New Year’s Eve celebration at Austin’s Park ‘N Pizza
Have you made plans for New Year’s Eve yet? If you have little ones, but would still like to ring in the new year, check out our list of family-friendly options going on around town. Many events, such as “Noon Year’s Eve” options, happen early in the day, so you can get your littles to sleep at their regular bedtime!
Events are listed in chronological order. Check for the cost at the end of each listing, as they aren’t all free:
Noon Year’s Eve at Pinballz Arcade
December 31 from 10:30 a.m. – noon | Pinballz Arcade, 8940 Research Blvd., Suite 100, Austin
Attention Parents and kids age 10 and under. Don’t miss out on the fun of celebrating the New Year just because its past your bedtime. Join Pinballz Arcade for a special “Noon Years Eve” event for fun, games and more! There will be crafting tables set up for children to make and decorate their own projects to take home. Pinballz will provide supplies*, light snacks*, along with $5 in Pinballz Arcade tokens. The event will cap off with a noon time balloon drop in the arcade lobby complete with secret surprises in each balloon. Everyone is invited to stay and play as long as they like. Sign up today at the cafe, space is limited. This has been a sold out event for the last two years! For more information contact us at (512) 420-TILT. *while supplies last, drinks available to purchase at Mikki’s Replay Cafe. Cost: $10 per child.
Noon Year’s Eve Jump (Round Rock)
December 31 from 10:45 a.m. – 12:45 p.m. | Pump It Up of Round Rock, 3918 Gattis Sch Rd Ste 100, Round Rock
Come bounce and play and then ring in the New Year at Noon! They will have a count down at 12 p.m. and celebrate the coming year with glow lights, noise makers, hats and tons of fun. A signed safety waiver and socks are required to play. Cost: $13 per child.
Noon Year’s Eve at Austin’s Park (Pflugerville)
December 31 from 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. | Austin’s Park, 16231 IH-35, Pflugerville
NOON Year’s Eve is Austin’s Park N Pizza’s annual family celebration with Unlimited Buffet and Fun. Two Balloon Drops with fantastic prizes at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m., plus contests, door prizes and, as always: Unlimited Buffet & Fountain Drinks, Unlimited Speedway Go-Karts, Slick Track Go-Karts, Laser Tag, Bumper Boats, Fiesta Express Coaster, Samba Balloons, Fire Chief, 18 Holes of Mini-Golf and One Game of Bowling. Attractions may require a paid driver or adult supervision to participate. Please see website for height requirements. Buffet and drinks close at 7 p.m. Unlimited Attractions are good until close of business. Please see park’s operating hours and policies on the website. Bowling may require a wait list. Bowling shoe rental is required and guest must wear socks. Tickets must be purchased online and redeemed at the park’s sales desk. Cost: $19.95 + tax.
Noon Year’s Eve Party (Round Rock)
December 31 from 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. | Round Rock Public Library, 216 E Main Street, Round Rock
The Round Rock Public Library will host a FREE party for children ages 3 and above in Meeting Room C with crafts, dancing, and a fun countdown to noon. For more information, please contact Amy German at (512) 218-7034. Cost: FREE!
Noon Year’s Eve Jump
December 31 from 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. | Pump It Up of Austin, 9330 United Dr Ste 180, Austin
Bounce and play, then ring in the New Year at Noon! They will have a count down at 12 p.m. and celebrate the coming year with glow lights, noise makers, hats and tons of fun. A signed safety waiver and socks are required to play. Cost: $13 per child; 1st adult is FREE; additional adults are $3 each.
Noon Years Eve Party
December 31 at 11:30 a.m. | Lake Travis Community Library, 1938 Lohmans Crossing, Austin
Can’t stay awake for the midnight fireworks? Get started early and celebrate the new year at noon! Children’s musician Joe McDermott will perform and kids can make crafts and snack on goodies as they count down to the 12 o’clock hour. Cost: FREE!
Austin’s New Year
December 31 from 4-10 p.m. | Auditorium Shores, South 1st Street and Riverside Drive
Austin residents may want to stay in town for New Year’s Eve this year. The Austin’s New Year line-up includes Grupo Fantasma, Golden Dawn Arkestra, and Carolyn Wonderland. Austin’s New Year (ANY) is an annual alcohol-free celebration that showcases a variety of art, food trucks, and live music on three stages. Other confirmed performers include The Statesboro Revue, Big Cat, Vallejo, KP and the Boom Boom, Shawn Nelson, and Kalu James. The event begins at 4 p.m., with a fireworks finale at 10 p.m. Cost: FREE!
Main Event New Year’s
December 31 from 4-8 p.m. or 8 p.m. – 1 a.m. | Main Event, 13301 US-183, Austin
Celebrate New Year’s Eve early from 4-8 p.m., or late from 8 p.m. – 1 a.m. Receive a 2-hour video game card, unlimited bowling, billiards, laser tag and more, and free party favors! Make 2016 great and ring in the new year with FUN at Main Event Entertainment! Cost: $19.99-$29.99.
Family New Years Eve Celebration at Mel’s (Georgetown)
December 31 from 5:30-8 p.m. | Mel’s Lonestar Lanes, 1010 N Austin Ave, Georgetown
Unlimited bowling and shoe rental, Mel’s souvenir champagne glass, full dinner buffet, and party favors. Make reservations here. Cost:$110 per lane (valid for up to 6 bowlers per lane).
Austin Saengerrunde New Year’s Dance
December 31 at 8 p.m. | Saengerrunde Hall, 1607 San Jacinto Blvd, Austin
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. Breakfast snacks at 11 p.m. Tickets available online. Cost: $20; kids 12 and under are FREE.
New Year’s Eve Ball at Pinballz
December 31 at 9 p.m. | Pinballz Arcade, 8940 Research Blvd., Suite 100, Austin
Bring in 2016 in the whirr and lights of your favorite arcade. Complimentary champagne toast at midnight. Cost: FREE!
More New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day Events:
Mozart’s Annual Light Show
Through January 3 | Mozart’s Coffee Roasters, 3825 Lake Austin Blvd., Austin
Starting 6 p.m. each evening, and replaying at the top of every hour until closing (last show at 11 p.m.), enjoy dazzling lights set to music! The 12-minute lights show will happen every night, excluding Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Don’t miss out on all the holiday fun! Cost: FREE!
Ice Skating on the Plaza
Through January 9 from 10 a.m. – 9 p.m. | Whole Foods, Plaza Rooftop, 525 N. Lamar Blvd., Austin
The rink will occasionally be closed for private parties. Guests are welcome to skate before and after the private rentals, but will be asked to clear the plaza for these special events. Dates and times of closures are listed below and are updated weekly. Please note, the rink is always open to the public Friday evenings and all day/evening on Saturdays and Sundays. Be sure to check the store calendar or call Guest Services during the week to confirm public skating hours. Cost: $10 per person.
Zilker Holiday Tree
Through December 31 from 6 p.m. – midnight | Zilker Park, 2100 Barton Springs Rd, Austin
Take a spin under the tree and buy some treats from one of the onsite vendors.Tree on display nightly. Cost: FREE!
Black Eyed Pea Run
January 1 at 8:30 a.m. | Rogue Running, 410 Pressler St, Austin
Kick off the new year the right way with this updated edition of the annual Black Eyed Pea Run! New, iconic Austin course including route options from 4 miles to 20 miles (and every even-numbered distance in between). They will have maps with turn by turn directions and supported water stops on course with the traditional black eyed peas and mimosas as your reward at the finish. For Rogues, this will serve as your official long run day for this week, but the event will be FREE and open to anyone and everyone who wants to join the fun! How far will you go on day 1 of 2016?!? Cost: FREE!
Barton Springs Polar Bear Splash
January 1 at 10 a.m. | Barton Springs Pool, 2201 Barton Springs Rd, Austin
Jump into Barton Springs Pool on New Year’s Day! Save Our Springs will be set up by 9 a.m. with commemorative shirts, coffee, and donuts! Cost: FREE!
Pfreeze Pflop (Pflugerville)
January 1 at 10 a.m. | Scott Mentzer Pool, 901 Old Austin Hutto Rd, Pflugerville
Are you brave enough to slide into the pfrigid water at Scott Mentzer Pool to kick off your new year? The event lasts until the last brave soul goes down the slide! No, the pool isn’t heated. Cost: FREE with the donation of a canned food item to benefit local food banks.
Polar Bear Splash (Kyle)
January 1 at 1 p.m. | Kyle Pool, Gregg-Clarke Park, 1100 W Center St, Kyle
Take part in the Kyle tradition and make a “Splash” on January 1st at the Kyle Pool. Light snacks and drinks available. Cost: FREE! (Join Polar Bear Club for $15 if you would like a t-shirt.)
