Doing festive holiday and Christmas activities in shorts and sandals is an easy way to make your friends and family back home jealous! Not to brag, but that’s our normal in Punta Gorda/Englewood Beach.
Around here, you may need a sweater at night but the temperate days will likely have you running around free as a bird in tank tops and flip flops.
And once you’ve experienced “winter” here, you’ll probably want a do over every year!
Read on to start planning your warmest winter yet:
Lights, Holidays, Action!
Back to Top of ListCreative events pop up everywhere over the holidays, courtesy our great local businesses so keep an eye out for fun events across the area, like Downtown Kava's traditional Ugly Sweater Party.
Festival of Lights
Fishermen’s Village is festooned with over a million Christmas and holiday lights and decorations every year, and the display is a destination in its own right. The Festival of Lights will illuminate the entire Village for the rest of the year, and the Lighting of the Village, when they flip the switch and turn everything on, happens November 14 this year.
Babcock Ranch Hometown Holidays and Tree Lighting Festival
Starting November 27 and lasting through January 6, the nation's first solar-powered town, Babcock Ranch, presents Hometown Holidays, which celebrates the holidays with an ice rink, illuminated path, carousel, vendor village, North Pole Experience, and more!
Their annual Babcock Ranch Tree Lighting Festival takes place on December 4 at 5:30 pm.
Light up the Night: Punta Gorda Christmas Tree Lighting
The annual Punta Gorda Christmas Tree Lighting is a party that takes over all of downtown! There will be plenty of food options, Christmas-themed activities, face painting, games, and more. Join the fun December 4, starting at 5:30.
Featuring food trucks, magical lights, lots of holiday cheer, and an appearance by Santa. Free to attend, with registration requested.
Christmas Lights Boat Tours
Back to Top of ListDuring the holidays, homeowners along the canals of Punta Gorda go all-out decorating the backs of their homes, even some docks and boats, and their de-“light”-ful creations are only visible from the deck of a boat...which is where Christmas Lights tours come in:
King Fisher Fleet
Christmas Lights Canal Cruises with King Fisher Fleet depart from the elaborately-decorated Fishermen’s Village three times a night for the entire month of December.
Cruisin' Tikis Charlotte Harbor
Soak up the holiday cheer all month long with a Christmas Lights Canal Tour aboard the area's original tiki boat, Cruisin' Tikis Charlotte Harbor. Book individually or reserve the entire boat (maximum 6 people)!
Red Tiki Tours
Hop on another tiki boat for Christmas Lights Tours with Red Tiki Tours! They're offering 2-hour tours, nightly for the entire month of December.
Punta Gorda Adventures
Information on the Christmas Canal Tours with Punta Gorda Adventures will be announced once the information is available.
Showtime!
Back to Top of ListCharlotte Players
The Charlotte Players are excited to present The Four Old Broads Christmas Extravaganza featuring everyone's favorite...well...four old broads! Performances start November 19 and continue through December 13, 2026.
The Gulf Theater at the Military Heritage Museum
The Gulf Theater at the Military Heritage Museum always presents a variety of Christmas shows! This year's fun includes fun stuff like A Dolly Parton Christmas featuring Karen Hester, December 15.
Visani Italian Steakhouse & Comedy Theater
You never want to miss the Elvis Christmas Show at Visani Italian Steakhouse and Comedy Theater, December 15 and 16, 2025. One of the top Elvis Tribute Artists in the world, Dwight Icenhower, embodies The King in this special holiday show that will warm your heart.
The Florida Philharmonic
Settle in on December 19, 2026, for a "swinging, sparkling" Jazzy Holiday Fantasy concert featuring a blending of jazzy orchestral sounds and beloved holiday classics.
The Symphonic Winds of Charlotte County
This year's concert is A Traditional Christmas and features a blend of old favorites and new, heartfelt arrangements along with some jazzy fun.
The Charlotte Chorale
The Charlotte Chorale's annual concert in 2026 is A Yuletide Excursion, taking place December 6 at 4 pm at the Charlotte Performing Arts Center in Punta Gorda.
The Holidays, Punta Gorda/Englewood Beach Style
Back to Top of ListPrevious Year's Events
Back to Top of ListKeep an eye out, some favorites from last year may be making a return:
Enchanted Holiday Circus
The Charlotte County Fairgrounds was home to The Enchanted Holiday Circus last year, so keep an eye out for 2026 dates.
Jingle & Jam
Last year's Jingle & Jam Music Festival at Peace River Botanical & Sculpture Gardens was fun for the whole family and featured Santa and other special characters, a holiday gift shop, artisan vendors, food trucks, drinks, and more. Keep an eye out for this year's event.
We Love a Parade
Details about the annual downtown Punta Gorda Christmas Parade will be posted as they become available. Last year's theme was "Elf Village Celebration" so keep an eye out for this year's. The parade usually kicks off at noon at the Charlotte Performing Arts Center and is a welcoming community event that helps set the tone for a friendly festive season.
