If you’re looking to enjoy family time on the last day of 2014, we have rounded up some fun, kid-friendly activities happening around town. Ring in the new year with your littles, starting as early as 9:00 a.m. on December 31. Noon Year’s Eve, anyone?
New Year’s Eve at Main Event – Wednesday, December 31, 2014. Enjoy all you can play bowling, laser tag, glow golf, rock climbing, billiards, and shuffleboard. Choose from two all you can play packages: Family Fun Celebration from 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. for $17.95; Ultimate Celebration from 4 p.m. – close for $21.95. An additional one time fee of $3.50 for adult bowling shoes and $2.50 for children applies to each session. No reservation required. Main Event, 13301 N US Hwy 183, Austin.
Noon Year’s Eve Jump (RSVP) – Wednesday, December 31, 2014 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Come bounce and play, then ring in the New Year at Noon. Celebrate the coming year with glow lights, noise makers, hats, and tons of fun. Cost: $8 per child. A signed safety waiver and socks are required to play. Reserve your space online or call (512) 832-1110. Pump It Up of Austin, 9330 United Dr, Ste 180, Austin.
Noon Year’s Eve Jump (Round Rock) (RSVP) – Wednesday, December 31, 2014 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Come bounce and play, then ring in the New Year at Noon. Celebrate the coming year with glow lights, noise makers, hats, and tons of fun. Cost: $8 per child. A signed safety waiver and socks are required to play. Reserve your space online or call (512) 252-7019. Pump It Up of Round Rock, 3918 Gattis School Rd, Ste 100, Round Rock.
Noon Year’s Eve at Pinballz Arcade (RSVP) – Wednesday, December 31, 2014 from 10:30 a.m. to Noon. Attention parents and kids ages 10 and under. Don’t miss out on the fun of celebrating the New Year just because it’s past your bedtime. Join Pinballz for a special “Noon Year’s Eve” event for fun, games, and more. There will be a crafting table set up for children to make and decorate their own projects to take home. Pinballz will provide supplies, snacks (while supplies last), and $5 in Pinballz Arcade tokens. The event will cap off with a balloon drop in the arcade lobby at Noon complete with secret surprises in each balloon. Limited spaces available. Call (512) 420-TILT to register. Cost: $10 per person. 8940 Research Blvd, Ste. 100, Austin.
New Year’s Eve Party at Austin’s Park N Pizza (Pflugerville) – Wednesday, December 31, 2014 from 11:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. Celebrate New Year’s Eve early with the kids. Bring the family out for free party favors, face painting, and balloon drops with great prizes at 2:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. All day unlimited buffet and fountain drinks (until 7:00 p.m.); unlimited attractions (excludes batting cages and arcade). Cost: $14.95 for guests 36″ to under 40″; $17.95 for guests 40” to 44”; $24.95 for guests taller than 44″. Price does not include tax. Height limits and park safety guidelines will apply. Party favors available while supplies last. 16231 IH-35, Pflugerville.
Noon Year’s Eve Party at Round Rock Library (Round Rock) – Wednesday, December 31, 2014 from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Celebrate 2015 without missing your bedtime. The Round Rock Public Library will host a New Year’s party with crafts, dancing, and a countdown to noon. Ages 3 and up are welcome to join the fun. FREE! Round Rock Public Library, 216 E Main Street, Round Rock.
Noon Year’s Eve Party at Lake Travis Community Library – Wednesday, December 31, 2014 at 11:45 a.m. Can’t stay awake for the midnight fireworks? Celebrate the new year at noon. Make crafts, snack on goodies, and countdown to the 12 o’clock hour. FREE! Lake Travis Community Library, 1938 Lohmans Crossing, Austin.
Austin’s New Year (ANY) – Wednesday, December 31, 2014 from 5-10:30 p.m. Ring in the New Year at the City of Austin’s FREE, family-friendly, community celebration. Adults and kids are encouraged to Play, Make, and Glow with interactive art projects, outdoor film screenings, and plenty of music–including Brownout, Mother Falcon, Peelander-Z, and Riders Against the Storm. It all wraps up with a fireworks finale at 10:00 p.m. See the schedule. Download the event map. View the Facebook event page. Butler Park, 1000 Barton Springs Rd, Austin. **Update: Postponed due to expected inclement weather.**
Family New Year’s Eve Celebration at Mel’s (Georgetown) (RSVP) – Wednesday, December 31, 2014 from 5:30-8:00 p.m. Unlimited bowling and shoe rental, Mel’s souvenir champagne glass, full dinner buffet, karaoke party, and party favors. Cost: $110 per lane (valid for up to 6 bowlers per lane). Make reservations here. Mel’s Lonestar Lanes, 1010 N Austin Ave, Georgetown.
Austin Saengerrunde New Year’s Dance – Wednesday, December 31, 2014 from 7:00 p.m. to Midnight. Ticket includes champagne, German beer, wine, and breakfast tacos at Midnight. Put on your dancing shoes, Cloverleaf will fill the air with music that will make you waltz into 2015. Cost: $25 adult; 12 and under are FREE! Saengerrunde Hall, 1607 San Jacinto Blvd, Austin.
More events happening on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day:
Zilker Holiday Tree – Nightly through December 31, 2014 from 6:00 p.m. to midnight. Take a spin under the tree and buy some treats from one of the onsite vendors. FREE! Zilker Park, 2100 Barton Springs Rd, Austin.
Trail of Lights (Wimberley) – Nightly through December 31, 2014. Sunday – Thursday, from 6-9:00 p.m.; Friday – Saturday, from 6-10:00 p.m. Stroll along a walking trail through eight acres of lighted displays decorated by more than 100 local businesses, community groups, and families. FREE but donations are appreciated. EmilyAnn Theater & Garden, 1101 FM 2324, Wimberley.
Alamo Kids Camp – Wednesday, December 31, 2014. Kids age 3 and up can see movies at four area Alamo Drafthouse Cinemas. Choose from Muppet Christmas Carol (Slaughter Lane), Harry Potter & The Sorcerer’s Stone (Village), Ernest Saves Christmas (South Lamar), and Arthur Christmas (Lakeline). Cost: $1 per person, which will be donated 100% to one of four local nonprofits that provides basic needs like safe shelter and a warm meal. See the schedule here.
The 20th Annual Black Eyed Pea Run – Thursday, January 1, 2015 at 9:00 a.m. Kick off 2015 with this annual favorite among the Austin running community. Now in its 20th year, this ritual has taken on many incarnations but the important things remain the same: 13.1 miles, post-run black eyed peas, coffee, mimosas, and a morning shared with runners from all corners of our city. FREE and open to all who are awake! Rogue Running, 410 Pressler St, Austin.
New Year’s Day Polar Bear Swim – Thursday, January 1, 2015 at 9:00 a.m. Save Our Springs (SOS) Alliance hosts this annual event at Barton Springs Pool. Hot coffee and donuts will be served and 2015 commemorative Polar Bear Splash t-shirts will be available for purchase. Don’t forget your warm clothes for when you get out. FREE! Barton Springs Pool, Zilker Park, Austin.
Pfreeze Pflop (Pflugerville) – Thursday, January 1, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. Admission is FREE with donation of a canned food item to benefit local food banks. Scott Mentzer Pool, 901 Old Austin Hutto Rd, Pflugerville.
Polar Bear Plunge in Anderson Mill – Thursday, January 1, 2015 from Noon to 1:30 p.m. Bring the family to El Salido Pool for a FREE freezing good time. (El Salido Pool is heated to 82 degrees.) El Salido Pool, 11500 El Salido Pkwy, Austin.
Polar Bear Splash (Kyle) – Thursday, January 1, 2015 from 1-2:30 p.m. Light snacks and drinks available for purchase. FREE! Participants can join the Polar Bear Club for $15, which includes a Polar Bear Shirt, your name on Polar Bear Club Plaque for a year, and a door prize ticket. Kyle Pool, Gregg-Clarke Park, 1100 W Center St, Kyle.
Blazer Tag New Year’s Lock-In – Friday, January 2, 2015 at 11:00 p.m. to Saturday, January 3rd at 7:00 a.m. Includes unlimited laser tag, trivia questions, raffle prizes, and other fun activities. Cost: $21.95. Blazer Tag, 1701 W Ben White Blvd, Austin.
Mozart’s Holiday Light Show – Nightly through January 4, 2015 from 6:00 p.m. to Midnight. Mozart’s Coffee Roasters offers a FREE 15-minute light show set to music each evening. Shows start at the top of each hour beginning at 6:00 p.m. 3825 Lake Austin Blvd, Austin.
Ice Skating on the Plaza – Daily through January 11, 2015 from 11:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. Skate on the rooftop plaza of Whole Foods downtown. Cost: $10 per person, which includes skate rental. Whole Foods, 525 N Lamar, Austin.
