Things to Do in May in Punta Gorda/Englewood Beach

By Punta Gorda/Englewood Beach Visitor & Convention Bureau on Apr. 20, 2026

May FAQs

Itinerary of the Month: A 3-Day May Weekend in Punta Gorda/Englewood Beach

May in Punta Gorda/Englewood Beach brings a unique mix of warm-weather adventures, both indoors and out. If you're visiting over Mother’s Day weekend, take a look at our Mother’s Day guide for brunch picks and celebration ideas. If you're here over Memorial Day weekend, don’t miss our Memorial Day weekend guide for ways to make the most of it. Whether you're planning a weekend trip, a longer stay, or timing your visit around a specific event, this itinerary is designed to be flexible. For a broader look at activities, explore our Things to Do page.

Day 1: Waterfront, Blooms, and a Festival Opener

Start your first morning with breakfast at the Burg’r Bar or head to Spinnaker Bar and Patio Dining at the Four Points by Sheraton, then take a relaxed stroll through downtown Punta Gorda or along the Harborwalk. In May, the mornings are the best time to enjoy the outdoors before the afternoon heat sets in.

Event Highlight: If you're in town May 1–3, plan your visit around the Annual Hibiscus Festival. The festival takes place at Gilchrist Park, a beautiful waterfront space along the Peace River and kicks off Friday evening with live music, then rolls into two days of vendors, live music, plant sales, food trucks, and more. It's a fun, only-in-Florida kind of weekend. Whether you come for the shopping, the food, or just the vibe, it's worth building your first couple of days around.

That same Saturday, the Punta Gorda Taco Fest is also happening at Laishley Park, making it an easy and delicious addition to your weekend. And if your trip stretches to May 5, check out our Cinco de Mayo guide for local events and restaurant picks.

Afterward, keep things fun and easy: seek out some of the eccentric sights in Punta Gorda, take a stroll through downtown, then have a great dinner at Winesett House, Leroy’s Southern Kitchen and Bar, or Isabel & Annabel’s Mexican Restaurant.

Day 2: Local Finds and Wild Florida

Start your morning at the Downtown Punta Gorda Farmers Market (Saturdays, 8 am–1 pm) for fresh produce, local art, handmade goods, and a wide variety of food and specialty vendors in a relaxed, community atmosphere. Round out the morning with a fun tour of Peace River Wildlife Center, an excursion with Babcock Ranch Eco-Tours then lunch at their on-site restaurant, The Gator Shack, or explore IguanaLand, the world’s largest reptile zoo.

Event Highlight: May gives you great options no matter when you visit. If you’re here for Mother’s Day, Visani Italian Steakhouse and Comedy Theater hosts comedian Maryellen Hooper’s Mother’s Day Show on May 10. This is a festive evening whether you're treating someone special or just in the mood for a great night out. If you're here on May 16, the Day of Celtic Music at Fishermen's Village is a free, lively event with traditional music in one of the area's most scenic settings. Two very different experiences, both worth catching if the timing works.

Day 3: Beach Time, Coastal Finds, and a Relaxed Finale

This is the day to explore a little further. Head toward Englewood Beach, about 30–40 minutes from downtown Punta Gorda, for a classic Gulf Coast morning: white sand, warm water, and the kind of slow-moving beach time that makes you forget what day it is. This stretch of the coast is uncrowded and full of shells and fossilized shark teeth, with a bonus: several beachy restaurants are within walking distance.

Event Highlight: If you're in town May 23, make time for the Boca Grande Sandbar Memorial Day H20 Music Fest, a truly unique Gulf Coast event. The festival takes place entirely on (and in!) the water, so if you’re bringing your boat, you’re all set. Otherwise, you can rent a pontoon or charter or hitch a ride with a local boating friend.

Cap off the evening back on land with dinner at one of the local favorites you haven't tried yet. Plan your perfect meal with our Flavor Coast site, which highlights nine restaurants across the area, including behind-the-scenes insights into the menus, the chefs, and the founders.

Ongoing Weekly Experiences

If your trip doesn’t line up exactly with the larger events, Punta Gorda/Englewood Beach still has a consistent weekly rhythm and plenty of smaller events:

Farmers Markets
Saturdays: Downtown Punta Gorda (8 am–1 pm)
Sundays: History Park Market (9 am–1 pm)
Thursdays (October–May): Englewood Farmers Market (9 am–1 pm)

Wine Tastings at Punta Gorda Chocolate & Wine
Saturdays, 9:30 am–3 pm
Complimentary tastings offered every half hour, featuring wines and specialty pours.

Outdoor Activities
Fishing, boating, hiking, biking, beach time, and birding are available year-round throughout the area.

For more trip ideas, additional itineraries, and planning resources, visit our Plan Your Visit page.

May FAQs

May Events Snapshot

What are the main events in Punta Gorda/Englewood Beach in May?

The main May events are:

The Annual Hibiscus Fest, May 1–3
Punta Gorda Taco Fest, May 2
Mother’s Day with Maryellen Hooper, May 10
Day of Celtic Music at Fishermen’s Village, May 16
Boca Grande Sandbar Memorial Day H20 Music Fest, May 23

Find more events

When is the Annual Hibiscus Fest in Punta Gorda?

The Hibiscus Fest kicks off the evening of Friday, May 1 and continues through the weekend, May 2 and 3 at Gilchrist Park:

May 1: 6–10 pm (live music)
May 2: 9 am–4 pm
May 3: 10 am–3 pm

Annual Hibiscus Festival of Punta Gorda

Where does the Boca Grande Sandbar Music Fest happen?

The festival takes place on the water near the Boca Grande Trainbridge Sandbar (just off Dog Island).

Boca Grande Sandbar Music Fest

What live music events are happening in May?

The key live music event in Punta Gorda this month is the Day of Celtic Music at Fishermen’s Village, May 16, noon–9 pm, but live music happens daily at many restaurants across the area.

Day of Celtic Music at Fishermen's Village

Planning Your May Visit

Is May a good time to visit Punta Gorda/Englewood Beach?

Yes. May combines consistent weekly events like farmers markets with a large but laid-back music festival and many options to celebrate Mother’s Day and Memorial Day or to just explore, making it one of the more relaxing months to visit.

Are the highlighted May events and attractions walkable or close together?

Many key May event and restaurant locations are within walking or easy driving distance of each other:

From a Punta Gorda breakfast to the Hibiscus Fest at Gilchrist Park: Burg’r Bar is 0.6 miles (about a 15 minute walk) and Spinnaker Bar and Patio Dining is 0.5 miles (about a 12 minute walk)
From downtown Punta Gorda and the Saturday Farmer’s Market: Babcock Ranch Eco-Tours is around a 35 minute drive and IguanaLand is about a 16 minute drive
From downtown Punta Gorda: Visani is around a 10 minute drive and Fishermen’s Village is 1 mile, about a 4 minute drive
From Englewood Beach: all beach restaurants are under 0.4 miles (about an 8 minute walk) from the beach with most at 0.1 or 0.2 miles (around a 5 minute walk)

Do I need tickets for any of these May events?

Advance tickets are required only for the Mother’s Day with Maryellen Hooper Show.

The Hibiscus Fest, farmers markets, wine tastings, and Fishermen’s Village events offer free admission.

Mother's Day with Maryellen Hooper

What should I plan for, weather-wise in May?

Expect warm temperatures, sunny days, possible rain moving through in the afternoons, and some humidity. Most events are outdoors, so bring sunscreen, a hat, water, and maybe an umbrella.

Things to Do on a Rainy Day in Punta Gorda/Englewood Beach

Author

Punta Gorda/Englewood Beach Visitor & Convention Bureau

The Punta Gorda/Englewood Beach Visitor & Convention Bureau was established in 1997. The Visitor & Convention Bureau supports local businesses by promoting Charlotte County as a premiere travel destination, domestically and internationally, to consumers, meeting planners, travel trade and sports-rights holders.
We advocate for and promote Charlotte County as a warm, welcoming, and beautiful destination with positive economic growth and a focus on the preservation of natural resources to build a sustainable future for visitors and residents alike.
Learn more on our About Us Page and visit our Events Page to stay up to date on happenings in the area.
Blog content is created and reviewed by our amazing staff, (locals of course!). Through our posts we share those “in the know” tips, the “where the locals go” info, and the “places not to miss” to inspire travelers to visit. We share our knowledge by highlighting activities and events, the area’s unique natural appeal, and our prioritizing of conservation, sustainability, and accessibility. Our social media, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube in particular, focus on all there is to do, see, and eat in the area. Social posts and videos are created and shared by the VCB, by visitors, and sometimes by sponsored travel writers (always disclosed).
Punta Gorda/Englewood Beach, the Charlotte Harbor Gulf Island Coast is Florida’s premier ecotourism destination, free from crowds and off the beaten path yet still offering the comfort and amenities discerning travelers seek. Our location on Charlotte Harbor means endless miles of natural shoreline and outdoor assets like beaches, nature preserves, and waterways of all kinds. Visitors can find unlimited outdoor pursuits like sailing, boating, world-class fishing, paddling, birding, biking, dining and arts. Come find out why “Our Best Side is Outside℠.”