FORT MYERS, Fla. — Edison and Ford Winter Estates will kick off the 46th annual Holiday Nights celebration at 6 p.m. Friday, Nov. 26 with a tree lighting ceremony. Guests can participate in the countdown with Dave Elias from NBC-2 when the historic Mysore Fig on the Ford property will be lit with thousands of animated lights choreographed to holiday music. Female vocalists, The American Sirens, will perform shortly after the tree lighting. The event is sponsored by Bob Dean Supply, Florida Power & Light, Sunbelt Rentals, and TriCircle Pavers.
This year’s theme is “Holidays Under the Stars” and will incorporate elements of nature and the outdoors. Holiday Nights will be open Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve, but closed Christmas Day. Through January 2, guided Holiday Tradition Tours will be offered at 6 and 7 p.m. every night or visitors can meander at their own pace on a self-guided tour. Guided, Inside-the-Homes tours will be offered on December 1, 8 and 15 at 6:30 p.m. for a special up-close look at the homes’ decorated interiors.
Families can stroll through the Children’s Tree Trail, which features dozens of trees decorated with handmade ornaments from Lee County school children. Santa and Mrs. Claus will be visiting on November 26, December 5, 12, 19, and 23 from 6-8 p.m. Family science shows with the “Wild Wizard” (Edison’s nickname) will take place on November 28, December 5, 12, 19, 26, and January 2 at 6:30 and 7:30 p.m.
There will also be music on several nights. Strolling carolers will sing holiday songs on December 8 and 22, the Fort Myers Symphonic Mastersingers will perform on December 15, a trumpet player will perform on December 18 and 21, and a saxophone player will perform on December 17 and 20. An antique circus car (a Calliope) with a built-in pipe organ will be played several times on December 16, from 5:30-8 p.m. Curators will be on hand to answer questions about the car, which is a modified 1914 Model T Ford.
The Ford Cottage Shoppe, Museum Store and Garden Shoppe will be open until 9 p.m. every night and will be stocked with unique gift items for that hard-to-buy-for loved one. Refreshments will be available for purchase on Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings and December 20-23.
Holiday Nights tickets for adults are $20, teens (13-19) $10, children (6-12) are $2 and Edison Ford members get in free. Guided Holiday Tradition Tours are $30 for adults, teens are $25, children $18 and $10 for Edison Ford members. Inside-the-Homes Holiday Tours are $50. Lee County residents with identification will receive $5 off Holiday Nights admission on Monday nights. To purchase tickets or view the nightly schedule, visit the website at www.edisonford.org.
Edison and Ford Winter Estates
Edison and Ford Winter Estates is the internationally known winter home site of Thomas Edison and Henry Ford. More than 220,000 visitors walk through the location each year from all around the globe. The organization has received many awards, including the National Stewardship Award from the National Trust for Historic Preservation and the National Garden Clubs’ Historic Preservation Award. The property is an official project of “Save America’s Treasures,” a Florida Historic Landmark and a National Register Historic Site. The Edison Botanic Research Laboratory is a National Historic Chemical Landmark. The site is open every day except Thanksgiving and Christmas from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and until 9 p.m. during the month of December for Holiday Nights.