{"id":282823,"date":"2026-05-24T14:50:22","date_gmt":"2026-05-24T14:50:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/282823\/"},"modified":"2026-05-24T14:50:22","modified_gmt":"2026-05-24T14:50:22","slug":"memorial-day-2026-top-events-in-fort-myers-cape-coral-bonita-3","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/282823\/","title":{"rendered":"Memorial Day 2026: Top events in Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Bonita"},"content":{"rendered":"

It\u2019s not just a three-day weekend. It\u2019s a remembrance of all those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country.<\/p>\n

This Memorial Day weekend honors those men and women<\/a> who have died while serving in the U.S. military. That includes Southwest Florida, where many memorial services, ceremonies and other events are happening over the long weekend.<\/p>\n

Here are some of Southwest Florida\u2019s top Memorial Day events. This isn\u2019t a complete list \u2014 just the biggest, best and most relevant events happening from Fort Myers to Naples. Check with your favorite local venues and organizations to see what they\u2019re planning, too.<\/p>\n

MEMORIAL DAY EVENTS IN FORT MYERSFort Myers Memorial Gardens Memorial Day service<\/p>\n

The funeral home and cemetery hosts the annual event. Details for this year\u2019s event haven\u2019t been announced, but it typically includes a military aircraft flyover, drum-and-pipe music, keynote speeches and a cookout. 9:30 a.m. Monday, May 25. Free. The Field of Honor at Fort Myers Memorial Gardens, 1589 Colonial Blvd., Fort Myers. 360-6409 or fortmyersmemorial.com<\/a><\/p>\n

Civil War descendants recognize Fort Myers Drummer Boy<\/p>\n

This event pays tribute to Civil War veterans buried in the Old Fort Myers Cemetery, including teenaged Union \u201cdrummer boy\u201d Christian Funck. Members of the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War will place a flower on each of the 21 grave sites containing the remains of a Union veteran. The event also includes a color guard and the playing of taps. 10 a.m. Monday, May 25. Group members will gather at the flagpole in Old Fort Myers Cemetery, 3200 N. Michigan Ave., Fort Myers. For more information, call Mark Barie\u00a0 at 518-593-3754 or email authormarkbarie@gmail.com<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Coral<\/p>\n

Coral Ridge Funeral Home & Cemetery, in Cape Coral, hosted its 44th annual community Memorial Day Remembrance ceremony Monday, May 26, 2025. The service brought community leaders and veteran\u00d5s organizations together in honor of those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for their country.<\/p>\n

MEMORIAL DAY EVENTS IN CAPE CORALMemorial Day Remembrance at Coral Ridge<\/p>\n

The Cape Coral funeral home pays tribute to the heroism of fallen military veterans and the sacrifice made by their families at this 45th-annual ceremony. Highlights include patriotic music, guest speakers, a roll call of deceased veterans, a motorcycle ride-in, crossed aerial ladders displaying the U.S. flag and more. 10 a.m. Monday, May 25. Free. Shaded seating and water provided. Coral Ridge Funeral Home & Cemetery, 950 Chiquita Blvd. S., Cape Coral. 283-0540<\/p>\n

\"Jennie<\/p>\n

Jennie Hunter places flowers on the grave of her late husband Ricky Hunter who was an Army veteran. Coral Ridge Funeral Home & Cemetery, in Cape Coral, hosted its 44th annual community Memorial Day Remembrance ceremony Monday, May 26, 2025. The service brought community leaders and veteran\u00d5s organizations together in honor of those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for their country.<\/p>\n

All American Country BBQ at Cape Coral\u2019s German American Social Club<\/p>\n

The annual Memorial Day weekend festival includes barbecue, German beer, country dance music and live Southern rock from The Big Cypress Band. Noon to 8 p.m. Sunday, May 24. $5 admission at the gate (free for active-duty and retired military with valid ID, and ages 11 and younger). German American Social Club, 2102 S.W. Pine Island Road, Cape Coral. 283-1400 or facebook.com\/gasc.capecoral<\/a><\/p>\n

Superheroes For Heroes at The Dek<\/p>\n

The Dek Bar\u2019s annual, superhero-themed Memorial Day fundraiser includes silent auctions, a 50\/50 raffle and live music. All to raise money for local veterans. 2-6 p.m. Monday, May 25. Free. Ages 21 and up. The Dek Bar, 4704 S.E. 15th Ave., Cape Coral. 542-3745 or facebook.com\/thedekbar<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Coral<\/p>\n

Coral Ridge Funeral Home & Cemetery, in Cape Coral, hosted its 44th annual community Memorial Day Remembrance ceremony Monday, May 26, 2025. The service brought community leaders and veteran\u00d5s organizations together in honor of those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for their country.<\/p>\n

MEMORIAL DAY EVENTS IN NORTH FORT MYERSMemorial Day block party at Brightwater Lagoon<\/p>\n

The North Fort Myers water park celebrates the holiday all weekend with karaoke, crafts, a May 24 block party and a May 25 foam party. The block party is the biggest park event of the weekend, including live music with Ryna Sands, lawn games, face painting, a photo booth and Memorial Day-themed paper-poppy crafts. The party takes place noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, May 24. All events are free with park admission of $25-$40 (discounted $25 tickets are available to the first 250 people). Friday through Monday, May 22-25. Brightwater Lagoon, located at 8630 Sunny Page Lane in North Fort Myers. MetroLagoons.com\/Events<\/a><\/p>\n

MEMORIAL DAY EVENTS IN NAPLESCollier County Veterans Council Memorial Day service<\/p>\n

This annual event features the Collier County Sheriff’s Office Honor Guard, speakers, patriotic music, a cookout, the Collier County Sheriff\u2019s Office Honor Guard, a fallen-soldier ceremony and more. 10 a.m. Monday, May 25. Free. There is limited seating, so attendees should bring their own lawn chairs. Hodges Funeral Home at Naples Memorial Garden, 525 111th Ave., Naples. 898-5354 or collier-county-veterans-council.org<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Nancy<\/p>\n

Nancy Bright prays while taking part in a Memorial Day ceremony at Hodges Funeral Home at Naples Memorial Garden on Monday, May 26, 2025. The event featured a flyover, speakers, flag folding & presentation, a wreath ceremony and a reading of the list of our fallen service members among other things.<\/p>\n

Food & Thought 2\u2019s Memorial Day Backyard BBQ<\/p>\n

Restaurant\/market Food & Thought 2 invites everyone for its third-annual Memorial Day Backyard BBQ featuring live music from the Parks & Wreck Duo, barbecue, yard games, an outdoor bar, drink specials and more. Barbecue plates are $12 and feature a choice of hot dogs, grilled-chicken sandwiches, cheeseburgers, pulled pork sandwiches or baby back ribs, plus coleslaw or macaroni salad. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday, May 25. Free. Food & Thought 2, 7941 Airport-Pulling Road, North Naples. 791-3663 or FoodAndThought2.com<\/a><\/p>\n

MEMORIAL DAY EVENTS IN BONITA SPRINGSBonita Springs Memorial Day Service<\/p>\n

The annual event includes the posting of the colors, a 21-gun salute, the laying of wreaths and a guest speaker: Retired U.S. Navy Lt. Raymond Sandelli. 9-11 a.m. Monday, May 25. Free. Liles Hotel Lawn, 27300 Old 41 Road, Bonita Springs. 949-6262 or cityofbonitasprings.org<\/a><\/p>\n

\"CAPT.<\/p>\n

CAPT. Stanley Bunner, Retired Navy, salutes as a flyover is performed by USAF Major Jessica Stearns in a 1945 Piper L4\/\/J3 during a Memorial Day ceremony at Hodges Funeral Home at Naples Memorial Garden on Monday, May 26, 2025. The event featured a flyover, speakers, flag folding & presentation, a wreath ceremony and a reading of the list of our fallen service members among other things.<\/p>\n

MEMORIAL DAY EVENTS ON FORT MYERS BEACHMemorial Day weekend at Margaritaville Beach Resort Fort Myers Beach<\/p>\n

The resort offers a weekend\u2019s worth of live entertainment every night, a Memorial Day exercise challenge and more. On Memorial Day, the resort hosts a Murph Challenge, a national tribute to Navy Seal Michael P. Murphy, who was killed in 2005 during Operation Red Wings in Afghanistan. The challenge is organized by Hammerhead Gym and includes a one-mile run, 100 pull-ups, 200 push-ups, 300 air squats and a final one-mile run (modifications welcome). Memorial Day weekend events are free for resort guests. Military, first responders and government employees get 35 percent off their resort stay. Day passes are $45 for the full day, $15-$35 for a half day. Margaritaville Beach Resort Fort Myers Beach, 251 Crescent St., Fort Myers Beach. 899-4001 or margaritavilleresorts.com\/margaritaville-beach-resort-fort-myers-beach<\/a><\/p>\n

Charles Runnells covers arts and entertainment for The News-Press and the Naples Daily News. To reach him, call 239-335-0368 or email crunnells@usatodayco.com. Follow or message him on Facebook(@charles.runnells.7), Instagram (@crunnells1) and X (@CharlesRunnells).<\/p>\n

Please support local community journalism and stay informed about Southwest Florida news by subscribing to The News-Press<\/a> and Naples Daily News<\/a>. Download the free News-Press<\/a> or Naples Daily News app, and sign up for daily briefing email newsletter, food & dining and growth & development newsletters here<\/a> and here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Memorial Day events in Fort Myers, Bonita Springs, Cape Coral, Florida<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"It\u2019s not just a three-day weekend. It\u2019s a remembrance of all those who have made the ultimate sacrifice…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":278589,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[14],"tags":[209,211,210,897,115350],"class_list":["post-282823","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-cape-coral","tag-cape-coral","tag-cape-coral-headlines","tag-cape-coral-news","tag-fort-myers","tag-memorial-day-weekend"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/282823","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=282823"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/282823\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/278589"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=282823"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=282823"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=282823"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}