Bidding goodbye to the passing year and ushering in the new year is one of the most joyous celebrations at Bayou City. From lavish hotel parties, ballroom dances, casino movie screenings, child-friendly events, wine tastings to adult-only galas, the new year in Houston is celebrated with pomp and ceremony by locals as well as international visitors. Whether you wish to party all night or you are travelling with your kids and aiming for an early celebration, Houston has something special and unforgettable for everyone on the first day of every year.
Top 10 Events to Attend for New Year in Houston
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Gathering global crowds at a plethora of uplifting parties, Houston is an abode for celebrating the oncoming of a remarkable new year. Lift your glasses and prepare for a midnight champagne toast to welcome the new year in Houston with the following thrilling events: -
1. Fireworks Dinner Cruise
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Hosted by Boardwalk FantaSea, a luxurious yacht company in Houston, Fireworks Dinner Cruise takes you on a stellar sail across Galveston Bay and Clear Lake. Enjoy spectacular fireworks shows along the shores of Houston after embarking on your dinner voyage from Kemah Boardwalk. Each ticket includes access to events taking place on the cruise yacht, such as a gourmet dinner, crafted appetizers, tiara parties, live DJs, champagne toasts at midnight and a red carpet fashion parade.
Address: 8, Boardwalk Suite, Kemah, Texas 77565 Dates and Timings: Boarding on December 31 from 8pm - 9pm. Cruise goes on till January 1, 12:30am. Cost: USD 21 - USD 43. Discounts available for seniors above 55, active military and children under 3.
2. Daisy Dukes New Year Party
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Daisy Dukes New Year Party is a chic new year party in downtown Houston, packed with action and revelries at Midtown on the 2nd floor of the 6-storied Daisy Dukes Restaurant and Bar. Decor of gold and silver adorn the venue, alongside a touch of Texas’ country lifestyle themes. Reserve a section for you and your friends over 3 floors and enjoy unlimited exotic liquor, refreshing cocktails, eclectic snacks and dancing to cheerful DJ beats.
Unleash the Texan cowboy in you with a free mechanical bull ride. Confetti drops go on until 12 am as you ring in the new year with a toast.
Address: 2400 Brazos Street, Houston, Texas 77006 Dates and Timings: Friday, December 31, 2021, 9pm – Saturday, January 1, 2021, 12:30am Cost: USD 1500 including 20% section fee.
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Houstonians believe (and so do we!) that as the clock strikes 12, it is time to step into a downtown full of colourful cocktails, draft beers and Texan whiskey. Midtown in Houston is home to over two dozen bars where New Year is celebrated en masse with night crawl enthusiasts from across the globe, crawling into America’s 4th largest city all the way into the new year with absolutely free entry and drinks.
Throughout this raucous night of fun-filled galas, Houston’s favorite bars, pubs and breweries like Christian’s Tailgate, Pour Behavior, Pub Fiction, Front Porch Pub, The Gaslamp and Little Woodrow's Bar & Grille would be open to participants for dancing to live bands or DJs and drinking past midnight.
Address: Midtown, Harris County, Houston, Texas 77002/77004/77006 Cost: USD 150 - USD 375 Entry: Restricted to adults above 21 only.
4. High Noon Countdown
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While you ring in the new year in Houston with your kids, double up the fun at High Noon Countdown, an exclusive child-friendly party held at The Woodlands Children’s Museum. The festivities include balloon and confetti showers at midnight, horn blowing, New Year hats, a painting contest, quizzing, art projects, bubble wrap dancing and live performances by the in-house Tom’s Fun Band. The museum also offers interactive workshops and imaginative play for children on this auspicious day.
Address: 4775 West Panther Creek Drive #280, The Woodlands, Houston, Texas 77381 Dates: December 31 - January 1 Timings: 10am - 3pm Cost: USD 6 (Adults and children above 1)
5. NYE Black and White Ball
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NYE Black and White Electric Ball is a splendid party at the Downtown JW Marriott in Houston where Houstonians and even international visitors flaunt their most gorgeous outfits and prepare to usher in the new year. Sophisticated decor, floral themes and balloon showers flank the ornate Ballroom at the Marriott. Celebrations include dancing to two DJs at the sprawling floor, complimentary meal courses and drinks for four hours and midnight party favors for counting down to the next year.
Address: 806 Main Street, Houston, Texas 77002 Dates: December 31 - January 1 Timings: 9pm - 3am Cost: USD 150 - USD 500
6. Jam At The Rustic
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The Rustic is a live country music kitchen and microbrewery with locations in downtown and uptown Houston, throwing limited reservations for new year parties at both the outlets. This one brings together all the music lovers of Houston for live musical performances and interesting contests. Chris Poise would be playing live at the Polk Street Rustic while visitors at the Uptown Park location can watch thrilling piano duels.
Both spots are known for tacos, raspberry tarts and aged tequilas.
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1121 Uptown Park Boulevard Suite 4, Houston, Texas 77056
1836 Polk Street, Houston, Texas 77003
Dates: December 31 - January 1 Timings: 10pm - 1am Cost: Free with RSVP
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NYE Casino Night is a no cover new year event in Houston sporting over 150 types of roulette, blackjacks, craps and quirky cocktails, wines and beers at a makeshift casino. Enjoy the alfresco setting of the bubbly-fueled party with dazzling neon lights against the riveting backdrop of Houston’s skyline. At the end of the night, a bottle of Dom Perignon is awarded to the chip leader to pop open at the chime of midnight.
This is also one of the only new year events in Houston that begins on New Year’s Eve evening.
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Topgolf Houston is throwing a lavish, interactive New Year’s fete with open bays for group reservations. This state-of-the-art indoor golf course and driving range in Houston offers bays to secure for you and your friends, where you can eat full course gourmet meals, drink to your heart’s content and smash as many golf balls you wish on the high-tech virtual simulators while kissing 2021 goodbye.
Address: 1030 Memorial Brook Boulevard, Houston, Texas 77084 Date: January 1, 2021 Timings: 5pm - 2am Cost: USD 47 per bay. Reservations open 7 days in advance.
9. Holiday in The Gardens
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Houston is popular for its mesmerizing light displays that flank the city on new year’s day. Moody Garden hosts one of the most elaborate light shows, illuminating the turquoise shores of Galveston Bay with more than 1 million lights. Known as Holiday in the Gardens, this must-see attraction follows a mile-long trail to explore amidst lush botanical plants, mature tropics and beautiful floral groves.
Other events of the day will include a 4D drive-in movie presentation, robust holiday meals and dance galas.
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Renowned as one of the top ten new year parties hosted by the Woodlands Inn chain resorts, the new year party at Forest Oasis Waterpark is a fun-filled family event with the coolest party favors, full day of craft workshops and games. You can enjoy live music performances and karaoke with your children at the waterpark. There will be an en masse sparkling apple cider toast while the 30-feet-tall water slide towers and lazy river feature beach-ball drops.
After the party, crash with your family at a luxurious executive suite at the Woodlands Resort.
Address: 2311 North Millbend Drive, The Woodlands, Houston, Texas 77380 Date: January 1, 2021 Timings: 5:30pm - 10pm Cost: USD 150 - USD 200
Bonus: Mexican Brunch by Hugo Ortega To Cure The Hangover
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Most parties for new year in Houston happen after evening of New Year’s Eve and go on past midnight. If you’re looking for a cure to the hangover, Hugo Ortega’s chic Mexican delis in Houston are the perfect spots for you. Dig into authentic Oaxaca and Mexican delicacies over a full course brunch at Hugo’s, Xochi and Caracol, who specialize in serving flavorsome roasted gulf oysters, innovative tacos and chilaquiles.
Customers agree that Hugo Ortega’s red chilli pork posole is the ultimate kickstart to your new year. Top it off with lively dancing to DJs while sipping on hand-shaken margaritas and sangria.
Source1. Always check for early reservations at the event venue of your choice as they tend to fill up quickly before new year in Houston. 2. Wearing masks and maintaining social distance are mandatory for all tourists and citizens in public places. 3. Cash is accepted at a vast majority of restaurants, pubs and bars in Houston.
If you are a party animal, Houston will spoil you for choice during the new year. Which parties and events for the new year in Houston are you looking forward to? Share your experience, suggestions and queries in the comments below.
