Best things to do this weekend in SW FL: A Magical Cirque Christmas, Fair at Fenway South

Looking for some entertainment in Southwest Florida?

Here are five fun things to do this weekend and beyond, including A Magical Cirque Christmas, Nashville Night at Babcock Ranch and the last weekend of the Fair at Fenway South.

Plus, we look ahead at more things to do in the coming weeks: The annual Bonita Springs Christmas Boat Parade, the Southwest Florida Blues Society's All-Star Blues Blowout and more.

EVENT SUBMISSIONS: Got anything cool happening next weekend or later? I’m always looking for concerts, festivals and other great events for my weekly Top 5 things to do. To be considered, email me the details at [email protected] or message me at facebook.com/charles.runnells.7.

1. Last weekend of Fair at Fenway South at JetBlue Park

Last chance to visit the family-friendly fair with carnival rides, kids rides, live shows, midway games, fair food and vendors. The live shows include racing pigs, a traveling wolf pack, a petting corral, a magician and a hypnotist. Thursday through Sunday, Nov. 16-19. Admission is $10-12. A two-for-one coupon is also available online. All shows are free with admission. Rides cost extra. JetBlue Park, 11500 Fenway South Drive, south Fort Myers. fairatfenway.com

2. Rock the Stage Semi Finals Showcase

In this third-annual competition, singers audition for judges and then perform onstage for live audiences. The top 25 singers take the stage from 3-9 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 19, for the Semi Finals Showcase. Winners get a recording session, musical coaching and other prizes. $20 ($100 for VIP, which includes preferred seating and one vote for a finalist from each division to be the VIP pick for the Dec. 10 finals). The Ranch Concert Hall & Saloon, 2158 Colonial Blvd., Fort Myers. rockthestageswfl.com

3. Mid-Cape Gobble Wobble 5K

This third-annual Thanksgiving Day race kicks off at 7:30 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 23. Then the day continues with raffles, music and a 10-percent discount on all market and café items. 7-11 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 23. Run registration is $35 ($25 for ages 6-12). Registration ends at midnight Wednesday, Nov. 22. Donors of non-perishable food items or pet food for Cape Coral Caring Center will get free raffle tickets. Mercola Market, 125 S.W. Third Place, Cape Coral. mercolamarketcc.com

4. A Magical Cirque Christmas at Mann Hall

This touring, nostalgia-filled circus show features aerialists, acrobats and other entertainers performing to holiday music. Friday and Saturday, Nov. 17-18. $38-$78. Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall, 13350 FSW Parkway, south Fort Myers. 481-4849 or bbmannpah.com

5. Nashville Night at Babcock Ranch

The Babcock Ranch Foundation hosts this new outdoor music festival with Nashville "guitar guru" Dave Isaacs; duo Meg Williams and Travis Bowlin; and headliner Deidre Thornell. They'll play blues, rock and country music. Proceeds benefit the Babcock Ranch Foundation. Food and drinks will be available from food trucks and nearby restaurants. 4-9 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 18. $35-$45. Bring your own blankets or lawn chairs. Founder’s Square in Babcock Ranch, 42850 Crescent Loop, Charlotte County. babcockranchfoundation.org

MORE THINGS TO DO

Fort Myers Music Walk

Downtown Fort Myers comes alive with music at this monthly celebration with bands in the streets and inside the bars and venues. 6-10 p.m. Friday, Nov. 17. Free. Music Walk takes place on the third Friday of each month. Downtown Fort Myers. facebook.com/RiverDistrictAlliance

Tellabration 2023!

Storytellers tell stories for both kids and grown-ups at this annual event returning to Fort Myers after a three-year absence. It's one of many Tellabration performances organized by the National Storytelling Network and taking place all over the world. The stories can be funny, poignant, true or fictional. Presented by longtime local storytelling group The Tamiami Tale Tellers. 2-4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 18. Free. Peace Community Church, 17671 Pine Ridge Road, Fort Myers Beach. 481-0552

Tales & Cocktails: A Centennial Celebration of the Lab Theater Building

Lab Theater celebrates the 100th anniversary of its building at the theater's annual fundraiser. The building first opened in 1923 as St. Luke’s Episcopal and has changed hands several times since then. The fundraiser includes food, music, cocktails, skits from past shows and discussions with local historians about the history of the building. 3:30-8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 18. $75 (or $125 per couple). The Laboratory Theater of Florida, 1634 Woodford Ave., downtown Fort Myers. 218-0481 or laboratorytheaterflorida.com

SWFL Sports Card Show in North Fort Myers

Vendors buy, sell and trade a variety of baseball cards, Pokémon cards and other sports cards and memorabilia, from vintage to modern. The event also features a food truck and giveaways. 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 19. $3 (free for ages 12 and younger). Pondella Bingo, 959 Pondella Road, North Fort Myers. 440-5204 or facebook.com/swflcardshow

Thanksgiving Eve Bash at Fort Myers Brewing

The brewery kicks off the long Thanksgiving weekend with food trucks, music and special beer releases. The musical lineup features DJ Memphis (4-7 p.m.) and rock and blues cover band Rock Republic (7-10 p.m.). Noon to 11 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 22. Free. Bring your own blankets or lawn chairs. Fort Myers Brewing Co., 12811 Commerce Lakes Drive, Unit 28, south Fort Myers. 313-6576 or fmbrew.com

LOOKING AHEAD

Doug MacGregor art exhibit: 'Whimsy & Wonder'

Last chance to see this show from the former The News-Press cartoonist. His whimsical, colorful mosaic paintings and graphite drawings depict both animals and a view of the galaxy's stars and other wonders. Now through Saturday, Nov. 25. Free. Alliance for the Arts, 10091 McGregor Blvd. Fort Myers. 939-2787 or artinlee.org

South Cape Jolley Trolley

Ride trolleys throughout downtown Cape Coral and stop at different bars and restaurants for holiday-themed drink and appetizer samples. Trolley riders are encouraged to dress in festive pajamas and onesies. The third-annual event also includes prizes, trivia and a photo booth contest. 7-11 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 25. $25-$35. Check-in happens from 6-7:30 p.m. at Big John Plaza (near Pinch-A-Penny) and Dolphin Key Resort. Late check-in takes place until 10 p.m. at Dolphin Key Resort. facebook.com/SouthCapeHospitalityAndEntertainmentAssociation

All-Star Blues Blowout at Nauti Parrot Oasis

The Southwest Florida Blues Society hosts a fundraising concert with popular Southwest Florida blues acts Josh Rowand, Biscuit Miller and Melissa Bailey Poff – all previous winners of the society's regional International Blues Challenge (IBC) competitions. 1-4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 26. Doors open at 11 a.m. Free. Nauti Parrot Oasis, 17200 S. Tamiami Trail, south Fort Myers. swfbs.org

'Murder at the KO Corral!' murder-mystery dinner show

GibsonHouse Mystery Performers stage an interactive, Western-themed murder mystery during a three-course meal at Cape Cabaret. Then audience members try to guess whodunnit and win prizes. The story involves a map, a runaway bride, an outlaw and at least one murder ? all set during a town-hall meeting that might get out of hand. Traveling theatrical troupe GibsonHouse stages monthly murder-mystery dinners at Cape Cabaret and Fort Myers' The Edison Restaurant. 6 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 26 (cocktail hour starts at 5 p.m.). $70 admission includes dinner. Cape Cabaret, 4725 Vincennes Blvd., Cape Coral. 549-3000 or gibsonhouseswfl.com

Darren Criss: A Very Darren Crissmas at Mann Hall

The singer-songwriter and actor (best known as Blaine Anderson on the TV hit "Glee") brings his holiday show to Mann Hall. The tour is named after his 2021 album “A Very Darren Crissmas." 7:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 27. $42-$74. Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall, 13350 FSW Parkway, south Fort Myers. 481-4849 or bbmannpah.com

Bonita Springs Christmas Boat Parade

The annual holiday parade returns with more lighted, decorated boats traveling along the Imperial River. This year's event is being organized by the Bonita Springs Historical Society. The parade launches at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 9, at the Bay Water Boat Club, 5124 Bonita Beach Road S.W., and proceeds along the Imperial River and under U.S. 41 to Jolly Roger Lane, before turning around and returning to the boat club. Prime viewing includes the U.S. 41 Bridge, Riverwalk Park and the Imperial River Boat Ramp. Donations are requested to keep the parade going. For more information or to donate, call 992-6997 or visit bonitaspringshistory.org.

Charles Runnells is an arts and entertainment reporter for The News-Press and the Naples Daily News. To reach him, call 239-335-0368 (for tickets to shows, call the venue) or email him at [email protected]. Follow or message him on social media: Facebook (facebook.com/charles.runnells.7), X (formerly Twitter) (@charlesrunnells), Threads (@crunnells1) and Instagram (@crunnells1).

This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Cirque Christmas, Fair at Fenway South: Things to do in Fort Myers, Cape Coral