Best things to do this weekend in SW FL: New Year's Eve fireworks, 38 Special, Elvis show
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Looking for some entertainment in Southwest Florida?
Here are five fun things to do this weekend and beyond, including New Year's Eve fireworks and an Elvis Presley musical at Broadway Palm. Plus, we look ahead at more things to do in the coming weeks.
EVENT SUBMISSIONS: Got anything cool happening next weekend or later? I’m always looking for concerts, festivals and other great events for my weekly Top 5 things to do. To be considered, email me the details at crunnells@gannett.com or message me at facebook.com/charles.runnells.7.
1. New Year's Eve fireworks in Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Fort Myers Beach
Three huge Lee County celebrations will ring in 2024 with live bands, ball drops and fireworks on Sunday, Dec. 31. There's Fort Myers' Downtown Countdown (6 p.m.-12:30 a.m. in downtown Fort Myers), the Cape Coral New Year's Eve Celebration (6 p.m. to midnight on Southeast 47th Terrace in downtown Cape Coral) and the Fort Myers Beach New Year's Eve Celebration (7 p.m. to midnight at Times Square on Fort Myers Beach). For details about those and many more New Year's Eve parties, visit tinyurl.com/4x2sncep.
2. Holiday Nights at The Edison Estates
Last chance to see the popular annual event with thousands of holiday lights and decorations, including more lights than ever before and new color-changing, animated "magic lights" in the palm trees. Holiday Nights continues every night through Sunday, Dec. 31. $20 admission ($10 for ages 13-19, $2 for ages 6-12, free for younger). Edison & Ford Winter Estates, 2350 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers. 334-7419 or EdisonFord.org
3. Broadway Palm's 'Elvis: A Musical Revolution'
The official Elvis Presley “bio-musical” takes audiences from The King’s childhood in Tupelo, Mississippi, to his triumphant “‘68 Comeback Special” and beyond. It’s packed with beloved rock hits, including “Heartbreak Hotel,” “Burning Love,” “Hound Dog,” “Don’t Be Cruel,” “Jailhouse Rock” and “Blue Suede Shoes.” Dec. 30-Feb. 17. $60-$85. Broadway Palm dinner theater, 1380 Colonial Blvd., Fort Myers. 278-4422 or broadwaypalm.com
4. 38 Special at Caloosa Sound Amphitheater
The classic rockers are best known for "Hold On Loosely," “Caught Up In You," "Rockin' Into The Night" and other '80s hits. Guitarist/singer Don Barnes is the only original member in the band. 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 4. $30-$98. Reserved, four-person VIP tables are $500. Caloosa Sound Amphitheater in Centennial Park, 2000 W. First St., downtown Fort Myers. CaloosaSoundAmp.com
5. Suicidal Tendencies at The Ranch
Singer Mike Muir and his Los Angeles band, Suicidal Tendencies, practically invented and perfected the punk-metal genre in the '80s and '90s. Their classic songs include “Institutionalized,” “You Can’t Bring Me Down,” “I Saw Your Mommy,” “Send Me Your Money” and “War Inside My Head." Cro-Mags and Bodybox open. Show starts at about 9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 29. $44 for general admission, $69 for reserved seating. The Ranch Concert Hall & Saloon, 2158 Colonial Blvd., Fort Myers. 985-9839 or theranchfortmyers.com
MORE THINGS TO DO
Holiday House Christmas Stroll
Last chance to see the Fort Myers Woman’s Community Club's new Holiday House Christmas Stroll. The stroll replaces the long-running Holiday House at the historic Burroughs and Langford-Kingston homes, due to scheduling conflicts during the holiday season. Club members have decorated more than 20 windows along First Street in this year's theme: “I’ll Be Home For Christmas…If Only In My Dreams." Now through Sunday, Dec. 31. Free. First Street in Downtown Fort Myers. fmwcc.net/house
Calusa Nature Center's 'Holiday Lights'
Last chance to stroll this 1/3-mile walking trail decorated with Christmas lights. 6-9 p.m. Friday through Sunday until Dec. 30. $10 ($5 for ages 3-12). Calusa Nature Center & Planetarium, 3450 Ortiz Ave., Fort Myers. 275-3435 or facebook.com/CalusaNature
Cruise comedian docks at Cape Cabaret
Stand-up comedian Al Ernst often works on cruise ships and has twice been named Carnival's entertainer of the year. His act covers everything from challenging TSA with a pair of nail clippers to his mother's dating adventures in a nursing home. 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 29. Dinner seating from 5-6:30 p.m. $15 admission, plus a $10 minimum food or beverage purchase. More cruise comics are booked for January at Cape Cabaret: Mark Evans (Jan. 5) and Gid Pool (Jan. 6). Cape Cabaret, 4725 Vincennes Blvd., Cape Coral. 549-3000 or CapeCabaret.com
Jerrod Niemann at The Ranch
The country singer returns for another Southwest Florida show. His hits include “Lover, Lover,” “Drink to That All Night” and “What Do You Want." Show starts at about 9 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 30. $32-$69. The Ranch Concert Hall & Saloon, 2158 Colonial Blvd., Fort Myers. 985-9839 or theranchfortmyers.com
Coconut Point New Year’s Art Festival
More than 100 U.S. artists show and sell their work at the 13th annual outdoor fest. The art includes paintings, life-size sculptures, jewelry, photography, ceramics and more. Presented by Howard Alan Events. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 30-31. Free. Coconut Point, 23106 Fashion Drive, Estero. artfestival.com
John Michael Montgomery and Eddie Montgomery at Mann Hall
The country-singing brothers bring their Brotherly Love Tour to Mann Hall. Eddie Montgomery landed more than 30 hit singles with his former duo, Montgomery Gentry, including 'Where I Come From" and "Something to Be Proud Of." His brother's own hits include “I Swear,” “Be My Baby Tonight" and “Sold (The Grundy County Auction Incident).” Former “The Voice” contestant Sheena Brook of Fort Myers Beach opens the show. The concert is a benefit for Pace Center for Girls hosted by Fort Myers nonprofit The Charity Pros. 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 3. $66-$131. Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall, 13350 FSW Parkway, south Fort Myers. 481-4849 or bbmannpah.com
Jug Creek New Year's Eve Jubilee
The monthly event takes on a carnival theme for New Year's Eve. Expect live music, carnival games, vendors, pony rides and more. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 31. Free. Jug Creek Marina & Fish House, 16498 Tortuga St., Bokeelia. 283-3331
LOOKING AHEAD
Romantic comedy 'Butterflies Are Free' at Players Circle
The 1969 Broadway hit involves a young, blind songwriter who defies his overprotective mother by moving into his own apartment. He develops a close relationship with the sexy actress next door, but then his mom arrives and chaos ensues. Jan. 5-28. Discount previews Jan. 2-4. $35-$55. Players Circle Theater, 13211 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers. 800-3292 or playerscircletheater.com
Memories of Elvis Rockin’ Birthday Bash at Mann Hall
Popular Elvis tribute artist Chris MacDonald celebrates The King’s birthday early with an 8-piece band, video clips and many costume changes. 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 5. $36-$63. Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall, 13350 FSW Parkway, south Fort Myers. 481-4849 or bbmannpah.com
Grammy-nominated string band Della Mae in Fort Myers
All-woman string band Della Mae founded in Boston by lead vocalist/guitarist Celia Woodsmith and two-time grand national champion fiddle player Kimber Ludiker. 7:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 12. $45-$50. Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center, 2301 First St., downtown Fort Myers. 333-1933 or sbdac.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: Things to do in Fort Myers New Year's Eve: Fireworks, 38 Special