Friends and neighbors,
Wishing you a lovely Christmas morning if you celebrate, and if you don’t, an excuse to rest!
The week until New Year’s always feels like its own liminal space—a time without much structure or rules, where your main obligation is usually spending time with family. There are also plenty of ways to have fun with the whole gang this weekend, from a live music block party to a drive-thru lights display or a Broadway tour at Artis.
We’ve also rounded up the best NYE bashes if you’re ready to ring in 2026, and this week’s poll wants to know: are you a resolution maker or a wing-it type?
Here’s to ending the year on a high note!
Warmly,
Elizabeth
Table of Contents
Top 6 Events This Week: Ring Out 2025 with Live Music all Week
1. Winter Block Party
📅 Saturday, December 27 & Sunday, December 28 | 12:00 – 10:00 PM
📍Riverside Park, 10450 Reynolds Street, Bonita Springs
Sugarshack Downtown is throwing a two-day community bash to close out the year. They’re taking over Riverside Park with live music across two stages, food and drinks, local vendors, and a kid zone all day long. It’s free to enter and designed for popping in (or staying all day). Check out the music lineup on their poster! Event information.
2. Lights of the Season & Santa’s Village
📅 Through December 28 | 6:30 – 9:00 PM (10:00 PM Fri/Sat)
📍Collier Fairgrounds, 751 39th Ave NE, Naples
A holiday classic for families and visitors alike! Drive through thousands of lights or hop on a hayride or trolley to experience the display. Then, stop by Santa’s Village for photos, holiday treats, and festive fun. Multiple ticket options available. Grab tickets here.
3. Music of Vivaldi, Bach & Chausson
📅 Sunday, December 28 | 4:00 – 6:00 PM
📍St. John’s Episcopal Church, 500 Park Shore Drive, Naples
Camerata of Naples Chamber Orchestra opens its season with a performance featuring Mark Teplitsky, assistant principal flutist with the Naples Philharmonic. Highlights include Vivaldi’s Concerto in D Major, Bach’s Piano Concerto in F minor, and Chausson’s Poème. A refined, intimate afternoon of classical music. Tickets are $58.
4. Mercato Nights Music Series ft. TreeHause
📅 Thursday, January 1 | 6:30 – 8:30 PM
📍Piazza, 9110 Strada Place, Naples
Ease your way into the new year with live music at Mercato. TreeHause brings a mix of pop, rock, and R&B to the Piazza stage. Grab takeout from nearby restaurants, cocktails from The Pub’s event bar, and enjoy a relaxed outdoor evening. Free to attend. Event info.
5. NYE Celebration with Bobby Collins @ Off the Hook Comedy Club
📅 Wednesday, December 31 | 9:00 PM – 11:00 PM
📍Off the Hook Comedy Club, 2500 Vanderbilt Beach, Naples
Want to kick off the new year laughing? Comedy favorite Bobby Collins hits the stage at Off the Hook, delivering sharp observations on everyday life and topical takes on the world around us. Choose from New Year’s Eve dinner packages and showtimes, with the option to stay through the midnight countdown. Get tickets here.
6. Les Misérables
📅 December 30 - Jan 4 | 7:30 PM, 2:00 PM (Weekend) Performances
📍Artis-Naples
Did you dream a Dream that Les Misérables came to Naples? Now’s your chance to see the tour of one of Broadway’s most beloved musicals. This acclaimed production brings 19th-century France to life with powerful performances and unforgettable songs like I Dreamed a Dream, On My Own, One Day More, and Bring Him Home. Grab tickets here.
Presented by Naples Florida Rentals: Hosting Without the Headache 🔑🌴
If you live in Naples, you already know how this season goes. Friends and family start booking flights, guest lists grow, and suddenly the guest room feels a little… tight.
Instead of rearranging your life (or sleeping on the couch), give your visitors a place that feels like a vacation — close by, fully set up, and stress-free.
Here’s what hosting can look like this December:
🌊 Mornings: Your guests wake up to Gulf light on a private lanai.
🌴 Afternoons: Beach time, then back to their own heated pool.
🌙 Evenings: Easy dinners together, knowing everyone has their own space to unwind.
Why Naples locals use Naples Florida Rentals for visiting guests:
No platform fees — book direct, avoid surprise charges
A real local host — text or call Dana, a full-time Naples local
Flexible cancellation — full refund up to 7 days before arrival
Done-for-you matching — call or text (239) 397-0929 and get matched by dates, budget, and pets
December fills up fast, especially the homes that are close, comfortable, and easy for guests. If you’ve got visitors coming — or even thinking about it — it’s worth lining something up now.
New Year’s Eve Celebrations in Naples
The Oasis Naples
DJ Jason Paul spins all night (9 PM – 2 AM) with premium cocktails, party favors, and late-night energy. $75 party package or pay-as-you-go. Doors open early and stay open late.
The Pub Naples
A full-night party with DJs, drink specials, party favors, and late-night hot dogs. DJ Jake warms things up, DJ 007 takes you into the new year, plus a Guinness toast at 7 PM.
The Mini Bar
No cover. Open air. DJ Banks builds the vibe straight to midnight. Lights, movement, and that stay-right-here energy. VIP tables and bottle service available.
The Perry Hotel (Rooftop)
An elevated 21+ rooftop celebration with city views, passed bites, food stations, open beer & wine, themed cocktails, and live entertainment. VIP tables with private service available.
Big Cypress Band @ Whiskey Park
Live country, party favors, and a sparkling wine toast at midnight. $20 cover includes it all. Music runs from 7 PM to past midnight.
The Real Macaw
Tropical, festive, and may include disco feather crowns. Four-course chef’s tasting menu, optional wine pairing, live music early, DJ Unek through midnight, and a champagne toast. Walk-ins welcome at the bar; reservations required for dinner.
Poll Results: Holiday Unwind?
Last week, we asked: What’s your favorite way to unwind during holiday chaos?
Here’s where you landed:
Coffee and a quiet morning ☕ took the lead with 32% of the votes! There’s something meditative about a morning coffee ritual and a slow start. For me, baking is my favorite way to unwind, so long as I can keep the kitchen to myself!
This Week’s Poll: New Year, New You?
New Year’s resolutions: easy to make, hard to stick to. What kind of resolution person are you?
Why It Matters
As the year winds down, these small moments—music, lights, shared celebrations—are what turn a place into a community. How we spend this in‑between week helps shape the year ahead, whether that means going out, staying in, or simply slowing down.
Here’s to closing out 2025 with joy, connection, and something to look forward to. ✨
Elizabeth Bellotti
Editor-In-Chief
Naples, Florida
The Naples Florida Review
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