Houston, We Have a Party: Here’s Our Top 8 Things to Do on New Year’s Eve
- Catch a Firework Show at Kemah Boardwalk
- Celebrate Noon Year’s at the CityCentre
- Party in Style at Hotel ZaZa
- Have a Ball at Sugar Land Holiday Lights
- Dance with Boomtown Brass Band at Heights Theater
- Toast With Dinosaurs at Houston Museum of Natural Science
- New Year's Eve Family Retreat at Splashway Campground
- Go on a New Year’s Eve Bar Crawl
I’ll never forget my first New Year’s Eve in Houston. My friends and I hit up Kemah Boardwalk, and it was a blast! The fireworks were amazing, and we danced the night away.
As we get ready to welcome a new year, Houston is bursting with fun things to do. Whether you’re planning a family outing or a fancy celebration, this city has something special for everyone.
Check out our guide for the best ways to spend New Year’s Eve in Houston, from the lively Kemah Boardwalk to the stylish Hotel ZaZam and get ready for an unforgettable night!
Catch a Firework Show at Kemah Boardwalk
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Website: https://www.kemahboardwalk.com/
Address: 215 Kipp Ave, Kemah, TX
Contact Details: (281) 535-8100
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Thursday – 12 PM to 8 PM
- Friday – 12 PM to 9 PM
- Saturday – 12 PM to 10 PM
- Sunday – 12 PM to 9 PM
Admission Costs:
- Free
Looking for a New Year’s Eve that’s fun for the whole family without the downtown Houston madness? Kemah Boardwalk is the perfect destination! The festivities run from 1 PM onwards, giving visitors plenty of time to enjoy all the excitement.
The Kemah Boardwalk New Year’s Eve Celebration is free and packed with fun. There’s live music, a special early countdown just for the kids, and a spectacular fireworks display at 10 PM. It’s a great place to kick off New Year’s.
But what we really love is the variety of activities in this waterfront theme park—over 15 rides for every thrill-seeker, from the Boardwalk Bullet to the Stingray Reef. For those who prefer doing something more relaxed, shopping and scenic walks along the waterfront are also an option.
And for a New Year’s Eve feast, there are plenty of dining options along the Boardwalk! Enjoy a panoramic view of the waterfront at Landry’s Seafood while sipping on a cocktail after a long day at the park, or simply have a family meal at Joe’s Crab Shack.
| Pro Tip: Kemah Boardwalk doesn’t allow visitors to bring their own food and beverage, so plan ahead accordingly! |
Celebrate Noon Year’s at the CityCentre
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Website: https://www.citycentrehouston.com/
Address: 800 Town & Country Blvd, Houston, TX
Contact Details: (713) 629-5200
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Sunday – Open 24 Hours
Admission Costs:
- Free
CityCentre is an unexpected gem in Memorial that’s perfect for New Year’s Eve!
Last year, we got to experience Noon Year’s Eve with the young ones in the family. The event had a DJ, balloon artists, and face painting. The kids loved the bubbles too and we even brought home a souvenir from the photo booth!
Need something more grown up? Later in the day, CityCentre hosts a nighttime event with live music! Food and drinks are available to purchase while waiting for the fireworks display.
| Pro Tip: Parking at CityCentre is free, so it’s better to arrive early when there are special events at the mall. |
Party in Style at Hotel ZaZa
Media Credit: zazamuseumdistrict
Website: https://www.hotelzaza.com/houston-museum-district
Address: 5701 Main Street Houston, TX
Contact Details: (713) 465-9292
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Sunday – Open 24 Hours
Admission Costs: Varies
Hotel ZaZa in Museum District is a stylish spot to celebrate New Year’s Eve! From 10 PM to 2 AM, you can enjoy a lively party with drinks, a DJ, and a toast at midnight. You can get bottle service or just enjoy the countdown!
They offer packages for those who will stay with them for New Year’s! The package comes with overnight accommodation, 2 wristbands to the NYE party, and a New Year’s Day Brunch for two guests. Not a bad deal!
| Pro Tip: Hotel ZaZa’s New Year’s Eve party has a dress code, so pull out your best party outfit and dress to impress. |
Have a Ball at Sugar Land Holiday Lights
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Website: https://www.sugarlandholidaylights.com/
Address: 2700 Town Center Blvd. N, Sugar Land, Texas
Contact Details: (281) 240-4487
Admission Costs: To Be Confirmed (Fall 2024)
Looking for a magical way to ring in the New Year? Sugar Land Holiday Lights is the perfect place! Picture thousands of twinkling lights, festive displays, and a fun, family-friendly atmosphere.
I remember stepping into Sugar Land Holiday Lights and being instantly amazed. And on New Year’s Eve, things get even more exciting with a colorful fireworks show at midnight.
For those looking for an extra special experience, the New Year’s Eve Ball is a highlight!
There’s a buffet dinner, open bar, a DJ, and plenty of photo opportunities. And of course, a fireworks show will cap off the night.
| Pro Tip: If you have a ticket to the NYE Ball, you can also enjoy the Sugar Land Holiday Lights. It’s a two-in-one deal! |
Dance with Boomtown Brass Band at Heights Theater
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Website: https://www.boomtownbrassband.com/
Address: 339 W 19th St, Houston, TX
Contact Details: (713) 240-8686
Admission Costs: Varies
For a fun New Year’s Eve, check out “Dancing & Desserts: NYE with Boomtown Brass Band” at The Heights Theater. This event is perfect for those who love to dance and enjoy good music.
The Boomtown Brass Band plays lively jazz that makes it hard to stay off the dance floor. Their mix of New Orleans jazz and other styles keeps the energy high all night.
You’ll also get to enjoy a variety of delicious desserts and a champagne toast at midnight.
| Pro Tip: For the full experience, dress in 1920s-themed attire to match the event’s vibe! |
Toast With Dinosaurs at Houston Museum of Natural Science
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Website: https://www.hmns.org/
Address: 5555 Hermann Park Dr, Houston, TX
Contact Details: (713) 639-4629
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Sunday – 9 AM to 5:30 PM
Admission Costs:
- $50-$65
For an epic New Year’s Eve party, Houston Museum of Natural Science’s Mixers and Elixirs is where you want to be! Imagine dancing to live music with the museum’s exhibits as the backdrop.
There are food trucks and cash bars scattered around, offering everything from gourmet tacos to decadent desserts. You’ll stay fueled and refreshed with a variety of drinks, including cocktails, beers, and wines.
As midnight strikes, guests can toast to the New Year under the watchful eyes of the museum’s iconic dinosaurs–definitely a unique way to welcome the new year.
For those planning to join the fun, it’s smart to arrive early. There’s a bit of extra security to go through, so getting there ahead of time means less stress and more time to enjoy the party.
| Pro Tip: With the night wrapping up at 1:00 AM, make sure to arrange your ride home beforehand to avoid the hassle. |
New Year’s Eve Family Retreat at Splashway Campground
Media Credit: splashway
Website: https://www.splashway.com/
Address: 5211 Main St, Sheridan, TX
Contact Details: (979) 234-7718
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday – Closed
- Saturday – 11 AM to 6 PM
- Sunday – 11 AM to 5 PM
Admission Costs:
- Gate price starts at $49.99
After the holiday rush, a New Year’s Eve Retreat with the family at Splashway Waterpark & Campground sounds like the perfect cure to get back into a relaxed state of mind.
This retreat is designed for families to enjoy quality time together. Gather around a campfire and have some s’mores, or play family favorite games like bingo and egg toss! There are also arts & crafts classes for some hands-on, creative fun.
On New Year’s Eve, there’s live music, a disco express (a disco-themed train that goes around the campground), and of course, an epic fireworks show.
| Pro Tip: It’s cheaper to buy tickets ahead online than buying at the gate! |
Go on a New Year’s Eve Bar Crawl
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Website: https://www.barcrawlerz.com/houston
Contact Details: (713) 659-5366
Admission Costs: Varies
For those who can’t decide on just one venue for their New Year’s Eve Party, why not try six?
Kick off the New Year with a fun bar-hopping adventure hosted by Barcrawlerz’s “Crawl ‘Til The Ball Falls” in Houston. It starts at 6 PM at Leon’s Lounge and keeps the party going until 2 AM.
You’ll get a wristband that gets you into six fantastic bars with no cover charges and special drink deals. After the kickoff at Leon’s Lounge, you’re off to the 5 other popular spots: Front Porch Pub, Holman Draft House, The Maple Leaf Pub, Playground HTX, and Wooster’s Garden.
