July events: There's plenty of things to do in Naples, Marco, Bonita, Immokalee

GENERAL EVENTS

Free Garden Admission: As an Independence Day celebration, the Naples Botanical Garden will offer all guests free admission from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Thursday, July 4. 4820 Bayshore Drive, Naples. (239) 643-7275 or naplesgarden.org.

Drones in Paradise: Join for an Independence Day celebration at Paradise Coast Sports Complex, 3940 City Gate Blvd. N., Naples. Festivities begin at 6 p.m. Saturday, July 6, with bounce houses, laser tag, face painting and more. At 9 p.m. hundreds of drones will take to the sky in a light show with a variety of colors and shapes, set to patriotic music. Free parking and admission. playparadisecoast.com.

Tasting the Tropics: This delicious festival allows visitors to sample tropical fruits from around the world. From 8 a.m.-5 p.m. July 6, enjoy live demonstrations, special tours and themed programs in which all questions about Southwest Florida’s climate and the fruits it can grow will be answered. The event is included with the cost of admission to the Naples Botanical Garden, 4820 Bayshore Drive, Naples. Tours are $10 for members or $15 for non-members. Tickets are available through naplesgarden.org.

Art Lovers Evening Out: Naples Art District will host a night of live demonstrations, informative lectures, artist meet and greets and more. Select artists will offer up to 20% off discounts. The evening begins at Art Edge Gallery, 2180 J and C Blvd., Naples, and stretches across nine galleries on J and C Blvd. 5-8 p.m. Thursday, July 11. (239) 572-1747 or [email protected].

Watercolors & Wildlife: This class with local artist Jan Deswick highlights an aspect of nature’s beauty. At 9:30 July 16 and 18, join to paint coastal Naples and an estuarine environment. $85, includes all materials. Each participant leaves with a finished painting with matte. RSVP in advance at rookerybay.org. Rookery Bay Environmental Learning Center, 300 Tower Road.

Essentials of Digital Photography Workshop: Learn how to use your personal camera’s shutter, aperture, ISO control and the drive modes with Sonny Saunders - a photographer with over 35 years of experience. No experience needed, just an eagerness to learn. 9:30 a.m. July 20. $55. RSVP in advance at rookerybay.org. Rookery Bay Environmental Learning Center, 300 Tower Road.

Brews for the Birds: Experience the Wonder Gardens at night with food, drinks and live music. From 6-8 p.m. Thursday, July 25, food trucks, breweries and beverage sponsors will gather at the Wonder Gardens, 27180 Old 41 Road, Bonita Springs, for an adults-only event. Tickets cost $50 for members and $55 for non-members. (239) 992-2591 or wondergardens.org.

Cirque du Soleil: The contemporary circus is making its return to Southwest Florida with the production of Corteo. See the enchantment at Hertz arena, 11000 Everblades Pkwy, Estero, from July 25-28 at various times. Tickets start at $59, and arena parking is $30. (239) 948-7825 or hertzarena.com.

LIVE MUSIC

King Solomon Hicks: Guitarist and singer King Solomon Hicks, honed his musical skills in of Harlem, which helped to shape his sound offering an array of styles. He's earned him accolades such as the 2021 Blues Music Award for Best Emerging Artist and has performed alongside the likes of Buddy Guy and Tony Bennett. 7:30 p.m. Friday, July 12. $35-$45. Arts Bonita Center for Performing Arts, 10150 Bonita Beach Road, Bonita Springs. (239) 495-8989 or artsbonita.org

Journey tribute band: Odyssey Road will perform Thursday, July 18, in Daniels Pavillion at Artis―Naples, 5833 Pelican Bay Blvd. Concerts are at 6 and 8:30 p.m. Tickets from $49. artisnaples.org/events/pro-am or call (239) 597-1900.

Live music at Miromar Outlets: Enjoy performances by various artists and bands every weekend at Miromar Outlets. Visit miramoroutlets.com to view the upcoming schedule for the coming week.

GULFSHORE PLAYHOUSE

Seussical Jr.: Follow your favorite Dr. Seuss characters; the Cat in the Hat, Horton the Elephant and more on a musical adventure to protect an abandoned egg and the Whos ― tiny people living on a speck that Horton discovered. Tickets are $25. Showings at various times, July 26-28 at Gulfshore Playhouse, 755 Eighth Ave. S., Naples. gulfshoreplayhouse.org.

STANDUP COMEDY

Ian Fidance: The comedian performs standup at 9 p.m. July 25, 6:30 and 8:30 p.m. July 26, 6 and 8 p.m. July 27 and 6 p.m. July 28. Off The Hook Comedy Club, 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Road, No. 1100. $25 general admission, plus a fee. offthehookcomedy.com or (239) 389-6901.

ONGOING, KARAOKE, TRIVIA AND MORE

Open Jam: 7-10 p.m. Every Thursday at Z's Music Kitchen, 12655 Tamiami Trail E., Naples. Enjoy music and food. More at (239) 304-9552 or zsmusickitchen.com.

Jebry's Jazz and Blues Jam Session: 6 to 9 p.m. every Monday at Dogtooth bar and restaurant, 5310 Shirley St., Naples. (239) 431-7004 or dogtoothnaples.com.

Karaoke: 6:30-9:30 p.m. Sundays and 7-10 p.m. Mondays and Tuesdays at Sneaky Pete's, 3465 Bonita Beach Road SW, No. 120, Bonita Springs. (239) 498-8887 or sneakypetesbonita.com.

Trivia: 6:30-8:30 p.m. Tuesdays at South Street City Oven and Grill at Goodlette Corners, 1410 Pine Ridge Road, Suite 4, Naples.

Trivia: 7-9 p.m. Wednesdays at South Street City Oven and Grill at Founders Square, 8845 Founders Square Drive, Naples.

Trivia: 7 p.m. Mondays at Naples Flatbread of Miromar Outlets, 10801 Corkscrew Road suite 520, Estero.

Special Experiences at the Wonder Gardens: Wild Wonders Animal Encounters and guided tours are available for an additional fee at various days and times. Weekly Habitat Chats are free with paid admission every Thursday at 1 p.m. Topics vary. wondergardens.org.

Woof Walk: Dogs visit from ARC (Animal Rescue Center) on the last Wednesday of every month. 10:30-11:30 a.m. Lee County Sheriff’s Outreach Center, suite 190. Miromar Outlets, 10801 Corkscrew Road, Estero. miromaroutlets.com.

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FARMERS MARKETS

Third Street South Farmers Market: 7:30-11:30 a.m. Saturdays on Third Street South. Fresh produce, flowers, pastas, seafood, baked goods, prepared foods, jams, relishes, fresh-roasted coffee, more. Music, dog treats.

Immokalee State Farmers Market: Open 7 a.m.-7 p.m. daily year-round at 424 New Market Road E., Immokalee. For more, call 239-658-3505 or visit fdacs.gov.

Friends of Koreshan Sunday Market: Open 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Sundays at a new location, Three Oaks Town Center, 18731 Three Oaks Parkway, south Lee County. More on Facebook.

Inyoni Organic Farm: This 6-acre all-organic farm offers online ordering with Saturday pickup on the farm. Learn more at facebook.com/inyoniorganicfarm or inyoniorganicfarm.store.

This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: What's there to do in July in Naples, Marco, Bonita, Immokalee