A child gets ready to brave the snow slide at the Holiday Festival of Lights.

FILE PHOTO

A holiday tradition spanning nearly four decades in Cape Coral returns this weekend, bringing with it the feeling of the festive season for all.

The Chamber of Commerce of Cape Coral’s “Holiday Festival of Lights,” titled sponsored by Incredible Bank, will hit Cape Coral Parkway this Saturday evening, with free attendance for all, young and young-at-heart alike.

Beginning at 4 p.m. and running until 10, Cape Coral Parkway will be transformed into the Cape’s version of a winter wonderland, featuring lights, visits from Mr. and Mrs. Claus, a tree lighting, and even a snow slide.

“We look forward to the Holiday Festival of Lights all year long,” said Chamber of Commerce of Cape Coral President/CEO Donna Germain. “Everyone knows what the first Saturday in December is, and you can feel the excitement building across Cape Coral. It’s one of those events that truly belongs to the community — families plan their holiday season around it; businesses rally behind it, and hundreds of volunteers join us to create a magical evening for the community. Being able to carry on this tradition each year is an honor and a joy for the Chamber.”

The opening ceremony for the Holiday Festival of Lights takes place at 5:45, with Santa arriving for the official LCEC tree lighting at 6:15. The jolly couple will take to the Cape Coral Town Center (Big John’s Plaza), and will be available for pictures immediately after the tree lighting until 9:45.

“It’s incredibly rewarding to see the impact this event has on children and families,” Germain said. “Seeing children’s faces light up when the tree shines, when Santa arrives, or when they get to play in the snow — those moments are priceless. That happiness is exactly why we do this. It reminds us that the simplest joys can create the most meaningful traditions.”

This staple community event drums up the magic of the holidays locally as Southwest Florida and the country steps into the season full-swing. The Holiday Festival of Lights also features the Tiny Tots Train Ride, sponsored by Kiwanis Club of Cape Coral, at Vincennes Boulevard. There will be four holiday stages, sponsored by Gator Country, Mix 104.7, and Bob FM, with local entertainers and dance troupes performing throughout the evening. Candy Cane Park, sponsored by Gator Mike’s Family Fun Park and Open Doors Preschool, is a free kids area with inflatables, live holiday performances, kids activities and more, located at the east end of the event adjacent to Wendy’s.

There will also be more than 70 food, craft, and business vendors. 

“Holiday Festival of Lights is a tradition shared across generations, and for 45 years, the first Saturday in December has marked the moment when snow and Santa officially arrive in Cape Coral,” Germain said. “I am 47 years old, and remember performing at this event when I was in the fifth grade. The Tabor Family has donated their Thanksgiving weekend for decades to decorate our tree. Families have come downtown year after year to celebrate the season together, and many parents who attended as kids are now bringing their own children. It’s not just a festival — it’s a memory-maker that captures the heart of Cape Coral during the holidays.”

A highlight every year, the 15-ton snow slide, sponsored by Nissan of Cape Coral and The Extreme Companies, brings an aspect of the holiday season that Floridians seldom experience. Take a plunge down the slope, located adjacent to the Winn-Dixie parking lot along the Parkway, throughout the event.

“It’s one of the most fun and unique parts of the night,” Germain said. “Snow in Southwest Florida is pure magic — it’s something families don’t get to experience here often, so it feels like a little holiday miracle. Watching kids sled, play, and laugh in the snow right here in Cape Coral is always a highlight.”

For Germain and the event’s organizers, the evening is all about spreading holiday cheer, bringing a sense of community, and giving families and residents a memorable occasion they can look forward to each and every year.

“We hope everyone leaves feeling more connected — to the season, to their loved ones, and to this community,” she said. “We want people to experience joy, laughter, and a little bit of wonder, but also to be reminded of how strong Cape Coral is when we come together. This night is about celebrating what makes our city such a great place to live and do business.”

Additional major, supporting, and media sponsors for the event include: The Breeze Newspapers, Tabor Family,  Waste Pro, Suncoast Beverage Sales, ACRA Electric, The News-Press, Lamar, The Cape Coral Sun, Fun 4 Fort Myers Kids, Creative Events-Taylor Rentals, Skyworks, Fox 4, the City of Cape Coral/South Cape, SWFL Amusements, LLC, 1st Response Traffic Control, Cultural Park Theatre, Cape Coral Talk Radio, Horseman’s Landscaping, Print 1 Group, LLC, Quantum Fiber, Tommy’s Express Car Wash, Cape Coral Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, Christ Lutheran Church, Florida Blue Center, Garage Door Works LLC, Powers & Rogers, PLLC, Preferred Care at Home of Cape Coral and Fort Myers, Renewal by Andersen, Solay Cape Coral Luxury Apartments, Sun Splash Waterpark, Williamson & Sons Marine Construction, and Xfinity (Comcast).

Parking for the IncredibleBank Holiday Festival of Lights is on a first-come first-served basis in the public parking lots. Please be cautious of tow zones in the downtown area.

Cape Coral Parkway from Del Prado Boulevard to Coronado Parkway will close at 5 a.m. on Dec. 6, and reopen at 2 a.m. on Dec. 7.

Holiday Festival of Lights Highlights, Dec. 6

• Santa’s Arrival and Tree Lighting

Santa will arrive at the South Cape Town Center (Big John’s) at 6:15 p.m. to officially kick off Cape Coral’s holiday season with the lighting of the Christmas Tree. Pictures with Santa will follow immediately after the lighting until 9:45 p.m. — Sponsored by Lee County Electric Cooperative

• 15 Ton Snow Slide

Who says there is no snow in Florida? Not us! Next to Santa, the 15-Ton Snow Slide is one of the biggest attractions at the IncredibleBank Holiday Festival of Lights. Kids have a blast throughout the evening sliding down the slope located adjacent to the Winn-Dixie parking lot on Cape Coral Parkway. -Sponsored by Nissan of Cape Coral and The Extreme Companies

• Tiny Tots Train Ride

Free Tiny Tot’s Train Ride on Vincennes Boulevard. — Sponsored by Kiwanis Club of Cape Coral

• Candy Cane Park FREE Kids Area

Candy Cane Park offers fun for the whole family with inflatables, live holiday performances, kid’s activities and more. The attraction is at the east end of the event adjacent to Wendy’s. -Sponsored by Gator Mike’s Family Fun Park

• Four Holiday Stages

The IncredibleBank Holiday Festival of Lights will feature four performance stages with local entertainers and dance troupes performing throughout the night. — Sponsored by Renda Broadcasting – Gator Country, Mix 104.7 and Bob FM

For more information, visit holidayfestivalcc.com.