The City of Austin and Visit Austin will host the annual Austin’s New Year celebration on Wednesday, December 31, 2025, at Auditorium Shores, located at 800 W. Riverside Drive. The free, public event runs from 7 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. and will feature live music, food vendors, and a midnight fireworks show. Additional event details are available at austintexas.gov/ANY.

This year’s entertainment lineup includes headliners The Head and the Heart, along with performances by Chaparelle, Tameca Jones, and The Point. CNN anchors Sara Sidner and Cari Champion will broadcast live from the venue as part of the network’s national New Year’s Eve coverage.

Event Schedule

• 7 p.m. – Gates open; food trucks, bars, and vendors begin service
• 7–11:45 p.m. – Live music performances
• 11:45–11:55 p.m. – Austin’s New Year Drone Show, presented by Arca Continental Coca-Cola Southwest Beverages
• 11:55 p.m.–midnight – Countdown to 2026 and fireworks display

CNN will air the Central Time Zone countdown live from Auditorium Shores beginning at 11:30 p.m.

Entry and On‑Site Information

Attendees may bring blankets and chairs. Pets are not permitted, except for trained service animals. New this year, secure entrances will be located on the east and west sides of the park. All guests and their belongings will be screened upon entry.

Food and beverage options will be available from a variety of local vendors, including Amy’s Ice Cream, Arepa World, Chi’Lantro BBQ, Garbo’s Lobster, JABS Burger & Fries, Redfin, Shawarma Point, T‑Loc’s Sonora Hot Dogs, Tacobaby, and Yapa Artisan Empanadas. Alcoholic beverages will be sold to guests 21 and older.

Attendees are encouraged to follow Leave No Trace principles, including planning ahead, disposing of waste properly, and being considerate of others. Outside alcohol, glass containers, fireworks, and sparklers are prohibited.

Transportation and Parking

Several transportation options will be available:

• Hike-and-Bike Trail: Open to pedestrians; motorized vehicles are not allowed.
• Bicycles: Riders may bike directly into the park.
• CapMetro: Free rides begin at 5 p.m. on December 31 on all services except Bikeshare. Bus service will operate on a regular schedule, and rail service will run until 2:30 a.m. on January 1.
• Shared Mobility Devices: Drop-off will be available at Riverside Drive and South First Street.

Heavy traffic is expected near downtown, South Lamar Boulevard, Barton Springs Road, and Riverside Drive. Parking will not be allowed in the Bouldin Creek neighborhood. Public parking options include One Texas Center, the Palmer Events Center Garage, RiverSouth Garage, City Hall Garage, and various state garages. ADA-accessible parking will be available at the Palmer Events Center Garage and One Texas Center.

Road and Lake Closures

West Riverside Drive between Lee Barton Drive and South First Street will be closed from 6 p.m. to 1 a.m.

South First Street between Cesar Chavez Street and Riverside Drive will be closed from 10:30 p.m. to 1 a.m.

Lady Bird Lake between the railroad trestle bridge and the South First Street bridge will be closed to all watercraft from 10:30 p.m. December 31 to 1 a.m. January 1.

Safety Guidance

Austin Police, Austin Fire, and Austin-Travis County EMS encourage attendees to remain aware of their surroundings, plan for cold weather, stay with their group, and identify a meeting location in case of separation. Visitors are advised to keep phones charged, plan a safe ride home, and use the what3words app to share precise locations if needed.

Austin Public Health recommends that attendees stay home if they feel ill and continue practicing good hygiene, including handwashing and the use of hand sanitizer.

About the Organizers

Visit Austin serves as the city’s official destination marketing organization, promoting Austin as a business and leisure destination. The Austin Center for Events (ACE) coordinates special event permitting and planning across multiple city departments and partner agencies.