Edison and Ford Winter Estates Mark 50 Years of Holiday Light Tradition

The Edison and Ford Winter Estates in Fort Myers are celebrating 50 years of Holiday Nights. The light show runs through Jan. 4, 2026, from 5:30 to 9 p.m. each evening.

Planning starts in January. Installation begins during the first week of October, according to Lisa Wilson, who directs marketing and public relations at the estates.

Staff from different departments handle all decorating and lighting. Maintenance, curatorial, horticulture, and retail teams tackle the work. No outside contractors are hired.

"While some places hire a lighting/decorating company, we do all of ours in-house," said Wilson, according to News-Press. "Our maintenance, curatorial, horticulture, and retail departments do all the lighting and decorating, so they have to get the lights hung and do all of the decorating on top of their regular duties."

Sunbelt Rentals donates a lift to reach high spots such as tall palms. Ladders work for other locations, though some trees create problems.

The Banyan and Mysore Fig trees prove difficult because they're massive. Staff use uplighting on these trees to create impact without stringing lights through branches.

New lights and displays are added each year. Staff change the colors of reused displays to mix up what visitors see. The estates have never counted the exact number of lights but estimate thousands spread across the property.

The site closes on Dec. 24 and 25. Admission costs $23 for adults, $13 for teens, and $3 for children ages 6-12.

Guided tours are available on a first-come, first-served basis for $35 per adult. Lee County residents get $5 off adult admissions on Monday evenings with proof of residence.

Combo tickets let visitors tour during the day and stay for Holiday Nights at a discounted rate.