48th Annual Holiday Nights Celebration
Thousands of lights, hundreds of historic decorations, and one unique holiday experience await you nightly from 5:30 – 9 p.m. from November 24 through December 23, and December 26-31. Enjoy exciting new lighting displays, visits with Santa, refreshments, family activites, and more on select evenings. Plan on at least an hour to enjoy the display. More details will be available in November.
ADMISSION:
Visitors admire the decorated homes and gardens during Holiday Nights at Edison and Ford Winter Estates.
Adults $20
Teens (13-19) $10
Children (6-12) $2
Members $10
Advance reservations or ticketing not required, general admission is not subject to capacity limits so will not sell out. General admission tickets may be purchased online starting November 1 and are good for any night of the event. General admission tickets may be upgraded for a guided tour for an additional $10 on the day of the tour if space is available. Reciprocal memberships are not valid for admission to Holiday Nights. Please note that the Museum and Laboratory are closed during Holiday Nights. Plenty of parking is available and is free of charge.
GUIDED TOURS (6 and 7 p.m. nightly):
Adults $30
Teens (13-19) $25
Children (6-12) $18
Members $10
Guided tours are not available for advance purchase, and must be purchased in the ticket office on a first-come first-served basis after 4:30pm on the day of the tour. Guided tour admission includes general admission to Holiday Nights to allow visitors to explore on their own at the conclusion of the tour.
DAYTIME AND EVENING COMBO
Visitors purchasing self-guided or guided tours for the daytime are eligible for a $10 discount on Holiday Nights admission when used the same day. Purchase the upgrade in the ticket office when you buy your daytime tickets, or show your receipt for your daytime admission at the ticket counter when you decide to upgrade. Upgrade option is only available for the same day as your daytime admission and is not available for advance or online purchase.
Please check back for updates!
Etiquette Class
Offered several times each season, Etiquette classes are for children ages 6-12. These classes are two-hour sessions in good manners and teach proper introduction, handshakes and dining etiquette during a three-course meal. Each student will receive a workbook and certificate of completion. All classes run from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Dates:
Friday, January 5, 2024
Friday, March 22, 2024
Saturday, May 18, 2024
Cost: members $85; non-members $95
Registration opens in October.
Future Makers (for Children Ages 1-5)
Children will play, learn, and gain social skills as they explore science, technology, engineering and more in the museum. Offered the first Wednesday of each month, September through March.
This program is free for Edison Ford members and included with admission for non-members. Pre-registration is not required. Check in at our ticket office.
Homeschool STEM Series
Join us and explore the “living laboratory” of the Edison and Ford Winter Estates. Our Wild Wizards will challenge your mind and foster collaboration in this homeschool science and engineering series. Homeschool classes at Edison Ford are aligned with Next Generation Science and Florida State Standards. Classes are a combination of instruction and hands on activities that are designed to facilitate homeschool or virtual science education. Students will explore engineering, physics, mechanics, and more with Derby Cars, LEGO Mindstorm, robots, and rockets! This popular class is offered twice per month September through March:
- Grades 1-3: 2nd Wednesday or 3rd Thursday, 10am-12pm
- Grades 4-6: 2nd Thursday or 3rd Wednesday, 10am-12pm
Topics will include:
- September: Derby Car Physics
- Students explore the many factors that impact the performance of a Pinewood Derby Car. Concepts such as friction, aerodynamics, potential energy and more are explored in this hands-on class that makes use of an actual derby track.
- October: Derby Car Design and Racing
- Students apply physics and trial and error to test and develop the fastest Pinewood Car. This class makes use of modular Lego pieces to allow students to move quickly through the design process.
- November: Introduction to Lego mechanics
- Students are introduced to fundamental mechanical concepts beginning with simple machines and working towards developing motorized gear systems. Students will learn about mechanical advantage, gearing-up, and down, worm drives, gear trains and more!
- December: Introduction to Code
- Using the code platform “scratch” Edison Ford instructors guide students through the key concepts of computer code. Students will learn about loops, if/else statements, and how create and use variables.
- January: Introduction to Robotics
- Students learn the basic operation of a Lego Mindstorm robot. Basic mechanics of the robot is taught as well as the code used to make the robot go.
- February: Advanced Techniques
- Students are taught, and then challenged to apply, advanced techniques that are used to improve the consistency of a robotics system. Students learn how to design functions, collect and use data from sensors, and other techniques to improve the reliability of their system.
- March: Rocket Science!
- Learn it, build it, launch it. Students explore the science of flight as they learn about Newton’s Laws of Motion, the four forces of flight, and the coanda effect as they design and launch their own high flying water rocket.
Become a family member of Edison Ford and receive discounted registration!
Click here to register.
Electric Explorers Camp
Campers learn about the history of electricity with exciting demonstration and hands-on activities. The physics of circuits is explored as campers work on designing their own electrical system.
Join us as science and history come alive in our “living laboratory!” No experience is necessary to participate in these fun and fast-moving S.T.E.A.M. (science technology, engineering, art, and math) camps. For students currently in grades K-5, unless otherwise noted. Campers must bring lunches, and snacks if desired. Become a family member of Edison Ford and receive discounted registration!
Click here to register.
Curious Chemistry Camp
Campers will take part in experiments that fizz, bang, pop, and inspire curiosity. This one-day camp is perfect for budding young scientists!
Join us as science and history come alive in our “living laboratory!” No experience is necessary to participate in these fun and fast-moving S.T.E.A.M. (science technology, engineering, art, and math) camps. For students currently in grades K-5, unless otherwise noted. Campers must bring lunches, and snacks if desired. Become a family member of Edison Ford and receive discounted registration!
Click here to register.
Creative Design Spring Break Camp
Campers learn how to use the Engineering Design Process to navigate problem solving challenges in this fast-paced camp. Each day focuses on a different theme in engineering as campers use teamwork and creativity to solve challenges and apply new skills.
Join us as science and history come alive in our “living laboratory!” No experience is necessary to participate in these fun and fast-moving S.T.E.A.M. (science technology, engineering, art, and math) camps. For students currently in grades K-5, unless otherwise noted. Campers must bring lunches, and snacks if desired. Become a family member of Edison Ford and receive discounted registration!
Click here to register.
Nature’s Green Laboratory Camp
Explore the green laboratory of the Edison Ford Winter Estates. Campers take a deep dive into the botanical work done by Thomas Edison right here in Fort Myers. The day’s fun will also include minerals, slime, and a splash of American history set in our local backyard.
Join us as science and history come alive in our “living laboratory!” No experience is necessary to participate in these fun and fast-moving S.T.E.A.M. (science technology, engineering, art, and math) camps. For students currently in grades K-5, unless otherwise noted. Campers must bring lunches, and snacks if desired. Become a family member of Edison Ford and receive discounted registration!
Click here to register.
Amazing Mechanics Camp
Learn how to build machines and mechanisms in the mechanical engineering camp. Explore simple machines, complex gearing systems, and concepts of motion in this exciting study of marvelous machines.
Join us as science and history come alive in our “living laboratory!” No experience is necessary to participate in these fun and fast-moving S.T.E.A.M. (science technology, engineering, art, and math) camps. For students currently in grades K-5, unless otherwise noted. Campers must bring lunches, and snacks if desired. Become a family member of Edison Ford and receive discounted registration!
Click here to register.
