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    Adios 2012!

    Your cheat sheet to New Year's Eve: Big events, secret parties you cannot miss,free stuff & more

    Marcy de Luna
    Dec 30, 2012 | 4:58 pm
    • CityCentre's fireworks display
    • The Capitol at St. Germain
      The Capitol at St. Germain/Facebook
    • Hudson Lounge
    • 13 celsius
      Photo by Debora Smail at realityphotography.net
    • MKT Bar at Phoenecia
      Courtesy photo
    • Marfreless Bar
      Marfreless/Facebook
    • New Year's Eve fireworks at Discovery Green
      Photo by © Hall Puckett

    Live it up this New Year's Eve with 15 festive fetes that offer live music, party favors, midnight toasts and more. Cheers to a prosperous 2013! (If we missed your favorite bash, add it in the comments section below):

    FREE REIGN

    DISCOVERY GREEN

    New Year's Eve Houston at Discovery Green kicks off at 7 p.m. Monday. This family-friendly event will feature music by KC and the Sunshine Band, an illuminated art car parade, ice skating and a spectacular fireworks finale atop the George R. Brown Convention Center at midnight.
    The cost: Free.
    For more information: Call 713-400-7336.

    CITYCENTRE
    There's no better place to ring in the New Year than CityCentre. Beginning at 7 p.m. the excitement builds in the plaza with music and is capped off at the stoke of midnight with a fantastic fireworks show. Also enjoy an array of happenings at the many restaurants and lounges in CityCentre as well as special overnight packages at Hotel Sorella.
    The cost: Free.
    For more information: Call 713.629.5200.

    LIVE MUSIC

    STEREO LIVE
    The 5th Annual New Years Eve Ball at Stereo Live is from 9 p.m. to 4 a.m. Dance the night away to music by Aly & Fila + DJ Shogun at this 30,000 square foot venue. The confetti countdown culminates with a midnight toast.
    The cost: Start at $20.
    For more information: Get tickets here.

    HOUSE OF BLUES
    This New Year's Eve, country band Reckless Kelly will perform at House of Blues at 9:30 p.m. Doors open at 8:30 p.m.
    The cost: $20 to $55.
    For more information: Call 888.402.5837 or click here.

    ROCKEFELLER HALL
    Celebrate New Year's Eve with party band Skyrocket at Rockefeller Hall. Tickets include champagne and treats at midnight, plus party favors.
    The cost: Tickets range from $75 to $150.
    For more information: Email rockhall@sbcglobal.net or click here.

    THE ARTS

    ARS LYRICA ANNUAL GALA
    At 9 p.m., start your evening with a lovely Viennese concert followed by the Ars Lyrica Annual Gala at 10:30 p.m. Inside the Grand Lobby at The Hobby Center, enjoy bubbly, hors d'oeuvres from Artista Restaurant, Viennese waltzes and a silent auction. At midnight, join your fellow guests in singing "Auld Lang Syne."
    The cost: Concert tickets are $22 to $45. $60 additional cost for the gala.
    For more information: Call 713.315.2525.

    STARK NAKED THEATRE COMPANY
    Hosted by co-executive directors Philip Lehl and Kim Tobin, this celebration includes beer, wine, food, music and dancing, fortune tellers, a midnight balloon drop, and midnight champagne toast. The festivities start at 7 p.m.
    The cost: $20 in advance online; $25 at the door.
    For more information: Email info@starknakedtheatre.com.

    BEHUMAN GALLERY
    The BeHuman Gallery in CityCentre will play host to a grand finale to 2012. Art Nite Out will feature works from more than 20 local and international artists. While perusing the artwork, patrons will be served complimentary cocktails and light fare. Guests will also enjoy a dance performance, sounds from Song Crate and a thrilling fireworks show at CityCentre.
    The cost: Suggested donation is minimum of $35.
    For more information: Call 281.215.3609 or click here.

    BAR BASHES

    CAPITOL AT ST. GERMAIN
    Join the Capitol at St. Germain for a memorable New Year’s Eve Bash with a deluxe buffet from 7 to 10 p.m., and entertainment from the Tim Nichols Band from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. and DJ Rob Rock from 11 p.m. to 2 a.m. The price of admission includes a champagne toast at midnight.
    The cost: $69 per person.
    For more information: Click here.

    13 CELSIUS
    13 Celsius pays homage to the Roaring Twenties with a New Year's Eve fete celebrating a change for the better and the era of Hemingway, Josephine Baker and the flapper. You're encouraged to come dressed according to theme. Drink specials include deals on bottles of champagne and a complimentary champagne toast at midnight. The party starts at 9 p.m.
    The cost: Reserved seating $20 per person. Love seats are $25. Open, non-reserved seating on a first-come, first-served basis.
    For more information: Call 713.529.8466.

    SCOTT GERTNER'S
    Located at Houston Pavilions downtown, Scott Gertner's will open its doors open at 7 p.m. Groove to the sounds of the Scott Gertner Band followed by DJ La Rose. The evening includes party favors, magic shows and a champagne toast at midnight. Food will be available from a full kitchen.
    The cost: The cover $25 from 7 to 8 p.m. and $30 after 8 p.m. VIP reserved seating ranges from $125 to $150 per person.
    For more information: Call 713.520.9688 or email at info@scottgertner.com.

    HUDSON LOUNGE
    Party the night away at Hudson Lounge with two DJs, go-go dancers, a balloon drop, and a champagne toast at midnight. Glam it up like Marilyn Monroe — the theme for the night is Old Hollywood.
    The cost: $60 presale tickets open bar from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. It's $75 at the door. Tables available starting at $250.
    For more information: Call 713.523.0020.

    LUMEN LOUNGE
    Lumen Lounge brings Las Vegas to Houston this New Year's Eve with a Sin City theme. Try your luck at black jack, roulette and craps, or just dance the night away on the dance floor.
    The cost: No cover charge.
    For more information: Click here.

    MARFRELESS
    Behind the unmarked blue door at Houston's favorite hideaway bar, patrons at Marfreless will celebrate the new year with party favors, party beats, a champagne toast at midnight and bottles of Korbel Champagne on special for $25.
    The cost: No cover charge.
    For more information: Call 713.528.0083.

    MKT BAR
    MKT Bar at Phoenicia Specialty Foods downtown is hosting a New Year's Eve Black & White Ball from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. with gourmet international bites and a champagne toast at midnight. Black and white foreign films will be rolling while DJ Melodic spins soul, jazz and groove to set the mood.
    The cost: $25 per person.
    For more information: Click here.

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    Beyoncé-loved Houston brunch spot expands and more popular stories

    CultureMap Staff
    Dec 13, 2025 | 11:00 am
    Taste Kitchen + Bar chicken and waffles
    Courtesy of Taste Kitchen + Bar
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    Editor's note: It's time to look back at the top Houston news of the week, beginning with new locations of hot brunch and burger spots. Plus, a Houston enclave is named the richest small town in Texas. Catch up on our most popular stories below, then plan your weekend via this guide.

    1. Beyoncé-loved Houston brunch spot sweetens Sugar Land with new location. One of Houston’s most successful brunch spots has come to Sugar Land. Taste Bar + Kitchen opened its second location on December 10, in the former Veritas Steak & Seafood space.

    2. Third location of Bun B's smash hit smash burger joint sets opening date. One of Houston’s most celebrated burger joints has arrived in Fort Bend County. Trill Burgers opened its new Missouri City location this week.

    3. Eclectic comfort food restaurant to shutter after 21 years in Houston. A staple of the Galleria-area dining scene will soon serve its last meal. Grand Lux Cafe will close January 24, 2026.

    Grand Lux Cafe beignets Grand Lux Cafe is known for its baked-to-order desserts. Grand Lux Cafe/Facebook

    4. Airbnb pledges over $1 million to improve Houston before World Cup. Roughly 30,000 people are expected to stay in Airbnb properties during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. With that in mind, the company has pledged over $1 million to various improvement projects in Houston.

    5. This affluent Houston enclave is the richest small town in Texas. Affluent Houston neighbor Bellaire is cashing in as the richest small town in Texas for 2025, according to new study.

    hot-headlinesopeningsbrunchbun bclosingsworld cuprichest citiesbellairemost popular stories
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