Cape Coral Farmer's Market every Saturday morning from October 25, 2008 to May 9, 2009. The market is open from 8:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. and offers fresh fruit and vegetables, fish, bakery and entertainment.

Cape Coral Sunset Celebration The celebration takes place the first Wednesday of the month from October to May along the Cape Coral Yacht Club beach at 5819 Driftwood Parkway. It features over 40 vendors selling arts & crafts, jewelry and gift items, live music, and food & drink specials at KC's Riverstop. For more information call 574-0806.

In January over 200 artists and craftspeople convene for the annual Cape Coral Festival of the Arts. 2010 marks its 24th season. Cape Coral Parkway is closed for the occasion and the show is located on both sides of the median down the center of the Parkway from Cape Coral Street to Vincennes. Merchants also take part in the festival with sidewalk sales and special offers. There is plenty of food, activities for the kids, and fun for people of all ages.

The 71st Edison Festival of Lights commemorates Edison's birthday on February 11th, 1847. The grand parade is a two-hour extravaganza. The fantastic nocturnal parade of lighted floats and national & local marching bands will glide through downtown Fort Myers on February 21st, 2009. Arrive early or reserve a seat to find a place along the parade route.

In January, February and March the German American Club at 2101 Pine Island Rd, Cape Coral, holds a Garten Fest, a celebration of German culture, food, and beer. Admission is $3, under 12 free.

In February the Pine Island Art Association holds its annual Fine Arts Show and Sale. 2010 will be its 38th year. The event, the association's biggest fundraiser, highlights local artists from the island's artist's haven.

February 20 - March 1, 2009 The first Dragon Boat Festival will be held at Four Freedoms Park, Cape Coral The complete water sport weekend will include row boat and canoe races and a boat show. Dragon Boat racing is the fastest growing water sport in the US and worldwide. Only four Dragon Boat events are held in Florida (Miami, Tampa, Tavares and Disney World). The first Festival will bring 20-25 international teams to the races. Live music and vendors selling food and nautical equipment will be available. A party with live entertainment and the recognition of winning teams will take place in the evening at Four Freedoms Park.

February 21, 2009 Burrowing Owl Festival The burrowing owl is the official bird of Cape Coral. It nests in a burrow underground. The Festival features an interactive butterfly tent, bird watching tours, burrowing owl bus tours, environmental speakers, demonstrations on starter burrows and burrow maintenance, a native plant sale, a silent auction and local art exhibit Rotary Park Environmental Center, 5505 Rose Garden Rd., Cape Coral Contact: 239-980-2593 or 239-549-4606

The 5th annual Irish Festival in Cape Coral celebrates St. Patrick's Day on March 7th and 8th with dancers, bagpipers, music, food, and fun. Organized by the Irish American Club it will be held at Bavarian Gardens, 2101 Pine Island Rd, Cape Coral

On March 14th 2009 the 19th Annual Matlacha Mullet Toss Championship will be held at the Olde Fish House Marina in Matlacha on Pine Island. This unique, fun filled event centers around tossing mullets, a fish abundant in local waters. Hosted by the local charitable organization, Matlacha Mariners.

In Late March (March 28, 2009 from 3:00 PM to 10:00 PM) the 20th edition of the Sounds of Jazz & Blues Festival is held in Cape Coral, featuring a fabulous night filled with smooth jazz and blues sounds, with a live jazz concert at Jaycee Park on the Caloosahatchee River. The park is located at 4215 SE 20th Place at the end of Beach Parkway, near Del Prado Blvd. Bring your own chair or blanket. For advanced ticket information call 239-573-3125.

The 8th Annual Southwest Florida Seafood Festival & Car Show will be held on Pine Island April 25th 2009. The seafood festival featuring fantastic local seafood, an antique car show and live music is hosted by the Matlacha Mariners, a local charitable organization focused on raising funds for local needs such as elementary schools and youth activities.

The 15th annual Cape Coral Cardboard Boat Regatta will be held on April 25th in Bimini Basin at Four Freedoms Park on Cape Coral Parkway. Presented by Rotary Club International of Cape Coral, the competition is great fun. Anyone can enter, just build a cardboard boat and race it. Awards include the "Most Spectacular Sinking"

Cinco De Mayo will be celebrated May 2nd, 2009 from 5pm to 10pm on 47th Terrace between Coronado and Vincennes. The City of Cape Coral Parks and Recreation organizes this special celebration for Cinco De Mayo to enhance the cultures of the Cape. Enjoy American rock and roll and Latin music, eat great food, and just have fun at this great event! For more information call 239-573-3125

Mangomania is held In July in Cape Coral at the German American Club on Pine Island Rd, Cape Coral. This is a very popular, informal and incredibly fun festival featuring mangoes and other tropical fruits, all things mango, fun music, and the Ms. Mango pageant. A festive event for the whole family.

The Cape Inshore Redfish Challenge,Cape Coral Yacht Club Community Park, 5819 Driftwood Pkwy is held in August. Organized by Cape Coral Parks & Recreation Department, anglers of all ages compete for cash prices. (239)573-3122

On October 24, 2009 the Harney Point Kiwanis Club & Cape Coral Parks & Recreation Department present the 12th Annual Fall Kids' Festival at Jaycee Park. 4215 SE 20th Ave. from 9:00AM to 4:00PM. Free admission. Canned food donations for the Cape Coral Caring Center are appreciated. Last year over 8,000 residents joined in at this health and safety fair for children. This is a not-to-be-missed festival for families to join together and explore, educate and inspire their children's abilities. The day is filled with lively entertainment, inter-active experiences and mega-information. It is a marketplace with craft and food vendors of family-oriented products and services. Face-painting, balloon creatures, pony rides, giant inflatable slide, fire trucks, motorcycles, music, dance puppetry and more will delight, challenge, educate and inspire those of all ages. The Fall Kids' Festival is dedicated to not only amuse, but also communicate positive messages with non-stop fun and excitement. Contact Special Events Division at (239)573-3122 for additional information.

The Sons of Italy - Charles J. Bonaparte Lodge #2504 of Cape Coral and the Downtown Cape Coral Community Redevelopment Agency present the Columbus Day Parade and Italian Food Feast on October 10, 2009 from 4pm to 10pm. The parade is scheduled to begin at 5pm From SE 9th Place and will travel east along SE 47th Terrace to Vincennes Blvd. Drew Steele of B103.9 Radio will be the Parade Grand Marshall. The Italian Food Feast will feature family fun, food, refreshments, games, contests, prizes, vendors and entertainment. The Rat Pack Now will entertain and dazzle with a world class tribute to the music, style, comedy and true friendship of Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jr. starting at 8pm.

October 16-17-18 and 23-24-25 2009, German American Club at 2101 Pine Island Rd, Cape Coral, holds Florida's largest Octoberfest. Serving Cape Coral's numerous German community and many international visitors, Octoberfest features an award winning 20 piece brass band from Germany, 3 stages with nonstop live bands, a vendor area with dozens of exhibitors, a beergarden with German Specialty food and, of course, German beer.

The 23rd Annual American Sandsculpting Championship will be held in November on Fort Myers Beach. Sand sculptors from around the world create magical sandcastles on Fort Myers beach to compete for cash prizes and trophies in the Master (professional), Florida State (semi-professional), and amateur categories. The sculptors put their imaginations and artistic talents to work building masterpieces, ranging from the amazingly beautiful to the cleverly comic. 65,000 people are expected to visit the celebrations this year. For more information call (239)454-7500

The Cape Coral Coconut Festival, November 13-15, 2009, celebrates Cape Coral’s uniqueness to the Lee County area. It includes bands, entertainment, carnival games, food, contests, crafts and much more. The festival starts on Friday night from 5:00 PM to midnight, continues Saturday with bands and activities from 12:00 PM to midnight, and concludes Sunday from noon to 8:00 PM.

The 10th annual Southwest Florida Blues Festival, located at the Pine Island Resort in St. James City, will be held November 21, 2009. This music festival’s relaxed atmosphere is perfect for a full day of laid back music. Bring a blanket, chairs and sunscreen for your comfort. Hosted by a local charitable organization, Matlacha Mariners, the event benefits Elementary Music Education and other island charities.

In December, about a week before Christmas Cape Coral holds the Boat-A-Long water parade, a beautiful parade of boats decorated with lights. 100's of boaters and thousands of spectators enjoy a festive evening of music, booths, a visit from Santa, and all the festively-lit and decorated boats. The Parade route goes through the canals from the Cape Coral Yacht Club to Bimini Basin at Four Freedoms Park, 4818 Tarpon Court near Cape Coral Parkway. The 33rd Boat-A-Long will be held in December 2009.

The Cape Coral Breeze newspaper offers an events calendar with daily searchable events.