New Year's Eve 2022: Fireworks, parties and more in Fort Myers, Naples
Hurricane Ian put a stop to two of Southwest Florida’s biggest New Year’s Eve celebrations. But don’t worry, party people: There are plenty of other places to see fireworks this year and watch a sparkly ball drop.
The big annual fireworks shows in Naples and Fort Myers Beach won’t be happening, but major events in Fort Myers, Punta Gorda and elsewhere will keep the party going.
Here are some of the biggest, coolest events happening in Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Punta Gorda and the rest of Southwest Florida. But these aren’t the only things going on: Check your favorite local bars, restaurants and venues to see what they’re planning, too.
FORT MYERS
Fort Myers’ Downtown Countdown: This huge outdoor party features live bands and deejays on several stages, fireworks and a midnight ball drop. 6-12:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 31. Free. This year’s musical acts include Smack Daddy, the School of Rock band, Resolution Band, Crown Watts and three deejays. Many downtown bars and venues will also have live bands, drink specials and more. Downtown Fort Myers. fortmyersriverdistrictalliance.com or facebook.com/RiverDistrictAlliance
Rooftop celebration at Davis Art Center: Davis Art Center celebrates the holiday in its rooftop statue garden with a Champagne toast, open bar, heavy gourmet hors d'oeuvres, live music with The Lineup Band and a close-up view of downtown Fort Myers’ fireworks show. 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 31. Dress is cocktail attire. $222. VIP tables available for $600-$1,800. Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center, 2301 First St., downtown Fort Myers. 333-1933 or sbdac.com
The Capt. JP New Year’s Eve Dinner Dance Cruise: Celebrate the New Year with a 3½ hour cruise on the Caloosahatchee River. The Capt. JP paddle-wheel boat leaves at 9 p.m. The cruise includes dinner, dancing, party favors, a Champagne toast and cash bars. 9 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 31. $116 (including 15 percent gratuity added), plus taxes. JC Cruises, 1300 Hendry St., downtown Fort Myers. 334-7474 or jccruises.com
Downtown Fort Myers New Year’s Eve bar crawl: Top Shelf Crawls hosts this annual bar crawl that includes a welcome party, souvenir Champagne flutes and koozies, party beads, drink specials and admission to all participating bars. 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 31. $25 ($41 for VIP). Downtown Fort Myers. topshelfcrawls.com
Luminary pool deck party: A sophisticated party on the pool deck of Luminary Hotel & Co., including chef’s action stations, dancing, a Champagne toast, entertainment and a view of downtown Fort Myers’ fireworks show. Cocktail attire required. 8:30 p.m. to past midnight Saturday, Dec. 31. $149. Luminary Hotel & Co., 2200 Edwards Drive, downtown Fort Myers. 833-918-1512 or luminaryhotel.com
Oxbow party with The Vocalitas: The Jazz trio The Vocalitas performs at this New Year’s Eve party with a Champagne toast, food stations, a cash bar and a view of downtown Fort Myers’ fireworks. 8:30 p.m. to past midnight Saturday, Dec. 31. $119. Oxbow Bar & Grill, 1300 Hendry St., downtown Fort Myers. 833-918-1512 or luminaryhotel.com
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NAPLES
CANCELED − Naples fireworks show: The popular annual event has been canceled due to damage to the Naples Pier and surrounding beaches from Hurricane Ian. naplesgov.com/parksrec
Canceled City of Naples cancels New Year's Eve fireworks
New Year’s Eve at St. Elizabeth Seton: The Naples church hosts a New Year’s Eve party with separate events for both the kids and the adults. It starts with a kids party from 6-8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 31, including snacks, crafts and an 8 p.m. ball drop. Admission is free. Then there’s an adult party from 8 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. with the Smoke & Shine Band, hors d’oeuvres, beer and wine (two drinks included with admission), a ball drop and fireworks. Tickets are $25 and available at the parish office or by messaging the church on Facebook. St. Elizabeth Seton Catholic Church, 5225 Golden Gate Parkway, Naples. 455-3900 or facebook.com/SESchurch
New Year’s Eve at The Ritz: This Roaring ‘20s-themed party comes with Champagne bars, an extravagant buffet, live music, a midnight toast and a midnight fireworks display. 7:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 31. $250 ($100 for ages 12 and younger). The Tiburon Ballroom at The Ritz-Carlton Naples, 2600 Tiburon Drive, Naples. bit.ly/3We3WON
New Year’s Eve with The DepLoRableS: The Naples rock band plays grunge, hard rock and more. They headline this party with party favors and a Champagne toast at midnight. Starts at 9:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 31. $20. Whiskey Park, 3380 Mercantile Ave., Naples. 263-6777 or whiskeypark-naples.com
CAPE CORAL
South Cape New Year’s Eve Trolley: Ride trolleys throughout downtown Cape Coral on New Year’s Eve and stop at eight bars and venues for specialty drinks, live music and more. 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 31. $17-$22 wristband includes unlimited trolley rides, drink specials and access to the official photo booth and photo-booth contest. Designated-driver tickets are $12. Custom drinks are $2.50 each. Check-in happens from 7-8:30 p.m. at Big John Plaza (near Pinch-A-Penny) and Dolphin Key Resort. Late check-in until 11:30 p.m. at Dolphin Key Resort. facebook.com/SouthCapeHospitalityAndEntertainmentAssociation
The Westin New Year’s Eve Bash: The Cape Coral resort rings in the new year with live music by the Wonderama Band , a gourmet buffet, party favors and a midnight fireworks display. 8 p.m. to midnight Saturday, Dec. 31. $125 ticket includes one cocktail and a Champagne toast. Reservations required. The Nauti Mermaid and Marker 29 at The Westin Cape Coral at Marina Village, 5951 Silver King Blvd., Cape Coral. 541-5942 or facebook.com/WestinCapeCoral
FORT MYERS BEACH
CANCELED − Fort Myers Beach Birthday Party and New Year's Eve Celebration: The annual New Year's Eve bash and town birthday celebration have been canceled due to extensive damage from Hurricane Ian, says Jacki Liszak, president and CEO of the Fort Myers Beach Chamber Area Chamber of Commerce. But the event will be back in 2023, she added. fortmyersbeach.org
PUNTA GORDA
Fishermen's Village New Year's Eve Celebration: Celebrate the holiday with fireworks, live music from the Shane Duncan Band, a deejay, photo booths, dancing, face painting, tarot card readings, face painting and more. 6 p.m. to midnight Saturday, Dec. 31. Free. Fishermen's Village, 1200 W. Retta Esplanade, Punta Gorda. 941-639-8721 or fishville.com
Connect with this reporter: Charles Runnells is an arts and entertainment reporter for The News-Press and the Naples Daily News. Email him at crunnells@gannett.com or connect on Facebook (facebook.com/charles.runnells.7), Twitter (@charlesrunnells) and Instagram (@crunnells1).
This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: New Year's Eve fireworks, parties in Fort Myers, Naples
