THE HOMES AND GARDENS AT EDISON AND FORD WINTER ESTATES ARE DECORATED WITH THOUSANDS OF LIGHTS FOR THE 50TH ANNUAL HOLIDAY NIGHTS CELEBRATION.
On Friday, November 28 at 5:30 p.m., Edison and Ford Winter Estates will kick off the 50th annual Holiday Nights celebration. Guests will have an opportunity to participate in the countdown with Dave Elias from NBC-2 when the Christmas tree on the Ford property is lit with thousands of animated lights choreographed to holiday music. Female vocalists, the American Sirens, will perform shortly after the tree lighting. The event is sponsored by FPL, Bob Dean Supply, the City of Fort Myers, Sunbelt Rentals, the Lee County Tourist Development Council and TriCircle Pavers.
The theme this year is Golden Jubilee and will feature gold lights and decorations. Holiday Nights will run nightly through January 4, 2026 (will be closed Christmas Eve and Christmas night). Guided Holiday Tradition Tours will be offered at 6 and 7 p.m. every night except opening night or visitors can choose to stroll around at their own pace on a self-guided tour. Inside-the-Homes tours will be offered on December 3, 10, and 17 at 6:30 p.m. for a special up-close look at the homes’ decorated interiors.
The family-oriented event includes the Children’s Tree Trail, which features 50 trees decorated with handmade ornaments from Lee County school children. Holiday films will be shown on the Ford lawn at 6:30 p.m. each night. On Sunday evenings from 6 to 8 p.m., children can visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus (through December 21). Then, on Wednesday nights from 6 to 8 p.m., there will be a family science show and guests will have an opportunity to learn about the diffraction of holiday lights, the chemistry of slime, and how to drive a robot.
There will be holiday music on several nights, including strolling carolers, a pianist, and saxophone and trumpet players (a schedule is posted on the website, listing the musical talent and other activities taking place each night). The Museum Store and Garden Shoppe will be open until 9 p.m. each night of Holiday Nights for holiday shopping. Refreshments will be available for purchase on select nights.
Holiday Nights admission is free for Edison Ford members, $23 for nonmember adults, $13 for teens (13 to 19), $3 for children (6 to 12), and children 5 years old and younger will be admitted free. Guided Holiday Tradition Tours are $35 for adults, $28 for teens, $20 for children, and $15 for Edison Ford members. Inside-the-Homes Holiday Tours are $50 per person. Lee County residents with identification will receive $5 off Holiday Nights admission on Monday nights. To purchase tickets or view the nightly schedule, visit the website at EdisonFord.org.
About Edison And Ford Winter Estates
Edison and Ford Winter Estates (EFWE) is the internationally known winter homesite of Thomas Edison and Henry Ford. More than 200,000 visitors walk through the location each year from all around the globe. EFWE is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums. The site has received the National Stewardship Award from the National Trust for Historic Preservation and the National Garden Clubs’ Historic Preservation Award. The property is an official project of “Save America’s Treasures,” a Florida Historic Landmark and a National Register Historic Site. The Edison Botanic Laboratory is a National Historic Chemical Landmark. The site is open every day except Thanksgiving and Christmas from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and until 9 p.m. during Holiday Nights.
