Come Rediscover the Avenue… Christmas, Cars, and More on Fifth

Of all the holiday events produced by the Fifth Avenue South Business Improvement District (BID), Christmas is by  far my favorite. It’s a time for family, joy, gifts and the always special visit by the jolly, big guy wearing a red suit. And while COVID-19 is still with us and is cause for concern, the BID is determined not to let the COVID Grinch steal our Christmas this year. The Annual Christmas Walk and tree lighting ceremony will kick off the month on December 4th and 5th.

The two day celebration will also include a Santa visit, live Nativity scene, long table dining on Fifth, a skating rink, cooking demonstrations, Wynn’s market on 5th Avenue on Saturday the 5th, a Porsche Naples exhibit, and more. Two very special evenings on Fifth on December 10th and 17th will include return visits by Santa, as well as lots of music and live entertainment.

So, bring your masks, social distance and enjoy the twinkling lights, the Christmas food specials, and the great gift shopping on Fifth Avenue South. Remember what Cindy Lou Who from Whoville told the Grinch, “No one should be alone on Christmas.” So, we hope you plan to join us for a spectacular Christmas festival.

Part of our efforts in promoting Fifth Avenue this season is a campaign we are calling “Rediscover the Avenue.” We have all been cooped up for so long that the concept of rediscovery seemed fitting for a new marketing effort, which will encourage our residents and visitors alike to visit Fifth Avenue. The campaign will be featured on all media platforms, including all social media as well as ads in many of Naples beautiful magazines and on several broadcast outlets.

Our annual Guide to Fifth Avenue 2020-2021 is also hitting the streets. Published by Naples Illustrated, the Guide is jam packed full of information, beautiful ads featuring our restaurants and merchants, and some interesting editorial content as well.

It is our 7th year of producing it. More than 80,000 copies will be printed and distributed throughout the year, which are provided to all of our businesses, concierges, and hotels. It is one of the bigger specialty magazines in town, and every home should have one for reference.

Another great annual event will be our February 6, 2021 car show, where we expect close to 600 cars featured on Fifth.
Organized by the Naples Chapter of the Ferrari Club of America, the event draws visitors from all over the world to see hundreds of Ferraris and other exotic, vintage muscle cars and more.

Our car show is also a huge fundraising event. We like to say, “Great Cars. Great Cause.” Last year, we raised more than
$500K for St. Matthew’s House, a local organization dedicated to changing lives in a compassionate and disciplined spiritual environment, while housing the homeless, feeding the needy, and comforting the addicted and suffering.

Our fundraising efforts at the car show in 2021 will once again focus on St. Matthew’s House, which is so appropriate given the financial and emotional struggles so many have experienced during the pandemic. St. Matthew’s House operates the only Collier County facility approved for public feeding. The facility provides more than 500,000 meals each year for St. Matthew’s House residents and others in the community who are suffering from chronic hunger.

It also operates the only emergency homeless shelter in Collier County, housing more than 300 men, women and children every night. So, if it’s been awhile since you visited Fifth Avenue South, please come and “Rediscover” our brand and our amazing businesses.

With 220 high-end shops and unique boutiques, world-class dining, chic galleries, and exciting entertainment options,  there’s truly something for everyone. For further information, visit www.FifthAvenueSouth.com.