Friends and neighbors,
Happy Thanksgiving! May your turkey be perfectly juicy, your potatoes buttery, and your desserts bountiful.
If you need a little excuse to stretch your legs (or subtly hint that your guests should), we’ve got you covered. This week’s events are extra festive, but even if you don’t celebrate, the 9th Annual Holiday Stroll downtown is a perfect shopping evening to snag a gift for yourself.
A heartfelt thank-you to all of you—our readers, idea-sharers, and cheerleaders—for making this newsletter such a joy to put together. And thanks to Dana, who is the warmest host for last-minute guests over at Naples Florida Rentals. I wouldn't be here without you.
Gobble gobble,
Table of Contents
Presented by Naples Florida Rentals: Thanksgiving Week’s Last-Minute Luxury 🔑
If you’re reading this on Thanksgiving, here’s a little thought experiment: by the time the leftovers are gone, you could have your winter escape locked in. This is the final week before the best Naples homes vanish into peak-season bookings. While the big platforms are filling up (and quietly marking up), you’ve still got a locals-only shortcut into five-star homes at November-only rates.
Why book direct with Naples Florida Rentals?
Best price, no platform fees – Direct rates only, no extra “service” charges tacked on.
Real local host – Text or call Dana, a full-time Naples local, for anything you need before or during your stay.
Flexible cancellation – Full refund up to 7 days before arrival.
Done-for-you matching – Call/text (239) 397-0929 and Dana will match you with the right home for your dates, budget, and pets.
🔥 Thanksgiving week is the last window for these November deals. Once these homes are booked, they’re gone.
Top 6 Events This Week: Seasonal Shenanigans Galore!
1. Johnsonville Night Lights in the Garden @ Naples Botanical
📅 November 28, 2025 – January 4, 2026 | 6:00 - 10:00 PM
📍Naples Botanical Garden, 4820 Bayshore Dr, Naples
The Garden transforms into a twinkling wonderland that puts even the most enthusiastic neighbor’s lawn display to shame. Wander through glowing pathways, snap photos by the famous living bromeliad tree, sip festive drinks, and let live music soundtrack your tropical winter night. Consider it your annual reminder that Florida does, in fact, have seasons (they’re just lit with LEDs.) Tickets are $18 for a child, $34 for adults, with prices increasing to $40 and $20, respectively, on Dec 12th.
2. Tree Lighting Ceremony & Holiday Cirque Experience
📅 Wednesday, December 3 | 5:30 – 8:00 PM
📍Mercato, 9110 Strada Pl, Naples
This is not your average tree lighting! Expect dancers, live music, holiday market stalls, face painting for the kiddos, cocktails for the adults, and a massive real Christmas tree ready for its big moment. Then head to the Event Lawn for mesmerizing cirque acts: silks, lyra, contortionists, cyr wheel performers… Santa’s gymnastic dream team. Find event info here.
3. Leslie Odom Jr. - The Christmas Tour @ Artis-Naples
📅 Wednesday, December 3 | 7:30 PM
📍Artis—Naples, 5833 Pelican Bay Boulevard, Naples
He came back to Broadway, and now he’s coming to Naples! Tony and Grammy Award-winning singer Leslie Odom, Jr. returns for his 2025 Christmas tour following last year’s completely sold-out run. If you’d like to be serenaded into the holiday spirit by velvet vocals and Tony-winning charisma, Leslie Odom Jr. has you covered. His Christmas tour blends classic holiday songs, originals from his albums, and a few iconic moments from Hamilton (a treat). The few tickets left will go quickly—grab them while you can! Tickets left are $89-116.
4. The Nutcracker – Naples Ballet with the Naples Philharmonic
📅 Saturday, November 29 & Sunday, November 30 | 7:00 PM & 2:00 PM (Sunday)
📍Artis—Naples, 5833 Pelican Bay Boulevard, Naples
Magical snowfalls, brave toy soldiers, sugar plums, and a Mouse King who steals the show. The Nutcracker is back to kick off Naples’ holiday season. With gorgeous sets, a cast of talented student dancers and guest soloists, and the Naples Philharmonic bringing Tchaikovsky’s score to life, it’s everything you want from a seasonal tradition. Perfect for kids, grandparents, and anyone who yearns for nostalgia by way of Tchaikovsky. Call the box office for availability.
5. Naples Pathways Coalition’s 21st Annual Iron Joe Turkey Ride & Walk
📅 Sunday, November 30, 2025 | 08:00 AM
📍Eagle Lakes Community Park, 11565 Tamiami Trail E, Naples
Work off your Thanksgiving indulgences… or at least make room for second helpings of pie. Choose a 5–62 mile ride or a 2.5–5 mile walk, enjoy breakfast and coffee, refuel at rest stops, and then celebrate at the finish line with lunch, beer, raffles, music, and a photo booth.
Kids under 12 join free. Register here.
6. 9th Annual Holiday Stroll - Naples Design District
📅 Wednesday, December 3 | 5:00 – 8:00 PM
📍10th Street North, Naples
Part block party, part neighborhood showcase, part treasure hunt. The Holiday Stroll brings together art, design, bites, sips, live music, giveaways, surprise sales, and holiday cheer across multiple blocks. Each participating business offers something special: cocktails, cookies, raffles, photo ops, discounts, festive bites, or all of the above. Event information and free tickets here.
Poll Results: Holiday Habits?
Last week’s poll asked:
What’s your favorite way to celebrate the holidays in Naples?
Here’s where you landed:
The winner? Quality time at home with family, friends, and pets with 28% of the vote!
(Shoutout to the pets for carrying that category.)
This Week’s Poll: Pie Preferences?
The holiday season marks a time to fight your siblings for the last piece of pie. I want to know which is the superior pie?
Why It Matters
As the holiday weekend settles in, here’s the heart of it: Naples shines this time of year because of the community behind it—people who show up, support local events, share recommendations, and make this place feel like home. That’s why this newsletter matters. It keeps us connected, informed, and celebrating the best of where we live.
Thanks for reading, and enjoy every bit of the long weekend.
Elizabeth Bellotti
Editor-In-Chief
Naples, Florida
The Naples Florida Review
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