Fort Myers Brief
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🌴 Fort Myers Brief

🌴 Fort Myers Brief

Your Weekly Events Guide

February 23, 2026

The Edison Festival of Light is in full swing, and Fort Myers is buzzing with energy this week! From the massive Crafts on the River and a Latin food festival to bike nights, live concerts, and a charity autism walk, there's something for everyone. Here's your curated guide to the best events happening around town.

We recommend confirming with the event hosts for complete details and any last-minute schedule updates.

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🍽️ Food & Drink

SWFL Taste of Latino Festival: Latino Lideres Awards PLUS Empanada & Cuban Sandwich Smackdown

📅 Date: Sunday, March 1, 2026
⏰ Time: 12:00 PM
📍 Location: Downtown Fort Myers Centennial Park
🌮 Details: Over 1,000 people interested in this massive celebration of Latin culture, food, and community. Don't miss the Empanada & Cuban Sandwich Smackdown!

Black Diamond Truffle Week at The Silver King Coastal Kitchen

📅 Date: Tuesday, February 24 - March 1, 2026
📍 Location: The Silver King Coastal Kitchen
🍽️ Details: Indulge in a special truffle-focused menu all week long at one of Fort Myers' premier waterfront restaurants.

Konpa & Coffee

📅 Date: Sunday, March 1, 2026
⏰ Time: 11:00 AM
📍 Location: Cadeau Cafe
☕ Details: Enjoy Haitian Konpa music vibes paired with great coffee at this fun cultural cafe hangout.

Sunset Cruise from Oxbow Bar & Grill

📅 Date: Friday, February 27, 2026
⏰ Time: 5:15 PM
📍 Location: Oxbow Bar & Grill
🚢 Details: Watch the sunset over the Caloosahatchee from the water on this scenic evening cruise.

Fort Myers Farmers Market

📅 Date: Saturday, February 28, 2026
⏰ Time: 9:00 AM
📍 Location: Fort Myers Farmers Market, Downtown
🛒 Details: Fresh produce, local goods, and artisan finds every Saturday morning in downtown Fort Myers.

🎭 Arts & Theater

Tuesdays With Morrie

📅 Date: Wednesday, February 25, 2026
⏰ Time: 7:00 PM
📍 Location: 2268 Bay Street, Fort Myers, FL
📖 Details: The heartwarming stage adaptation of Mitch Albom's beloved bestseller about life's greatest lessons.

Youth Theater Presents: The Outsiders

📅 Date: Friday, February 27, 2026
⏰ Time: 7:30 PM
📍 Location: 10091 McGregor Blvd, Fort Myers, FL
🎭 Details: Young performers bring S.E. Hinton's classic coming-of-age story to the stage.

Landscape Painting Workshop with Artist Marie Dyer

📅 Date: Sunday, March 1, 2026
⏰ Time: 9:00 AM
📍 Location: 2350 McGregor Blvd, Fort Myers, FL (Edison & Ford Winter Estates)
🎨 Details: Paint the beautiful landscapes of the Edison & Ford Winter Estates with artist Marie Dyer.

PopUp Auction House - Final Day to Bid Feb 28

📅 Date: Tuesday, February 24, 2026
⏰ Time: 9:00 AM
📍 Location: 10091 McGregor Blvd, Fort Myers, FL
🖼️ Details: Last chance to bid on unique art and collectibles at this pop-up auction.

Creative Journaling

📅 Date: Thursday, February 26, 2026
⏰ Time: 5:30 PM
📍 Location: 10091 McGregor Blvd, Fort Myers, FL
✍️ Details: Explore creative self-expression through journaling in this guided workshop.

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👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family Activities

2026 Chinese New Year Celebration
📅 Date: Saturday, January 31, 2026
⏰ Time: 1:00 PM
📍 Location: Paul Laurence Dunbar Middle
🌟 Details: A community celebration with festive performances and cultural moments-great for families and anyone who loves a lively crowd.

Reptiday Ft Myers
📅 Date: Saturday, January 31, 2026
⏰ Time: 10:00 AM
📍 Location: Caloosa Sound Convention Center
🌟 Details: Meet reptiles and exotic animals up close, shop specialty vendors, and enjoy a family-friendly day of curious critters.

Fort Meyers RV Show
📅 Date: Thursday–Sunday, January 29–February 1, 2026
⏰ Time: All day
📍 Location: JetBlue Park
🌟 Details: Browse the newest RVs and gear, talk with exhibitors, and daydream your next road trip (even if you’re just window-shopping).

Gardening Class: Intro to Florida Gardening – Part I
📅 Date: Tuesday, January 27, 2026
⏰ Time: 1:30 PM
📍 Location: 2350 McGregor Blvd, Fort Myers, FL, United States, Florida 33901
🌿 Details: A practical intro to what actually grows in SWFL, plus soil and planting basics.

Speaker Series : Turtle Tails
📅 Date: Tuesday–Wednesday, January 27–28, 2026
⏰ Time: All day
📍 Location: Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve
🐢 Details: A nature-focused speaker series centered on turtles and local wildlife learning.

I Can Only Imagine 2 Movie Premiere
📅 Date: Tuesday, January 27, 2026
⏰ Time: 7:00 PM
📍 Location: 4701 Summerlin Rd, Fort Myers, FL
🎬 Details: A special premiere-style screening night with a little extra buzz.

Night Hikes!
📅 Date: Friday, January 30, 2026
⏰ Time: 6:00 PM
📍 Location: 3450 Ortiz Ave, Fort Myers, FL, United States, Florida 33905
🌙 Details: An after-dark hike experience—bring comfy shoes and a flashlight.

Rotten Hearts Skate Shop Grand Opening
📅 Date: Saturday, January 31, 2026
⏰ Time: 12:00 PM
📍 Location: 4210 Cleveland Ave, Fort Myers, FL
🛹 Details: Grand opening celebration—swing by for the community vibe and shop launch energy.

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🎵 Music & Entertainment

EDM Fort Myers Presents: DAYYLITE at Sidney's Rooftop

📅 Date: Friday, February 27, 2026
⏰ Time: 8:00 PM
📍 Location: Sidney's Rooftop Sculpture Garden
🎧 Details: Over 400 people interested in this EDM night on the rooftop! Dance under the stars with DJ DAYYLITE.

Lakeview - Sam Galloway Ford Concert Series

📅 Date: Saturday, February 28, 2026
⏰ Time: 7:00 PM
📍 Location: 2158 Colonial Blvd, Fort Myers, FL
🎤 Details: Country artist Lakeview headlines this popular concert series. Don't miss opening artist RJ Preston!

RJ Preston - Opening Artist for Lakeview

📅 Date: Saturday, February 28, 2026
⏰ Time: 7:00 PM
📍 Location: 2158 Colonial Blvd, Fort Myers, FL
🎵 Details: Catch RJ Preston warm up the stage before Lakeview takes over.

SMACK DADDY LIVE at Lumber Axe!

📅 Date: Friday, February 27, 2026
⏰ Time: 7:00 PM
📍 Location: 2158 Colonial Blvd #1, Fort Myers, FL (Lumber Axe)
🎸 Details: Over 100 people interested! Smack Daddy brings the energy for a rocking Friday night at Lumber Axe.

Vicious Rumors at Stet's!

📅 Date: Friday, February 27, 2026
⏰ Time: 6:00 PM
📍 Location: 1926 Winkler Ave, Fort Myers, FL
🤘 Details: Legendary thrash metal band Vicious Rumors hits Fort Myers. Nearly 65 interested with 18 already going!

Rhythm on the River: Beside Myself, a Billy Joel and Elton John Tribute

📅 Date: Friday, February 27, 2026
⏰ Time: 6:30 PM
📍 Location: 2350 McGregor Blvd, Fort Myers, FL (Edison & Ford Winter Estates)
🎹 Details: Enjoy a tribute to two of music's greatest piano men on the beautiful grounds of the Edison & Ford Winter Estates.

Styx

📅 Date: Wednesday, February 25, 2026
⏰ Time: 7:30 PM
📍 Location: Estero, FL (Hertz Arena area)
🎶 Details: Rock legends Styx bring their iconic sound to Southwest Florida!

Classical Chamber Concert Series: American Virtuosi

📅 Date: Wednesday, February 25, 2026
⏰ Time: 6:30 PM
📍 Location: 2301 1st St, Fort Myers, FL (Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center)
🎻 Details: Experience world-class chamber music at the stunning Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center.

JP Soars and the Red Hots at LIVE on Hendry

📅 Date: Saturday, February 28, 2026
⏰ Time: 9:00 PM
📍 Location: LIVE on Hendry
🎸 Details: Blues-rock powerhouse JP Soars brings the heat with the Red Hots at this downtown venue.

Moors & McCumber in Concert! Bruce Gallant Opens

📅 Date: Saturday, February 28, 2026
⏰ Time: 7:00 PM
📍 Location: 2756 McGregor Blvd, Fort Myers, FL
🎶 Details: Acclaimed folk duo Moors & McCumber perform with opener Bruce Gallant.

DEAD MANS HAND LIVE at Lumber Axe!

📅 Date: Saturday, February 28, 2026
⏰ Time: 7:00 PM
📍 Location: 2158 Colonial Blvd #1, Fort Myers, FL (Lumber Axe)
🎸 Details: Local favorites Dead Mans Hand deliver another high-energy Saturday night show.

Rock N Rose Duo at Lighthouse Restaurant

📅 Date: Wednesday, February 25, 2026
⏰ Time: 5:30 PM
📍 Location: Lighthouse Waterfront Restaurant
🎵 Details: Enjoy waterfront dining with live music from the Rock N Rose Duo.

Steve E George

📅 Date: Thursday, February 26, 2026
⏰ Time: 7:00 PM
📍 Location: 39 Patio De Leon, Fort Myers, FL
🎤 Details: Live music from Steve E George at this intimate downtown spot.

DELIA at Bay Street Yard

📅 Date: Saturday, February 28, 2026
⏰ Time: 9:30 PM
📍 Location: 2136 Bay St, Fort Myers, FL
🎶 Details: Late-night live music at the always-lively Bay Street Yard.

Salsa Dance Party & Lesson with KumoDance

📅 Date: Thursday, February 26, 2026
⏰ Time: 7:00 PM
📍 Location: 2301 1st St, Fort Myers, FL (Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center)
💃 Details: Learn to salsa with a lesson followed by an open dance party. 13 interested and 7 going!

News Highlights, Fort Myers, FL

🔗 LeeCares sets final application date for hurricanes Helene and Milton damage assistance
Lee County set a March 31 deadline for income-eligible homeowners to apply for help repairing, replacing, or rebuilding storm-damaged homes through the LeeCares program.

🔗 How anonymous threats can divert law enforcement away from life saving responses
Fort Myers police say hoax threats pull officers, fire, and EMS away from real emergencies, and the response can be massive even when a threat turns out to be fake. Florida law can also make the caller financially responsible for the cost of that response.

🔗 Members of CROW help clean out dangerous litter from eagle's nest on Captiva
Wildlife rehab staff removed items like fishing line and fencing from an eagle nest after reports that trash was building up. The clinic warned that this kind of debris can injure wildlife and encouraged beachgoers to pack out litter.

🔗 Restoration of Pond Apple Park pond bank begins, city of Sanibel announces
Sanibel started repairing damaged pond banks tied to its wastewater system, including rebuilding slopes and adding reinforcement to reduce future erosion. The work is expected to wrap up by April.

🔗 C-43 Reservoir in Hendry County not expected to be fully operational until 2028
The reservoir meant to help the Caloosahatchee system is in a fill-and-testing phase, and full operations are projected for 2028. Ongoing dry conditions are limiting how quickly it can be filled and used the way residents were hoping.

🔗 Fort Myers police union announces agreement for higher wages
The police union says it reached a wage deal with the city that includes a sizable bump for newer officers and raises for supervisors. Supporters say it is aimed at improving retention and staffing.

🔗 Extreme drought worsens across the Gulf Coast as water woes continue
Drought conditions remain a problem across parts of Southwest Florida, with ongoing rainfall deficits and restrictions still in place in several areas. The report warns that relief may be limited in the near term during the dry season.

🔗 Lee County woman arrested in fentanyl trafficking sting
Deputies say an undercover investigation led to an arrest tied to an alleged sale of fentanyl in North Fort Myers. The case is being treated as a serious trafficking charge.

🔗 25 dead manatees removed from Lee County waters, including Manatee Park, possibly due to cold stress
Wildlife officials reported dozens of manatee recoveries in Lee County waters over a short span, with cold stress cited as a likely factor. The update adds urgency to local concerns about seasonal conditions and manatee protection.

🔗 Florida audit finds multiple violations of rules in Lee County School District operations
A state operational audit reported multiple compliance problems across district processes, including recordkeeping and required procedures. The findings could shape oversight and administrative changes moving forward.

🔗 First case of measles confirmed in Lee Health system amid Collier County outbreak
Health officials confirmed a measles case connected to the region’s broader outbreak and highlighted how contagious the illness can be around the time symptoms appear. The report also outlines common symptoms and the general exposure-to-symptom timeline.