On New Year’s Eve you can say goodbye to 2021 at all venues in southwest Florida and greet the New Year in style. Toast with a glass of champagne on a midnight cruise in Punta Gorda, dance to live music in the streets of downtown Fort Myers, or enjoy a four-course meal in one of Naples’ top restaurants. No matter how you want to party, the 12 o’clock clock is just the beginning. All events take place on December 31st, unless otherwise stated.
Wine and dinner
The restaurants in the area offer holiday offers and festive entertainment.
Surf and Turf Festival at the Naples Grande Beach Resort, Naples
Dine at the on-site restaurant, The Catch of the Pelican, with local seafood and meat dishes. You can continue the festivities into the New Year as the restaurant serves brunch on January 1st – complete with a Bloody Mary bar – from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. $ 69 per person, plus the Bloody Mary bar. naplesgrande.com
Three dinners at The Ritz-Carlton, Naples
The beach resort offers three options for New Years Eve dinner. Choose from the seasonal buffet in the Terrazza, cocktails and sushi snacks in the stylish DUSK or stop by Artisans late for sparkling wine and live music. Reservations are recommended for Terrazza and DUSK. Terrazza from $ 125 per person; DUSK VIP tables range from $ 500 to $ 2,500. ritzcarlton.com
A rooftop soiree at the Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center, Fort Myers
The downtown arts center is hosting a New Year’s Eve party upstairs at Sidney’s Rooftop Sculpture Garden. Pull your best cocktail threads for this soiree with live music from swing and jazz band The Swingin ‘Clique, an open bar, and hors d’oeuvres from 9:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. VIP tables provide first class seating and service all night . From $ 222 per person; VIP tables (for two to six people) from $ 600-1,800. sbdac.com
A comedy show at DeRomo’s, Bonita Springs
Laugh yourself into 2022 at this popular Italian restaurant featuring musician and comedian Jimmy Keys. Reserve a seat in advance for the evening buffet with free appetizers. Televisions throughout the restaurant show the annual Ball Drop Live in New York City at midnight. $ 175 per person. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. deromos.com
Dinner and show at The Cave Bistro & Wine Bar, Naples
The cavernous restaurant offers two seats for its multi-course dinners. The first includes a three-course menu with delicacies such as foie gras, game, saddle of lamb and surf-and-turf. The second offers the same thing, plus desserts and live music from country singer and songwriter Ralph Curtis. Enophiles can stop by the Naples Wine Collection next door for a vino tasting from 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm. First seat $ 125 per person; second seat $ 175 per person; Wine tasting $ 25 per person. thecavenaples.com
A great evening at The Continental, Naples
This three-course meal – which you can enjoy while listening to live songs by Rebecca Richardson’s regular jazz collaborator with the Naples Opera – highlights steaks from top producers, as well as yellowtail carpaccio, crab alfresco, and grilled octopus. If you don’t want to stay out until the wee hours of the morning at this NYE, check into The Continental three-course early bird dinner from 4:45 p.m. to 5:45 p.m., where you can nibble on baked oysters, veal chops with truffle, velouté, and vegetable pavé with a vegetable broth enriched with lemon thyme. $ 125 per person for early booking; $ 300 per person for a second seat. damicoscontinental.com
Balloon drop at Cape Cabaret, Cape Coral
Here you can feast on sausage boards, lobster bisque, veal osso buco, Chilean sea bass wrapped in ham and flambéed bread pudding, while the eight-member band Bare Facts plays hits from the 60s to 90s. The night culminates with a champagne toast and a balloon drop at midnight. $ 89.95 per person plus tip. Capecabaret.com
Dinner for two at Jimmy P’s Bistro, Bonita Springs
The region’s popular butcher restaurant offers a dinner special for couples to celebrate the New Year. Bring your spouse or favorite food buddy for chateaubriand and two complementary glasses of champagne. $ 135 per pair. jimmypssteaks.com
Light up the sky
Fiery displays ensure that residents and guests return year after year.
Downtown countdown in Fort Myers’ River District
The River District fills with music to celebrate the times. Fort Myers’ classic rock band Rosada Project and Army veteran and disc jockey DJ Six Five set the soundtrack for fireworks and a ball drop. Free for all ages. myriverdistrict.com
Fireworks on Naples Pier
The light show popular with the city of Naples starts from 7-7: 25pm. While the pier is closed from 5pm to 11pm, chairs and blankets can be placed on the sand to watch the show. Fifth Avenue South also hosts live music on the streets in honor of the celebration. naplegov.com
A double celebration on Fort Myers Beach
The beach town is celebrating two milestones: a new year and its 26th birthday. The party starts early (10 a.m.) at Bowditch Point and Matanzas Pass Preserve and continues at 1 p.m. in Times Square. Listen to live songs on the beach that lead the New Year through to the last sunset of 2021. fortmyersbeach.org
Kid-friendly fun in the fishing village of Punta Gorda
The mall is home to a photo booth, balloon animals, face painting and live music by Mark Gorka and DJ Michael White. Don’t miss the midnight fireworks. From 6:00 p.m. to 12:30 p.m. fishermensvillage.com
On the water
Experience the maritime-style fireworks on these local cruises.
King Fisher’s Fleet Cruises, Punta Gorda
Sail through Charlotte Harbor and toast the fireworks over Fishermen’s Village, which starts at midnight, with free champagne. The boat leaves the dock at 11:00 PM and returns around 12:30 PM. $ 59 per person. kingfisherfleet.com
JC Cruises with Captain JP, Fort Myers
Participate in a floating dance party along the Caloosahatchee River with party supplies, a bar, and a midnight champagne toast. Expect to board at 9:00 PM and return around 12:30 PM. $ 75 per person. jccruises.com
