Holiday Nights opens Nov. 25 at Edison and Ford Winter Estates | News, Sports, Jobs | Rare Techy

Edison and Ford Winter Estates homes and gardens are decorated with thousands of lights. SUBMITTED PHOTO

On Friday, November 25 at 6:00 p.m., Edison and Ford Winter Estates will kick off the 47th annual Holiday Night Celebration with a tree lighting ceremony. Guests will have the opportunity to participate in the countdown with NBC-2’s Dave Elias as the Christmas tree on the Ford property is lit with thousands of animated lights choreographed to holiday music. Female vocalists, the American Sirens, will perform shortly after the tree is lit. The event is sponsored by Florida Power & Light, Bob Dean Supply, Sunbelt Rentals and TriCircle Pavers.

This year’s theme is “Vacation by the river” and contains water and marine elements. Holiday evenings run every night until January 1, except for Christmas Eve and Christmas Eve. Guided tours of the holiday tradition are offered every night at 6 and 7 p.m., except on opening night, or visitors can choose to take a self-guided tour at their own pace. Inside-the-Homes tours are offered on November 30 and December 7, 14, and 21 at 6:30 p.m. to get a closer look at the homes’ ornate interiors.

Several new light displays will be installed this year. As visitors enter the property by the river, they walk through a new lighted tunnel. It sets the stage and guides guests to the new fountain tree with animated lights. The tree used for the tree lighting ceremony is also new and features animated lights choreographed to music.

The family-oriented event will feature a Children’s Tree Trail, featuring dozens of trees decorated with handmade ornaments by Lee County schoolchildren. Santa and Mrs. Claus will visit on Sunday evenings from 18:00 to 20:00 until December 18. “The Wild Wizard” (Edison’s nickname) will conduct science experiments on Tuesday evenings at 6:00 PM until December 20th.

There is also music on several nights. On December 7 and 16, walking carolers will sing, on December 14 the Fort Myers Symphonic Mastersingers will perform, and on December 16-23 tenor saxophonist in December. An antique circus car (Calliope) with a built-in pipe organ will be played on December 5 from 18-20. Curators will be on hand to answer questions about the car, a modified 1914 Model T Ford.

Edison and Ford Winter Estates homes and gardens are decorated with thousands of lights. SUBMITTED PHOTO

On December 11, from 16:00 to 21:00, guests can shop at several vendor booths at the new holiday market. The Museum Shop and Garden Shoppe are open until 9pm every Bank Holiday and stock unique gifts that are hard to come by. -buy for a loved one. Snacks can be bought on Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings and from 19.-23. on December and 26-27 in December.

Tickets for Holiday Nights are $20 for adults, $10 for teens (13-19), $2 for children (6-12), and Edison Ford members get in free. Guided tours of holiday traditions cost $30 for adults, $25 for teens, $18 for children and $10 for Edison Ford members. Inside-the-Homes Holiday Tours are $50. Lee County residents with ID receive $5 off Holiday Nights admission on Sunday nights. To purchase tickets or view the nightly schedule, visit www.edisonford.org.