar of Events 2026 to 2027, Life in Bonita Springs
- Christmas Events in Bonita Springs, FL (2026), Events Bonita