This New Year’s Eve, you can say goodbye to 2021 and hello to the new year in style at venues across Southwest Florida. Clink glasses of Champagne on a midnight cruise in Punta Gorda, dance to live tunes in the streets of Downtown Fort Myers or indulge in a four-course meal at one of Naples’ top restaurants. No matter how you choose to celebrate, the clock striking 12 is just the beginning. All events occur on Dec. 31, unless otherwise stated.
Wine and Dine
Area restaurants offer holiday deals and festive entertainment.
Surf-and-Turf Feast at Naples Grande Beach Resort, Naples
Dine on locally sourced seafood and meat dishes at the resort’s on-site restaurant The Catch of the Pelican. You can continue the celebration into the new year, as the restaurant serves brunch on Jan. 1—complete with a bloody Mary bar—from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. $69 per person, bloody Mary bar additional. naplesgrande.com
Three Dinners at The Ritz-Carlton, Naples
The beach resort offers three options for New Year’s dining. Pick from the seasonal buffet at Terrazza, cocktails and sushi bites at the stylish DUSK or stop by late for sparkling wine and live music at Artisans. Reservations are encouraged for Terrazza and DUSK. Terrazza from $125 per person; DUSK VIP tables range from $500-$2,500. ritzcarlton.com
A Rooftop Soiree at Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center, Fort Myers
The downtown art center hosts a New Year’s Eve celebration upstairs on Sidney’s Rooftop Sculpture Garden. Don your best cocktail threads for this soiree with live music by swing and jazz band The Swingin’ Clique, an open bar and hors d’oeuvres from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. VIP tables offer premium seating and service throughout the 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 your way into 2022 at this popular Italian restaurant, where musician and comedian Jimmy Keys performs. Reserve a seat in advance for the buffet dinner with complimentary appetizers. TVs 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 a Show at The Cave Bistro & Wine Bar, Naples
The cavernous restaurant hosts two seatings for its multicourse dinners. The first includes a three-course menu with delicacies such as foie gras, venison, lamb rack, and surf-and-turf. The second offers all of the same, plus desserts and live music from country singer-songwriter Ralph Curtis. Oenophiles can stop by next door at The Naples Wine Collection for a vino tasting from 5:30-7 p.m. First seating $125 per person; second seating $175 per person; wine tasting $25 per person. thecavenaples.com
A Jazzy Evening at The Continental, Naples
This three-course meal—which you’ll enjoy while listening to live tunes from Opera Naples’ frequent jazz collaborator Rebecca Richardson—highlights steaks from top producers, plus yellowtail carpaccio, crab soufflé and grilled octopus. If you’re not looking to stay out into the wee hours this NYE, check into The Continental three-course, early bird dinner from 4:45-5:45 p.m., where you’ll nibble on baked oysters, veal chops with truffle velouté, and vegetable pavé with a lemon-thyme-infused vegetable broth. $125 per person for early bird; $300 per person for second seating. damicoscontinental.com
Balloon Drop at Cape Cabaret, Cape Coral
Here, you’ll feast on charcuterie boards, lobster bisque, veal osso buco, prosciutto-wrapped Chilean sea bass and bread pudding flambé while the eight-piece band Bare Facts plays hits from the ’60s through the ’90s. The night peaks with a Champagne toast and a balloon drop at midnight. $89.95 per person, plus gratuity. capecabaret.com
Dinner for Two at Jimmy P’s Bistro, Bonita Springs
The region’s beloved butcher-turned-restaurant offers a dinner special for couples to celebrate the new year. Bring your spouse or your favorite dining-buddy for Chateaubriand and two complementary glasses of Champagne. $135 per couple. jimmypssteaks.com
Light up the Sky
Fiery displays keep residents and guests coming back 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-turned-disc jockey DJ Six Five set the soundtrack for fireworks and a ball drop. Free for all ages. myriverdistrict.com
Fireworks at Naples Pier
The City of Naples local-favorite light display goes off from 7-7:25 p.m. While the pier is closed from 5-11 p.m., can set up chairs and blankets on the sand to catch the show. In honor of the celebration, Fifth Avenue South also hosts live music on the streets. naplesgov.com
A Double Celebration on Fort Myers Beach
The beach town celebrates 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 in Times Square at 1 p.m. Listen to live tunes on the beach, leading up to the last sunset of 2021. Stick around for stellar fireworks display that runs through into the new year. fortmyersbeach.org
Kid-Friendly Fun at Fishermen’s Village, Punta Gorda
The shopping center hosts a photobooth, balloon animals, face-painting and live music from Mark Gorka and DJ Michael White. Don’t miss the fireworks display at midnight. From 6 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. fishermensvillage.com
On the Water
Catch the fireworks in maritime style with these local cruises.
King Fisher’s Fleet Cruises, Punta Gorda
Sail around Charlotte Harbor and toast to the fireworks over Fishermen’s Village—which go off at midnight—with complimentary Champagne. The boat leaves the dock at 11 p.m. and returns around 12:30 a.m. $59 per person. kingfisherfleet.com
J.C. Cruises with Captain J.P., Fort Myers
Join a floating dance party along the Caloosahatchee River, with party favors, a cash bar and a Champagne toast at midnight. Expect to board at 9 p.m. and return around 12:30 a.m. $75 per person. jccruises.com
