The Naples Pulse Weekly
Curated local events for Naples, by interest
Good morning, Naples.
This week has a clean late-May mix: a patriotic Philharmonic concert, a free museum-and-family day, theater downtown, a big musical at Gulfshore, garden time, soccer, and playoff hockey.
The standout is Patriotic Pops at Artis-Naples on Thursday and Friday. It is familiar, polished, and easy to plan around, with the Naples Philharmonic, Naples Philharmonic Chorus, Naples Philharmonic Youth Chorus, and Broadway performer Julie Benko.
A few other picks worth locking in: Spring Community Day at Artis-Naples on Saturday, Beautiful at Gulfshore Playhouse, Much Ado About Nothing downtown, Family Wonder Days at Naples Botanical Garden, FC Naples on Saturday night, and Everblades playoff hockey at Hertz Arena.
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This Week's Headliner
Patriotic Pops at Artis-Naples
Thursday, May 21 and Friday, May 22 | 7:30 PM | Hayes Hall at Artis-Naples
Tickets / info: https://artisnaples.org/events/patriotic-pops
This is the clearest big-stage pick of the week: the Naples Philharmonic, chorus, youth chorus, and Julie Benko in a Memorial Day weekend program built around American classics, patriotic favorites, and the Armed Forces Medley.
The practical bonus: same-day admission to The Baker Museum is included with performance tickets, so it can become a full Artis-Naples evening instead of only a concert stop.
If you want one polished night out this week, start here.
Music & Live Entertainment
Patriotic Pops
Thursday, May 21 and Friday, May 22 | 7:30 PM | Hayes Hall at Artis-Naples
Tickets / info: https://artisnaples.org/events/patriotic-pops
A strong Memorial Day weekend concert pick, with the Naples Philharmonic, chorus, youth chorus, and Julie Benko.
Art After Hours
Wednesday, May 27 | 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM | The Baker Museum at Artis-Naples
Event info: https://artisnaples.org/events/art-after-hours.2526.9
Free museum admission with live music by saxophonist Jim Blackburn.
Side-by-Side
Tuesday, May 26 | 7:00 PM | Hayes Hall at Artis-Naples
Tickets / info: https://artisnaples.org/events/side-by-side
Theater & Performing Arts
Beautiful: The Carole King Musical
Running through Sunday, May 31 | Gulfshore Playhouse
Tickets / info: https://www.gulfshoreplayhouse.org/shows-events/beautiful-the-carole-king-musical/
A polished, familiar musical with the Carole King songbook at the center.
Much Ado About Nothing
Friday, May 22 | 7:30 PM to 10:00 PM | The Naples Players
Tickets / info: https://www.visitnaplesfl.com/event/much-ado-about-nothing/2026/05/22
A downtown theater option for readers who want Shakespeare with an easy Fifth Avenue plan around it.
Food & Dining
Memorial Day weekend brunch plan
Saturday and Sunday | Naples restaurants and hotel dining rooms
This is a good weekend to book the dependable Naples brunch lane: Sails, The Ritz-Carlton, waterfront dining around Tin City, or a Fifth Avenue table paired with theater.
Dinner near the headliner
Thursday or Friday before Patriotic Pops | Artis-Naples area
For the Artis-Naples evenings, keep dinner simple and early. The concert starts at 7:30 PM, so reservations around 5:15 PM to 5:45 PM are the safer move.
Downtown dinner plus theater
Friday, May 22 | Fifth Avenue South and The Naples Players
Much Ado About Nothing makes a clean downtown dinner-and-show plan.
Arts & Culture
Spring Community Day
Saturday, May 23 | 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM | Artis-Naples
Event info: https://artisnaples.org/events/community-day.2526.spring
Free admission with art activities, musical performances, bilingual storytelling, face painting, an instrument petting zoo, scavenger hunt, and food trucks.
Art After Hours
Wednesday, May 27 | 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM | The Baker Museum at Artis-Naples
Event info: https://artisnaples.org/events/art-after-hours.2526.9
The Baker Museum before Patriotic Pops
Thursday or Friday, May 21 or 22 | Same-day museum admission included with performance ticket
A useful add-on for anyone already going to Hayes Hall.
Boating & Water Sports
Naples Princess sightseeing and dining cruises
Daily | Port-O-Call Way
Tickets / info: https://www.naplesprincesscruises.com/
Pure Florida sightseeing excursions
Daily from Tin City | 1200 5th Ave S
Tickets / info: https://www.purefl.com/naples/
Naples Bay Water Shuttle
Daily | Naples waterfront
Tickets / info: https://www.naplesbaywatershuttle.com/
For readers with guests in town, a simple water-view plan is still one of the easiest Naples wins.
Golf & Sports
FC Naples vs. Westchester SC
Saturday, May 23 | 7:30 PM | Paradise Coast Sports Complex
Schedule / info: https://www.fcnaples.com/schedule/
A Memorial Day Game and the strongest local soccer pick this weekend.
Florida Everblades Eastern Conference Finals
Friday, May 22 at 7:30 PM and Saturday, May 23 at 7:00 PM | Hertz Arena
Schedule / info: https://www.floridaeverblades.com/en/schedule
Playoff hockey gives sports readers a bigger-energy option without needing a full-day trip.
Outdoor & Nature
Family Wonder Days
Saturday, May 23 and Sunday, May 24 | 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM | Naples Botanical Garden
Garden info: https://www.naplesgarden.org/
A good pick for grandparents hosting family, with a daytime window that still leaves the evening open.
Naples Botanical Garden
Daily | Bayshore Drive
Garden info: https://www.naplesgarden.org/
Late May still rewards an earlier garden start. Aim for morning if you want the most comfortable version of the outing.
Waterfront sightseeing
Daily | Naples Bay, Tin City, and Port-O-Call Way
Naples Princess, Pure Florida, and the Naples Bay Water Shuttle all work for a low-friction outdoor plan.
Quick Picks: This Weekend
Thursday: Patriotic Pops at Artis-Naples.
Friday: Patriotic Pops, Much Ado About Nothing, Beautiful, and Everblades playoff hockey.
Saturday: Spring Community Day, Family Wonder Days, FC Naples, Everblades playoff hockey, and downtown dinner plus theater.
Sunday: Family Wonder Days, Naples Botanical Garden, waterfront sightseeing, brunch, and Beautiful at Gulfshore.
Coming Up
May 21 to 22: Patriotic Pops at Artis-Naples
May 22: Much Ado About Nothing at The Naples Players
May 22 to 23: Florida Everblades Eastern Conference Finals at Hertz Arena
May 23: Spring Community Day at Artis-Naples
May 23: FC Naples vs. Westchester SC at Paradise Coast Sports Complex
May 23 to 24: Family Wonder Days at Naples Botanical Garden
May 26: Side-by-Side at Artis-Naples
May 27: Art After Hours at The Baker Museum
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