Looking for some fun in Lee County?
Here are our top things to do this weekend and beyond, including FGCU’s new k20 Kindness Without Borders Summit and the annual dog show in North Fort Myers. Plus a look at what’s ahead in May.
To submit events, email the details to reporter Charles Runnells at crunnells@usatodayco.com.
1. City of Palms Dog Show Cluster in North Fort Myers
The annual dog show features four days of dog competitions, vendors, food trucks and the popular Fast CAT races (a timed 100-yard dash for dogs). Two dog clubs will show off more than 100 breeds of dogs in this cluster-style show. First up is the Highlands County area’s Heartland Dog Club of Florida on Thursday, May 14. That will be followed by the Greater Fort Myers Dog Club from Friday through Sunday, May 15-17. Times are 8 a.m. to about 5 p.m. daily. Admission and parking are free. Mike Greenwell Regional Park (formerly known as the Lee County Civic Center Complex), 11831 Bayshore Road, North Fort Myers. greaterfortmyersdogclub.org
2. Concert readings for winners of 2026 Lab Theater new play contest
Actors read and perform the three top plays for Lab Theater’s 2026 Louise Wigglesworth Excellence in Playwriting Award. The 2026 winner is Baylee Shlichtman’s “Symbiotic.” The two finalists are John Mabey’s “A Thousand Words” and Simon Bowler’s “Redshift.” One play will be performed nightly. 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Sunday, May 7-9. $15 per show, or $35 for all three. The Laboratory Theater of Florida, 1634 Woodford Ave., downtown Fort Myers. 291-2905 or laboratorytheaterflorida.com
3. k20 Kindness Without Borders Summit at FGCU
This new event promotes the power of kindness with various speakers and celebrities, including keynote speaker Brian D. McLaren, author of “Life After Doom: Wisdom and Courage for a World Falling Apart.” The first day focuses on kindness in business and leadership. The second day is aimed at a more general audience and includes an interfaith panel, doctors discussing kindness in healthcare and the screening of the inspirational movie “The Power of Small.” Friday and Saturday, May 15-16. Tickets for McLaren’s 4 p.m. Friday keynote speech are $25. Registration for the entire summit is $124-$325. Admission is free for FGCU students, teachers, staff and anyone else with an FGCU ID. The Water School at Florida Gulf Coast University, 10501 FGCU Blvd. S., Estero. fgcu.edu/cas/centers/rockcenter
4. Fort Myers Film Festival
The annual festival returns with more independent shorts, documentaries and feature films. Now through Sunday, May 20-24. Tickets are $12 per film or block of films, or $25-$100 for the red-carpet opening night featuring the documentary “Multiple Choice.” Movies are shown at five Lee County locations: Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center, the Alliance for the Arts, IMAG, Calusa Nature Center and The Laboratory Theater of Florida. fortmyersfilmfestival.com
5. Actor/comedian Jim Breuer at Barbara B. Mann
The former Saturday Night Live star and touring comedian performs stand-up. 8 p.m. Thursday, May 21. $48-$87. Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall at FSW, 13350 FSW Parkway, south Fort Myers. 481-4849 or bbmannpah.com
MORE THINGS TO DO: Fort Myers Music Walk, country singer Rodney Carrington
LOOKING AHEAD
Weird Al Yankovic at Hertz Arena
The pop parody king brings his Bigger & Weirder 2026 Tour to Southwest Florida. Plus opening act Puddles Pity Party. 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 27. $50-$226. Hertz Arena, 11000 Everblades Parkway, Estero. Parking on site is $30, or free next door at Miromar Outlets. 948-7825 or hertzarena.com
Florida Rep’s “The Queen of Bingo”
This zany, interactive comedy takes on bingo, family, widowhood, hot flashes and more. Two sisters “on the other side of 50” want to add some excitement in their lives, so they turn to bingo. During the show’s intermission, audiences can stay in their seats for a round of bingo that includes a notable Southwest Florida bingo caller each night. Celebrity callers include Fort Myers Mayor Kevin Anderson, Gulf Coast News reporter Dave Elias and more. May 27-June 14. Tickets start at $67. ArtStage Studio Theatre at Florida Repertory Theatre, 2268 Bay St., downtown Fort Myers. 332-4488 or floridarep.org
Shinedown at Hertz Arena
The melodic hard rockers return to Southwest Florida with their new Dance, Kid, Dance Act II World Tour. The Jacksonville band’s many hits include “Second Chance,” “Sound of Madness,” “45,” “If You Only Knew,” “Save Me” and “Cut the Cord.” They’ll be joined by opening acts Coheed and Cambria, Black Stone Cherry and DJ Rock Feed. 7 p.m. Thursday, May 28. $63-$170. Hertz Arena, 11000 Everblades Parkway, Estero. Parking on site is $30, or free next door at Miromar Outlets. 948-7825 or hertzarena.com
“The Sounds of 1967” at Broadway Palm
In this new music revue, an aspiring musician travels the world trying to discover her sound in the swinging ‘60s. The show is packed with hits from 1967, including Motown, folk and psychedelic rock. May 22-June 20. $33-$88. Broadway Palm dinner theater, 1380 Colonial Blvd., Fort Myers. 278-4422 or broadwaypalm.com
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 social media: Facebook(@charles.runnells.7), Instagram (@crunnells1) and X (@CharlesRunnells)
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This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Best things to do in Fort Myers, Bonita: See what made our list
Reporting by Charles Runnells, Fort Myers News-Press & Naples Daily News / Fort Myers News-Press
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