It’s almost 2019. How you count down is up to you.
Many New Year’s Eve parties and events are happening in Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Naples and elsewhere in Southwest Florida, including fireworks, ball drops, a pirate cruise, a trampoline party and more. Here are our top picks for ringing in the New Year.
These are just the biggest events, though. Check your favorite bar, restaurant or other venue to see what they have planned, too.
CAPE CORAL
- New Year’s Eve at Cape Harbour: The annual event features midnight fireworks, live music with Soapy Tuna at Fathoms Restaurant & Bar, food and drinks (but no ball drop this year). 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Free. Fathoms will be offering a four-course surf-and-turf meal and a Champagne toast with dessert from Norman Love Confections. Admission to the New Year’s Eve event is free. The dinner costs $80, and reservations are required. The Marina at Cape Harbour, 5703 Cape Harbour Drive, Cape Coral. 541-1374 or capeharbour.com. For the restaurant, call 542-0123 or visit fathomsrestaurant.com.
- South Cape NYE Ball Drop: This block party includes food trucks, beer tents, a ball drop and live music from Signal III and Soulixer. 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. Free. All ages are welcomed. Southeast 47th Terrace between Southeast 9th Place and Southeast 11th Place. facebook.com/SouthCapeHospitalityAndEntertainmentAssociations
- Masquerade Ball: Dress and up and celebrate while listening to music from deejays Nick Holm, Skintone and Don Lee. 9 p.m. to 3 a.m. $5 at the door. Remixx Lounge, 4810 Vincennes St., Cape Coral. 980-7630 or facebook.com/RemixxLounge
- Frank Del Pizzo and A Family Affair: Frank Del Pizzo kicks off the night with a comedy show and then shares the stage with musical duo Frank and Linda Fazioli of A Family Affair. 6 p.m. to past midnight. $50 admission ($90 per couple) includes dinner and a Danish and coffee bar. Beverages sold separately. Anthony’s on the BLVD, 1303 Del Prado Blvd. S., Cape Coral. 772-5900 or anthonysontheblvd.net
- New Year’s Eve with Four Ball Drops: Dixie Roadhouse and neighboring club Rockade celebrate with free line-dancing lessons at the Dixie, a drag show at Rockade, deejayed music, a free Champagne toast and party favors, prizes and ball drops at both clubs at midnight and 12:30. 7 p.m. to 2 a.m. $10 for general admission ($5 after midnight), $20 for reserved seating. Dixie Roadhouse, 1023 S.E. 47th Terrace, downtown Cape Coral. 541-7900 or facebook.com/dixieroadhouse
More:Top live shows to see in January, including Diana Ross, Wailers, Air Supply
More: ‘The Fat Spy’ may be worst movie ever shot in Cape Coral. Or perhaps the world
FORT MYERS
- Downtown Countdown: This huge outdoor party features live bands and deejays on four stages, food trucks and a ball drop. 8 p.m. to midnight. Free. Downtown Fort Myers. fortmyersriverdistrictalliance.com or facebook.com/RiverDistrictAlliance
- New Year’s Eve at The Ranch: Celebrate the new year with a midnight ball drop, giveaways, games, party favors and line-dancing lessons. 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. $5. The Ranch Concert Hall & Saloon, 2158 Colonial Blvd., Fort Myers. 985-9839 or theranchfortmyers.com
- New Year’s Celebration at Rhythm House: Celebrate with a buffet dinner, party favors, a Champagne toast at midnight and live music by Pearl CJ & Dori. 8:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. Reservations required. $20-$55. Rhythm House, 16440 S. Tamiami Trail, south Fort Myers. 466-8326
- New Year’s Eve cruise: Pure Florida celebrates the day with a cruise sailing from Fort Myers. Features drink specials and view of the sunset. 4:30-6 p.m. $35 includes one free drink. $17.50 admission for children. Reservations required. Departs from The Marina at Edison Ford, 2360 W. First St., Fort Myers. 263-4949 or PureFL.com
- New Year’s Eve Sunset Dolphin Cruise: Watch the sun set from the waters of Captiva and Sanibel islands and perhaps see some dolphins, too. Listen to tropical music and eat Champagne strawberry cupcakes. Feel free to bring your own wine or Champagne. 5-6:30 p.m. $35 includes free drinks, water and cupcakes. Adventures in Paradise, 14341 Port Comfort Road, south Fort Myers. 472-8443 or adventureinparadiseinc.com
- New Year’s Eve Burning Bowl Service: In this New Year’s Eve ceremony, people write down the things they want to let go of in 2018 and put the paper in a burning bowl to bless and release it. 6:30-7:30 p.m. Free. Unity of Fort Myers, 11120 Ranchette Road, Fort Myers. 278-1511or unityoffortmyers.org
- Masquerade Ball: Admission includes a welcome cocktail, a midnight Champagne toast, a masquerade mask, party favors, gourmet hors d’oeuvres, deejays and live music by Wildfire. $50 ($100 gets you an open bar). Cocktail dress. Society at Bell Tower Shops, 13499 Bell Tower Drive, Suite E-518, south Fort Myers. 334-0900 or societyfortmyers.com
- Sky Zone New Year’s Eve Party: Teens can jump their way into the new year at the Fort Myers trampoline park. The overnight party includes a deejay, prizes, games, pizza, snacks and dancing. Bring your own pillow and clothes that glow under black light. Ages 13-17. 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. $34.99-$49.99. Sky Zone Fort Myers, 14181 S. Tamiami Trail, Suite 140, Fort Myers. 313-5448 or skyzone.com/fortmyers
- New Year’s Eve Dinner Cruise Aboard the Capt. JP: Celebrate the New Year during a 3 ½ hour cruise on the Caloosahatchee River. The Capt. JP paddle-wheel boat leaves at 9 p.m. The cruise includes a buffet dinner, music for dancing, party favors, a Champagne toast and cash bars. 9 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. $70 plus taxes. JC Cruises, 1300 Hendry St., downtown Fort Myers. 334-7474 or jccruises.com
- New Year’s Eve Party: Cover band Model Citisin provides the rock tunes for this party that includes free Champagne at midnight, prizes and giveaways. 7 p.m. to 2 a.m. The band plays 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. Free. Buddha Rock Club, 12701 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers. 482-8565 or buddharockclub.com
- Island-style celebration: This tropical-themed event includes live music from Pan Dave (4-8 p.m.) and Steve & Winnie (8 p.m. to midnight), plus free noisemakers, party hats, leis and Bahama Breeze “2019” sunglasses. 4 p.m. to 1 a.m. Free admission. Specialty cocktails start at $2.19 from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Bahama Breeze, 14701 S. Tamiami Trail, south Fort Myers. 454-9234 or bahamabreeze.com
NAPLES
- New Year’s Eve Fireworks: Celebrate the new year with fireworks in the Naples Pier area. 7:30-8 p.m. Free. The Naples Pier at the west end of 12th Avenue South, Naples. 213-7120
- Comedian Tom Cotter: The “America’s Got Talent” finalist performs stand-up at this New Year’s Eve party that includes a three-course meal, party favors and a Champagne toast. 9 p.m. to past midnight. $110-$130. Off The Hook Comedy Club, 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Road, Suite 1100, Naples. 389-6901 or offthehookcomedy.com
- New Year’s Eve with the Naples Philharmonic: Maestro Andrey Boreyko leads the orchestra on a selection of classics that includes Strauss waltzes and Rossini’s “William Tell Overture.” The concert is followed by a reception with a Champagne toast, hors d’oeuvres, dancing and a countdown to the new year at midnight. 9 p.m. to past midnight. $85-$125. Ticket includes bottomless flutes of Champagne. Artis-Naples, 5833 Pelican Bay Blvd., Naples. 597-1900 or artisnaples.org
- Bubbles & Bow Ties New Year’s Eve: Cocktails, a live band, a deejay, party favors, a New Year’s Eve countdown and a midnight Champagne toast, followed by a dance party. 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. $60-$75 admission includes gourmet hors d’oeuvres (from 8-10 p.m.) and Champagne. Blue Martini Naples, 9114 Strada Place, Unit #12105, Naples. 784-8925 or bluemartinilounge.com
- New Year’s Eve cruise: Pure Florida celebrates the day with a cruise sailing from Naples. Features appetizers, drink specials and a view of Naples’ 7:30 p.m. fireworks show. 6:30-9:30 p.m. $95 includes one free drink. Reservations required. Departs from Tin City, 1200 Fifth Ave. S., Naples. 263-4949 or PureFL.com
FORT MYERS BEACH
- Fort Myers Beach Birthday Party and New Year’s Eve Celebration: This annual New Year’s Eve bash goes hand-in-hand with the town’s birthday celebration. The birthday party starts with free cupcakes from noon to 1 p.m. at Times Square, followed by games, a photo booth and live music for the rest of the day with Remedy (noon to 5 p.m.) and High Tide (7 p.m. to midnight). The celebration ends with a ball drop and fireworks off the pier at midnight. Organizers are still actively raising money for the fireworks display. For information on donating, visit facebook.com/FMB.Fireworks.Fund. Noon to midnight. Free. Times Square, 1021 Estero Blvd., Fort Myers Beach. chamber.fortmyersbeach.org/events
- Pieces of Eight Pirate Cruise: Watch the Fort Myers Beach fireworks with a crew of pirates on the Pieces of Eight, a 65-foot replica of a Spanish galleon pirate ship. The family-friendly boat features a full bar with adult beverages, soda, water and light snacks (not included in admission price). 10:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. Boarding starts at 10 p.m. $40. Salty Sam’s Marina & Bootleggers Waterfront Barbeque, 2200 Main St., Fort Myers Beach. 765-7272 or floridapiratecruise.com
- New Year’s Eve party at Parrot Key: Annual party with a four-course dinner, party favors, a Champagne toast at midnight and live music from cover band Krossing Jordan. The Fort Myers Beach fireworks can be seen from the restaurant decks. 6 p.m. to 1 a.m. $65. Reservations recommended. Parrot Key Caribbean Grille, 2500 Main St., Fort Myers Beach. 463-3257 or myparrotkey.com
- Goodbye to A200: The local modern rockers play their last-ever show together at this New Year’s Eve party that includes a view of the Fort Myers Beach fireworks. 9:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. Free. On its top floor, the Lani Kai also offers a New Year’s Eve four-course dinner (5-10 p.m.), a Champagne toast, party favors and live music by Al Holland of The Platters and Verceal Whitaker. Dinner is $60. Club Ohana at Lani Kai Island Resort, 1400 Estero Blvd, Fort Myers Beach. 463-3111 or https://lanikaiislandresort.com/beach-activities
- Castaways celebration: Ring in the new year with a three-course dinner, Champagne toast, party favors, an open bar and live music by rock, dance and funk cover band Electric Lipstick. 6 p.m. to midnight. $80. Reservations required. Castaways Bar & Grill in Santini Marina Plaza Shops, 7205 Estero Blvd., Fort Myers Beach. 463-4644 or castawaysfmb.com
NORTH FORT MYERS
- Rockin’ New Year’s Eve with the Johnny & Patti Revue: Johnny and Patti Russo sing pop, rock and country hits from the 50s to the 80s at this dinner show that includes a Champagne toast, party favors and a chocolate fountain. 6 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. $29.95. Victory Lane Café, 4120 Hancock Bridge Parkway, Cape Coral. 995-0340
PINE ISLAND/MATLACHA
- Early Bird New Year’s Eve Party: Yard Dog Charlie provides the “Florida swamp music” for this early party that includes hats, horns and a big Champagne toast and celebration at “midnight” — actually 9 p.m. Starts at 6 p.m. Free admission. Woody’s Waterside, 3051 Stringfellow Road, St. James City. 283-5555 or woodyswaterside.com
SANIBEL ISLAND
- New Year’s Eve Bash at Sundial Beach Resort & Spa: A family-friendly event with games, stilt walker “Way Too Tall” Torrie, a fire dancer show, a balloon artist, a face painter, a deejay, steel drum music, karaoke, a photo booth, s’mores, a glow volleyball tournament, party favors, a Champagne toast and an island-style buffet. 7 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. $55 ($19 for children ages 3-12). Reservations suggested. Sundial Beach Resort, 1451 Middle Gulf Drive, Sanibel Island. 395-6017 or sundialresort.com/blog/celebrate-stars-sundials-new-years-eve-bash
PUNTA GORDA
- Fishermen’s Village New Year’s Eve Celebration: Celebrate the holiday with fireworks, live music, dancing and more. 6 p.m. to past midnight. Free. Fishermen’s Village, 1200 W. Retta Esplanade, Punta Gorda. 941-575-3007 or fishville.com
LABELLE
- Jazz on the Water: The River’s Edge Motel hosts this second-annual New Year’s Eve celebration on the banks of the Caloosahatchee River with fireworks, a prime-rib and chicken-piccata buffet, a Champagne toast, and live jazz from The Hot Club of SRQ and Brown Bag Brass Band. 7:30 p.m. to midnight. $120 (or $1,200 for a reserved table for eight). The Rivers Edge Motel, 285 Old County Road 78, LaBelle. 863-675-6062 or facebook.com/events/364452370957548
Connect with this reporter: Charles Runnells (Facebook), @charlesrunnells (Twitter), @crunnells1 (Instagram)
