Family-friendly New Year’s Eve Celebrations in San Antonio

It’s finally here—2017. The year we thought would never come!

Be sure to check out some of the new-to-us events we’ve rounded up this year. There’s quite a variety, from indoor to outdoor, family-friendly to kids-only, and even some opportunities to get creative. Of course, San Antonio’s most well-known New Year’s Eve festivity takes place downtown at Hemisfair and is broadcast live by one of our local TV stations. It’s also the only free event of the local happenings we’ve gathered below. 

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Celebrate San Antonio, 6:00 P.M.–12:30 A.M. at Hemisfair—Experience the biggest free New Year’s Eve celebration and fireworks extravaganza in Texas with live music on three stages, carnival attractions, and delicious festival food. Full entertainment schedule on the San Antonio Parks Foundation website. Free.

Kids Countdown, 9:00 A.M.–12:00 P.M. at The DoSeum—Kids countdown is a chance for children to ring in the new year and watch the ball drop at the much more reasonable hour of noon. Dance to the tunes of a family-friendly DJ and enjoy crafting New Year’s Poppers. Toast in 2017 with complimentary sparkling cider and other festive touches. Goodie bags and other supplies will be available while supplies last. Tickets are $12 each and include museum admission. Register in advance online.

New Year’s Eve Activities & Events, 10:00 A.M.–12:00 A.M. at Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort and Spa—The whole family is welcome in the ballroom for games, arts and crafts, bounce house fun, family-friendly movies, and more. Enjoy a full dinner buffet, music, and dancing, and ring in 2017 at midnight. Antler’s Lodge NYE Dinner offers a delectable four-course meal and has seatings available at 4:30 P.M., 7:00 P.M. and 9:00 P.M. for $125 per adult or $65 per child age 6-12 year old (children five and under free). Charlie’s Long Bar will host a NYE celebration with drinks, music, and dancing; children are welcome until 10:00 P.M.

Celebrate 2017 On the Lanes on New Year’s Eve & New Year’s Day, 10:30 A.M.–6:00 P.M. at Bowlmor Lanes locations—Daytime family party package includes two hours of unlimited bowling with shoes included, kid-friendly buffet, sparkling cider and champagne toasts (for guests 21 and over). Book your party time for 10:30 A.M., 1:00 P.M., 3:30 P.M., or 6:00 P.M. Participating locations:

Noon Year’s Eve Event, 10:45 A.M.–12:45 P.M. at Pump It Up—Celebrate the new year at noon and bring the family before the balloons drop. Kids can jump, slide and climb the new year away! Activities include glow lights in Arena B, New Year’s themed craft, pizza, beverage, and desert. Admission is $20 plus tax per child on day of event. Make your pre-paid online registrations by December 30 to save $2. One adult gets in free with each paid child; admission for each additional adult is $3.

New Year’s Eve Celebration, 12:00–8:00 P.M. at Six Flags Fiesta Texas—The joy of Holiday in the Park doesn’t end after Christmas, you can still catch “My Christmas Card to You” in Rockville High or the contemporary carolers the Tinseltones. At 8 P.M the entire sky will be illuminated with colorful bursts choreographed to musical favorites and capped by a memorable finale featuring an exciting new version of “Auld Lang Syne.” Buy your tickets online at least one day in advance and save $20. General admission tickets are $53.99 each (with discount); free admission for children two and under. 

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Black Light Party: Neon Dragonfly, 2:00–4:00 P.M. at Painting with a Twist—Wear your favorite neon attire. Limited seating available. Kids and adults welcome to paint. Recommend minimum age of 10 years to be able to complete the painting on their own. Class will begin promptly at the scheduled time. Register online, $35 per seat.

2017 Family New Year’s Eve Event, 5:00–8:00 P.M. at Dave & Buster’s (Crossroads & Rivercenter locations)—Choose from two different family packages available. Guests will have access to the event space, as well as our Million Dollar Midway, packed to the rafters with games and simulators. Package options include unlimited video game play and all-you-can-play fun on non-redemption games from 5 P.M. until the Kid Curfew at 10 P.M. Family Package tickets are $32.75 and $41.86 each.

Holiday Magic Festival of Lights New Year’s Eve Party, 5:30 P.M.–2:00 A.M. at Retama Park Race Track—Not only will you get to party amongst the beautiful lanterns, you will also be treated to a night full of live music, food, drinks and extraordinary midnight fireworks! Tickets are $26 for adults, $21 for children 4–17 years old.

Let It Glow: New Year’s Eve Children’s Event, 6:30 P.M.–12:30 A.M. at J.W. Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort and Spa—For ages 4-12. Six hours of nonstop fun: pizza party, dance party, inflatables, and a movie. Cider toast at midnight. Note: Only guests staying at the resort may make reservations. Reservations are $85 per person. 

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Studio 17 Teen Scene, 8:00 P.M.–12:30 A.M. at J.W. Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort and Spa—For ages 13–17. Evening includes: casino games, the sounds of DJ REC, games, and cider toast at midnight. Note: Only guests staying at the resort may make reservations. Reservations are $45 per person.

Heather
Heather was born and raised in San Antonio and became a mom in 2013 and again in 2018. She never imagined she'd be raising two sons but is grateful for the opportunity! Heather enjoys the outdoors and even mowing her own lawn. She and her husband Santiago look forward to raising two feminist boys who will hopefully be better at Spanish than she is. Her professional experience since graduating from Tufts University with a degree in Art History includes working for a variety of arts and cultural nonprofit organizations, from grassroots to governmental. She spent a few years as a stay at home parent and is easing her way back into the workforce. Her dream job would be to work for Sesame Workshop, or President of the United States. In the meantime, Heather enjoys filling her family's weekends with the diversity San Antonio has to offer. Favorite Restaurant: La Tuna Favorite Landmark: Hemisfair Favorite San Antonio Tradition: Breakfast tacos