Make the 2011 holiday season extra special by enjoying weekend festivities on memorable Captiva Island during its four-week-long Captiva Holiday Village event.

Enjoy the holidays island style with the four-week-long Captiva Holiday Village event Thanksgiving weekend through Dec. 17. Each event weekend on this popular Southwest Florida barrier island will be a themed, fun-filled extravaganza of sight and sound, set against the backdrop of the Gulf of Mexico and exquisite sunsets.

Visitors to Captiva Island during Captiva Holiday Village weekends will enjoy everything from street dancers and fireworks to live concerts, decorated golf cart parade, lighted boat parade and the Marching Mullet Parade all of which will take place in Captiva’s Village Center where its one-of-a-kind colorful restaurants and shops will be festively lit and decorated.

Captiva Cruises president Paul McCarthy said, ?aptiva’s remarkable island village is known as a magnet for creative people. It’s famous for its beautiful beaches, wildlife-filled waters, family-friendly atmosphere and a quirky, relaxed way of life that’s very pedestrian friendly.”

A feature of this year’s Captiva Holiday Village is community Chautauqua, offering educational and entertaining workshops, boat cruises and natural history talks. In addition to holiday village festivities, the island offers easy access to an abundance of water sports, such as kayaking, guided fishing, parasailing, wildlife cruises to the outer islands and world-renowned shelling.

“With its pristine beaches and swaying palm trees, Captiva Island is an incredible vacation spot throughout the year,said Jeff Shuff, ‘Tween Waters Inn general manager. ?hen you add in all the fun with these four spectacular holiday event weekends, Captiva should be at the top of your holiday must-do list; it’s going to be one heck of a party this year.”

The 2011 event schedule is as follows:

Thanksgiving Weekend

Friday, Nov. 25 Fireworks and tree lighting at ‘Tween Waters Inn

Saturday, Nov. 26 Children’s classic holiday reading and Christmas tree lighting at South Seas Island Resort; Sunset Arias on the beach at ‘Tween Waters Inn

Luminary Islands Weekend:

Friday, Dec. 2 Captiva Chautauqua; Captiva Mullet Mark; Sanibel Luminary

Saturday, Dec. 3 Captiva Chautauqua; decorated golf cart parade; Sanibel Community Chorus on Andy Rosse Lane; and Captiva Luminary

Country Christmas Weekend:

Friday, Dec. 9 Captiva Chautauqua; Sunset Arias ‘Tween Waters Inn; Country Christmas concert with CMA Hall of Fame artist Charlie McCoy

Saturday, Dec. 10 Captiva Chautauqua; Holiday Marketplace at South Seas Island Resort; Lighted boat parade; and County Christmas concert with Charlie McCoy

Sunday, Dec. 11 Caroling at Chapel by the Sea

Captiva Carnival Weekend:

Friday, Dec. 16 Captiva Chautauqua; Cuban Dance and Jazz concert with Fusion Four, direct from Miami

Saturday, Dec. 17 Captiva Chautauqua; Bahamas Junkanoo Revue Street Parade; Fire Dancing on the beach; and Cuban dance and Jazz concert

“Captiva is the perfect place to unwind from the holiday stress,” McCarthy noted.