Ringing in the New Year in Southwest Florida!

It is the week of Christmas and you're scrambling around Fort Myers, Florida to find that last minute gift. Just a week from now you'll be wondering what are you going to do for New Year's in Fort Myers, Florida?!

Warm and cozy southwest Florida may not be freezing New York City for New Year's, but there are definitely sequined worthy celebrations going on right here in Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Naples, Bonita Springs and Estero.

 In fact, every New Year's Eve the streets of Downtown Fort Myers fill up with locals and vacationers alike to hear a variety of local bands, sample food from a number of vendors and watch the ball drop. This year No Way Jose, Cadence Wednesday, Stolen Fruit, Fellowbliss, Sinyu and After the Fact will be performing on stages throughout the downtown River District.

Several of the bars downtown will be having live music and food and drink specials:

• Twisted Vine - live music 9 to 1am with a special menu.
• City Tavern - Happy Hour 1-8pm with The Drunk Monkeys performing at 10pm and free champagne per table.
• The Morgan House - Dinner, dancing and champagne with Cadence Wednesday performing.
• Downtown House of Pizza - Open till the wee hours of morning after all the parties are over and serving pizza until close.
• Delicious Things - 3 & 5 course meals until midnight.
• Hotel Indigo - Rooftop bar will feature DJ Dan Rudy from 9 to 2am.
• Spirits of Bacchus - martinis, wine, tapas, champagne and drink specials until 2 am. No Way Jose performing out front.
• Neo Lounge - Featuring DJ Quest with 3 other DJs. $15 in advance, $20 at the door, $40 all you can drink from 6 to 2am.

Southwest Florida Celebrations:

Fort Myers & Fort Myers Beach

• Fireworks launch at midnight from the pier off Times Square on Fort Myers Beach with live music, dancing, and food for the "Beach Bash" in the square.
•  Parrot Key Carribbean Grill - country hoedown on Fort Myers Beach, buffet, champagne toast, Blackwater band performing.
• The Edison Restaurant - on Mcgregor Blvd in Fort Myers. Grand buffet featuring prime rib, pork carving stations, tilapia in lemon butter, salads, desserts and more. Only two seatings; second seating featuring dancing with celebrity DJ, champagne countdown, cash bar, hats and noisemakers. Or celebrate at the chandelier bar, library, porch and terrace with DJ Manny C. Champagne and special a la carte menu served from 5 to 10pm.
• Biddles Restaurant & Piano Bar - on US 41 in Fort Myers. Serving a 4 course meal for $75. Live music, dancing, party favors, and champagne toast.
• Cru in the Bell Tower Shops - serving 4 course dinner for $65/person at 6, 8 and 10 pm. Champagne toast and DJ Ari performing.

Sanibel & Captiva

• New Year's Eve party at Sanibel Recreation Center - 8 to 12:14am. Family-friendly, alcohol-free event; refreshments, live entertainment, dancing with Gene Frederico, games, prices and midnight countdown. In advance: $15 for adults and $12 for children. At door: $20 for adults & $15 for children.
• ‘Tween Waters Inn Island Resort - Captiva party starting at 9pm. $25 per person. Modulators dance band playing live.

Estero

• Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort - DJ Buzzy spinning in the Belvedere Room from 9 to 1am with party favors and champagne toast, no cover charge.
• The Hyatts Estero Ballroom - buffet from 6 to 9pm $80 for adults, $40 for children 5-12, under 5 free.
• Bar Louie at Gulf Coast Town Center - $100 booth for up to 5 with bottle of champagne, round of shots and 2 appetizers; table for 4 and high tops for 3 $50 with bottle of champagne and party favors; no cover. Dj Tie providing music.

Naples

• Fireworks launch from the Naples pier at 7:30pm.
• Live music and dancing on 5^th Avenue South.
• New Year's Eve Gala with Paul Anka at the Naples Philharmonic Center of the Arts at 9:30pm. Dessert, coffee and champagne reception following performance.
• Seminole Indian Casino in Immokalee - New York New Year's Eve party. Win a $25,000 New York Adventure.

Cape Coral

• Cape Harbour New Year's Eve Ball drop - Fireworks and live music by Soapy Tuna performing from 8 to 1am at The Joint. Café Pignoli will feature food specialties and live music by Vinny Sax with Soul.

There's much more celebrating going on all over Southwest Florida for the New Year so put on your sequins and sparkle your way down from Fort Myers to Naples!