Giant animatronic dinosaurs. Country superstars Alabama. The return of Bonita Springs RiverFest.
You’ll find all those and many other fun things to do this August in Lee County.
Here are our picks for the 10 best concerts, kids events and more happening over the next month in Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Bonita Springs and elsewhere. Plus other events happening throughout August.
Do you have a great event that’s not featured? Email the details to reporter Charles Runnells at crunnells@usatodayco.com.
We’ll update this list as more cool events are announced.
1. Country stars Alabama
Alabama — the most successful country act of the ‘80s — brings “Mountain Music,” “The Closer You Get,” “Roll On” and many more hits to Estero’s Hertz Arena. Plus opening act Exile. 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 13. $50-$227. Parking on site is $30, or free next door at Miromar Outlets. Hertz Arena, 11000 Everblades Parkway, Estero. 948-7825 or hertzarena.com
2. Jurassic Quest dinosaurs
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
3. Bonita Springs RiverFest
The annual event returns for the first time since 2017, bringing the Imperial River to life with kayak, canoe and paddleboard races; build-your-own-boat races; and charity rubber-duck races. Plus live bands, food, drinks, games, vendors and more. The revived event is now being organized by the Bonita Springs Downtown Alliance. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 1. Free to attend, registration and fees required for races. Liles Hotel & Riverfront, 27300 Old 41 Road, Bonita Springs. riverfestbonita.com
4. 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
5. Downtown Showdown at Sugar Shack
In the second-annual singing competition, Southwest Florida singers compete in front of live audiences for a $2,500 grand prize and more. 8 p.m. every Tuesday from now to Aug. 18. Free. Sugarshack Downtown, 27421 Old 41 Road, Bonita Springs. 301-4321 or sugarshackdowntown.com
6. McGregor’s Public House anniversary party
The Irish pub celebrates its third anniversary with music bingo, all-day whiskey shots and green-tea shots, and a songwriter showcase with songwriters Slim Gillian, Sarah Hadeka, Cody Weaver and Mr. Better Now trading songs and stories. 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 1. Free admission. McGregor’s Public House, 13499 S. Cleveland Ave., Fort Myers. 990-3336 or mcgregorspublichouse.com
7. Frank Sinatra tribute ‘My Way’
Players Circle staged this Frank Sinatra tribute two years ago, and it was a big hit. Now the show is back to transform Players Circle into a retro 1940s jazz club with four performers — two men, two women — singing all of Sinatra’s greatest hits with a live, three-piece band. Aug. 14-30. $40-$55. Players Circle Theater, 13211 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers. 800-3292 or playerscircletheater.com
8. Fort Myers Art Walk
The monthly event features new art exhibits at downtown Fort Myers galleries, receptions and art vendors outside on First Street. August shows include Rosamund Merrill’s mixed-media pieces exploring the beauty and fragility of endangered animals at Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center. 5-9 p.m. Friday, Aug. 7. Free. Art Walk takes place on the first Friday of each month. Downtown Fort Myers. facebook.com/fortmyersartwalk
9. Buckcherry and Black Stone Cherry
The two hard-rock acts play a cherry-themed double bill at The Ranch. Buckcherry’s hits include “Sorry,” “Lit Up” and “Crazy B—h.” Black Stone Cherry’s include “Blame It on the Boom Boom,” “White Trash Millionaire” and “Can’t You See.” Show starts at about 8 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 25. $47. The Ranch Concert Hall & Saloon, 2158 Colonial Blvd., Fort Myers. 985-9839 or theranchfortmyers.com
10. Julian Sundby & Friends
Fort Myers songwriter, pianist and Josie Music Award-winning producer Julian Sundby performs original songs with his musical friends and celebrates upcoming album “22.” The setlist includes three decades’ worth of music. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 8. $40. Off Broadway Palm at the Broadway Palm dinner theater, 1380 Colonial Blvd., Fort Myers. 208-1003 or theatreconspiracy.com
MORE THINGS TO DO IN AUGUST: Saving Abel, rapper AntoneNow, Fort Myers Music Walk
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 Fort Myers News-Press: August things to do in Fort Myers, Bonita Springs: Concerts and more
Reporting by Charles Runnells, Fort Myers News-Press & Naples Daily News / Fort Myers News-Press
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By Charles Runnells, Fort Myers News-Press & Naples Daily News | USA TODAY Network
