Jumpstart the holidays: Holiday Magic and Snow Festival begins today Cape Harbour
Kick off the holidays early in Cape Coral at the annual Holiday Magic and Snow Festival.
Hosted by Fathoms Restaurant & Bar and The French Press, the event will take place today and Saturday from 6 to 10 p.m. at the Cape Harbour Marina. The celebration will feature a Christmas tree lighting and visit from Santa Claus, as well as a snow mound, activities, entertainment and more.
Fathoms spokeswoman Valeria Zanella said there was public interest for the festival.
“We thought it might be fun for them,” she said.
Zanella noted that a couple hundred people showed up each day last year.
“But, on Saturday it rained,” she said of the 2015 celebration.
Zanella added that organizers are hoping for better weather this year and a bigger turnout.
There is no cost to attend, and parking is free.
Today, Santa will arrive at 6 p.m. and meet with the children until 9 p.m.
“The main thing on Friday is the visit from Santa,” she said.
An estimated 200 children enjoyed his visit last year.
“We’re expecting more,” Zanella said of the anticipated attendance.
After Santa’s arrival, the lighting of the 20-foot-tall Christmas tree will take place.
“It is a pretty big Christmas tree,” she said.
“We will also offer some hot chocolate with marshmallows at our coffee shop and some Christmas cookies,” Zanella added.
There is no charge to visit with Santa.
On Saturday, organizers will bring in enough snow to cover 90 square feet.
“It’s like a huge playground of snow for the kids,” she said.
There will be arts and crafts, along with activities like face painting and a dunk tank, to benefit the Florida Gulf Coast Dutch Lions FC Youth Academy, which is a Cape-based soccer organization.
“The club is going to put together some soccer games for the kids,” Zanella said.
An ice carving demonstration will be on site, along with a 3D photo booth.
“So you walk out with a really nice fun photo,” she said.
Some activities may require a nominal fee, but the photo booth will be free.
Live entertainment will be provided by the band Half Step Down.
“They are kind of like country music,” Zanella said. “They play a little bit of everything.”
There will also be raffle giveaways for T-shirts, gift cards and other items.
Rumrunners, Fathoms Restaurant & Bar, The Marina Club Restaurant and The French Press will be open during the events to serve up food and drinks. The shops at Cape Harbour will also be open.
“We will have a grill outside providing food,” she said.
Organizers encouraged the public to come stop by.
“It’s a really really fun event,” Zanella said.
“The kids have a blast with the snow,” she added.
For more information, call 239-542-0123 or visit on Facebook at “Fathoms.”
The Cape Harbour Marina is at 828 Cape Harbour Drive.