Fall Family Fun Returns to Calusa Nature Center with the Friendly Forest Fall Festival!
- eraddatz7
- Sep 16
- 6 min read
Contact: Calusa Nature Center & Planetarium
š 3450 Ortiz Ave, Fort Myers, FL 33905
š (239) 275-3435
š www.calusanature.org
š FRIENDLY FOREST FALL FESTIVAL
Saturday & Sunday, September 20ā21 | 10 AMā4 PM
Kick off fall with the whole family!Enjoy a weekend of pumpkin patches, animal talks, games, scavenger hunts, food trucks, crafts, and planetarium showsĀ ā all in a safe, beautiful outdoor setting.
FORT MYERS, FL āĀ Celebrate the magic of autumn at Calusa Nature Center & Planetarium during the Friendly Forest Fall Festival, happening Saturday and Sunday, September 20ā21, from 10 AM to 4 PM. This exciting weekend promises a whirlwind of fun for the whole family ā from pumpkin patches and live animal talks to games, crafts, planetarium shows, food trucks, and so much more!
Set in the heart of Calusa's beautiful, shaded outdoor trails, this event blends fall charm with educational adventure. Whether you're here for the friendly forest vibesĀ or to get a sneak peek at the spookier sideĀ of the season (šĀ Haunted Walk coming soon!), there's something for everyone to enjoy.
šĀ Event Highlights Include:
Pumpkin Patch Photo Ops & Painting Parties
Live Animal TalksĀ featuring butterflies, wolves, and native species
Family-Friendly Races:Ā Egg & sack races, pie eating contests
Interactive Planetarium Shows: āLife of Trees,ā āHabitat Earth,ā and more
Educational Nature HikesĀ led by local experts
Crafts, Games, Face Painting, Scavenger Hunts, and More!
Food Trucks & Hydration StationĀ available all day
šļøĀ Schedule of Events:
Saturday, September 20
10:30 AM ā Pumpkin Patch Photo Contest
11:00 AM ā Butterfly Animal Talk with Carrie
11:30 AM ā Planetarium Show: Life: A Cosmic Story
12:00 PM ā Egg Race
12:30 PM ā Planetarium Show: Life of Trees
1:00 PM ā Shy Wolf Sanctuary Presentation
1:30 PM ā Sack Race
2:00 PM ā Pumpkin Painting Party
2:30 PM ā Space Trivia in the Planetarium
3:00 PM ā Pie Eating Contest
3:30 PM ā Planetarium Show: Habitat Earth
Sunday, September 21
10:30 AM ā Nature Hike with Dr. Win Everham: āHurricanes, Fires, Exotics ā Oh My!ā
11:00 AM ā Animal Talk with Maxx
11:30 AM ā Planetarium Show: Life: A Cosmic Story
12:00 PM ā Egg Race
12:30 PM ā Planetarium Show: Life of Trees
1:00 PM ā Shy Wolf Sanctuary Presentation
1:30 PM ā Sack Race
2:00 PM ā Nature Hike with Susie Hassett: āFriends and Foes of the Forestā
2:30 PM ā Space Trivia in the Planetarium
3:00 PM ā Pie Eating Contest
3:30 PM ā Planetarium Show: Habitat Earth
All Day Activities:Ā Face painting, Jenga, crafts, contests, hydration station, scavenger hunts, and more!
šļøĀ Admission:Ā $13 Adults | $7 ChildrenšĀ Tickets & Info:Ā www.calusanature.org
ššĀ Donāt miss this one-of-a-kind fall celebration that brings together family fun, Florida wildlife, and a touch of adventureĀ in the great outdoors. Proceeds from the event support ongoing conservation, education, and animal care efforts at Calusa Nature Center & Planetarium.
š§”Ā Let the fall festivities begin!
Follow us:Ā @CalusaNature | #FriendlyForest #FallFestival #CalusaHaunt #SupportCalusa
š» Learn more & get tickets: www.calusanature.org
#HauntedWalk #FriendlyForest #TerrorInTheWoods #CalusaHaunt #SupportCalusa #FloridaHaunts #FallFestival #CapeCoralEvents #HauntedTrail #NatureAndNightmares #VIPHaunt #UnlimitedFear
The Most Awe-Inspiring Planetarium Shows Are Now Playing at Calusa Nature Center & Planetarium
Prepare to be transported! The Calusa Nature Center & PlanetariumĀ is now offering one of the most exciting planetarium lineups in the region, with daily showsĀ and immersive evening experiencesĀ that spark wonder and ignite curiosity in audiences of all ages.
Following a full renovation and technology upgrade, the Calusa planetarium dome now delivers unparalleled visual and audio experiencesĀ ā from high-definition journeys through deep space to artistic, sensory-rich meditations beneath the stars.
š This October, prepare for unforgettable experiences at Calusa Nature Center & PlanetariumĀ ā where fun meets fright in the heart of nature!
š» HAUNTED WALK: TERROR IN THE WOODS
FridaysāSundays, October 3ā26 | 7:30ā10:30 PM
Ready to scream your way through the scariest haunted trail in Southwest Florida?
Dare to enter the woods ā and survive the terror lurking around every corner. This is not your average haunt. This is TERROR IN THE WOODSĀ ā and itās back and more intense than ever.
š LIMITED-TIME VIP PASS OFFER!š„
Weāre releasing just 100 VIP PassesĀ for $100 each!Your pass includes:
Unlimited Haunted Walk entryĀ all season long
Skip the lineĀ every night ā go straight to the fear!
Bragging rights for surviving again and again...
šļø VIP Passes are available NOW ā but not for long.š Get yours before they vanish: www.calusanature.org
š« Regular Tickets:$20 online | $25 at the door
(Tickets support the care of our rescued animal residents š¦š¦š¢)
āØ WEEKLY FEATURED EXPERIENCES
š Sounds of the Ocean
An award-winning, immersive ocean odyssey with real whale and dolphin sounds, ambient music, and stunning visuals.š soundsoftheocean.com
š Plan Your Visit
Location:
Calusa Nature Center & Planetarium
3450 Ortiz Ave,
Fort Myers, FL 33905
š Google Maps
Hours:
š Open MondayāSaturday: 10 AM ā 4 PM
š Evening events: Begin at 7 PM (check website for weekly schedule)
Website:š www.calusanature.org
š Where Science Meets Wonder
āOur mission is to connect people with nature, and our planetarium is doing that in the most imaginative, inspiring way possible,ā said Executive Director Eric Raddatz. āYou donāt just learn something ā you feelĀ something here.ā
Sponsorship Opportunities Available
Sponsorship opportunitiesĀ 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, youāll receive recognition at our events and visibility among an engaged, community-minded audience.
For more information, contact Eric RaddatzĀ at eraddatz@calusanature.orgĀ or call 239-275-3435.
Nurture Nature Campaign: Help Us Preserve Our Sanctuary
Weāre excited with the success of our "Nurture Nature" CampaignĀ in 2025, dedicated to improving CNCPās 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 worldāsomething thatās more vital than ever in an age where technology often pulls us away from nature.
Host Your Event at CNCP
Did you know CNCP offers a unique venue for events? Whether youāre planning a wedding, meeting, or party, our indoor and outdoor spacesĀ offer a beautiful natural setting for any occasion. Contact us to learn more about holding your event at CNCP.
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
About Calusa Nature Center & Planetarium:
Founded inĀ 1969, theĀ Calusa Nature Center & PlanetariumĀ has served as Southwest Florida's premier environmental education destination for over 50 years. CNCP is aĀ 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization, and donations are tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law.Ā Sponsorship and partnership opportunitiesĀ are also available for those interested in making a significant impact together with us. TheĀ 105-acre sanctuaryĀ 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.
ā¢ A Special Thank You:Ā We extend our heartfelt thanks to Ace Hardware,Ā the place with the helpful hardware folks, as well as continuing supporters, including Vulcan Materials, R4 Roofing, Aux Delicies, Famous Daveās, The City of Fort Myers, HERC,Ā SWFL PRODUCE, Ā Sanibel Captiva Community Bank, The Fred and Jean Allegretti Foundation, Heitman House, Babcock RanchĀ and the Fort Myers Film Festival.
ā¢ Stay Connected Cozy at home?Ā Experience the Calusa Nature Center virtually. Visit our YouTube channel for fun videos! ! Enjoy our FREE T360 tour from your couch:Ā #HomeBoundAdventuresĀ #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!Ā
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