It's still not too late to plan your New Year's Eve celebration. From a 50,000-balloon drop to a fireworks spectacular, below are 12 top soirees to ring in the New Year, including festive fetes at three bustling nightlife hot spots, four happening hotel gatherings and five mammoth parties.
Events
Houston First Presents New Year's Eve
Ring in the New Year at the city’s free and family-friendly celebration at venues throughout the Theater District. Highlights include performances by new wave fave, The B-52's (10:35 pm) and indie rock band, The Tontons (9:15 pm), a kids zone at Jones Plaza with balloon artists and dancers, and more. Countdown to 2016 while a fireworks show lights up the downtown sky.
H-Town Countdown
Have a guaranteed good time at this all-inclusive party at Silver Street Studios (9 pm - 2 am). The entertainment lineup boasts flying aerialists, and beats by DJ Tony Styles and DJ Bizonee. What’s more, your ticket, $135 to $215 per person with a special $3,000 VIP package for parties of 10 or more, also includes open bar, breakfast buffet, midnight champagne toast, confetti and a balloon drop.
Sugar Land Town Square
The celebration at Sugar Land Town Square is two-fold, featuring a family-friendly theme (7-9 pm) with a kids’ DJ and fireworks at 9 pm, switching gears to an adult soiree (10 pm-1 am) with a cash bar, DJ and state-of-the-art 3-D fireworks show at midnight. Admission is free.
CityCentre
A DJ will kick the celebratory evening, gratis to the public, at CityCentre Plaza, with rockin' tunes and a pyrotechnics extravaganza set to light up the sky at midnight. In the interim, wine and dine at the development’s lengthy roster of restaurants and bars including Radio Milano and The Capital Grille. Reservations recommended.
Fire and Ice: NYE Concert & Gala
Start off the evening with dinner in the Sarofim Hall Grand Lobby (8 pm) at Hobby Center before the evening turns cool as Vivaldi’s "Winter" (9 pm) sets the stage for Handel’s "Apollo e Dafne," and then red-hot as the Ars Lyrica musical ensemble performs a special concert, dubbed "Fire and Ice" (9:30 pm), and the organization's annual gala extends the festivities until midnight. Tickets range from $22-$59.
Hotel Parties
Hyatt Regency
Houston's largest New Year's Eve celebration, spanning four floors and featuring two live bands, a D.J., party favors, and a 50,000-balloon cascade at midnight, takes place at downtown’s Hyatt Regency Houston (7 pm-1 am). Break out your dancing shoes for music via country-crooner Roger Creager, The Fab 5 and a DJ. Tickets to the 38th annual bash start at $99 per person with an overnight hotel option starting at $299.
Holiday Inn Houston West
Make it an all-nighter at the Holiday Inn Houston West in the Energy Corridor thanks to a special room rate of $20.15. The hotel will host a blowout New Year’s Eve bash ($90 per person; $165 per couple) complete with a concert performance by ECHO orchestra (8 pm), and masquerade party with a DJ, dancing, appetizers, cash bar and complimentary champagne toast.
JW Marriott Houston Downtown
Break out your finest evening attire and head to the JW Marriott Houston Downtown for your ticket to NYE paradise (8 pm-2 am). Three rooms of non-stop party bliss ($30-$60 per person with a VIP price for six guests at $450) will feature a red carpet entrance, casino games and multiple DJs. Toast to the New Year with a complimentary glass of champagne at midnight.
Hotel ZaZa
Live it up at the racy and fun Hotel ZaZa. The posh Museum District hotel, with daring decor and a see-and-be-seen crowd, presents an evening of cocktails, hors d'oeuvres, dancing and midnight revelry ($75 per person). Room and party packages are available starting at $495.
BAR BASHES
Local Pour
A James Bond theme, along with music by DJ Looney and Top 40 dance band, Swagger, make the sexy soiree (9 pm - 2 am) at popular River Oaks-area bar Local Pour a no-brainer. Hurry and book your spot now. Tables are already sold out, with only a limited number of general admissions tickets (starting at $30 per person) left.
The Nightingale Room
Don your red-hued party duds and paint the town red at downtown’s The Nightingale Room. Let your hair down while you groove to the sounds of a DJ and sip stellar drinks. Pause for reflection during a midnight balloon drop and champagne toast, then go back to the dance party. Adding a little red-hot mystery, all guests will receive a complimentary masquerade mask. Reserve a table for a $300 fee, or walk-in.
Boheme
Aside from a fusion bellydancer, the Montrose neighborhood cafe and bar also promises a DJ and discounted wine by the bottle. Set the mood by snagging a table under the stars in the 6,000-sq.-ft. garden. Call ahead for reservations.
Did we miss your favorite New Year's Eve celebration? If so, let us know in the Comments sections below.
The B-52's will be the featured attraction at Houston First's free celebration in the Theatre District.
