Upscale center to feature Strolling Santa, musical performances during holiday season
Bell Tower Shops will officially ring in the holiday season on Dec. 7 with a festive tree lighting event filled with caroling, joyous spirit and an appearance by Santa Claus.
As one of Southwest Florida’s favorite pre-Christmas traditions, Bell Tower Shops’ annual tree lighting event features fun and entertainment for the whole family, including a bounce house, face painting, holiday-themed activities and appearances by Anna, Elsa and Olaf from the movie “Frozen.” Holiday horses from Endless Trails Stables also will be on-hand for photo opportunities.
The free event runs from 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 7 at Center Court in Bell Tower Shops, 13499 S. Cleveland Ave. in Fort Myers.
DJ Robert McDonald will help get the party started while local school choirs will set the ambiance with jubilant caroling. At 7 p.m., Santa Claus will arrive on a fire truck provided by South Trail Fire Department. Santa himself will then flip the switch to light up Bell Tower Shops’ 25-foot tree positioned at Center Court, which will be overflowing with holiday décor and cheer. World of Beer will have a craft station for projects using bottle caps and will be serving hot-mulled cider throughout the evening.
Santa will be available for a meet-and-greet and photo ops with children and families after the tree lighting.
Throughout the holiday season, Strolling Santa will be making his way around Bell Tower Shops to spread holiday cheer to shoppers and restaurant patrons. Below are Santa’s scheduled appearances:
- Saturday, Dec. 1: noon to 2 p.m. (Arts and Crafts Event, Coloring with Santa)
- Sunday, Dec. 2: noon to 2 p.m.
- Friday, Dec. 7: 7 to 8 p.m. (Tree Lighting Event)
- Saturday, Dec. 8: noon to 2 p.m.
- Sunday, Dec. 9: noon to 2 p.m.
- Saturday, Dec. 15: time to be announced
- Sunday, Dec. 16: time to be announced
- Saturday, Dec. 22: noon to 2 p.m. (Story Time with Santa)
- Sunday, Dec. 23: noon to 2 p.m. during brunch at World of Beer
Bell Tower Shops is partnering with Guardian ad Litem Foundation for a book drive on Saturday, Dec. 22 that corresponds with Story Time with Santa. Families participating in the event, as well as all community members, are asked to donate children’s books that will be shared with abused, neglected or abandoned children in the Guardian ad Litem program. “Give a Story, Get a Story” runs from noon to 2 p.m.
Additionally, Bell Tower Shops has other holiday-themed events on tap for December:
- Thursday, Dec. 6: 6 to 8 p.m. – Thursday Night Live featuring Patchouli and Terra Guitarra
- Saturday, Dec. 8: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. – Holiday Craft Fair
- Sunday, Dec. 9: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. – Holiday Craft Fair
- Monday, Dec. 10: 6 to 7 p.m. – Three Oaks Middle School Orchestra
- Friday, Dec. 14: 6 to 8 p.m. – Holiday-themed Yappy Hour featuring complimentary pet photos with Santa
- Tuesday, Dec. 18: 6 to 7 p.m. – Three Oaks Middle School Jazz Band
- Thursday, Dec. 20: 6 to 8 p.m. – Thursday Night Live featuring Renata with Paul Razmus
About Bell Tower Shops
Bell Tower Shops is a landmark shopping, dining and entertainment destination centrally located in Fort Myers, Florida. The open-air center offers fine retail shops including eclectic boutiques and shopping favorites Williams-Sonoma, Chico’s, White House | Black Market, Victoria’s Secret, Pink and Talbots. Exceptional shopping is complemented by distinctive restaurants: Bistro 41, Cru, DaRuMa Japanese Steak House, Grimaldi’s Pizzeria, Blue Pointe Oyster Bar & Seafood Grill, Cantina Laredo, Mimi’s Café, T.G.I. Friday’s and Society. In addition to The Fresh Market, Bed Bath & Beyond and a 20-screen Regal Cinema complex, Bell Tower Shops is home to exceptional specialty retailers and restaurants including Society, World of Beer, Francesca’s Collection and Ulta. A community partner and pet-friendly destination, Bell Tower Shops hosts special events throughout the year, including concerts, fundraisers, art fairs and more. Visit www.thebelltowershops.com for more information.
About Madison Marquette
Madison Marquette merged operations with PMRG in June 2018 to create a new leader in commercial real estate. The firm offers PMRG’s leasing, property management, investment management and development services, combined with Madison Marquette’s specialized development, investment and marketing expertise. Madison Marquette’s strength in retail and mixed-use assets joins PMRG’s office, medical, industrial and multi-family capabilities to provide national leadership across asset classes. PMRG’s dominance in the southern US combines with Madison Marquette’s presence in primary gateway markets on both coasts to serve the top institutional owners and investors in the industry. The company provides leasing and management services to a diverse portfolio of 330 assets in 24 states and manages an investment portfolio valued at over $6 billion. The combined company is headquartered in Washington, DC with a major presence in Houston, TX, and will be transitioning to the Madison Marquette brand in the fourth quarter of 2018. With 600 professionals in 13 regional markets, the merged firm is a member of the Capital Guidance group of companies. For additional information about Madison Marquette, visit www.madisonmarquette.com.
