Edison Festival of Light

07/29/2026

Hey we’ve heard about this festival 😉

Once a year, downtown Fort Myers glows in honor of the man who lit up the world. 💡 The Edison Festival of Light has celebrated inventor Thomas Edison since 1938, drawing enormous crowds for one of the oldest and largest night parades in the Southeast.

Edison built his winter home, Seminole Lodge, on the banks of the Caloosahatchee in the 1880s, and his presence transformed the sleepy cattle town into a place of laboratories, gardens, and famous visitors like Henry Ford and Harvey Firestone. The festival honors that legacy every February, timed near Edison's birthday, with weeks of events that fill the historic riverfront district with music and light. 🎆

Watching the glowing floats roll past those old brick storefronts, you feel a whole community carrying a story forward across generations. It is history and celebration braided together, a small city proud of the giant who once called it home.

Have you ever stood along the route and watched a hometown parade like this light up the night? ✨

07/14/2026

The lights are already starting to shine on the 2027 Edison Festival of Light! 💡

We're excited to welcome B&I Contractors, Inc. as a valued sponsor whose support helps bring the magic of the Edison Festival of Light to life. ✨

Here's the "why" behind B&I: "B&I Contractors is honored to be an Innovation Sponsor of the Edison Festival of Light and celebrate the community we are proud to be part of. As an employee-owned company, our people are deeply invested in the places we live and work. This event represents the teamwork, tradition, and community spirit that inspire us every day.”

Sponsors like B&I Contractors help ensure the Edison Festival of Light continues to inspire, connect, and celebrate our community for generations to come.

Want to become a sponsor? Learn more here: https://edisonfestival.org/get-involved/be-a-sponsor/

06/27/2026

Planning is officially underway for the 89th Edison Festival of Light!

Today we meet to discuss what worked or needs improvement as we continue this incredible SWFL tradition!

06/11/2026

💡Why? Why is the Edison Festival of Light so special to Fort Myers, Florida?💡

Because it is more than a celebration. It is a spark that’s been lighting up our community for generations. Rooted in the legacy of Thomas Edison, whose winter home still graces our city, the festival pays tribute to innovation, ingenuity, and the spirit that helped shape Fort Myers into the vibrant place we know today.

From lively, hands-on community events like STEMtastic and the tail wagging fun of the Mutt Strutt, to the heart pumping 5K to the glow of the Grand Parade, this festival is a living story. A story that connects our past to our present.

What makes it truly special isn’t just the history, it is the people. Neighbors lining the streets, families making memories, local organizations coming together, it is a reminder of the power of community and the pride we share in calling Fort Myers home.

So, why should YOU sponsor?
Because it is your chance to be part of something bigger. Sponsoring the Edison Festival of Light means shining alongside a tradition that unites thousands, amplifying your impact while supporting the culture, connection, and community spirit that makes Fort Myers illuminate.

Find details here: https://edisonfestival.org/get-involved/be-a-sponsor/ and follow along for sponsorship and festival updates.

Partner With The Edison Festival of Light Become a part of Southwest Florida’s largest and longest running festival. This celebration of innovation, tradition and education illuminates one of the fastest growing regions in the country each February, which is part of the largest quarter in regards ...

04/02/2026

We’re thrilled to share some exciting news. We’ve been nominated for the Nonprofit of the Year award at SWFL Inc. INCredible Awards! This recognition means the world to us, and we couldn’t have done it without your support.