New Year's Eve 2023 in Naples, Bonita Springs: Where to find fireworks, parties and more

Charles Runnells, Naples Daily News
Updated ·6 min read
Fireworks will return to Fishermen's Village for this year's New Year's Eve Celebration.
Fireworks will return to Fishermen's Village for this year's New Year's Eve Celebration.

Fireworks, midnight toasts and even burlesque dancing: There are many ways to ring in the new year in Southwest Florida.

Here are some of the biggest, coolest events happening in Naples, Bonita Springs, Fort Myers and elsewhere. These are the best of the best, but they're not the only things going on. 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

Marci Page, 6, reacts to her sparkler burning out on Monday, Dec. 31, 2018, at the Naples Pier beach, moments before the start of the annual New Year's Eve fireworks.
Marci Page, 6, reacts to her sparkler burning out on Monday, Dec. 31, 2018, at the Naples Pier beach, moments before the start of the annual New Year's Eve fireworks.

Naples New Year's Eve fireworks show

Bring chairs and blankets to watch the annual fireworks show launch from a barge near Naples Pier. The fireworks can be seen from all along the Naples beach. Parking is limited, so visitors are urged to plan ahead and find parking on the street or in downtown parking garages, or to walk, take bicycles or use a ride service. 6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 31. Free. Naples City Pier, 25 12th Ave. S., Naples. 213-7120

New Year’s Eve at The Ritz

This glamorous "Midnight Masquerade"-themed party comes with champagne bars, an extravagant buffet, live music, and a midnight toast and fireworks display. 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 31. $325 ($125 for ages 12 and younger). Limited tickets remain. The Tiburon Ballroom at The Ritz-Carlton Naples, 2600 Tiburon Drive, Naples. tinyurl.com/m3r5f2r5

New Year’s Eve with The Rich Kids

The Naples "dueling drummers" act plays along to rock, rap and pop hits. They headline this party with party favors, food specials and a champagne toast at midnight. 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 31. Free. Whiskey Park, 3380 Mercantile Ave., Naples. 263-6777 or whiskeypark-naples.com

Enjoy concert before heading out for the night

Naples Philharmonic concertmaster Zachary DePue performs during a Camerata of Naples concert at 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 31, at St. John's Episcopal Church, 500 Park Shore Drive, Naples. The program includes works from Handel, Vivaldi, Dvořák and Johann Strauss/Schoenberg. General admission tickets $45. More at cameratanaples.org.

BONITA SPRINGS

Burlesque and Billie Rose at Chartreuse Craft Cocktail Lounge

Burlesque dancer Freckles Galore and R&B/Latin fusion band Billie Rose perform at this New Year's Eve celebration that includes four cocktails, four courses of hors d'oeuvres and a champagne toast. 8 p.m. to midnight Sunday, Dec. 31. $165 per person. Chartreuse Craft Cocktail Lounge, 27313 Old 41 Road, Bonita Springs. To RSVP, call 949-2776 or email rsvpchartreuse@gmail.com.

FORT MYERS

Fort Myers’ Downtown Countdown

This huge outdoor party features live bands, deejays on several stages and a midnight ball drop with fireworks. This year’s musical acts include Smack Daddy with the School of Rock band, Xitone11 Band, The Patina Turners and three deejays. Many downtown bars and venues will also have live bands, drink specials and more. 6-12:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 31. Free. Downtown Fort Myers. 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 by 3hr Tour and a close-up view of downtown Fort Myers’ fireworks show. 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Sunday, 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. Sunday, Dec. 31. $117 (including 15 percent gratuity added). 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 1 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 31. $27 ($44 for VIP). Downtown Fort Myers. topshelfcrawls.com

Tropic Like It’s Hot Party at Luminary

A tropical-style New Year's Eve party on the pool deck of Luminary Hotel & Co., including food stations, a champagne toast, entertainment, a cash bar and a view of downtown Fort Myers’ fireworks show. Attendees are encouraged to wear their favorite luau outfits. 8:30 p.m. to past midnight Sunday, Dec. 31. $149. Luminary Hotel & Co., 2200 Edwards Drive, downtown Fort Myers. 314-3723 or luminaryhotel.com

New Year's Eve Roaring 20's Party at Oxbow

A 1920s-themed New Year's Eve party with a champagne toast, food stations, an open bar and a view of downtown Fort Myers’ fireworks. 8:30 p.m. to past midnight Sunday, Dec. 31. $250. Oxbow Bar & Grill, 1300 Hendry St., downtown Fort Myers. 833-918-1512 or luminaryhotel.com

CAPE CORAL

Cape Coral New Year's Eve Celebration

The city's parks and recreation department hosts this new, family-friendly street festival. The party includes fireworks, live music, a deejay, food and craft vendors, games and two separate ball drops (8 p.m. and midnight). Takes place 6 p.m. to midnight Sunday, Dec. 31. Free. Southeast 47th Terrace between S.E. 9th Place and S.E. 11th Place, downtown Cape Coral. capeconcerts.com

The Westin New Year’s Eve Bash

The Cape Coral resort rings in the new year with dinner and a fireworks display over the marina. 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 31. $125. 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

Fireworks light up the skies over Fort Myers Beach, Florida on Sunday, July 4, 2021. More fireworks will appear this New Year's Eve.
Fireworks light up the skies over Fort Myers Beach, Florida on Sunday, July 4, 2021. More fireworks will appear this New Year's Eve.

Fort Myers Beach New Year's Eve Celebration

The annual New Year's Eve bash includes live music at Bayside Park and a midnight ball drop and fireworks off the Times Square area. This year's bands will be country duo Chasing Denver (4-6 p.m.) and cover band The Guilty Pleasure Band (7-10 p.m.). Many Beach restaurants will also be serving food and featuring live bands. 7 p.m. to midnight Sunday, Dec. 31. Free. Times Square, 1021 Estero Blvd., Fort Myers Beach. fortmyersbeach.org

PUNTA GORDA

Fishermen's Village New Year's Eve Celebration

Celebrate the holiday with fireworks, dancing, face painting, DJ Michael White and live music from rock, pop and country cover act The Shane Duncan Band. 6 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 31. Free. Fishermen's Village, 1200 W. Retta Esplanade, Punta Gorda. 941-639-8721 or fishville.com

— Charles Runnells is an arts and entertainment reporter for The News-Press and the Naples Daily News. To reach him, call 239-335-0368 (for tickets to shows, call the venue) or email him at crunnells@gannett.com. Follow or message him on social media: Facebook (facebook.com/charles.runnells.7), X (formerly Twitter) (@charlesrunnells), Threads (@crunnells1) and Instagram (@crunnells1).

This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Naples New Year's Eve 2023: Fireworks, parties, live music and more