Community Corner
🌱 Which Marco Island students designed next year’s official Christmas ornament?
Also check out Naples Winter Paint and Sip – Christmas in the Tropics on the Marco Island Patch calendar
Coffee in hand, Marco Island? We've got the latest town updates for you. Keep reading to stay in the loop. ☕️️
In today's newsletter:
- Which Marco Island students designed next year’s official Christmas ornament?
- Why Marco Island’s luxury hotels are optimistic about the 2026 season
- How Marco Island’s Hero Gala plans to honor and help heroes
Also on today's calendar: Disco Brunch 🪩 and 5 more events.
Find out what's happening in Marco Islandfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Today's riddle: What did one tuna say to the other after getting caught stealing files from work? 🤔 (Answer below!)
Find out what's happening in Marco Islandfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
- Thursday: Nice with plenty of sunshine, with a high of 75 and low of 59 degrees.
- Friday: Nice with plenty of sunshine, temps: high: 76, low: 62.
- Saturday: Mostly cloudy, with a high of 79 and low of 67 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. Christmas Island Style 2026 Ornament Contest Winners (coastalbreezenews.com) — Marco Island Charter Middle School students have been named winners of the 2026 Christmas Island Style ornament contest, with judging held at Marco Island Center for the Arts. Their designs will appear on ornaments sold around Marco Island next fall, while this year’s ornament is already available at local retailers, supporting a long-running community holiday tradition. 
2. Looking ahead: Outlook sunnier for SWFL's tourism industry in 2026 (naplesnews.com) — Marco Island’s tourism outlook for 2026 is improving, with the JW Marriott Marco Island Beach Resort reporting strong guest sentiment and steady demand for both vacationers and corporate groups. The article details how Collier and Lee counties are adding hotel rooms, boosting marketing, and recovering from recent hurricanes while grappling with softer demand and fewer international visitors. Local leaders remain optimistic that Marco Island will stay a preferred luxury winter destination as travel rebounds.
3. Hero Gala at Hideaway Beach Club (coastalbreezenews.com) — Marco Island’s Hideaway Beach Club will host the Hero Gala on January 16, raising funds for Tunnel to Towers and A Brighter Light Foundation. Guests can expect a cocktail reception, gourmet dinner, live auction, and performances by acclaimed musicians and dancers, all focused on supporting first responders, veterans, and suicide prevention efforts.
4. 1,000-pound female great white shark 'Ernst' pings in Gulf off Florida (naplesnews.com) — A 12‑foot, 1,009‑pound great white shark named Ernst has been repeatedly pinging just off Marco Island and the Southwest Florida coast after a 2,600‑mile journey from Nova Scotia. Researchers with OCEARCH are tracking her movements to better understand white shark behavior, migration, and ocean health in our region.
📸 Around Marco Island
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
🗓 Upcoming Events in Marco Island
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
★ Featured events ★
- Naples Winter Paint and Sip – Christmas in the Tropics
Bad Ass Coffee of Hawaii, 1307 3rd St S, Naples
4:00 pm
Saturday December 13
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
- Shrine Club of Marco Island
Marco Island Area Chamber of Commerce , 1102 N Collier Blvd , Marco Island
11:30 am - Marco Island Art in the Park
Marco Island Area Chamber of Commerce , 1102 N Collier Blvd , Marco Island
5:00 am - CIS - Annual Street Parade
Marco Island Area Chamber of Commerce , 1102 N Collier Blvd , Marco Island
1:30 pm - Marco Island Art in the Park
Marco Island Area Chamber of Commerce , 1102 N Collier Blvd , Marco Island
5:00 am - Disco Brunch 🪩
Beeline - Mercato , 9115 Strada Pl #5155 , Naples
2:00 pm - Sunrise Rotary of Marco Island
STONEWALL’S , 551 S. Collier Blvd. , Marco Island
7:00 am - CIS - Holiday Movie in the Park
Veterans’ Community Park 1102 N Collier Blvd, Marco Island, FL 34145
12:30 pm
Friday December 12
Saturday December 13
Sunday December 14
Tuesday December 16
📣 Marco Island Shout Outs!
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
🗓 Events Nearby
- Watercolors & Wildlife: Painting with Jan
Rookery bay , 10 Shell Island Rd , Naples
9:30 am - ABC US-41 South Naples Premium Wine Tasting Experience
ABC Fine Wine & Spirits , 2755 Tamiami Trl E , Naples
5:30 pm - Learn How to Conquer DSOs & Boost Cash Flow - Naples, FL
Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar , 8985 Tamiami Trl N , Naples
7:00 pm - ELCP Cookies and Milk with Santa
Donna Fiala Eagle Lakes Community Park , 11565 Tamiami Trl E , Naples
9:00 am
Thursday December 11
Saturday December 13
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Thank you 👏👏👏 to the local businesses for making Marco Island PatchAM possible:
- Excellence Companion & Homemaker, LLC — (239) 427-4586
Providing Care with Excellence!!
Click here to show your appreciation! 💚
Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.
💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- Sorry, I know it’s been posted but I can’t seem to find the list of homes decorated this year.
I know there’s one on Dogwood and possibly a couple on Sheffield. Thanks (Nextdoor Marco Beach) - Danny Bick Plumbing is an absolute superstar.
He has swooped in and saved the day for us twice in the last six months. The first time, we were literally out of the country on vacation when a leak… (Nextdoor Marco Beach)
- Marriott Vacations Worldwide posted a job opening for Housekeeper in Marco Island. Apply here.
- InstaSwim LLC posted a job opening for Private Swim Instructor in Marco Island. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Marco Island here.
Ok Marco Island! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I could get canned for this!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!
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