TEXAS — If you don’t have plans for celebrating the incoming year of 2026, here are some things to do around the Lone Star State.
Austin
A pop-punk concert courtesy of the band Jimmy Eat Brisket, along with other acts, at The Far Out Lounge on New Year’s Eve. The event will feature barbecue, pop-up vendors and music.
Fireworks, food, live music and coverage by CNN at the Auditorium Shores in Riverside. According to the official press release, the event will start at 7 p.m. and end a little after midnight.
7 p.m. – Gates, food trucks, bars, and vendors Open
7-11:45 p.m. – Music performances by The Point, Tameca Jones, Chaparelle, The Head and the Heart
11:45-11:55 p.m. – Austin’s New Year drone show presented by Arca Continental Coca-Cola Southwest Beverages
Midnight – Fireworks show
Thinkery’s New Year’s Eve Celebration
The Thinkery, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping children learn about STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics) subjects, will host two different sessions of family-friendly New Year’s activities: one from 9-11 a.m. and one from 1-3 p.m.
A Facebook post states that DIY crafts, dancing, balloons and STEAM play will be happening at the museum.
Dallas
Lone Star NYE at Reunion Tower
Reunion Tower is hosting a drone show and night of fireworks to celebrate the start of the New Year.
New Year’s Eve with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra
The Dallas Symphony Orchestra will perform festive songs at 7:30 p.m. on New Year’s Eve at the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center. The full setlist is available here.
The Dallas Zoo will feature over two million lights with different patterns, themed photo ops and surprises, according to the zoo’s website. The lights opened Nov. 14 and will run until Jan. 4 from 5:30-9 p.m.
San Antonio
Celebrate SA: 2025 NYE Party and Countdown
Hosted at the Hemisfair from 6 p.m. to midnight, there will be music, food vendors, games and activities for everyone attending. Fireworks will go off at midnight, and admission is free.
Celebrate in Civic: New Year’s Eve at Hemisfair
Also hosted by the Hemisfair, this celebration in Civic Park will feature music of all different genres. There will also be a dancing lesson from 8-9 p.m.
El Paso
WinterFest New Year’s Eve Star Drop
Hosted in the San Jacinto Plaza, this event will feature live music, food and the dropping of the star to bring in 2026. The event will start at 8 p.m. and go on after midnight.