AUSTIN, Texas – Austin’s annual free New Year celebration has kicked off in Auditorium Shores.

The city is ringing in 2025 with food trucks, a beer garden, musical performances, and a drone show, all leading up to a midnight fireworks show.

The city says the event takes months of planning.

“It’s really a great representation of what Austin’s about,” Stephanie Sanchez with the City of Austin said.

Last year, approximately 20,000 people attended. This year could see similar numbers.

“It is a very, very long process, a lot of things go into budget and timing and availability,” Wesley Lucas with Visit Austin said.

Many are looking forward to Third Eye Blind headlining.

“A lot of people are really excited about that, including myself as a millennial,” Sanchez said.

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“It’s going to be kind of a fun 90s early 2000s nostalgic night tonight,” Lucas said.

“There’s a lot I’m glad to leave behind, but I’m glad to start a new year,” attendee Brittany Rodriguez said.

Austinites have lots to look forward to in 2025.

“Just trying to stay focused and get to my goals that I want to reach,” Rodriguez said. “I plan on getting a house.”

“Working on my mental health,” attendee Kwame Cavil said.

As for what some Austinites want to leave behind in 2024, “mainly all the drama I’ve been in,” Cavil said. 

I drank a lot of whiskey this year, from American single malts and bourbons to Scotch, Irish, Japanese and others. With so many bottles currently on shelves and more being released each week, it’s become increasingly difficult to put out products that are genuinely new and innovative. Unique barrel finishes can get the job done, but the practice is so commonplace these days that it takes something truly special to move the needle. But making whiskey using an old technique traditionally enlisted for cognac? Now we’re talking.

Still Austin Whiskey Co., a grain-to-glass distillery in Austin, Texas, makes a solid lineup of bourbons and ryes. Led by Master Blender Nancy Fraley and Head Distiller John Screpel, the distillery released Tanager Cigar Blend Whiskey on December 6. It’s available onsite at the Austin distillery and in select markets across the country.

Tanager Cigar Blend Whiskey begins with bourbons made from red, white and blue corn, plus a selection of rye and malted barley, which were all blended together and aged for about five years. That’s step one.

The second step called for a six-year-old high-rye bourbon that was blended with Texas water, cut down to a very low 25% ABV (50 proof), and aged in barrels for a minimum of one year. This method is known as petites eaux (“small waters” in French) and has been used in cognac and Armagnac production for centuries. According to the company, this process creates a rich and complex flavor profile, with more caramelized wood sugars and overall depth. To complete the whiskey, a portion of the petites eaux was incorporated into the base whiskey, and the final product was bottled at 53% ABV, or 106 proof.

The petites eaux method is a unique choice for whiskey, considering that whiskey is typically aged at full strength and then either bottled at full strength or cut with water right before bottling to reduce the proof and achieve the desired alcohol level.

Tanager Cigar Blend Whiskey is also just unique for its name. Most cigar blends are characterized by deep barrel finishes, often via a fortified wine like sherry or port, or a spirit like rum or cognac. But Still Austin achieved this deep, complex flavor profile from its Texas-grown ingredients and petites eaux aging method.

Diving in, the whiskey is deep and dark on the nose, and I got lots of dried red and black fruits, berries, sweet tobacco, vanilla, cloves and ginger. The palate is intense, in a good way. I found more dark fruits and tobacco, plus a pleasant note of candied or honey-drizzled oranges, caramelized sugar and baking spices. You don’t have to drink this alongside a cigar, but it will certainly stand up to a stogie if you enjoy one.

Tanager Cigar Blend is Still Austin’s most luxurious and expensive whiskey to date, clocking in at $150. But the combination of unique production method, solid results and good-looking packaging makes it worth the splurge if you’re into American whiskeys or want to try a good example of Texas whiskey. It’s also here if you just need to buy someone a belated holiday gift.

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Still deciding where to ring in the new year? Don’t worry—we’ve got you covered with a list of some of the most exciting events in Austin and Houston, ranging from lively parties and concerts to family-friendly and sober celebrations.

Austin Events

Austin is known for its vibrant nightlife, and this year’s lineup has something for everyone.

Austin’s New Year
The city’s official celebration will light up Auditorium Shores starting at 7 p.m., culminating in a midnight fireworks display. Highlights include a performance by Third Eye Blind, food trucks, drink vendors, and other live acts. For more details, visit the city of Austin’s website.

The Capital Countdown at The Belmont
Ring in the New Year at The Belmont with three unique zones: a stylish indoor space, a heated courtyard, and a VIP rooftop deck. Dance to live DJs, including a Silent Disco with three different genres. On Tuesday, December 31, 2024, at 305 W 6th St, Austin, TX 78701. Tickets range from $65 to $1000.

Bob Schneider’s Great Big Spectacular New Year’s Eve Party
Catch Bob Schneider at The Paramount Theatre for his annual NYE concert, joined by Austin’s William Harries Graham. Doors open at 8 p.m., with tickets starting at $35. Check the Paramount Theatre’s website for availability.

New Year’s Eve at Hotel Viata
Celebrate New Year’s Eve at Hotel Viata with up to 20% off your stay, plus a bottle of bubbly delivered to your room for a midnight toast. Enjoy live music at Laurel Restaurant & Bar from 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm. On Tuesday, December 31, 2024, at 320 S Capital of Texas Hwy, West Lake Hills, TX 78746. Prices vary.

Blue Year’s Eve
When Where What Austin is hosting its second “Blue Year’s Eve” at La Zona Rosa. The party, running from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m., features an open bar, DJs, free tattoos, and even a virtual blue square drop at midnight. Tickets are $110.

Cheer Up Charlies Dance Party
Celebrate with DJs, drag performances, and complimentary drinks at Cheer Up Charlies from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. Tickets are $17.

For more events you can visit KXAN. 

Houston Events

From family-friendly activities to lavish dinners, Houston has its own array of celebrations.

Light up the Lake at Margaritaville
Enjoy live music, fireworks, and dancing at Margaritaville Lake Resort in Montgomery starting at 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $49.95.

Hyatt Centric’s Groovy NYE Party
Celebrate 1960s London-style with an open bar, dinner, and live music at the Hyatt Centric in The Woodlands. Tickets are $225. Visit the website for more information.

Mixers and Elixirs at HMNS
Dance into 2025 at the Houston Museum of Natural Science with live music, DJs, and a champagne toast at midnight. Tickets range from $50–$120. Visit the website for more information.

Highnoon Countdown at The Woodlands Children’s Museum: Create hats and time capsules with multiple time slots available. Tickets are $10 for adults and $20 for kids. Visit the website for more information. 

For more events you can visit Community Impact Newspaper.