It’s not just a three-day weekend. It’s a remembrance of all those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country.
This Memorial Day weekend honors those men and women who have died while serving in the U.S. military. That includes Southwest Florida, where many memorial services, ceremonies and other events are happening over the long weekend.
Here are some of Southwest Florida’s top Memorial Day events. This isn’t a complete list — just the biggest, best and most relevant events happening from Naples to Fort Myers. Check with your favorite local venues and organizations to see what they’re planning, too.
MEMORIAL DAY EVENTS IN NAPLES
Collier County Veterans Council Memorial Day service
This annual event features the Collier County Sheriff’s Office Honor Guard, speakers, patriotic music, a cookout, the Collier County Sheriff’s Office Honor Guard, a fallen-soldier ceremony and more. 10 a.m. Monday, May 25. Free. There is limited seating, so attendees should bring their own lawn chairs. Hodges Funeral Home at Naples Memorial Garden, 525 111th Ave., Naples. 898-5354 or collier-county-veterans-council.org
Food & Thought 2’s Memorial Day Backyard BBQ
Restaurant/market Food & Thought 2 invites everyone for its third-annual Memorial Day Backyard BBQ featuring live music from the Parks & Wreck Duo, barbecue, yard games, an outdoor bar, drink specials and more. Barbecue plates are $12 and feature a choice of hot dogs, grilled-chicken sandwiches, cheeseburgers, pulled pork sandwiches or baby back ribs, plus coleslaw or macaroni salad. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday, May 25. Free. Food & Thought 2, 7941 Airport-Pulling Road, North Naples. 791-3663 or FoodAndThought2.com
MEMORIAL DAY EVENTS IN BONITA SPRINGS
Bonita Springs Memorial Day Service
The annual event includes the posting of the colors, a 21-gun salute, the laying of wreaths and a guest speaker: Retired U.S. Navy Lt. Raymond Sandelli. 9-11 a.m. Monday, May 25. Free. Liles Hotel Lawn, 27300 Old 41 Road, Bonita Springs. 949-6262 or cityofbonitasprings.org
MEMORIAL DAY EVENTS IN FORT MYERS
Fort Myers Memorial Gardens Memorial Day service
The funeral home and cemetery hosts the annual event. Details for this year’s event haven’t been announced, but it typically includes a military aircraft flyover, drum-and-pipe music, keynote speeches and a cookout. 9:30 a.m. Monday, May 25. Free. The Field of Honor at Fort Myers Memorial Gardens, 1589 Colonial Blvd., Fort Myers. 360-6409 or fortmyersmemorial.com
Civil War descendants recognize Fort Myers Drummer Boy
This event pays tribute to Civil War veterans buried in the Old Fort Myers Cemetery, including teenaged Union “drummer boy” Christian Funck. Members of the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War will place a flower on each of the 21 grave sites containing the remains of a Union veteran. The event also includes a color guard and the playing of taps. 10 a.m. Monday, May 25. Group members will gather at the flagpole in Old Fort Myers Cemetery, 3200 N. Michigan Ave., Fort Myers. For more information, call Mark Barie at 518-593-3754 or email authormarkbarie@gmail.com
MEMORIAL DAY EVENTS IN CAPE CORAL
Memorial Day Remembrance at Coral Ridge
The Cape Coral funeral home pays tribute to the heroism of fallen military veterans and the sacrifice made by their families at this 45th-annual ceremony. Highlights include patriotic music, guest speakers, a roll call of deceased veterans, a motorcycle ride-in, crossed aerial ladders displaying the U.S. flag and more. 10 a.m. Monday, May 25. Free. Shaded seating and water provided. Coral Ridge Funeral Home & Cemetery, 950 Chiquita Blvd. S., Cape Coral. 283-0540
All American Country BBQ at Cape Coral’s German American Social Club
The annual Memorial Day weekend festival includes barbecue, German beer, country dance music and live Southern rock from The Big Cypress Band. Noon to 8 p.m. Sunday, May 24. $5 admission at the gate (free for active-duty and retired military with valid ID, and ages 11 and younger). German American Social Club, 2102 S.W. Pine Island Road, Cape Coral. 283-1400 or facebook.com/gasc.capecoral
Superheroes For Heroes at The Dek
The Dek Bar’s annual, superhero-themed Memorial Day fundraiser includes silent auctions, a 50/50 raffle and live music. All to raise money for local veterans. 2-6 p.m. Monday, May 25. Free. Ages 21 and up. The Dek Bar, 4704 S.E. 15th Ave., Cape Coral. 542-3745 or facebook.com/thedekbar
MEMORIAL DAY EVENTS ON FORT MYERS BEACH
Memorial Day weekend at Margaritaville Beach Resort Fort Myers Beach
The resort offers a weekend’s worth of live entertainment every night, a Memorial Day exercise challenge and more. On Memorial Day, the resort hosts a Murph Challenge, a national tribute to Navy Seal Michael P. Murphy, who was killed in 2005 during Operation Red Wings in Afghanistan. The challenge is organized by Hammerhead Gym and includes a one-mile run, 100 pull-ups, 200 push-ups, 300 air squats and a final one-mile run (modifications welcome). Memorial Day weekend events are free for resort guests. Military, first responders and government employees get 35 percent off their resort stay. Day passes are $45 for the full day, $15-$35 for a half day. Margaritaville Beach Resort Fort Myers Beach, 251 Crescent St., Fort Myers Beach. 899-4001 or margaritavilleresorts.com/margaritaville-beach-resort-fort-myers-beach
Charles Runnells covers arts and entertainment for The News-Press and the Naples Daily News. To reach him, call 239-335-0368 or email crunnells@usatodayco.com. Follow or message him on Facebook(@charles.runnells.7), Instagram (@crunnells1) and X (@CharlesRunnells).
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This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Memorial Day 2026: Top events in Naples, Bonita Springs, SW FL
Reporting by Charles Runnells, Fort Myers News-Press & Naples Daily News / Naples Daily News
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