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Every holiday festivity under the sun.

From parades and concerts to festivals and fireworks, the holidays are happy indeed on the Paradise Coast. With so many festive events to enjoy, you’re sure to be swept up into the holiday spirit like never before. Here’s a look at all the ways to celebrate the season in paradise.

Journey into a Christmas wonderland of the past.
Now until December 31st, Palm Cottage, Naples’ oldest house (built in 1895), and its adjacent gardens will be elaborately decorated with special holiday scenes and thousands of twinkling lights. The cottage is located near Naples Pier (a great spot for watching the sunset) and historic downtown’s fabulous shopping, so make a day of it. Tours begin at 1pm, Tuesday-Saturday. Bringing the kids? Treat them to a visit with Santa at Palm Cottage December 10-12 from 4pm-7pm.

Shop, dine and enjoy the parade.
Tuesday evening, December 8th, catch the Naples Christmas Parade along Fifth Avenue South. Enjoy the floats and an appearance by Santa while you find great gifts in this world-class shopping area. Saturday evening, December 12th, the floats literally float – boats adorned in festive lights and decorations – in the Naples Bay Christmas Boat Parade. Watch from the Naples City Dock or from one of the superb bayfront restaurants. Thursday evening, December 10th, join in the festivities at The Village on Venetian Bay, a waterside collection of shops and restaurants that also host an annual boat parade. Enjoy the twinkling procession and live entertainment, along with dozens of one-of-a-kind boutiques and eateries. All three parades begin at 6pm.

Merry and bright tree-lighting celebrations.
On Monday evening, November 23rd, Third Street South in downtown Naples celebrates its popular Festival of Lights and 33rd Annual Tree Lighting, complete with carolers, nativity scenes, Santa and falling “snow”. These festivities continue on through the week of Thanksgiving and every Thursday evening through December 17th. On Thursday evening, December 3rd, you can enjoy the Naples Christmas Walk & Tree Lighting on Fifth Avenue, featuring the lighting of the 20-foot Christmas tree by the mayor and Mr. and Mrs. Claus at Sugden Plaza. In addition to carolers, you’ll delight in full musical productions, from student choruses and orchestras to professional dancers and bands. Also on December 3rd you can enjoy Grand Illuminations, tree-lighting festivities at The Village on Venetian Bay, offering holiday musical entertainment as well, along with caricaturists, face painting and complimentary photos with Santa. The fun begins each night at 6pm.

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.
If you’re a Floridian, here’s your chance to play in the snow. On Saturday, December 5th, (10am-5pm) Collier County Parks & Recreation will bring 70 tons of snow to Golden Gate Community Park, creating a winter wonderland right in Southwest Florida. It’s the annual Snowfest event, which will include a snow mountain for children, glice ice skating, pony rides and a carnival. A similar event featuring tons of snow, Christmas Around the World, takes place at the Immokalee Sports Complex Saturday, December 12th, from 6-10pm. Both events will have food vendors onsite as all that playing in the snow is sure to work up an appetite.

Holiday magic on stage.
Naples’ vibrant arts scene always has plenty of exciting performances to enjoy, and this holiday season is no exception. Experience Christmas island-style with Christmas in the Caribbean, an all new production from Caribbean Sound at the Norris Center in downtown Naples on Friday, December 11th, at 7:30 pm. Also playing at the Norris Center is Brave Tin Soldier, the Hans Christian Anderson classic. Bring the children on Saturday, December 19th, (10am) and enjoy the show along with cookies, hot chocolate, crafts and a visit with Santa.

The Philharmonic Center for the Arts has two very special holiday treats in store. On Saturday and Sunday November 28th and 29th, The Naples Philharmonic Orchestra and the Miami City Ballet will perform George Balanchine's The Nutcracker, featuring more than 100 dancers, dazzling sets and costumes, brilliant choreography and the famous Tchaikovsky score. The Phil will also have a special Nutcracker Boutique open November 24th-29th, except for Thanksgiving Day, featuring a variety of beautiful holiday gifts and decorations at very reasonable prices. During that same timeframe, you can also check out the display of exquisitely decorated Christmas trees in the dome at Naples Museum of Art, which is also located in the center.

Another holiday season favorite, Holiday Pops by the Naples Philharmonic Orchestra, will be performed in several concerts from December 15-20. Maestro conductor Stuart Malina has created a wondrous program, with holiday favorites Sleigh Ride, Silent Night, Winter Wonderland and many others. Joining the orchestra will be the Philharmonic Center Chorale and the Philharmonic Youth Chorale. Also look for appearances by Santa and Rudolph. For show dates and times, visit www.ThePhil.org.

Tour Naples’ best holiday lights aboard the trolley.
Want to see the season’s most spectacular lights? Hop on the Naples’ trolley and enjoy a tour of them all along with refreshments and caroling. Tours will take place on Wednesday and Thursday evenings, from 6:30pm to 8:30pm on December 9th, 10th, 16th, and 17th and depart from the Experience Naples store at 1010 6th Avenue South in downtown Naples. Reservations are required.

Kick off 2010 in paradise.
Bringing in the New Year on the Paradise Coast can be as casual or as sophisticated as you like, from fireworks at the Naples Pier to a New Year’s Gala with The Naples Philharmonic Orchestra and celebrated singing star Ann Hampton Callaway. Get a jump on New Year’s Eve with the popular New Year’s Eve Art Festival, held this year the weekend of December 26th-27th. On December 31st, start the evening with a stroll down Third Street South in downtown Naples for street festival fun featuring Felix Jiles performing in Gattle’s Courtyard. Most hotels and resorts have special events happening right on site to ensure a memorable night, and you can learn all the details when you make your reservation. After the big night’s over, the fun continues with Art in the Park, a popular art fair in Cambier Park on Saturday, January 2nd.