Water Damage Restoration in Cape Coral, FL

A holiday tradition spanning more than four decades in Cape Coral returns this weekend, bringing with it the feeling of the festive season for all.

The Chamber of Commerce of Cape Coral’s “Holiday Festival of Lights,” sponsored by Incredible Bank, will hit Cape Coral Parkway this Saturday evening, with free attendance for all, young and young-at-heart alike.

Beginning at 4 p.m. and running until 10, Cape Coral Parkway will be transformed into the Cape’s version of a winter wonderland, featuring lights, visits from Mr. and Mrs. Claus, a tree lighting, and even a snow slide.

“The Incredible Bank Holiday Festival of Lights is a cherished tradition that brings our community together to celebrate the magic of the season,” said Donna Germain, president and CEO of the Chamber of Commerce of Cape Coral. “For over 40 years, we’ve seen families create memories, local businesses shine, and the spirit of Cape Coral come alive. We’re honored to host this incredible event and look forward to spreading joy and holiday cheer once again this year.”

The opening ceremony for the Holiday Festival of Lights takes place at 5:45, with Santa arriving for the official LCEC tree lighting at 6:15. The jolly couple will take to the Cape Coral Town Center (Big John’s Plaza), and will be available for pictures immediately after the tree lighting until 9:45.

“We hope attendees leave the Holiday Festival of Lights feeling the warmth and joy of the season, inspired by the sense of community that makes Cape Coral so special,” Germain said. “It’s about more than just the snow and entertainment, it’s about creating lasting memories with loved ones, supporting local businesses, and celebrating the vibrant spirit of our city. Our goal is for every person to walk away with a renewed connection to our community and a heart full of holiday cheer.”

This staple community event drums up the magic of the holidays locally as Southwest Florida and the country steps into the season full-swing. The Holiday Festival of Lights also features the Tiny Tots Train Ride, sponsored by Kiwanis Club of Cape Coral, at Vincennes Boulevard. There will be four holiday stages, sponsored by Gator Country, Mix 104.7, and Bob FM, with local entertainers and dance troupes performing throughout the evening. Candy Cane Park, sponsored by Gator Mike’s Family Fun Park and Open Doors Preschool, is a free kids area with inflatables, live holiday performances, kids activities and more, located at the east end of the event adjacent to Wendy’s.

“The Holiday Festival of Lights is special because it truly captures the heart of Cape Coral,” Germain said. “It’s not just an event, it’s a tradition that brings families, friends, and neighbors together to celebrate the season in a way that’s uniquely ours. From the joy on children’s faces as they visit Santa, ride the Tiny Tot’s Train or slide down the snow drift, every detail is designed to create a magical experience. What makes it even more meaningful is the way our local businesses, volunteers, and community members come together to make it happen year after year.”

A highlight every year, the 15-ton snow slide, sponsored by Technology at Work of SWFL and Eco Mold Testing, brings an aspect of the holiday season that Floridians seldom experience. Take a plunge down the slope, located adjacent to the Winn-Dixie parking lot along the Parkway, throughout the event.

“Bringing snow to Southwest Florida is one of the coolest–and most unique–parts of the Holiday Festival of Lights,” Germain said. “It’s such a joy to see kids and even adults experiencing the magic of snow in a place where it’s so rare. It adds an extra touch of wonder and excitement to the evening, and it’s one of those things that makes this event truly unforgettable for our community.”

The event is also collecting food and monetary donations to benefit the Cape Coral Caring Center.

For Germain and the event’s organizers, the evening is all about spreading holiday cheer, bringing a sense of community, and giving families and residents a memorable occasion they can look forward to each and every year.

“Seeing the joy on the faces of families and children is the most rewarding part of the Holiday Festival of Lights,” she said. “It’s a reminder of why we do this year after year. Watching everyone come together in celebration is truly heartwarming. These moments of pure happiness and connection are what make this event so special, and it’s an honor to play a part in creating those memories for our community.”

Major, supporting, and media sponsors for the event include: The Breeze Newspapers, The Tabor Family, Big John’s Plaza, City of Cape Coral, Cape Coral Community Redeveloped Agency – South Cape, Turner Pest Control, Garage Door Works, Quantum Fiber, Powers & Riders, First Response Home Watch Pros, Bowlero, Eagle Roofing, Xfinity, Skyworks, Lamar Advertising, Waste Pro, ACRA Electric, Taylor Rental – Creative Events, Midwest Carts, Sun Splash Family Waterpark, Suncoast Beverage, Cape Coral Sun, Fox-4, and The News-Press.

Cape Coral Parkway will close at 5 a.m. on Dec. 7, and reopen at 2 a.m. on Dec. 8.

Parking for the event is on a first-come, first-serve basis in public parking lots.

For more information, visit holidayfestivalcc.com.

Cape News

What is the best internet provider in Cape Coral?

Quantum Fiber is CNET's top pick for the best internet service provider in Cape Coral. It doesn't have the widest coverage in the city -- that would be Xfinity -- but Quantum Fiber is our top pick thanks to its simple service details and symmetrical speeds. If you're outside Quantum Fiber's coverage area, however, Xfinity or Verizon 5G Home Internet are also solid options.

If you want the fastest speeds and cheapest prices in Cape Coral, Xfinity is the solution for both of those. Its cheapest plan, which is also the cheapest internet you can get in the city, costs $35 a month for download speeds of up to 150 megabits per second. The fastest internet plans in Cape Coral are Xfinity Gigabit X2 and Quantum Fiber's 2-gig plan, both of which cost $95 a month for 2,000 Mbps speeds.

Best internet in Cape Coral, Florida, in 2024

Source: CNET analysis of provider data.

Source: CNET analysis of provider data.

How to find internet deals and promotions in Cape Coral

The best internet deals and top promotions in Cape Coral depend on what discounts are available during that period. Most deals are short-lived, but we look frequently for the latest offers.

Cape Coral internet providers, such as Xfinity, may offer lower introductory pricing or streaming add-ons for a limited time. Others, however, such as Quantum Fiber and Verizon, run the same standard pricing year-round.

For a more extensive list of promos, check out our guide on the best internet deals.

Source: CNET analysis of provider data.

What’s a good internet speed?

Most internet connection plans can now handle basic productivity and communication tasks. If you're looking for an internet plan that can accommodate videoconferencing, streaming video or gaming, you'll have a better experience with a more robust connection. Here's an overview of the recommended minimum download speeds for various applications, according to the FCC. Note that these are only guidelines -- and that internet speed, service and performance vary by connection type, provider and address.

For more information, refer to our guide on how much internet speed you really need.

How CNET chose the best internet providers in Cape Coral

Internet service providers are numerous and regional. Unlike the latest smartphone, laptop, router or kitchen tool, it’s impractical to personally test every ISP in a given city. So what’s our approach? We start by researching the pricing, availability and speed information, drawing on our own historical ISP data, the provider sites and mapping information from the Federal Communications Commission at FCC.gov.

But it doesn’t end there. We go to the FCC’s website to check our data and ensure we consider every ISP that provides service in an area. We also input local addresses on provider websites to find specific options for residents. We look at sources, including the American Customer Satisfaction Index and J.D. Power, to evaluate how happy customers are with an ISP’s service. ISP plans and prices are subject to frequent changes; all information provided is accurate as of publication.

Once we have this localized information, we ask three main questions:

While the answers to those questions are often layered and complex, the providers who come closest to “yes” on all three are the ones we recommend. When selecting the cheapest internet service, we look for the plans with the lowest monthly fee, though we also factor in things like price increases, equipment fees and contracts. Choosing the fastest internet service is relatively straightforward. We look at advertised upload and download speeds and also consider real-world speed data from sources like Ookla and FCC reports. (Ookla is owned by the same parent company as CNET, Ziff Davis.)

To explore our process in more depth, visit our how we test ISPs page.

Cape Coral internet provider FAQs

Every Friday during its pregame meal, the Cape Coral High School football team receives a word of the week from the team’s coaching staff to help center its approach for that night’s game. Words such as accountability, discipline, perseverance.

Another word, however, epitomizes the driving force behind the Seahawks’ surprising 5-1 start this season: defense.

Statistically, Cape Coral boasts the stingiest defense in Southwest Florida, allowing a minuscule 9.8 points per game. They’ve been an opportunistic unit, forcing 15 turnovers and scoring four touchdowns, while only surrendering eight.

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The Seahawks play with a physicality that belies their relative lack of size and experience, something skeptical opponents often learn shortly after the opening whistle.

“They see us and they’re like, ‘They’re little. We’re about to bully them,’” junior linebacker Mike Rodriguez said. “Then we come and hit them in the mouth and they take a step back.

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“Every day in practice, we get after it. We’re out here at five in the morning doing the circle drill. Other teams aren’t doing that.”

That drill, where two players square off in a test of physical prowess, as well as the early start times, have helped mold Cape Coral into an aggressive and close-knit group that is on the cusp of claiming the program’s first district football championship since 2013. The Seahawks can accomplish that feat this week if they can knock off longtime rival Mariner and Charlotte tops winless Ida Baker.

Cape Coral finds itself in this position thanks in part to its young and energetic coaching staff, led by first-year head coach Tyler Murphy and defensive coordinator Jaylen Watkins, an ex-Seahawks star and NFL Super Bowl champion. The former University of Florida teammates implemented a number of collegiate and professional football principles into the program which have been eagerly absorbed by their players.

“They’re bringing stuff they found out at those next levels down to us,” Rodriguez said. “We’ve got an NFL-style defense that we’re running. It’s amazing.”

Watkins, who played in the NFL for seven years despite being a self-described undersized safety, said Cape Coral’s defense compensates for its lack of size by being smart and disciplined.

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“Most high school defenses, you see athletes running all over the place and making tackles,” he said. “We’re playing well because we’re playing together. Guys are playing their gaps and doing their jobs rather than saying, 'I’m going to go get this guy and make the play.'

“We’ve gotten over that hump and they’re seeing success by just doing their jobs. They’ve taken what we’ve tried to bring in from Florida, from the NFL, and they’re owning it. It’s crazy to see from 15- and 16-year-old kids.”

The Seahawks turned in their best defensive performance of the season in last week’s 13-6 win over previously unbeaten Riverdale. Cape Coral held the Raiders’ powerful offense to a season-low in both points and total yards (165). Riverdale, which entered the game averaging 295 rushing yards per game, gained just 159 against the Seahawks. Cape Coral’s defense also forced three turnovers, including junior Jayden Boyd’s 55-yard fumble return which turned out to be the decisive touchdown.

The signature victory resulted in the Seahawks receiving a new message from their coaches on Monday.

“We told them we’re no longer hunting; we’re the hunted now,” Watkins said. “That spark in practice was easy for you guys when you wanted a piece of someone. Now they want a piece of you. That’s another step we have to take as a program.”