Looking for some fun in Southwest Florida?
Here are our top things to do this weekend and beyond, including the Southwest Florida Reading Festival, PRIDE Cape Coral and the Sanibel Shell Show & Festival. Plus a look at what’s ahead in March.
To submit events, email the details to reporter Charles Runnells at [email protected].
1. The Fort Myers Beach Lions Club Shrimp Festival
If you love shrimp, this is the place to be. The 68th-annual fest is packed with two days of events, including a 5K run (9 a.m. Saturday), a parade (10 a.m. Saturday), the Blessing of the Fleet (10 a.m. Sunday) and an arts-and-crafts fair (10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday). It’s all to celebrate the island’s enduring shrimp industry. Various locations Saturday and Sunday, March 7-8. Free. fortmyersbeachshrimpfestival.com or facebook.com/ShrimpFestFMB
2. Southwest Florida Reading Festival
It’s the biggest event of the year for Southwest Florida readers: A day packed with bestselling authors, book signings, book presentations and more. The 27th-annual fest features more than 20 acclaimed and bestselling authors, including literary fiction novelist Wally Lamb (“The River Is Waiting,” “I Know This Much Is True”), thriller author Brad Thor (“Edge of Honor,” “Black Ice”) and historical fiction novelist Fiona Davis (“The Stolen Queen,” “The Magnolia Palace”). 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, March 7, 2026, at the Fort Myers Regional Library, 2450 First St., downtown Fort Myers. Free. readfest.org
3. Southwest Florida Ag Expo
Last chance to visit the annual fair packed with carnival rides, games, fair food, animal exhibitions and live music. Now through Sunday, March 8. $10 admission ($5 for ages 4-11, free for younger). Rides cost extra. Mike Greenwell Regional Park (formerly known as the Lee County Civic Center Complex), 11831 Bayshore Road, North Fort Myers. swflagexpo.com
4. PRIDE Cape Coral in South Cape with singer Crystal Waters
The LGBTQ-pride celebration returns with its annual pride parade, vendors, street performers, food trucks and live entertainment onstage — plus a new location. Dance-music singer Crystal Waters (“Gypsy Woman”, “100% Pure Love”) headlines the eighth-annual festival. Noon to 8 p.m. Saturday, March 7. Tickets are $15. The event takes place outdoors at 1417 Lafayette St., downtown Cape Coral/South Cape (across the street from Nice Guys Pizza). PRIDECapeCoral.com
5. Sanibel Shell Show & Festival
The famous Sanibel Shell Show returns to the island for the first time since Hurricane Ian and rejoins the annual shell festival held at the Sanibel Community House. More than 200 science and shell-art exhibits from as far away as Japan and the Virgin Islands will be displayed. The event also includes shell-related jewelry, clothing and pottery; specimen shells; live mollusk tanks; and food trucks. It’s organized by the Sanibel-Captiva Shell Club and the Sanibel Community Association. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday and Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, March 5-7. Admission is a $5 minimum donation (free for ages 12 and younger with a paid adult). Free parking. The Sanibel Community House, 2173 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel Island. sanibelcommunityhouse.net or sanibelshellclub.com…