There will be a free movie under the stars at 6:30 p.m., Friday, Jan. 9, at Estero Park, 9200 Corkscrew Palms Blvd., Estero.
“How to Train your Dragon” (PG) will be the featured film. Food trucks will be on-site. Guests are encouraged to bring blankets or chairs.
For more information, contact the Estero Recreation Center at 239-533-1470.
Chamber music at Koreshan Hall
Boris Sandler and Bella Gutshtein, artistic directors for the Koreshan Music Salon, have announced plans for a “magical musical season.”
The Koreshan Music Salon will present intimate concerts in the 120-year-old Koreshan Art Hall starting at 3 p.m., Sunday, Jan. 11.
Additional dates for the 2026 concert series are Sunday, March 22, and Sunday, May 23.
All performances will be held at the Art Hall at the Koreshan State Park, 3800 Corkscrew Road. Seating is limited to 90 attendees.
Tickets are $35 and can be purchased online at Friends of Koreshan Historic State Park, friendsofkoreshan.org/event-6420621.
More to do, time to do it at Corkscrew Swamp
From now through April 30, the boardwalk at Audubon’s Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary has extended hours; open 8 a.m. until 5 p.m., with the last admission at 3.
Corkscrew Swamp is the “gateway to an enchanting wilderness” with giant cypress trees that have lived here for nearly 600 years. The 2.25-mile boardwalk takes visitors through four habitats where a wide variety of wildlife, as well as wading birds, songbirds, and raptors, can be seen throughout the year, including the Painted Buntings.
The Sanctuary is open New Year’s Day. Visitors can also stop by the nature store and Cypress Café, serving guests daily from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.
Regular admission is $17 for adults, $10 for students and military, and $6 for kids 6-14. Members and children under 6 get in for free.
Online tickets are recommended for any-day admissions: Audubon.org/corkscrew/visit.
Upcoming guided programs include the “Early Birding Tour” ($30; Jan. 6, 13, 20, 27); “Corkscrew Night Tour” ($40 per person, $20 ages 12-16; Jan. 5, 14, 21, 26); “Ancient Forest Tour” ($30 per person, must be aged 16 or older; Jan 7, 29); “Sunset Stroll” ($40 per person, $20 ages 12-16; Jan. 12); “BYO Bicycle Backcountry Cycling Tour” ($55 per person, $30 ages 15-18; Jan. 9); “Yoga at the Sanctuary” ($25 per person; Jan. 25); “Beginner Swamp Walk” ($100 per person, $70 ages 10-18; Jan. 24, 29).
National Shell Museum: Two new exhibitions
The Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum & Aquarium has opened two new exhibitions for the 2026 season: “A Wondrous Phenomenon: Truth and Legend of the Giant Squid” and “Paradise Found: Seashells of the Caribbean.”
The Museum also recently welcomed a new Giant Pacific Octopus, which is now on view in the Living Gallery of Aquariums.
“A Wondrous Phenomenon” spotlights the biology and behavior of the giant squid, which is the largest of the 85,000 known species of mollusks and the largest invertebrate animal on Earth, reaching a maximum length of over 40 feet.
“Paradise Found” is curated by Dr. José H. Leal, museum science director and curator. It is a selection of Caribbean shells from the Museum’s permanent collection, displayed together now for the first time.
Both exhibitions will be on view through the 2026 season and summer.
“The new giant pacific octopus will enhance our visitors’ experience as they learn more about the diverse mollusks, shells, and marine life at the museum,’’ said Jacob Chase, senior aquarist. “Join us for Keeper Chats daily at 11am and 2pm to learn exciting facts about our octopuses and other marine life.”
They have eight arms, three hearts and blue blood. They are extremely intelligent and receive daily enrichment to encourage the species’ appropriate behavior.
“With these two new temporary exhibitions, a charming new GPO resident, and new permanent exhibitions, the Museum offers a fresh, engaging, and educational experience for visitors,” said National Shell Museum Executive Director Sam Ankerson. ‘’We hope residents and visitors to the area alike will discover, or rediscover, the Museum this season.’’
More at ShellMuseum.org/plan-your-visit.
This article originally appeared on Marco Eagle: Now You Know: Estero ‘Movie in the Park’; Koreshan Hall Chamber music
Reporting by Will Watts, Special to The Banner / Marco Eagle
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
