It’s that time once again to ring in the New Year and say goodbye to 2020, a year that most everyone is surely ready to put behind them.

Locals can flock to various Cape Coral establishments to celebrate the start of 2021 with live music, drinks, and even fireworks.

While things may look a little different than in past jubilations, First Night in Cape Coral is ready to welcome 2021 with open arms.

South Cape Pub Crawl

The South Cape Hospitality & Entertainment Associations is hosting its South Cape New Year’s Eve Pub Crawl where attendees can enjoy special select adult beverages from many different local bars at a discounted price.

Participants will receive their wristband and passports to all locations, as well as a specialty gift, upon check-in. Tickets are $10 and specialty drinks are $2.50 at each location. Pub-crawlers can have their passport stamped at each establishment for a chance to win the “grand prize.” Organizers encourage participants to dress in festive garb and have their picture taken at the official photo booth, entering them in the contest for a chance to win four free tickets to SCHEA’s next event.

“So many people want to celebrate the end of 2020. We made this a walking pub crawl so folks can socially distance while enjoying the South Cape nightlife and ring in a new year,” said SCHEA Event and Marketing Director Pamela Hazelton. “This one’s truly limited and we do not hold tickets for day-of sales.”

Participating locations and their specialty drinks include:

* BackStreets Sports Bar: TBA

* Big Storm Brewing: Bromosa Tangerine Brut IPA

* Monkey Bar: Mango Mimosa

* Botanical Brewing Company: CBD Elixer Shot

* Ralph’s Place: Peach Sangria

* Rusty’s Raw Bar and Grill: Animal Cracker Martini

* Rack’em Spirits and Times: Hindsight is Always 2020

* The Dive: Dive Bomb

* Good Intentions Uncorked: Poinsettia

* Dixie Live: Draft Beer

* Tiki Hut @ Dolphin Key Resort: Elderflower Champagne

The official photo booth is at the South Cape Hub (909 S.E 47th Terrace). Snap your pic and upload publicly to Facebook tagging #southcapeholidaycrawl no later than noon, Jan. 3. Photos will be posted on SCHEA’s page and the public will vote. This is a 21-plus event. Valid ID at check-in will be required.

“We want people to have a safe night while saying sayonara to 2020,” Hazelton said.

Tickets can be purchased at www.southcapeentertainment.com.

Fireworks at Fathoms at Cape Harbour

The only place to catch fireworks this New Year’s Eve in Cape Coral is at Cape Harbour, thanks to Fathoms and Master Touch Installations.

Fathoms will be hosting a ticketed private event with a prix-fixe menu, open bar and live music by Soapy Tuna all night. Doors will open around 7:45 p.m. and the night begins with a cocktail party at the outdoor bar at 8 p.m. A five-course dinner will be served at 9 with fireworks over the harbour and champagne toast at midnight. Tickets are $175 per person.

“It’s a very limited event to keep safety in mind,” said Valeria Zanella Voisin, partner and marketing director for Fathoms and sister restaurant, Gather. “This is the first time we’re doing it this way. We’re usually open to the public, but we didn’t feel safe doing that this year so we went down this road to at least let people come out and celebrate.”

Some tickets may be available on New Year’s Eve, Voisin said.

To secure a table, call 239-524-0123 or email manager@hgh-llc.com. Fathoms is at 5785 Cape Harbour Drive, #106.

Gather at Tarpon Point

At Gather, business will be as usual with the kitchen serving a la carte selections from 4 to 11:45 p.m.

“It’s going to be a special menu,” Voisin said.

There will be live music courtesy of the trio The Freecoasters.

“They’re an awesome band,” Voisin said.

There will be seating available both inside and outside. There will be no fireworks at Tarpon Point this year. Voisin recommends those who plan to attend make a reservation before time.

Gather is at 5971 Silver King Blvd. Reservations can be made by calling 239-673-9939.

Keg Drop at Big Storm Brewing

Big Storm will be ringing in the New Year with a “keg drop” at midnight, taking the place of the usual illuminated sphere so many are used to seeing.

“We’re going to provide a cool, fun event for people to come to,” said Big Storm Brewing Co. General Manager John Schroeder. “We’ll have a half barrel keg mounted on a flag pole and lower it at midnight to mimic the ball drop.”

Popular local band Soulixer will perform from 7 to 10 p.m. with Riverside Band taking over from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. There will be New Year’s Eve drink specials, party favors, a photo booth and more.

Those who don’t want to worry about long lines can reserve at table at Big Storm that comes with one bottle of champagne and dessert for each guest.

Outside VIP patio tables for four are $125. VIP fire pit area for eight guests is $750 (four bottles of champagne, best view of Southeast 47th Terrace). VIP tables for four inside are $150 and for six are $175. Tables that were purchased will be seated at 10 p.m.

“If you want to have peace of mind, you can purchase one of our VIP tables so you know it’s waiting for you,” Schroeder said. “It’s New Year’s Eve, we hope everybody has a good time.”

Big Storm will be open to the public as well for the evening. Big Storm is at 4721 S.E. 10th Place. Visit Big Storm’s Facebook page to purchase your VIP table on Eventbrite.

Big 10 Tavern

Big 10 Tavern’s New Year’s Eve bash starts at 9 p.m. and goes until 1:45 a.m.

Specials include $3 draft beers, buy-three-get-one-free shots, and $5 mimosas or champagne.

There will be food specials all night as well.

Big 10 Tavern is at 4703 S.W. 16th Place.

Shell Factory

The Shell Factory & Nature Park, at 16544 N. Tamiami Trail in North Fort Myers, on Thursday, Dec. 31, will hold an outdoors “Good Riddance to 2020 Party” from 5 to 8 p.m. It will be just like your typical New Year’s Eve party, just a little earlier in the evening.

“It will be an early bird ball drop, and we’re going to try to make it the beginning of a special year,” said Anne Sheridan, general manager at the Shell Factory. “I want to end this year on a high note.”

Tickets are $30 for reserved seats (paid in advance) and includes a $20 voucher toward food and beverage, a party hat, noise maker, a glass of champagne during the 7:30 p.m. ball drop, with a special menu created by Chef Albert on top of what is already offered at the Southern Grill, including Surf & Turf and Oysters Rockefeller.

“We’re trying to make the people around here who don’t like going out late at night anymore, they can celebrate New Year’s as well,” Sheridan said.

Sheridan said a customer told her about such a party that happened last year in Maryland. She took note and decided this would be a perfect time to do it.

It has been a tough year for the Shell Factory. However, owner Pam Cronin made sure her staff was taken care of, keeping as many of them on as possible and remaining open.

“She has believed this will all turn around and the staff owes her a tremendous debt of gratitude. It has been difficult, but we are seeing a silver lining, and we’re happy about that,” Sheridan said.

For more information, call Mary at 995-2141, extension 110, or visit www.shellfactory.com.

— Connect with this reporter on Twitter: @haddad_cj