Your Southwest Florida Weekend Guide: November 13–15, 2026

Your weekend, at a glance

This Southwest Florida weekend guide starts with three scheduled options: Ave Maria’s Farmers Market and Mud Run on Saturday, November 14, plus Ave Maria University’s fall play listings throughout the weekend. For a change of scenery, consider a meal-centered outing in Naples, a coastal day around Marco Island, or a relaxed visit to Bonita Springs, Estero, or Fort Myers.

The dated events below come from the town and university calendars. The wider regional suggestions are flexible itinerary ideas—not confirmed event listings. Choose one main outing, then leave room to enjoy it.

Scheduled picks in Ave Maria

Ave Maria Farmers Market: a Saturday browse

The town lists its Farmers Market for Saturday, November 14, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., in the Welcome Center Parking Lot, 5076 Annunciation Circle, Ave Maria.

The market description highlights more than 50 local vendors, with produce, flowers, honey, artisanal foods, baked treats, home décor, handcrafted accessories, and ceramics among the offerings.

This is the pick for a morning without a packed agenda. Browse with a shopping bag, choose something for the kitchen, and leave yourself time for a meal rather than squeezing in another destination immediately afterward.

Visiting from elsewhere? Start with our Ave Maria guide as you plan your day.

Mud Run: an active Saturday morning

Also on Saturday, November 14, the Mud Run is listed for 10 a.m. to noon at Ave Maria North Park, 4010 Anthem Parkway. The town says the race kicks off at 10 a.m. and invites families and four-legged friends.

It is a different kind of morning from browsing the market, so choose based on your group’s energy level. If you hope to do both, remember that the listed hours overlap. Give yourself time to clean up and move between locations.

The supplied listing does not include registration instructions, entry fees, course details, or participation requirements. Check those with the organizer before committing, particularly if you are bringing children or a dog.

AVE RIDES PRO TIP Pack a change of clothes, clean shoes, and a bag for muddy gear if the Mud Run is part of your plan. It makes the transition to lunch—and the ride afterward—much easier.

Both Saturday listings appear on the Town of Ave Maria events calendar. Recheck event details before heading out.

AMU fall play: a theater option across the weekend

Ave Maria University lists its Drama Club fall play at O’Bryan Performance Hall during these calendar windows:

• Friday, November 13: 4–10 p.m.
• Saturday, November 14: 1–4 p.m. and 7:30–10:30 p.m.
• Sunday, November 15: 3–6 p.m.

These are published event windows, not independently confirmed curtain times or performance lengths. The supplied calendar does not identify the production, ticket prices, or public-admission arrangements.

Check the AMU events calendar and confirm attendance details before making dinner reservations around a performance. Once confirmed, theater gives you an indoor option that does not depend on an outdoor itinerary.

Beyond Ave Maria: choose your kind of outing

There are no verified, dated event listings for the following destinations in the supplied regional research. These are general ways to shape a day, with venue hours, reservations, access, and conditions to be checked separately.

Naples: make a meal the main event

For a date or a catch-up with friends, build your Naples outing around a restaurant you want to try. Add browsing or a walk nearby rather than stitching together stops across several areas.

Agree on the meal first, confirm the reservation, and treat everything else as optional. That approach works especially well when your group wants conversation more than a busy schedule.

Marco Island: keep the coastal plan flexible

Consider Marco Island for a coast-focused day with a meal and time outdoors. If beach time is the priority, verify your chosen access point, parking arrangements, and current conditions before leaving.

Bring sun protection and water, and identify an indoor alternative. You do not need a rigid itinerary to enjoy a change of scenery, but you do need a clear destination.

Bonita Springs, Estero, or Fort Myers: pick one base

For shopping, dining, or an easygoing afternoon, choose one of these destinations rather than trying to cover all three. Agree on the main activity, check the relevant venue’s hours, and keep the rest of the plan nearby.

If Fort Myers is your choice, settle on a specific meeting place before the group starts traveling. “We’ll meet somewhere in town” leaves too much to sort out on arrival.

Put the weekend together

A simple combination is a local Saturday activity followed by a regional Sunday outing. Browse more destinations through Explore Southwest Florida, then check the details that matter: admission, reservations, weather, and your return plan.

If you would rather leave the driving to someone else, book a ride with your destination and timing in mind. Keep the schedule comfortable enough that the outing—not the logistics—is what everyone remembers.