Enjoy Summertime Entertainment by Claudia Polzin, Independent Consultant

With our beautiful weather most of the year, it is hard to determine when summer actually occurs here in Naples – but May
through August are when summer months are most commonly identified in the rest of the country. Those are the months when
kids are home and outside and underfoot and have mom wondering when school will start again. During these “summer” months, here are a few events you won’t want to miss:

Evening on Fifth – May 8, June 12, July 10, August 14, 2025
Fifth Avenue South comes alive with an evening of entertainment, dining, and shopping every second Thursday of the month from May to August. Evening on Fifth features live music, street performances, and special promotions from local shops and restaurants. This free event runs from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., making it the perfect way to unwind, explore, and enjoy the vibrant downtown atmosphere. Whether you’re looking for a casual evening or a fun night out, this event is a must see.

Gulfshore Playhouse Performances – May-August 2025
Naples boasts a thriving theater scene, and Gulfshore Playhouse offers an exceptional slate of performances throughout the summer. Whether you’re a fan of drama, comedy, or musicals, there’s something for everyone at the Baker Theatre and Education Center. With highly skilled actors and stunning productions, Gulfshore Playhouse is a great way to spend an evening immersed in world class theater.

Naples Philharmonic Concerts – May-August 2025
For music enthusiasts, Naples Philharmonic offers an outstanding lineup of classical performances at Artis—Naples throughout the summer. The 2024–2025 season includes masterworks like Strauss and Storytelling in early April, and Schubert The Great in late April. These concerts feature world class musicians and conductors, and the acoustics at Artis—Naples’ state-of-the-art concert hall make it a truly exceptional experience. Whether you’re a long-time classical music lover or a first timer, the Naples Philharmonic provides an unforgettable evening of elegant music.

During these months we also have two wonderful holidays to celebrate – Memorial Day in May and the Fourth of July. Memorial
Day was first celebrated in 1968 to honor the men and women who died while in military service. The day was originally known as Decoration Day, with the first national observance occurring on May 30, 1868.

The Fourth of July has been a federal holiday since 1941. When the Revolutionary War broke out in April, 1775 few colonists favored complete independence from Great Britain. John Adams, one of the founding fathers, believed that July 2 was the appropriate day to celebrate and refused invitations to speak at any July 4th events. Interesting that both Adams and Thomas Jefferson died on July 4 1826 – the 50th anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence. But to his death John Adams believed that July 2 should be celebrated as the “great anniversary
festival”.

Enjoy the “summer” months in Naples, celebrate Memorial Day and the Fourth of July with family and friends and remember all that we have to be grateful for in this country.