2026 is right around the corner.
With the prospect of making resolutions and letting go of the old year comes another daunting task: having plans to celebrate New Year’s Eve. Luckily, San Antonio will be full of parties ringing in the new year with music, food and fireworks.
Due to current drought conditions in Bexar County, officials are prohibiting the sale and use of “skyrockets with sticks” or “missiles with fins”-style fireworks during New Year’s Eve celebrations. All other legally sold consumer fireworks can still be used outside city limits.
Partygoers should also refrain from drinking and driving, local officials reminded this week. During the holiday season last year, 96 people died and more than 200 were injured in DWI-related crashes, according to the Texas Department of Transportation. DWIs can cost someone more than $17,000 in fines and court costs.
As you make your (responsible) holiday plans, here’s a roundup of happenings around the city for New Year’s Eve, which falls on a Wednesday this year.
Celebrate SA: New Year’s Eve Party and Countdown
Dubbed San Antonio’s “official” New Year’s Eve party, Celebrate SA is hosted by the San Antonio Parks Foundation and the City of San Antonio. The party takes up a large part of downtown, including Hemisfair and Civic Park stretching into Yanaguana Garden and La Villita. Entry is free.
This festival has several music stages, food vendors and drinks for guests 21 and over. On this year’s main stage, DJ Celebr8 will kick off the party with “nonstop dance vibes” from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Then artist Melange will take over with music and costume changes.
La Villita will host a glow party with beats from DJ Men-Yo from 6 p.m. to midnight.
Celebrate SA is a rain or shine event, and pets are not permitted unless they’re service animals. The night concludes with a 14-minute fireworks show over the San Antonio skyline at midnight.
Celebrate SA: Kids Countdown
Families can start the New Year’s celebration early at Kids Countdown, another Celebrate SA event in Yanaguana Garden starting at 6 p.m. Designed for younger visitors, the evening includes crafts, music, games, and hands-on activities, culminating in a festive countdown to the New Year at 8:00 p.m.
In addition to activities in Yanaguana Garden, there will be a skating rink and a New Year’s Eve carnival with rides and games in the S. Alamo parking lot behind Magic Theatre. This event is free.
Celebrate in Civic: New Year’s Eve at Hemisfair
How about a dance party to welcome 2026? This event is presented in partnership between Celebrate SA and Disco Al Fresco, a music pop-up Hemisfair usually hosts during the summer.
The dance party kicks off at 8 p.m. with music from DJ Helios and a dance lesson. DJ Helios is known for “blending sounds rooted in her Mexican heritage with influences from hip hop, cumbia, reggaeton, house and funky edits.”
RSVP is free but required for entry. A $25 donation is suggested to support Hemisfair’s free community programming.
DoSeum: Kids Countdown
During the day on Dec. 31, DoSeum guests can explore the children’s museum off Broadway in Alamo Heights. The event starts at 10 a.m. and pre-sale tickets cost $25 while tickets at the door cost $30. This kid-friendly celebration features small bites and a ballon droop at noon.
Six Flags: Rockin’ New Year’s Celebration
Looking for a large fireworks show to end 2025? Six Flags has a 360-degree “Fireworks Spectacular” starting at 9 p.m. The cost of viewing fireworks ranges from $9.99 to $69.99 on top of a regular park pass or admission ticket.
Sea World: New Year’s Eve Firework Celebration
How about celebrating the new year with sea life? Sea World culminates its New Year’s Eve with a “breathtaking” fireworks display included in the cost of regular admission. Park goers can pay extra for premium viewing or a VIP cocktail hour.
San Antonio Zoo: New Year’s Eve at the Ralston
In this inaugural event, the San Antonio Zoo is inviting park goers to The Ralston, an event venue inside the zoo for an “all-inclusive evening of elegance, indulgence and extraordinary views.” This is a formal event where guests will be high above the city, allowing them views on the city’s skyline as it lights up to celebrate the new year.
The event starts at 8 p.m. and concludes at 12:30 a.m., and tickets cost $300.
Legoland: Noon Year’s Eve
Need an earlier event for the little ones or the young at heart? Legoland is hosting a LEGO ball drop at noon to ring in the new year. The event is from 11:45 p.m. to 12:15 p.m. and is included in the price of regular admission.
Hard Rock Cafe: Countdown on Crockett and Bar Crawl
How about New Year’s Eve on the River Walk? Hard Rock Cafe is hosting a block party on Crockett Street from 7 p.m. to 2 a.m. Tickets start at around $100 and include a buffet, access to the party, party favors and a champagne toast.
Chromatiqa: A Queer New Year’s Eve Affair
Looking for an LGBTQ+ event to ring in 2026? The Rah! Rah! Room off San Pedro Avenue is hosting a “glitter-drenched, space-disco-fueled” dance party from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. on New Year’s Eve. The event includes a drag and burlesque show, DJs all night, immersive art installations, a pop-up market, drink and food specials and a disco ball countdown to 2026.
General admission is $25 online and $35 at the door and a limited number of “pay what you can” tickets are available for LGBTQ+ community members who want to attend but may not be able to pay for general admission.
Intern Giselle Campos contributed to this roundup. Did we miss a smashing New Year’s Eve party? Please let us know at hello@sareport.org.
