This Week: Phantom Live, Art Festival, Monster Trucks, Agatha Christie, Pups, The Birds, plus a Free Donut

Friends and neighbors,

Am I the only one who struggles to get out of the house after a busy December? It feels like the post-holiday recovery is finally happening, and this week is a good one to ease back into plans.

If you enjoyed the Naples Art Festival, Bonita Springs has its own happening this weekend at Riverside Park. There’s also live music, monster trucks, and an iconic Agatha Christie mystery coming to life around town. Plus, we have an exclusive offer for readers of The Naples Florida Review from our friends at Airport Donuts.

Thank you for being here, and get out there! A free donut awaits. 

Warmly,

Pro tip for your morning 

What’s better than morning coffee? Morning coffee with a free cake donut at Naples' best donut shop. Soft, fresh, and impossible to resist, these donuts are the takeoff your morning deserves.

Make your morning sweeter today and swing by Airport Donuts! Don’t miss this exclusive promo for readers of The Naples Florida Review. 

1.   No More Talk of Darkness: Phantom’s Jeremy Stolle
📅 Friday, January 9 | 6:00 PM & 8:30 PM Performances
📍Artis—Naples, Naples

If you love Broadway but don’t always want a full production, this is a great in-between. Jeremy Stolle (best known for his years as the Phantom on Broadway) brings a stripped-down concert filled with familiar songs, behind-the-scenes stories, and a powerful voice that doesn’t need extra staging. The earlier show is nearly full; the later one still has room. Find tickets here. 

2.   Bonita Springs National Art Festival
📅 Saturday & Sunday, January 10—11 | 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
📍Riverside Park, 10450 Reynolds St, Bonita Springs

Missed the Naples Art Festival? If you’re still in an art-show mood, this one’s worth the drive. The Bonita Springs National Art Festival returns with a refreshed layout and top-tier artists from across the U.S. and beyond. Stroll Riverside Park, chat directly with artists, and browse everything from painting and sculpture to jewelry and glass. Plus, grab food and drinks along the way. The festival supports the Arts Bonita campuses of the not-for-profit Arts Bonita.

Event info. 

3.   All-Star Monster Truck Tour
📅 Saturday & Sunday, January 10—11  | 11:30 AM – 5:00 PM
📍Florida Sports Park, 8520 Rattlesnake Hammock Rd, Naples

And now…ready for something totally different? The All Star Monster Truck Tour rolls into Naples with high-flying stunts, a family-friendly Fun Zone, and even monster truck rides (yes, you can ride the course). Shows run about two hours, and arriving early is highly recommended. General admission is first-come, first-served seating; VIP tickets are also available. Event info and tickets. 

4.   Bark on the Ark
📅 Saturday, January 10 | 8:00 – 11:00 AM
📍Pure Florida at Tin City, 1200 Fifth Ave S., Naples

Treat your dog to a boat n’ beach day! Bark on the Ark is a relaxed, dog-friendly cruise through Naples waterways with time to explore Keewaydin Island. Each ticket includes treats, toys, and plenty of fresh air for your four-legged first mate. $69 covers you and one well-behaved pup. Find tickets here. 

5.   Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap
📅 January 11—February 15 | Various Performances
📍100 Goodlette-Frank Rd, Naples

The world’s longest-running play arrives in Naples at the Gulfshore Playhouse. The Mousetrap is a classic Agatha Christie with snowed-in strangers, mounting suspense, and a mystery that keeps you guessing until the very end. A perfect pick if you love thrillers with a theatrical edge. Tickets. 

6. Naples Design District Block Party
📅 Wednesday, January 14 | 4:00 - 7:00 PM
📍670 9th Street North, Naples

In the mood to do some interior redesign? Stroll your way through the Naples Design District during this monthly neighborhood block bash and find some inspiration while sipping champagne and indulging in charcuterie. Businesses are offering exclusive discounts, like 50% off all area rugs at Abbey Carpet, 25% off accessories (pillows, lamps, throws, and more) at Traditions, and more. Event info. 

7.   Rookery Bay’s 22nd Annual Festival of Birds
📅 Thursday, January 15—Sunday January 18 | Reception Jan 15th, 5:30-7:00 PM 
📍Rookery Bay, 300 Tower Road, Naples

Calling all birders and nature lovers. Rookery Bay’s annual Festival of Birds kicks off on January 15th with a keynote reception, followed by days of guided trips by foot, bike, kayak, and boat to some of Southwest Florida’s best wildlife spots. Highlights include sunset kayak tours, moonlight hikes, and a popular sunrise boat tour to witness hundreds of birds fly off at once (Jan 19th). Festival info and ticketed events. 

Last week’s poll asked: Do you already have any trips planned for 2026?

Here’s where you landed:

“Other” led with 30% of the votes! However, nearly half of our readers have trips planned or in the works. Even if you live in a vacation spot, many are already looking ahead to travel. Personally, my plans to go to the South of France are still in the dreaming-only stage. 

Naples season moves fast -- calendars fill, weekends disappear, and the best plans can slip by if no one makes the call. This newsletter is here to cut through the noise and make it easy to choose something worthwhile.

No endless scrolling, no guesswork -- just the events and local moments that are actually worth your time right now.

Elizabeth Bellotti
Editor-In-Chief
Naples, Florida
The Naples Florida Review

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