The holiday season has arrived once again, and Fifth Avenue South is already sparkling with festive cheer. As the beloved song goes, “It’s the most wonderful time of the year!” Friends and families gather to celebrate, filling our community with the joy and warmth that makes this season truly special.
This year, we proudly mark the 51st Christmas on Fifth Avenue South, where the magic of the holidays comes to life for children and adults alike. It’s a cherished tradition, a time to embrace the enchantment of the season in the heart of our community.
December 3 Christmas Parade
Organized by the City of Naples Parks and Recreation, the parade kicks off the holiday season on December 3 and will once again be grand and colorful. The Naples Christmas Parade brings our community together as we gather to watch floats, fire engines, school bands, dance troupes, scouts, civic groups, and more celebrate the season on our beloved avenue. Santa and Mrs. Claus will joyfully bring up the rear to this time-honored tradition. The parade begins at 6:30 p.m. and proceeds north on Third Street South to Fifth Avenue South. It then turns onto Eighth Street South and ends on Broad Avenue.
Christmas Walk & Tree Lighting
This year’s enchanting Christmas Walk lights up Fifth Avenue South on December 6 from 5 p.m. until 10 p.m., continuing on December 7 from 10 a.m. until 10 p.m. Thousands of guests from Southwest Florida and far beyond are invited to revel in the holiday wonder and delight of treasured traditions hosted by the BID and its 254 merchants and sponsors. Highlights include a mesmerizing live nativity scene, dazzling dining under the stars, and an eagerly awaited visit from Santa himself.
The magical Tree Lighting ceremony will dazzle visitors on December 6 at 6 p.m. in Sugden Plaza, where a radiant 20-foot Christmas tree, adorned with over 10,000 sparkling LED lights, will shine brightly through early January, a beacon of holiday joy.
Our beloved Live Nativity scene, a cherished tradition led by the First Church of the Nazarene, features not only live animals like donkeys, sheep, and goats for children to pet but also a breathtaking angel who hovers gracefully above the stable, bringing the scene to life in wondrous beauty.
Families can also glide into the holiday spirit with a unique, half-block skating rink crafted from synthetic ice on the west end of Fifth Avenue South. Ice skates for both children and adults will be available, and the rink will welcome skaters on the December 6 from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. and December 7 from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
For those seeking the perfect holiday gifts, our festive Christmas market offers a shopper’s paradise, with local and outside vendors presenting delightful treasures—delicate pastries, decadent cakes, holiday confections, artisan jewelry, stunning artwork, and so much more.
Tuba Christmas
This cherished Fifth Avenue tradition returns with festive fanfare on Friday, December 15 at 6:30 p.m. Tuba Christmas in Sugden Plaza enchants audiences as over 50 musicians of all ages fill the air with beloved holiday melodies and joyous sing-alongs. Featuring not only tubas but also sousaphones, euphoniums, and baritone horns, this unique ensemble creates a rich, harmonious experience rarely heard, with each note filling the night in ways that truly “blow” you away!
We warmly invite you to join us on the avenue for New Year’s Eve as we bid farewell to a year of growth and resilience and step with hope into a brilliant 2025. Naples shines brighter than ever, filled with the promise of new beginnings! Reserve a table at your favorite dining spot along Fifth Avenue South and ring in the new year with us!
For more information please visit fifthavenuesouth.com/christmas/
Comments