Lee County Parks Department Schedules Five Holiday Gatherings in December

Lee County Parks and Recreation will throw five holiday parties this December. They'll happen in Fort Myers, Lehigh Acres, Estero, and North Fort Myers. The fun kicks off Dec. 5 and wraps up Dec. 30.

A Holiday Market runs from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5, at Wa-Ke Hatchee Recreation Center, located at 16760 Bass Road in Fort Myers. This free event will have food trucks, kids' crafts, free photos with Santa, and handmade goods for sale from local vendors.

SantaFest and a Winter Yard Sale happen from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Dec. 6, at Estero Recreation Center, located at 9200 Corkscrew Palms Blvd. in Estero. Early birds can hit the yard sale at 7 a.m. Story time comes with hot cocoa. Children can craft holiday projects and meet Santa. Admission is free, but spots fill up quickly. Register at www.leeparks.org/register.

Cocoa with Claus runs from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 12, at North Fort Myers Recreation Center, located at 2000 N. Recreation Park Way in North Fort Myers. Kids can make ornaments, play games, and write wish lists. Hot cocoa and photos with Mr. Claus are part of the fun.

The Holiday Express Train at Lakes Park, located at 7330 Gladiolus Drive in Fort Myers, is on Friday, Dec. 12, through Tuesday, Dec. 30. Hours are 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. The Train Village route shows off holiday decorations and lights after dark. Christmas Eve means a 2 p.m. closing time, and it's closed on Christmas Day.

Winter Wonderland is from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 13, at Veterans Park, located at 55 Homestead Road South in Lehigh Acres. Kids can make crafts and write letters to Santa. Photo booths await. Reindeer games will challenge everyone. Santa and Mrs. Claus will stop by. Every child goes home with a gift. Hot chocolate and cookies are on hand, and a tree lighting ends the party.