Don’t sweat the heat, as they’re setting up huge evaporative cooling fans so you can wander, dance, keep your cool and soak up the festival without melting.

Here’s what’s happening:

Live Music:

– 10:00 a.m.: Vere Hill (North Side)
– 10:00 a.m.: David Lapio Steel Pan (South Side)
– 12:30 p.m.: Roots Almighty (North Side)

Festival Highlights:

– Dr. Pineapple Q&A at 10:15 a.m.
– Pink Pineapple Tastings
– Bake-Off & Home-Grown Pineapple Judging with awards from 12:00 to 12:30 p.m.
– Sand sculpting demos by Mitch Guerrero
– Plant sale, Creativity Corner, and stops with the Punta Gorda Historical Society, Neighborhood Land Conservancy, and Bird Gardens of Naples

Feeling hungry? Grab something from Priceless Island Grill, Living Vine Organic Café, Blue Duck Ice Cream, or Chell’s Wooden Ice. The bar is open on the North Side from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Stick around for the Key West Express ticket drawing at 1:55 p.m. And if you sign up for a new or renewed membership, they’ll send you home with a free Botanical Breeze Pack and some surprise extras.

Bring your friends, your family, anyone who loves pineapples and summer adventures. They’re excited to see you all enjoying the gardens, and yes, under the palm trees!

Be sure to check out this fun event on Saturday, July 25, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Peace River Botanical & Sculpture Gardens.

Click here for more information.

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If you want to meet good folks, the Englewood Sunday Drum Circle makes it easy. Drums, sunsets, and a beach full of friendly people. What more do you need? Just bring a chair, chill out, and let the drums, the waves, and that famous Englewood sunset do their thing. Everyone’s welcome.

You’ll catch the Englewood Drum Circle on Sundays all year, as long as the weather permits. They start about an hour, sometimes an hour and a half, before sunset. Head to Beach Road, right across from Lock & Key and The Waverly. Look for the first beach entrance, just to the right of the pavilion, playground, and bathrooms. Not sure when sunset is? Google’s got your back.

The evenings may be warm and balmy, but the drums keep going, and so do the good times.

Call 262-707-3513 if you need more information.

Click here to go to their Facebook page for more information.

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From 3 to 10 p.m., the celebration keeps things lively with live music, tributes to veterans, and over 60 vendors set up across the grounds. As night falls, look up as 100 drones take flight at 9 p.m. sharp, choreographed by Sky Elements, the nation’s top drone show company. The display promises a jaw-dropping tribute, both to the flag and to the nation’s upcoming 250th birthday.

This event is open to everyone, though there’s an admission fee. If you want more information or need tickets, check out the official website. Come out and celebrate America in a way you’ll remember.

Check here for more information on the official website.

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You walk down Dearborn Street, and you’ll hear live music pouring out from art-filled galleries and cafés. Creativity just fills the air in Englewood.

One group that really grabs your attention is the Robert Kinsley Band. Robert’s no stranger to this scene; he’s been a fixture in Englewood’s music community for years. 

Most Thursdays during the season, you’ll find him playing at the Old Florida Gallery, and sometimes over at Lemon Bay Park in the big meeting room. He used to team up with a banjo player, Bill Keeney. The two of them played just about everywhere, from the farmers market to events for the Englewood Historical Society, before Bill moved away. Now, most of Robert’s gigs center on the local Englewood Farmers Market.

Music’s been a part of Robert’s life since he was a kid. He started out with guitar lessons and just never stopped playing. Before Englewood, Robert lived in Athens, Ohio for thirty years, jamming in different bands, sometimes with his brother, sometimes with an entire group. 

Robert’s other life? He taught English and creative writing, first at Syracuse University, then mostly at Ohio University. Even now, you can tell he’s got a knack for words. And his band isn’t just about covers. Robert and his crew play original tunes too. Back when he was still with Bill in a duo called Godfrey Creek, they put out a few CDs. But with this new lineup, they haven’t released anything yet. He says they’ve been together about two years now, and he’s been working on new material.

So how did Robert end up here? Simple. His sister-in-law lived in Venice. Robert and his wife would come down to visit, fell in love with the area, and the rest just sort of fell into place. Thirteen years later, they’ve made Englewood their home.

Besides music, Robert’s a big fan of Lemon Bay. He and his wife volunteer over at Lemon Bay Park, and that’s been a big part of their life here. He loves the powerful sense of community, saying it reminds him a bit of Athens, just smaller but packed with the same energy, especially around the arts. On top of that, he still finds time to shoot a little basketball with the guys.

Robert’s family is spread out, with his son and two granddaughters living up in Nashville. But he says he’s living the dream here in Englewood. “It’s been a lot of fun. The weather’s great, except for the heat and hurricanes, but honestly, not shoveling snow anymore? You can’t beat that.” Growing up on a dairy farm in northern Ohio, he saw a lifetime of tough winters, so he appreciates every warm day.

The Robert Kinsley Band itself is a mix of backgrounds and sounds. Chuck Vaughn, their ukulele bass player, is a retired EMT who handles percussion too. Dave Harris plays guitar, sings, and switches to drums when needed, and his wife Deb joins in on the djembe drum. Bob Rusbion rounds out the group on harmonica. Every Tuesday, they rehearse at Robert’s house, and come Thursday, they’re usually out performing, at least until the farmers market season wraps up. After that, with a couple of members headed out of town, they’ll take a break for the summer.

Robert says travel and some downtime are on the agenda. “We’ll keep practicing when we’re around, maybe work on some new songs, possibly record a few things. Then we’ll be back in the fall, ready to play.”

That’s life in Englewood. Music, sunshine, and a community that really sticks together.

For more information, check out The Robert Kinsley Band Facebook page.

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But Culture Coffee is more than great food and drinks. 

The walls feature a rotating collection of art from local creators, and most pieces are for sale. Buy one if a piece catches your eye; most of the proceeds go straight to the artist. Culture Coffee is all about supporting the surrounding talent, not turning into a formal gallery. If the artists bring their friends and family in to see their work, everybody wins.

The vibe? Guests sum it up best. Kim raves, “Such a great vibe at this place! Great food and drinks too. The owner is very welcoming. Open mic night is a blast; don’t miss it!” 

Josh calls it, “Such a cool place to hang out! Always friendly faces, great food, music, even beer, wine, and mimosas.” 

Lauren, a regular, puts it simply: “My all-time favorite coffee shop in the area. The staff is delightful; the Italian breakfast sandwich is my all-time favorite breakfast sandwich ever. Came in today and Ray was nothing short of a RAY of sunshine.”

Free Wi-Fi, expert baristas, and a cozy, relaxed atmosphere: these are just a few reasons people love it here. And you don’t even need to love coffee to enjoy live music or open mic night.

Owner Dan Klein explains what sets Culture Coffee apart: “We serve amazing, fresh, locally roasted coffee and food prepared to order, but the real magic is the sense of community. 

Dan explains that they put the spotlight on independent musicians, especially those doing something original. “Four nights a week when the season’s going, we fill the place with live music, that’s not your standard bar-band stuff. Every Friday, our open mic brings out everyone: seasoned experts, first-timers, young kids, even folks in their nineties. The youngest we’ve had is five. You don’t need anything but your instrument; we supply the rest and just plug you in. We do this all summer, every single Friday from 5 to 10 p.m. It’s open to everyone, and the energy is always positive.”

Dan says when the summer quiets down and other places close early, Culture Coffee stays open late on Fridays. That means music and laughter well into the night, a scene that’s more community-minded with a different vibe than anything you’ll find at a bar. Everyone’s welcome, no matter your age or whether you’re there to play, listen, or just sip a drink. High school students get space to work on their music, and seasoned musicians give advice or join in. It’s all about supporting each other, learning, and having fun together.

So stop in and experience Culture Coffee for the coffee, the art, the music, or just the friendly faces. 

Location 405 W. Dearborn Street, Englewood, FL 941-460-8542

Hours

Monday – Thursday
6:30am – 3pm

Friday
6:30am – 10pm

Saturday
6:30am – 3pm

Sunday
7am – 2pm

*Open late during special events.

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Tickets $56

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If you’re up for some adventure, you can also book a kayak or paddleboard tour right there. Everything about this place celebrates the spirit of old-school Florida—art, music, and the great outdoors, all rolled into one.

The post Step Into Old Florida: Art, Live Music, and Outdoor Adventure at The Old Florida Gallery (Video) appeared first on Englewood Review.

The weekly open mic welcomes everyone, from first-time performers to seasoned musicians. You can expect live music, friendly faces and food from The Garden Bistro Food Truck. Coolers and pets are welcome, making the event a relaxed gathering for the whole community.

The evening will also include a birthday celebration for Greg Dales, one of the original creators of the Garden space alongside his wife, Evelyn. The couple established the artist-friendly venue 15 years ago, helping to foster a supportive environment for local performers. Ownership of the property later transferred to Bob and Lisa, who continue to host open mics and other creative events. Greg and Evelyn remain active supporters and are often found in the Garden during performances.

Bob and Lisa will return this Tuesday, with Roy Michael Choma once again hosting the open mic and providing sound mixing for the night.

Community members are invited to join the celebration, enjoy the performances and help wish Dales a happy birthday as the year comes to a close.

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“The festival has become a tradition for our residents and the community to welcome the new year,” said Christine Masney, vice president of marketing for Wellen Park. “Participants enjoy decorating their luminary bags and including messages for 2026 or remembrances of loved ones.”

The bags are available from 5 to 7 p.m. near the Heritage Oak Tree on a first come, first served basis with tables and supplies provided for decorating.

The Eighth Note Collective, a beloved Orlando-based jazz band which performed at the 2025 festival, marks an encore return. Known for its fresh take on classic jazz music, the band plays throughout the event on the Solis Hall stage. Guests are encouraged to bring blankets or chairs for seating under the stars on the Great Lawn.

The evening of illumination, music and reflection begins with a sunset over the Grand Lake and includes a commemorative fireworks show painting the sky in vibrant colors. New for 2026, the 10-minute display begins at 8 p.m. with prime viewing from the Great Lawn and Hammock Lawn. The fireworks display is weather-dependent and subject to change based on local drought concerns.

Semi-permanent projectors, located throughout downtown’s outdoor areas, immerse guests in light displays during the festival. The unique experience features a changing visual environment of moving color, shapes and viewer interaction.

Visitors will also enjoy Downtown Wellen’s popular restaurants featuring a variety of cuisines and The Yard food park, serving casual food and beverages from retrofitted shipping containers.

Festival parking is expected to fill fast. Carpooling, ridesharing, golf carts or walking are suggested.

Visitwellenpark.com/events/save-the-date-2026-luminescence-festival for more information.

Luminescence Festival Schedule

5 to 7 p.m. – Luminary bag pickup near the Heritage Tree
5:53 p.m. – Sunset over the Grand Lake
6 to 10 p.m. – Performance by The Eighth Note Collective
6 to 10 p.m. – Projection art displays
8 p.m. – Fireworks display over the Grand Lake

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