Explore, Play, Eat & Dunk: Calusa’s Summer Bash Brings Nature to Life

Celebrate the season with food, games, and immersive planetarium shows for the whole family.

Saturday, August 9 | 10AM – 4PM | Calusa Nature Center & Planetarium

Get ready for Calusa’s first-ever Summer Festival — a fun-filled, family-friendly celebration to wrap up the season and reconnect with nature before the school year begins.

🎈 Festival Highlights Include:

🍴 Food Vendors

·       The Brunch Bunch (food truck)

·       Tee’s Taste of Chicago (food truck)

·       Lil Stack Shack (pancake tent)

·       Maddie’s Sweet Lemonade (lemonade stand)

🦎 Activities & Games

·       Bounce House

·       Dunk Tank: Dunk our executive director Eric Raddatz, Fox4's Cape Coral reporter Bella Line, and Gulf Coast News Kennedy Mason!

·       Bubble Station

·       Face Painting

·       Hula Hoop Contest

·       Ring Toss, Water Guns, Cornhole, Giant Jenga & more

🌌 Planetarium Shows

Each show ends with an immersive virtual rollercoaster ride!

·       11:15 AM – Accidental Astronauts (32 min)

·       12:15 PM – 3-2-1 Liftoff! (35 min)

·       2:15 PM – Kaluoka’hina: The Enchanted Reef (32 min)

·       3:15 PM – Mysteries of the Brain (29 min)

This special event is designed to bring the community together while celebrating nature, science, and a bright future for Calusa.

Visit calusanature.org to learn more, donate, or plan your visit.

Sponsorship Opportunities Available

Sponsorship opportunities are available for all upcoming CNCP events! Your support helps us continue offering these educational programs and ensures that our preserve remains a place for future generations to explore and enjoy. As a sponsor, you’ll receive recognition at our events and visibility among an engaged, community-minded audience.

For more information, contact Eric Raddatz at eraddatz@calusanature.org or call 239-275-3435.

Nurture Nature Campaign: Help Us Preserve Our Sanctuary

We’re excited with the success of our "Nurture Nature" Campaign in 2025, dedicated to improving CNCP’s facilities and educational programs. Your support will help us maintain essential infrastructure, repair boardwalks, preserve local wildlife, and expand our outreach efforts. This campaign is especially important as we work to create a deeper connection between local youth and the natural world—something that’s more vital than ever in an age where technology often pulls us away from nature.

Become a nature nurturer today!

Host Your Event at CNCP

Did you know CNCP offers a unique venue for events? Whether you’re planning a wedding, meeting, or party, our indoor and outdoor spaces offer a beautiful natural setting for any occasion. Contact us to learn more about holding your event at CNCP.

Learn more about rentals and book today!

Mesmerica: A Visual Music Journey

Every Weekend

Mesmerica is a one-of-a-kind visual music experience, blending stunning 3D art with the soothing sounds of James Hood. It’s the perfect way to relax and experience a world of hypnotic imagery and sound.

Get your tickets now!

Become a Member Today

When you become a CNCP member, you enjoy a host of exclusive benefits, including:

• Free admission to trails, planetarium shows, and live animal talks

• Discounts on camps, workshops, and select events

• 10% off at the gift shop

• Free or discounted admission to over 180 nature centers nationwide

Join today and connect with nature all year long

About Calusa Nature Center & Planetarium:

Founded in 1969, the Calusa Nature Center & Planetarium has served as Southwest Florida's premier environmental education destination for over 50 years. CNCP is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization, and donations are tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law. Sponsorship and partnership opportunities are also available for those interested in making a significant impact together with us. The 105-acre sanctuary houses butterfly gardens, bird aviaries, nature trails, and the only public planetarium in the region. CNCP provides educational experiences that promote environmental awareness, scientific discovery, and a lifelong love of nature, inspiring future generations of environmental stewards and advocates.

• A Special Thank You: We extend our heartfelt thanks to Ace Hardware, the place with the helpful hardware folks, as well as continuing supporters, including Vulcan Materials, R4 Roofing, Aux Delicies, Famous Dave’s, The City of Fort Myers, HERC, SWFL PRODUCE,  Sanibel Captiva Community Bank, The Fred and Jean Allegretti Foundation, Heitman House, Babcock Ranch and the Fort Myers Film Festival.

• Stay Connected Cozy at home? Experience the Calusa Nature Center virtually. Visit our YouTube channel for fun videos! ! Enjoy our FREE T360 tour from your couch: #HomeBoundAdventures #NatureAtHome. Immerse yourself in our fresh interactive education videos here. Make your event unforgettable with one of Florida's unique venues! From weddings and showers to meetings and parties, we offer stunning indoor and outdoor spaces. Reach out now to reserve your date!