Doing fun Christmas activities in shorts and sandals is an easy way to make your friends and family back home jealous! Not to brag, but that’s our normal in Punta Gorda/Englewood Beach.
We’d like to share a few of our charming holiday happenings to inspire a visit when you need a break from the cold and snow. While you may need a sweater at night, the days will likely have you running around free as a bird in tank tops and flip flops.
Lights and Displays
During the holidays, homeowners along the canals of Punta Gorda go all-out decorating the backs of their homes, even some docks and boats, and their de-“light”-ful creations are only visible from the deck of a boat...which is where Christmas Lights tours come in.
Boat Cruises
Enjoy festive lights aboard the area's original tiki boat! Christmas Light Canal Cruises with Cruisin' Tikis Charlotte Harbor launch at 6:30 pm from the dock near TT's Tiki Bar. Choose from either public or private tours on this cozy and fun vessel.
Christmas Lights Canal Cruises with King Fisher Fleet depart from the elaborately-decorated Fishermen’s Village three times a night for the entire month of December.
Christmas Canal Tours with Punta Gorda Adventures depart twice a night from Laishley Park Marina. They also run tours the whole month of December and offer festive goodies and holiday music.
We Love a Parade
The annual downtown Punta Gorda Christmas Parade happens mid-December, with the fun starting at noon. Make plans now for next year's!
The annual Punta Gorda Boat Parade is viewable from various spot along the route in Punta Gorda Isles. Here is a map of the route with information on where to see the boats.
Peace River Botanical & Sculpture Gardens
We look forward to Gardens Aglow at Peace River Botanical & Sculpture Gardens every year. The gardens come alive after dark with thousands of lights and decorations. Santa has been known to attend, and evens usually include carol singing and S’mores roasting by the fire. The event runs December 12–23, 2024.
Fishermen's Village
Fishermen’s Village is festooned with over a million Christmas and holiday lights and decorations every year, and the display is a destination in its own right. They typically turn on the display the Saturday before Thanksgiving with their Lighting of the Village event, then the Festival of Lights will illuminate the entire Village for the rest of the year. Alongside the holiday fun, this is always a must visit to window shop and buy gifts, have a great meal, take an amazing boat tour, watch an beautiful sunset, dance to live music, and people watch.
Wonderland of Lights
Head over to the Charlotte County Fairgrounds any December evening to enjoy the magical throw-back experience of an enchanting Christmas light drive with the Wonderland of Lights! The fairgrounds are festooned with fun and beautiful displays sure to enchant kids and grownups alike.
Enjoy this purely Florida holiday video to get you in the spirit, then read on to start planning!
Holiday Happenings
Creative events pop up everywhere over the holidays, courtesy our creative local businesses, so this is by no means a comprehensive list, just a place to start your celebrating:
Rockin' Xmas Party at Harpoon Harry's
Pull on your ugliest Christmas sweaters and holiday outfits and head over to Harpoon Harry's for a family friendly, high energy, rock-n-roll party with a mix of classic holiday songs and your favorite hits. Sip Christmas-themed cocktails and enjoy the Festival of Lights at Fishermen's Village.
Enchanted Holiday Circus
The Enchanted Holiday Circus at the Charlotte County Fairgrounds features circus performers, Santa's Village, music, and more!
Festive Feasts at Stretto at Sunseeker Resort
Thrill the kids with Breakfast with Santa and enjoy a leisurely holiday meal with Christmas Brunch, both at Stretto at Sunseeker Resort Charlotte Harbor. Reservations required.
Charlie Foxtrot Brewing
The Ugly Sweater Party at Charlie Foxtrot Brewing features music by Warrior Beats DJs, the Mr. Bulgogi food truck, game, draft specials, and a prize for the ugliest sweater.
Nav-A-Gator Grill
Santa is coming to the Nav-A-Gator! Featuring hot chocolate, letters to—and pictures with—Santa, reindeer food, and fun.
Downtown Kava
Downtown Kava's annual Ugly Sweater or Xmas PJs Party begins at 7 pm on December 21. Dress up in your ugliest sweater or cutest Christmas PJs and enjoy Christmas music and cookies, creative and tasty drinks, and the culinary stylings of Casa de Uraguay food truck. Bring a wrapped gift with a value under $20 to participate in the White Elephant exchange.
Show Time!
Charlotte Players
The Charlotte Players can always be counted on to put on a funny, sometimes bawdy, and always touching holiday show, and this year is no different. Don't miss their production of No Sex Please: It's Christmas.
The Symphonic Winds of Charlotte County
Enjoy both secular and sacred holiday music in a variety of arrangements, from traditional to new, with The Gift of Music at The Charlotte Performing Arts Center.
Visani Italian Steakhouse & Comedy Theater
'Tis the season for the Elvis Christmas Show at Visani Italian Steakhouse and Comedy Theater! One of the top Elvis Tribute Artists in the world, Dwight Icenhower, embodies The King in this special holiday show that will warm your heart.
Mindi Abair Returns
One of Punta Gorda's favorite people, master saxophonist Mindi Abair, brings her amazing talents back to the area with her I Can't Wait For Christmas Tour. The earlier you get tickets, the better! To really set the stage, attend the VIP Wine + Jazz pre-show event.
The Florida Philharmonic
Don't miss the Philharmonic's program, Home for the Holidays, and afternoon of holiday favorites, including Handel's Messiah, John Williams's Home Alone, and more.
The Charlotte Chorale
The Charlotte Chorale presents Sing We Now of Christmas at the Charlotte Performing Arts Center. It's the perfect way to get into the spirit of the season!
The Gulf Theater at the Military Heritage Museum
The Gulf Theater at the Military Heritage Museum is presenting a variety of Christmas shows, including a 1940s Radio Christmas Carole, a Three Tenors Christmas, and Christmas-themed Barbra Streisand and Rat Pack tribute shows. Explore and get your tickets here.
Once you’ve experienced “winter” in Punta Gorda/Englewood Beach, you’ll realize it’s definitely worth a “do over” – every year!
There's also plenty of incentive to stay through the New Year: explore Things to Do for New Year's Eve.
