Joe Bonamassa brings the blues to Hertz Arena. Jose Feliciano sings “Feliz Navidad” and more at Seminole Casino. And Dierks Bentley, Little Big Town and Gin Blossoms lend their star power to the annual Live Fest in Naples.
Those are just three of the biggest concerts happening in Southwest Florida in December. Here are our picks for the best shows to see in Naples, Fort Myers and elsewhere:
Remembering Jimmy Buffett show, on Marco Island
Local musicians pay tribute to the late Florida singer-songwriter at this free concert. Food and beverages will be sold. 5-8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 1. Live music starts at 6:30 p.m. Free admission. Rose Marina Boathouse, 951 Bald Eagle Drive, Marco Island. facebook.com/RoseMarinaMarcoIsland
Centennial Concert Night with the Ben Allen Band
Popular Southwest Florida country act The Ben Allen Band helps celebrate the City of Naples’ centennial anniversary, along with the band Rock Republic. There will also be food vendors, food trucks and beer from local breweries. 1-6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 1. Free admission, but a free general-admission ticket is required. Limited tickets remain. Bring your own blankets and lawn chairs. Cambier Park, Eighth Ave. S., Naples. naplescentennial.com/events
Arts on Tap with JJ Grey at the Alliance for the Arts
The frontman for popular Florida blues/rock/soul act JJ Grey & Mofro headlines Arts on Tap. The fifth-annual event features craft beer from local brewers and food trucks. 6-10 p.m. Friday, Dec. 1. $85 general admission includes access to beer, food trucks and open-lawn seating (food and beer cost extra, bring your own chair). $150 VIP tickets include unlimited beer tastings, two 16-ounce pours of featured beers, a cigar lounge and heavy appetizers from local restaurants (included with ticket), plus seating and a commemorative tasting glass. NOTE: There will be NO on-site parking for this event, so using a ride-sharing service is encouraged. Nearby parking off-site might become available (details to be announced). Alliance for the Arts, 10091 McGregor Blvd. Fort Myers. artinlee.org
Joe Bonamassa at Hertz Arena
The blues rocker returns to Southwest Florida. 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 1. $79-$159. Limited seating remains. Parking on site is $30 (no cash accepted). Hertz Arena, 11000 Everblades Parkway, Estero. 948-7825 or hertzarena.com
The Lacs at The Ranch
Popular “hick hop” duo from Baxley, Georgia. Their name is an acronym for “Loud Ass Crackers.” Justin Champagne and Dustin Spears open. Show starts at about 9 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2. $32 and $69. The Ranch Concert Hall & Saloon, 2158 Colonial Blvd., Fort Myers. 985-9839 or theranchfortmyers.com
Spirit of the Gulf: ‘Gimme Harmony’
The award-winning women’s barbershop chorus performs its annual holiday concert. The show also features international barbershop-quartet finalists Gimme Four. 2-4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 3. $25-$35. South Fort Myers High School, 14020 Plantation Road, south Fort Myers. spiritofthegulf.com
Gulf Coast Symphony’s ‘Deck the Halls’
The Fort Myers orchestra performs holiday tunes, including Leroy Anderson’s “Sleigh Ride,” a medley of music from Christmas movie classics and the Mannheim Steamroller arrangement of “Silent Night.” 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 3. $35-$90. Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall, 13350 FSW Parkway, south Fort Myers. 481-4849 or bbmannpah.com
Jose Feliciano: Feliz Navidad
The beloved singer-songwriter performs a concert with his enduring holiday hit, “Feliz Navidad.” His other hits include “Light My Fire” and “Por Que Te Tengo Que Olvidar?” 8 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 5. $65-$80. Seminole Casino Hotel, 506 S. First St., Immokalee. 658-1313 or moreinparadise.com
Ann Wilson of Heart and Tripsetter at Artis-Naples
The Heart singer rocks out with her other band, Tripsitter. The show follows her latest solo album, “Another Door.” 8 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 6. $65-$89. Artis-Naples, 5833 Pelican Bay Blvd., Naples. 239-597-1900 or artisnaples.org
Bluesman Selwyn Birchwood plays the Mercato Nights Music Series
The Tampa bluesman is known for fiery guitar playing and soulful singing. He’s touring in support of his fourth album on Alligator Records, “Exorcist.” Birchwood calls his music “electric swamp funkin’ blues,” described in a news release as “an intoxicating mix of deep blues, blistering, psychedelic-tinged rock, booty-shaking funk and sweet Southern soul, played and sung with fire-and-brimstone fervor.” 6:30 p.m. Thursday. Dec. 7. Free. The event lawn at Mercato, 9118 Strada Place, North Naples. 254-1080 or mercatoshops.com
Not So Silent Night with 10 Years at The Ranch
The Tennessee rockers play Rock 103.3 FM’s second-annual Not So Silent Night Show & Auction. The band’s many hits include “Wasteland,” “Beautiful,” “Shoot It Out” and “Fix Me.” Vallion opens. The event includes a silent auction to raise money for Barbara’s Friends, a fund to help kids fighting cancer and their families at Golisano Children’s Hospital. 6-11:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 7. $25-$50. The Ranch Concert Hall & Saloon, 2158 Colonial Blvd., Fort Myers. 985-9839 or theranchfortmyers.com
Colt Ford at The Ranch
The country rapper/singer’s hits include “Workin’ On,” “Slow Ride,” “Reload” and “Shoulda Named It After Me.” Kendall Tucker opens. Show starts at about 9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 8. $37-$75. The Ranch Concert Hall & Saloon, 2158 Colonial Blvd., Fort Myers. 985-9839 or theranchfortmyers.com
Live Fest with Dierks Bentley, Little Big Town, Gin Blossoms
Country superstars Dierks Bentley and Little Big Town and ’90s rockers Gin Blossoms play the annual Live Fest during the new Grant Thornton Invitational golf tournament, which replaces the annual QBE Shootout. The outdoor show takes place on the golf club’s driving range. 5-10 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 9. $135 general admission with other packages from $175-$315-plus. Tiburon Golf Club at The Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort, 2620 Tiburon Drive, Naples. LiveFest.com
‘Santa’s Serenade’ with Southwest Florida Symphony
The Fort Myers orchestra performs its annual Holiday Pops show at three different venues Dec. 9-11. They’ll play at 7 p.m. Saturday at Fort Myers High School ($20) and 4 p.m. Sunday at First Presbyterian Church of Bonita Springs ($25). Their Monday show at The Village Church at Shell Point is sold out. Learn more at swflso.org.
Rock the Stage Finals
In this third-annual competition, singers audition for judges and then perform onstage for live audiences. The top five singers from each age group take the stage from noon to 8 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 10. Winners get a recording session, musical coaching and other prizes. $20 ($50 for VIP, including preferred seating and a private bar). There will also be food trucks, drinks, vendors and performances from some of Southwest Florida’s top musical acts, including Deb & the Dynamics, Bargain Bin Heroes and Roxx Revolt and the Velvets. Pickle-N-Pub, 15455 Old McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers. rockthestageswfl.com
Zach Bartholomew Trio: ‘A Charlie Brown Christmas’
Pianist Zachary Bartholomew and his trio perform the music of pianist/composer Vince Guaraldi, including songs from the beloved holiday cartoon “A Charlie Brown Christmas.” Audiences will also learn more about Bartholomew’s life and career. 2 and 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 12. $35. Arts Bonita Center for Performing Arts, 10150 Bonita Beach Road, Bonita Springs. 495-8989 or artsbonita.org
Marie Osmond’s Orchestral Christmas Tour
The famous singer, actor and TV host performs a holiday show with an orchestra at Seminole Casino Hotel. 8 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 12. $129. Seminole Casino Hotel, 506 S. First St., Immokalee. 658-1313 or moreinparadise.com
Steve Miller Band at Hertz Arena
Pop-rock hitmakers responsible for enduring ’70s and ’80s hits such as “The Joker,” “Jungle Love” and “Abracadabra.” 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 13. $46-$106. Parking on site is $30 (no cash accepted). Hertz Arena, 11000 Everblades Parkway, Estero. 948-7825 or hertzarena.com
Michael W. Smith Christmas at the Tribby
The Grammy and Dove-winning contemporary Christian singer-songwriter performs a holiday-themed show. 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 12. $55. Tribby Arts Center at Shell Point Retirement Community, 17281 On Par Blvd., south Fort Myers. 415-5667 or tribbyartscenter.com
Holiday Pops with the Naples Philharmonic
Conductor Radu Paponiu leads the orchestra in the annual holiday show. They’ll be joined by the Naples Philharmonic Chorus and Naples Philharmonic Youth Chorus. Program to be announced. Thursday through Sunday, Dec. 14-17. $52-$86. Artis-Naples, 5833 Pelican Bay Blvd., Naples. 597-1900 or artisnaples.org
Jason Marsalis at Arts Bonita
Renowned jazz drummer Jason Marsalis is the youngest son of late jazz pianist Ellis Marsalis Jr., patriarch of New Orleans’ famous Marsalis music family. He’s also a respected vibraphone player. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 16. $42-$49. Arts Bonita Center for Performing Arts, 10150 Bonita Beach Road, Bonita Springs. 495-8989 or artsbonita.org
Southwest Florida Concert Band: ‘A Florida Family Christmas Concert’
The 35-member community band performs “Sleigh Ride,” “March of the Toys,” “Christmas on Broadway” and other holiday favorites. 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 17. Free. South Fort Myers High School, 14020 Plantation Road, Fort Myers. SouthwestFloridaConcertBand.org
Rose Max at Arts Bonita
Brazilian bossa nova singer-songwriter Rose Max performs with guitarist-producer Ramatis. 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 22. $35. Arts Bonita Center for Performing Arts, 10150 Bonita Beach Road, Bonita Springs. 495-8989 or artsbonita.org
Wayne Baker Brooks at The Buck
The blue-rock singer and guitarist is the son of late Chicago blues great Lonnie Brooks ( “Sweet Home Chicago”) and played in his father’s band. He also co-wrote the 1998 book “Blues For Dummies” with his father. 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 22. $20-$25. Buckingham Blues Bar, 5641 Buckingham Road, Buckingham. 693-7111 or buckinghambar.com
Candlelight: The Nutcracker at THE MACC
A string quartet performs highlights from the beloved holiday ballet “The Nutcracker” on a candlelit stage. The tentative setlist also includes “O Holy Night,” “Joy to the World” and other seasonal favorites. 6:30 and 9 p.m. Thursday and Saturday, Dec. 28 and 30. $35-$57. The shows were added after two other shows sold out (Nov. 3 and Dec. 5). Music & Arts Community Center, 13411 Shire Lane, Fort Myers. 277-1700 or gcsarts.org
Suicidal Tendencies at The Ranch
Singer Mike Muir and his Los Angeles band Suicidal Tendencies practically invented and perfected the punk-metal genre in the 80s and 90s. Their classic songs include “Institutionalized,” “You Can’t Bring Me Down,” “I Saw Your Mommy,” “Send Me Your Money” and “War Inside My Head.” Cro-Mags and Bodybox open. Show starts at about 9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 29. $44 for general admission, $69 for reserved seating. The Ranch Concert Hall & Saloon, 2158 Colonial Blvd., Fort Myers. 985-9839 or theranchfortmyers.com
Jerrod Niemann at The Ranch
The country singer returns for another Southwest Florida show. His hits include “Lover, Lover,” “Drink to That All Night” and “What Do You Want.” Show starts at about 9 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 30. $32-$69. The Ranch Concert Hall & Saloon, 2158 Colonial Blvd., Fort Myers. 985-9839 or theranchfortmyers.com
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 atcrunnells@gannett.com. Follow or message him on social media: Facebook (facebook.com/charles.runnells.7), X (formerly Twitter) (@charlesrunnells), Threads (@crunnells1) and Instagram (@crunnells1
