Say goodbye to 2025 and hello to 2026.
New Year’s Eve arrives Wednesday, Dec. 31, and you’ll find many fun ways to watch fireworks, groove to rock bands and generally welcome the new year.
Here are some of the best places to see fireworks this year in Southwest Florida. Plus midnight ball drops, concerts, a bar crawl and other fun ways to celebrate in Fort Myers, Naples, Cape Coral, Bonita Springs and Punta Gorda.
These are the best of the best events, but they’re not the only things happening. Check your favorite local bars, restaurants and venues to see what they’re planning, too.
We’ll update this story if more cool events are announced.
NAPLES NEW YEAR’S EVE EVENTS
Naples New Year’s Eve fireworks show returns
After discontinuing its annual New Year’s Eve fireworks show in 2024, the City of Naples is bringing it back this year — with a big change. Instead of happening Dec. 31 on New Year’s Eve, the display will happen three days later on Saturday, Jan. 3. The 30-minute fireworks show starts at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 3 (although weather could result in a delay or an earlier start time). The fireworks can be seen from the city beach, north and south of the Naples City Pier. No dogs, personal fireworks, glass or open fires allowed on the beach. Bring your own chairs and blankets. 213-7120 or naplesgov.com/parksrec/page/new-years-fireworks
New Year’s Eve with Big Cypress Band
Country act Big Cypress Band headlines this party with party favors and a sparkling wine toast at midnight. 7 p.m. to past midnight Wednesday, Dec. 31. $20 cover includes admission, party favors and sparking wine toast. Whiskey Park, 3380 Mercantile Ave., Naples. 263-6777 or whiskeypark-naples.com
FORT MYERS NEW YEAR’S EVE EVENTS
Fort Myers’ Downtown Countdown
This huge outdoor party features a midnight ball drop with fireworks, live music, a deejay, food trucks and vendors, and more. The band lineup includes Smack Daddy, School of Rock Fort Myers, Chasing Denver and The Theos. Many downtown bars and venues will also have live bands, drink specials and more. 6 p.m.-12:15 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 31. Free. First and Hendry streets in downtown Fort Myers. myriverdistrict.com/event/nye-celebration
Rooftop bash at Davis Art Center
Davis Art Center celebrates the holiday in its rooftop statue garden, Sidney’s Rooftop, with a sparkling wine toast, an open bar, heavy hors d’oeuvres, music from DJ Skubii, larger-than-life neon robots on the dance floor, a late-night dessert buffet, party swag and a close-up view of downtown Fort Myers’ fireworks show. 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 31. Dress is cocktail attire. $150. VIP tables available for $300-$1,200. Sidney’s Rooftop at Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center, 2301 First St., downtown Fort Myers. 333-1933 or sbdac.com
Downtown Fort Myers New Year’s Eve bar crawl
Top Shelf Crawls hosts this annual downtown bar crawl that includes a welcome party, party beads, drink specials and admission to all participating bars. 5 p.m. to 1 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 31. $25-$30 (plus applicable taxes and fees). Registration and welcome party from 5-7 p.m. at The Hideaway Bar, 1418 Dean St., downtown Fort Myers. topshelfcrawls.com
Roaring Twenties Riverboat Celebration at Oxbow
A 1920s-themed New Year’s Eve party with cocktails, a sparkling wine toast at midnight, chef-curated small plates, live music, dessert and a second-floor view of downtown Fort Myers’ fireworks. Guests are encouraged to wear their “finest 1920s-inspired attire.” 8 p.m. to past midnight Wednesday, Dec. 31. $200. Oxbow Bar & Grill, 1300 Hendry St., downtown Fort Myers. 833-918-1512 or luminaryhotel.com
New Year’s Eve at Tap 42
Tap 42 hosts a ticketed New Year’s Eve party in its open-air rooftop bar, including deejayed music, a selection of all-you-can-drink beverages and all-you-can-eat passed light appetizers, a sparkling-wine toast at midnight and the live broadcast of New York’s Times Square ball drop streaming on a big projector screen. 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 31. $150. Tap 42 Fort Myers, 13499 S. Cleveland Ave., Suite 221, Fort Myers. Tap42.com/Fort-Myers
New Year’s Eve block party at Bay Street Yard
Bay Street Yard expands onto Bay Street for a block party with live music, games, food trucks, a mechanical bull and a complimentary sparkling-wine toast at midnight. The musical line-up includes Eric Michael Taylor (2-5 p.m.), Chasing Denver (6-9 p.m.) and DJ Ian Kelley (10 p.m. to 2 a.m.). 2 p.m. to 2 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 31 (block party starts at 4 p.m.). Free. Bay Street Yard, 2136 Bay St., downtown Fort Myers. BayStreetYard.com
CAPE CORAL NEW YEAR’S EVE EVENTS
Cape Coral New Year’s Eve Celebration with Pop 2000 Tour
The City of Cape Coral hosts this annual, family-friendly street festival with headlining act the Pop 2000 Tour, a touring show that includes late ‘90s/early 2000s pop acts Chris Kirkpatrick of NSYNC, O-Town, Ryan Cabrera and LFO. The festival also has fireworks, more live music, a deejay, food vendors, games, activities for kids and two separate ball drops (8 p.m. for the kids, and midnight for the adults). Takes place 6 p.m. to midnight Wednesday, Dec. 31. Free. Southeast 47th Terrace between S.E. 9th Place and S.E. 11th Place, downtown Cape Coral. capecoralnye.com
The Westin New Year’s Eve Bash
The Cape Coral resort rings in the new year with a buffet dinner, late-night appetizers, a dessert buffet, a live band and a fireworks display over the marina. 8:30 p.m. to past midnight Wednesday, Dec. 31. $125. Reservations required. The Nauti Mermaid at The Westin Cape Coral at Marina Village, 5951 Silver King Blvd., Cape Coral. 541-5942 or facebook.com/WestinCapeCoral
Slipaway News Year’s Bash
Celebrate New Year’s Eve with 12 hours of live and deejayed music, food trucks and a free sparkling wine toast. The musical lineup includes singer-guitarist Gray Gaulding (noon to 4 p.m.), DJ Jersey Johnny (4-8 p.m.) and rock band Stereo Riot (8 p.m. to midnight). Noon to midnight Wednesday, Dec. 31. Free admission. Slipaway Food Truck Park & Marina, 1811 Cape Coral Parkway E., Cape Coral. facebook.com/slipawaycapecoral
FORT MYERS BEACH NEW YEAR’S EVE EVENTS
Fort Myers Beach New Year’s Eve concert, but no fireworks
There won’t be a major fireworks display this year on Fort Myers Beach, organizers say. But there will be a special New Year’s Eve edition of the Bayside Veterans Park Concert Series featuring cover band Guilty Pleasure. Plus there’s a midnight New Year’s Eve ball drop at La Ola (see below for details). Many Beach restaurants will also be serving food and featuring live bands. The Bayside concert takes place 6-9 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 31. Free. Bring your own lawn chair. Bayside Veterans Park at the corner of Old San Carlos Blvd. and First Street, Fort Myers Beach. fortmyersbeach.org/bayside-park-concert-series
New Year’s Eve ball drop at La Ola
La Ola Surfside brings back a Fort Myers Beach tradition with this midnight ball drop and New Year’s Eve party. Plus live music, dancing and free sparkling wine at midnight. The musical line-up includes Jay St. Aubin (noon to 3 p.m.), Cariees Ries (4-8 p.m.) and Johnnie Walker (9 p.m. to midnight). The event takes place noon to midnight Wednesday, Dec. 31. Free. La Ola Surfside in Times Square, 1035 Estero Blvd., Fort Myers Beach. 765-2222 or facebook.com/LaOlaSurfside
PUNTA GORDA NEW YEAR’S EVE EVENTS
Fishermen’s Village New Year’s Eve Celebration
Celebrate the holiday at Fisherman’s Village with fireworks, dancing, face painting, a deejay, live music and more. The musical lineup includes the American Made Band, DJ Michael White, and singer/musician Mark Gorka. 6 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 31. Fireworks at midnight. Free. Fishermen’s Village, 1200 W. Retta Esplanade, Punta Gorda. 800-639-0020 or fishermensvillage.com
Charles Runnells covers arts and entertainment for The News-Press and the Naples Daily News. To reach him, call 239-335-0368 or email crunnells@usatodayco.com. Follow or message him on Facebook(@charles.runnells.7), Instagram (@crunnells1) and X (@CharlesRunnells).
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This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: New Year’s Eve 2025: Fireworks, parties in Naples, Fort Myers
Reporting by Charles Runnells, Fort Myers News-Press & Naples Daily News / Naples Daily News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
