A Local’s Guide to Starting the Year on Marco Island, Florida

The beginning of the year on Marco Island often brings an abundance of events that reflect what life here is all about. From nature-focused festivals and cultural gatherings to waterfront showcases just up the road, early 2026 offers a variety of experiences that feel distinctly local.

For residents of Marco Island — including those at Hideaway Beach Club — many of these events are part of the everyday backdrop of life on the island. Each can be easily enjoyed without long drives or complicated planning. Below is a look at several notable events and experiences taking place as the year gets underway.

Early 2026 Events Near Marco Island

January 15–19, 2026: Festival of Birds at Rookery Bay

Held at the Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, the Festival of Birds is a multi-day event celebrating the rich birdlife and ecosystems of Southwest Florida. The program typically includes guided birding walks, educational talks, and opportunities to explore protected coastal habitats.

Set within one of the region’s most important protected estuaries, the festival highlights the extraordinary wildlife that defines the Ten Thousand Islands — the same ecosystem that surrounds Hideaway Beach Club. It’s a fitting way to start the year for anyone drawn to nature, photography, and the quieter beauty of coastal Florida.

January 22–25, 2026: Naples Boat Show

The Naples Boat Show is one of the region’s larger annual events, drawing exhibitors and visitors from across Southwest Florida. Featuring a wide range of boats and marine equipment, the show reflects the role boating and waterfront living play in everyday life along the coast. At Hideaway Beach Club, less than an hour south on Marco Island, Members enjoy engaging with these regional events while returning home to the privacy of a gated, member-owned community.

February 14–15, 2026: Marco Island Fine Art in the Park

Fine Art in the Park brings artists and visitors together at Veteran’s Community Park on Marco Island. The event features a curated selection of fine art across multiple mediums, creating an accessible and enjoyable way to experience the island’s creative side.

February 20-22, 2026: Naples National Art Fair

Set in downtown Naples at Cambier Park, the Naples National Art Fair is widely regarded as one of the country’s leading outdoor art festivals. This competitive juried event showcases artists’ work in 17 different categories including painting, jewelry, watercolor, ceramics, metal, sculpture, and wood.

March 13–14, 2026: Marco Island Shell Club Spring Expo

Hosted by the Marco Island Shell Club, this annual spring expo celebrates one of the island’s most distinctive natural treasures. The event typically features shell exhibits, educational displays, and shell-based artwork, offering insight into the region’s coastal ecology and collecting traditions.

Inside the Gates: Life at Hideaway Beach Club

While Marco Island and nearby Naples offer a full calendar of public events, much of the social life for Hideaway Beach Club Members takes place within this established, Member-owned community, where gatherings feel personal, familiar, and intentionally scaled. The year began with a New Year’s Eve Beach Bash that brought more than 1,000 Members and guests together on the sand for an evening of food, drinks, a live DJ, and lasting memories along the Gulf.

That same sense of energy carries through the season. Monthly Beachside Beats add live music to the beachfront, while wine dinners and culinary experiences create more intimate moments to connect. Social favorites like bocce glow ball, along with wellness programming, fitness classes, and racquet-sport gatherings, make full use of the club’s recently opened Sports & Wellness Center.

A Natural Home Base on Marco Island

Life at Hideaway Beach Club is shaped by its setting — surrounded by nature preserves, the Ten Thousand Islands, and the Gulf. In addition to the Sports & Wellness Center, the community offers a private beachfront, a private kayak launch, a nine-hole golf course, four on-site dining venues, and more. The range of residences include condominiums, villas, townhomes, single-family homes, and homesites, many with views of water, golf course, or preserved landscapes.

With public events nearby and a full calendar of private activities within the club, Hideaway provides a quiet home base for enjoying what Marco Island has to offer at the start of the year.

Why Buyers Choose Marco Island Over Naples

For many buyers exploring Southwest Florida, Marco Island offers a distinct alternative to Naples — one defined by space, privacy, and a closer relationship with nature.

• Less density and more preserved land
• Gated, private communities with limited access
• Direct proximity to the Gulf and the Ten Thousand Islands
• A quieter, more residential pace of life
• Easy access to Naples cultural events without everyday congestion

Learn More

Hideaway Beach Club is a private, member-owned community, and residential opportunities are limited. For those exploring private club living and residential ownership on Marco Island, Hideaway offers a rare alternative — one shaped by nature, community, and long-term stewardship.

To stay informed about future availability, register your interest at HideawayBeachClub.org.