Things to Do

5 Best New Year’s Eve Celebrations in San Antonio

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Tony Maples Photography

 

Ring in 2017 with a bang at one of the five best New Year’s celebrations in San Antonio. It is ranked the 7th best city to celebrate New Year’s Eve, above Miami, Los Angeles, Austin, and New York. This city knows how to party, so if you are here on December 31, 2016, your celebration options are endless. Both adults and children can celebrate the New Year in a big way.

1. Celebrate San Antonio

celebrate-san-antonio

Photo: Facebook/San Antonio Parks Foundation Event

First on our list is Celebrate San Antonio, which is a free event on Alamo Street in downtown. The event starts at 5 p.m. and running to midnight, with carnival games, live music, and fireworks. Some anticipated performers are rapper Frankie J, the former Kumbia Kings freestyle artist, vaquero punk band Pinata Protest, and Grammy and Latin Grammy winner Sauceda. Since this venue is open to the public, crowds are expected to reach 150,000 to 200,000.

2. Dave N Busters

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Photo: Facebook/Dave N. Busters

Second on our list is Dave N Buster’s at the River Center. The celebration is from 5 p.m. – 8 p.m. and two different packages are available for purchase. Both packages include an appetizer buffet, dessert, video games, and a balloon drop.

3. SeaWorld

seaworld

Photo: Facebook/SeaWorld

Next on this list is SeaWorld San Antonio. Operating hours on New Year’s Eve are 1 – 10 p.m. Enjoy Christmas shows, holiday light displays, and yummy amusement park food. The Twilight party and fireworks at 9 p.m. and are included in park admission.

4. Doseum

doseum

Photo: Facebook/The DoSeum

The DoSeum is open 9 a.m. – noon. Enjoy goodie bags while they last, a family-friendly DJ, and make New Year’s popper crafts. Sparkling cider and a ball drop happen at the kid-friendly hour of noon.

5. JW Marriot San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa

San Antonio

Photo: Facebook/JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa

Lastly, JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort and Spa is fun for kids and parents alike. For kids aged 4-12, there’s the Let it Glow fun from 6:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. If you have a teen (13-17), there’s a party from 8 p.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Studio 17. Live music is available to listen to at the Crooked Branch from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. At the JW Dance Hall, live entertainment by Ben McPeak, dancing, bars, and a DJ will entertain you from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m.

So, whether you are flying solo or dragging your whole brood around town to ring in the New Year, you have lots of opportunities to party at one of the five best New Year’s celebrations in San Antonio.