Family-Friendly New Year’s Eve Events Across Texas

Texas doesn’t have the renown of New York City’s annual ball drop in Times Square on New Year’s Eve — because Texas doesn’t need it. From a fireworks and drone show at Reunion Tower in Dallas to hiking state parks, there are all kinds of epic (and family- friendly) ways to ring in the new year.

There are simply too many awesome New Year’s Eve events and traditions in Texas every year to cover them all. So we put together some of our favorite annual celebrations and activities for the whole family to enjoy a memorable end to the year.

New Year’s Eve Events Around Texas

Fireworks & Light Show at Reunion Tower, Dallas
Leave it to Reunion Tower, the most iconic building in the Dallas skyline, to further illuminate the downtown sky at midnight with a light show befitting New Year’s Eve. Beyond the thousands of fireworks set off from the tower, the show includes an enormous LED light display and 500 drones that form a variety of dazzling images above Dallas.

Reservations to dine at the restaurant atop the tower, Crown Block, during the show typically sell out months before New Year’s Eve, but there are plenty of free spots to enjoy the spectacle in the area. Arrive early with the family to snag a spot at Trinity Overlook Park, the Ronald Kirk Pedestrian Bridge, or Dallas City Hall Plaza for some of the best views.

Scavenger Hunt & Hike at Fort Parker State Park, Mexia
If you want to get out of the city this New Year’s Eve, pack a flashlight, tent, and winter coat and drive about 40 miles east from Waco to Fort Parker State Park on the banks of the Navasota River. The annual event starts at 9:30 p.m. New Year’s Eve, when a park ranger will lead you on an easy, half-mile hike up Bur Oak Trail. With the help of only the moon and a black light, you’ll be challenged to complete a scavenger hunt along the trail and solve the puzzle before the clock chimes at midnight. The evening — and the year — will conclude with a campfire and refreshments provided by the park staff, but you’re welcome to stay up and watch the first dawn of the new year at your campsite.

Countdown to Midnight on the River Walk, San Antonio
Spend the last evening of the calendar year touring one of the most quintessential landmarks in Texas, the San Antonio River Walk. Take in the more than 100,000 holiday lights wrapped around the park’s scenic bald cypress trees while exploring the River Walk’s restaurants, shops, and nightlife. Live music will play all evening as the clock ticks toward midnight, when the fireworks begin popping off to ring in the new year. If you’re closing out the year in the San Antonio area, the River Walk is the place to be at midnight.

Celebrate Till the Cows Come Home at the Stockyards, Fort Worth
Another Texas landmark to visit on New Year’s Eve is the Fort Worth Stockyards. With around 100 restaurants and shops to explore, all in the historic epicenter of livestock trade in Texas, there’s plenty to keep your New Year’s spirits up in Cowtown. Cap off the night at Billy Bob’s Texas, the world’s largest honky-tonk, for an evening of swing dancing, live bull riding shows, and, of course, live music all night long.

Noon Year’s Eve at the Houston Interactive Aquarium and Animal Preserve, Humble
Saddled with little ones this Dec. 31? There’s no reason they can’t join in the festivities. If you find yourself near Houston, spend the morning at the Houston Interactive Aquarium and Animal Preserve before counting down to high noon on “Noon Year’s Eve.” Before the party, you and your tykes can enjoy encounters with various animals, from feeding lemurs to snorkeling with stingrays. But when the clock strikes noon, be sure you’re there for the balloon drop to celebrate the new year early — all while getting home before bedtime.

A Texan New Year’s Eve at Home

Of course, not everybody has the energy to go out and stay up until midnight — especially when kids want to stay up for the countdown too. Hosting your own New Year’s Eve event is a fun alternative, and with these tips you can keep the party traditionally Texan.

Fireworks
Before setting off anything, check with your county’s ordinances to see what fireworks are legal in your area. Texas’ frequent and sudden drought conditions, especially in rural areas around holidays such as New Year’s Eve, mean fireworks are a huge risk for starting uncontrolled fires. That said, most 1.4G fireworks (formerly known as “Class C”), such as Roman candles, handheld sparklers, firecrackers, and smoke devices, are legal anywhere in Texas. Be sure to follow the fireworks safety rules printed on the packages.

Black-Eyed Peas
Any Southerner knows that dinner on New Year’s Eve — or at least the snack tray at the NYE party — should feature black-eyed peas. Some folks think that “eating poor” on the last day of the year will improve your wealth in the coming year. Whether or not there’s any truth to the claim, many Texans still indulge in a huge helping of black-eyed peas before sending off the old year.

Once the New Year’s Eve party is out of the way, you’ve got 365 days of the new year to consider. Check out our guide to five hobbies to turn into your New Year’s resolution.