Austin, TX
Free New Year’s Eve in Austin: Last-minute NYE plans that won’t break the bank
Somehow, New Year’s Eve is upon us. If you’re one of the many who has lost track of time amid the holiday haze and need something to do in Austin, Texas, for NYE, you’ve stumbled upon the right article.
It seems New Year’s Eve has become synonymous with dropping mad amounts of cash on a dazzling outfit, FOMO-proof plans and everything else one needs to ring in the new year.
But, contrary to what your group chat says, you don’t have to metaphorically light your bank account on fire to have a good time.
6 free things to do in Austin on New Year’s Eve
Below are six free things to do on Tuesday, Dec. 31, in Austin.
Keep in mind that CapMetro is offering free rides on all services starting at 5 p.m. CST on Dec. 31 to help people get safely to and from their respective celebrations. Learn more and plan your trip here.
Austin’s annual NYE Celebration at Auditorium Shores
What: Austin’s official New Year’s Eve celebration with live music, food and drinks for purchase and an epic fireworks show over Lady Bird Lake. The music headliner is Third Eye Blind, but several acts will take the stage leading up to their performance. The best part? It’s family-friendly and entirely free to attend.
Reminder: The countdown to fireworks will start at 11:55 p.m. Review allowed and prohibited items here.
Where: Auditorium Shores, 800 W. Riverside Drive, Austin, Texas.
When: From 7 p.m. to midnight Tuesday, Dec. 31.
Cigar rolling and NYE countdown with Bobalu Cigar Co.
What: Start your New Year’s Eve celebrations early by watching a master cigar roller showcase their craft live at Bobalu Cigar Co. There will be cigars to smoke and guests are welcome to BYOB. This event is for those ages 21 and older. RSVP for free on Eventbrite to save your spot!
Where: Bobalu Cigar Co., 8501 Burnet Road, Austin, Texas.
When: 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 31.
‘Wicked’-inspired NYE celebration at Half Step
What: An Emerald City-themed New Year’s Eve party on Rainey Street with no cover charge that’s sure to be “Popular.” There will be live music by The Michael Hale Trio featuring Mac Macintosh, a complimentary champagne toast, “Wicked”-inspired cocktails and decor, a balloon drop at midnight and more!
Where: Half Step, 75 1/2 Rainey St., Austin, Texas.
When: The party starts at 8 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 31.
New Year’s Eve Celebration at Pinballz Arcade
What: A New Year’s Eve celebration geared toward arcade fanatics! Pinballz Arcade is hosting a free, late-night New Year’s Eve celebration at all locations. There will be a free champagne toast at midnight and guests can pay to play all the arcade games their hearts desire.
Where: All Pinballz locations in Austin, Texas. There are three in the greater Austin area. Find the one nearest you here.
When: Starts at 9 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 31.
Y2K New Year’s Eve Party at Upstairs at Caroline
What: A 2000s-themed NYE party for those ages 21 and older at a rooftop bar in downtown Austin. There will be a DJ spinning 2000s pop bangers, a photo booth to capture the moments you may not remember and a champagne toast at midnight.
Where: Upstairs at Caroline, 109 E. Seventh St., Austin, Texas.
When: 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 31.
New Bear’s Eve at The Iron Bear
What: A cover-free NYE party at an LGBTQ+ friendly bar featuring pop-up drag performances by Miss Good and Chique Fil-Atio, music by DJ Mike, a champagne toast at midnight and more.
Where: The Iron Bear, 301 W. Sixth St., Austin, Texas.
When: 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 31.
AUSTIN (KXAN) — Texas’ highway system dropped two spots since 2025, and now ranks at No. 27 in the country for its cost-effectiveness and overall conditions, according to the Reason Foundation’s 2026 Highway Report.
The report assessed pavement conditions, fatalities, deficient bridges, infrastructure costs and congestion levels across the United States. Texas earned the following rankings:
- 33rd in urban interstate pavement conditions
- 21st in rural interstate pavement conditions
- 39th in urban arterial pavement conditions
- 12th in rural arterial pavement conditions
- 3rd in structurally deficient bridges
- 26th in urban fatality rate
- 42nd in rural fatality rate
- 41st in traffic congestion
“More than 42,000 of the nation’s 618,923 highway bridges, nearly 7%, are still structurally deficient. Arizona, Nevada, and Texas reported the lowest percentages of deficient bridges,” the report said.
The full report can be found online.
AUSTIN (KXAN) — Small hail peppered the Austin area as strong thunderstorms moved through Saturday.
A few of the storms dropped rain and up to pea-sized hail in San Marcos, Dripping Springs and the Austin metro area.
A Severe Thunderstorm Warning was issued for Williamson County around 8:15 p.m., and then canceled shortly after. However, it was enough for the Two Step Inn music festival in Georgetown to cancel shows for the rest of the evening. Event organizers say the festival will run as planned Sunday.
KXAN’s First Warning Weather team is monitoring the storms. We will update this post as the evening continues.
AUSTIN (KXAN) — Governor Greg Abbott and the Texas Society Sons of the American Revolution unveiled a new monument at the Texas State Cemetery on Saturday, dedicated to Texas Revolutionary War soldiers.
“We must educate every generation about why it is that America grew from a tenuous 13 colonies into the most powerful country in the history of the world,” said Governor Abbott. “This monument here is an enduring testament to the heroes who fought for the freedom that is unique to America.”
The monument was dedicated to 69 soldiers who fought in the American Revolutionary War and later settled in Texas, according to a press release.
Among those that were honored, Abbott recognized:
- José Santiago Seguín, grandfather of Texas Revolutionary hero Juan Seguín.
- Peter Sides, who fought in the 2nd Battalion of the North Carolina Regiment of the Colonial Army, and was later killed in the 1813 Battle of Medina, fighting for Mexican independence against Spain.
- Antonio Gil Y’Barbo, the founder of Nacogdoches.
- William Sparks, who fought as a mounted rifleman in the American Revolution and later settled in Texas. He had two sons and two grandsons who fought in the Texas Revolution.
“This year marks the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution, which not only gave freedom to the British colonies of North America, but inspired movements for freedom and liberty all over the world,” said TSSAR President Mel Oller. “Texans played a role in the war too, and it’s important to recognize them, and the sacrifices they made for our freedom.”
At the monument unveiling, Abbott was also inducted into the Sons of the American Revolution and received its Silver Good Citizenship Medal.
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