Looking for some fun in Lee County?
Here are our top things to do this weekend and beyond, including the 40th birthday party for Fort Myers Hooters and the Tony Award-winning musical ‘Kimberly Akimbo.’ Plus a look at what’s ahead in April.
To submit events, email the details to reporter Charles Runnells at crunnells@usatodayco.com.
1. Tony-winning musical ‘Kimberly Akimbo’
This hit musical about “growing up and growing old” follows a teenager’s struggle with a rare disease that causes her to age rapidly. April 1-5. $59-$95. Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall, 13350 FSW Parkway, south Fort Myers. $59-$95. 481-4849 or bbmannpah.com
2. SWFL Pet Expo at Mike Greenwell Regional Park
A new event celebrating pet adoption, animal wellness and “pet-positive recreation” featuring vendors and more than 20 local shelters and rescues. Animal lovers can meet adoptable dogs; shop for products for cats, dogs and other pets; and learn about the importance of adopting animals. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, March 28. Free. Mike Greenwell Regional Park (formerly the Lee County Civic Center Complex), 11831 Bayshore Road, North Fort Myers. 533-7387 or leelostpets.com
3. Fort Myers Hooters celebrates 40th birthday
After four decades, Hooters of Fort Myers is ready to celebrate its big birthday with all-day food and drink specials, live music from One Night Rodeo (from 4-7 p.m. only) and customers signing the restaurant’s “Thank You Wall.” Visitors can also meet several swimsuit models at a signing for the 2026 Hooters Calendar starting at 5 p.m., including cover girl Selena Sanchez (Pembroke Pines), Miss April Emily Hagedorn (Fort Myers) and Miss July Gracie Williams (Fort Lauderdale Beach). 11 a.m. to midnight Saturday, March 28 (postponed from Jan. 31 due to cold weather). Free. Hooters of Fort Myers, 4411 Cleveland Ave., Fort Myers. HootersFlorida.com
4. Coconut Point Art & Craft Festival
About 200 artists show and sell their work in this second-annual event at Coconut Point shopping center. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, March 28-29. Free. Coconut Point shopping center, 23181 Via Villagio Drive, Estero. 561-746-6615 or artfestival.com
5. BBQ, Bands & Brew at Caloosa Sound
The 15th-annual fundraiser features live bands, a barbecue competition, vendors, emcee Jason “Big Mama” Jones and a children’s play area with a bounce house, balloon artist, face painting and games. Four Southwest Florida bands will perform: Riverside, Deb & The Dynamics, Crossfire Creek and HairDaze. Proceeds support the nonprofit Lee BIA Builders Care. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, March 28. $23. Caloosa Sound Amphitheater in Centennial Park, 2000 W. First St., downtown Fort Myers. 938-0056 or BBQBandsandBrew.com
MORE THINGS TO DO: Jimmy Buffett musical, Celebrate Bonita, BoDeans, Tracy Byrd
LOOKING AHEAD
Friday fireworks at The Mighty Mussels
The Fort Myers baseball team will launch fireworks after every Friday home game this season, starting April 3 with their game against the Clearwater Threshers. The fireworks are launched from behind the right field fence. Gates open at 6 p.m. Friday, April 3, followed by first pitch at 7:05 p.m. $12-$17. Hammond Stadium at CenturyLink Sports Complex, 14400 Six Mile Cypress Parkway, south Fort Myers. 768-4210 or milb.com/fort-myers
William Shakespeare’s ‘Julius Caesar’
Lab Theater returns to its Shakespearian roots with this modern reimagining of the historical tragedy “Julius Caesar.” This version swaps the marble pillars of Rome for the dingy parking lot of a derelict apartment complex, where Caesar is the undisputed law until his own crew plots to overthrow him. April 3-26. $37 each, or $10 for students with valid student IDs. Tickets are discounted to $32 on “Thrifty Thursday” nights. The Laboratory Theater of Florida, 1634 Woodford Ave., downtown Fort Myers. 218-0481 or laboratorytheaterflorida.com
Dunbar Easter Parade and Easter Festival
The 82nd-annual Dunbar Easter Parade starts at 3 p.m. Sunday, April 5, at Dunbar Jupiter Hammond Library. It’s followed by the Easter Fest from about 4-8 p.m. at the STARS Complex, 2980 Edison Ave. The festival includes an Easter egg hunt, vendors, food, live entertainment and more. The parade travels south on Ford Street, west on Edison Avenue, north on Palm Avenue, east on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and then back to the library. The parade and fest are part of a weekend of events, including a royal coronation April 3 at St. John Missionary Baptist Church. facebook.com/dunbarfestivalcommitteeinc
Squirrel Nut Zippers headline Beer in the Bushes
The popular swing-jazz band headlines the 12th-annual fundraiser for the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation. The outdoor party features a variety of craft beers, a food truck alley and more. 6-10 p.m. Saturday, April 4. $125. Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation, 3333 Sanibel-Captiva Road, Sanibel Island. sccf.org/beer-in-the-bushes
Comedian Gabriel Iglesias
The popular comedian returns to Hertz Arena with his new “The 1976 Tour: A Fluffy Celebration.” 8 p.m. Thursday, April 9. $41-$211 (plus taxes and fees). Parking on site is $30 (no cash) or free next door at Miromar Outlets. Hertz Arena, 11000 Everblades Parkway, Estero. 948-7825 or hertzarena.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 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 this weekend in Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Bonita
Reporting by Charles Runnells, Fort Myers News-Press & Naples Daily News / Fort Myers News-Press
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