Fall For Naples: Festivals, Films and Florida's Finest Beaches

By Nanci Theoret
Published: October 22, 2009
Last Updated On: March 11, 2011

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Naples in the fall means festivals galore -- arts, film, gardens and more.

Fall in Naples is just as color-splashed as it is up North. But instead of the yellows and reds of fall leaves, autumn along the Paradise Coast is painted in blue, green and white – as in sky, surf, sand and palm trees.

Autumn weather also means blissful 70- and 80-degree temperatures that are ideal for fall festivals (think arts, culture and a little history), alfresco holiday shopping or a day at world-famous beaches. Plus, paradise is priced perfectly this time of year, with hotel and restaurant discounts and savings galore at area attractions.

Old Florida, New Flicks

November in Naples is devoted to the arts.

Autumn weather means blissful 70- and 80-degree temperatures that are ideal for fall festivals (think arts, culture and a little history), alfresco holiday shopping or a day at our world-famous beaches.

Check out the debut of the Naples International Film Festival, which kicks off the United Arts Council of Collier County’s “Celebrate the Arts Month” with a gala and screenings of indie movies and documentaries, some filmed right here in Southwest Florida. All of Collier County’s arts and cultural venues – from Marco Island to the historic Palm Cottage in Old Naples – will open their doors, offering more than 125 events ranging from homespun community theater, Broadway performances at the Philharmonic Center, art galleries and opera, even an alfresco movie in the park.

The grand opening of the Naples Botanical Garden Nov. 14-15 promises to out-color even those fall leaves while the Old Florida Festival, with its cracker cowboys, Calusa and Seminole Indians, folk music, Civil War encampment and British Red Coats, relives 10,000 years of history in two days Nov. 7-8.

Savor the Season, Shopping and Savings

Naples’ Third Street South shopping district, known for its art galleries, trendy boutiques and gourmet restaurants, sets the stage for holiday gift-buying with its annual Festival of Lights, a season-welcoming event in late November that includes a tree-lighting ceremony, street entertainers, musical performers and a one-night-only promise of snow showers.

In Naples, there’s no need to dig out the car or trudge through the slush in search of that perfect present. Locally owned shops along Fifth Avenue South, plus gift stores in nature centers, museums and hotels, offer unique gift ideas and a welcomed diversion from crowded department stores.

Of course, our soft-as-silk beaches and aquamarine Gulf waters are always close by, providing a worthy excuse to delay that shopping another day – or motivation to get finished faster.

The savings aren’t just in stores this season. Visit the Paradise Coast this fall and you’ll receive VIP discounts on shopping, dining and entertainment – even resort credits and low nightly rates – with the Paradise Priced Perfectly program and Values in Paradise card. Card holders enjoy up to $3,000 in extra savings and discounts at area attractions, restaurants and shops – an added incentive to escape to paradise this fall.

Enjoy all these events and more in Naples this fall.

This article is brought to you by the Naples, Marco Island, Everglades Convention & Visitors Bureau. For more information, visit paradisecoast.com.