JULY
Top events of the week: 3 To Do: ‘National Night Out’ on Marco; Bonita Springs RiverFest; more
Marine Science Summer Camp
Area students entering grades seven through 10 can experience hands-on science this summer at Rookery Bay Research Reserve’s Marine Science Summer Camp. The flexible, half-day program is led by real marine biologists and set in Collier County’s coastal habitats. Held on Fridays in June and July, the camp runs from 9 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. at locations across the Reserve. Each session offers a unique theme. Students can choose their own adventure whether in the lab, on the beach or exploring upland habitats by bike.Campers will experience marine science in action such as holding live marine creatures, using microscopes to observe tiny plankton and surveying wildlife in the field. Cost is $75 per session. Register at rookerybay.org/events. Invertebrate Investigation is July 31 at Rookery Bay Environmental Learning Center, Naples. Campers dive into the microscopic world, using lab equipment to study plankton and discover the fascinating adaptations of invertebrates.
Saturday: Roald Dahl’s ‘Willy Wonka Kids’ at Arts Center Theatre
AUGUST
Mahjong Monday
Acqua Bistecca Estero Bay will host Mahjong Monday, from 4-6 p.m., Monday, Aug. 3, in partnership with SWFL Mahjong. Guests will enjoy an afternoon of open-play mahjong at Saltleaf Marina, 5502 Coconut Road, Bonita Springs. Cost is $50 per person. Registration includes one complimentary drink ticket, with Acqua Bistecca’s cocktails, wines, appetizers and full menu available for purchase. More at swflmahjong.com or buy tickets at luma.com/6rdq48lk.
Reintroducing rare orchids to Southwest Florida
Calling all orchid lovers. Mark your calendars for Aug. 5 and 6. You can watch experts and others plant orchids in a Lee County park. Rich Ackerman, president of the Broward Native Orchids, will speak at 4 p.m., Aug. 5 at Wa-Ke Hatchee Park Recreation Center. The next day, at 8 a.m., Aug. 6, Ackerman and others will install orchids at Lakes Park, 7330 Gladiolus Dr., Fort Myers. The event contributes to the Million Orchid Project by advancing its goals of combining science, education and community involvement “to reintroduce rare native orchids into Southwest Florida’s urban landscapes.” This program is brought to the community through UF/IFAS Extension Lee County, the Lee County Parks and Recreation Department and the Lakes Park Foundation.
‘Bucket Sale’ across SWFLA
Sunshine Ace Hardware across Southwest Florida are hosting a three-day Miracle Bucket Sale to raise money for Children’s Miracle Network. From Aug. 7-9, customers can donate $5 or more in exchange for a specially marked five-gallon Ace Hardware bucket to use as a shopping basket, earning a 20% discount on nearly everything they can fit inside. In 2025, local customers contributed $5,870 during the campaign to support pediatric health care in the region. Locations participating in the Miracle Bucket Sale include 141 Tamiami Trail North; Naples; 4433 Tamiami Trail East; Naples; 1720 San Marco Road; Marco Island; 11673 Collier Blvd.; Naples (Golden Gate); 8850 Founders Square Drive; Naples; 5630 Ave Maria Blvd., Unit 110-112; Ave Maria; 13855 Winchester Trail, Unit 200; Naples; 8813 Tamiami Trail North; Naples; 9100 Bonita Beach Road; Bonita Spring; 18911 Tamiami Trail South; Fort Myers.
Justin Silva at Off the Hook
The comedian performs Aug. 7-9 at Off The Hook Comedy Club, 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Road, No. 1100. $25 general admission, plus a fee. 6:30 and 8:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 7; 6 and 8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 8; and 6 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 9. More at offthehookcomedy.com.
Wine experience at Margaritaville Beach Resort
Margaritaville Beach Resort Fort Myers Beach will host a guided tasting experience – “An Evening with Daou Vineyards” – at JWB Grill on Thursday, Aug. 13. Guests can raise a glass to one of California’s “most celebrated wineries” while indulging in a crafted four-course dinner. The wine dinner will begin at 6:30 p.m., and Daou wine representatives will join guests for the evening, guiding diners through each pairing. The wine dinner is $145 per person, which includes wine pairings, the four-course dinner, tax, gratuity and valet parking. Reservations are required. For reservations, visit MargaritavilleResorts.com/Margaritaville-Beach-Resort-Fort-Myers-Beach/Eat-Drink/JWB-Grill/Wine-Dinner.
Evening on Fifth
Enjoy live music, fun dining destinations, extended shopping hours and more from 6:30-9:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 13. Fifth Ave. S., Naples. Information: fifthavenuesouth.com.
Alabama
See the band live in concert with special guest Exile at 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 13 at Hertz Arena, 11000 Everblades Parkway, Estero. Tickets start at $40 and arena parking is $30. Information: 239-948-7825 or hertzarena.com.
Rene Vaca at Off the Hook
The comedian performs Aug. 13-15 at Off The Hook Comedy Club, 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Road, No. 1100. $29 general admission, plus a fee. 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 13; 6:30 and 8:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 14; and 6 and 8 p.m. Saturday, August 15. More at offthehookcomedy.com.
CROW volunteer orientation
Stage 2 Improv on Marco
The Marco Island Center for the Arts is bringing spontaneous comedy, audience interaction and nonstop laughter to the stage this summer with the return of Stage 2 Improv at Arts Center Theatre. The next performance will take place at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 15, at Arts Center Theatre, Marco Town Center, next to the Marco Brewery. Inspired by the hit television show “Whose Line Is It Anyway?” Stage 2 Improv delivers a completely unscripted and unrehearsed comedy experience where audience suggestions inspire every game, scene, and song. No two performances are ever the same, making each show a one-of-a-kind evening of entertainment. Tickets are $20 per person and on sale now. Tickets may be purchased by calling the Arts Center Theatre box office at 239-784-1186 or by visiting marcoislandart.org/arts-center-theatre.
Jurassic Quest
Jurassic Quest’s giant animatronic dinosaurs are back for another visit. This touring show features life-sized, moving, roaring dinos. Plus dino rides, fossils, inflatables and more. 1-8 p.m. Friday, 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 14-16. $30-$45 (or $91 for a Kids Dino-Mite Experience that includes fast-lane access to select dinosaur rides, an exclusive dino meet-and-greet, a face painting session and more). Rides and activities cost extra. Mike Greenwell Regional Park (formerly known as the Lee County Civic Center Complex), 11831 Bayshore Road, North Fort Myers. jurassicquest.com.
Films Al Fresco
Enjoy an outdoor movie at Mercato’s Piazza on the third Tuesday of every month. This month’s movie at 8:15 p.m., Tuesday, Aug. 18, is “The Secret Life of Pets 2.” Free admission. Lawn chairs and blankets are encouraged. 9110 Strada Place, Naples. experiencemercato.com.
Orchid cares
Ed Bassmaster at Off the Hook
The comedian performs Aug. 20-23 at Off The Hook Comedy Club, 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Road, No. 1100. $30 general admission. 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 20, 6:30 and 8:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 21; 6 and 8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 22; and 8 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 23. More at offthehookcomedy.com.
Lab Theater’s ‘Waiting for Godot’
“Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure” actors Keanu Reeves and Alex Winrter starred in the recent Broadway revival of Godot’s absurd, haunting and darkly funny masterpiece. Now Lab Theater is opening its 2026-27 season with its own version of the famous “Waiting for Godot.” The story takes place on an empty road by a barren tree, where two men talk and philosophize as they wait for a mysterious person named Godot to arrive. Aug. 21-Sept. 6. $27.49 ($11.74 for students). The Laboratory Theater of Florida, 1634 Woodford Ave., downtown Fort Myers. 291-2905 or laboratorytheaterflorida.com.
Funny Marco at Off the Hook
The comedian performs Aug. 28-29 at Off The Hook Comedy Club, 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Road, No. 1100. $30 general admission, plus a fee. 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. Friday, Aug. 28; and 6:30 and 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 29. More at offthehookcomedy.com.
Songwriters 4 Vets concert
Nashville songwriters help raise money for military veterans through the Songwriters for Vets foundation Saturday, Aug. 29 from 7-10:30 p.m. Performers include Patrick Davis, Eric Paslay, Tim Nichols and Tyler Reeve for $125 general admission seats. VIP packages are also available. The Hyatt Regency Coconut Point, 5001 Coconut Road, Bonita Springs. More at songwriters4vets.com.
‘Waterlily Weekend’
Celebrate Naples Botanical Garden’s growing collection of waterlilies with nearly 300 diverse specimens on display. Join for tours, demonstrations, and more from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m., Aug. 29-30. The event is included with regular admission to the gardens. Kids 17 and younger enjoy free admission for the summer. 4820 Bayshore Drive, Naples. Information: naplesgarden.org…