While a majority of U.S. adults plan to spend New Year’s at home this year, North Texans have the chance to go out and celebrate for free at certain local events.
Here are five places to ring in the new year in Dallas-Fort Worth, all without entry fees. Attendees can even enjoy free transportation, depending on where they’re going.
The Dallas Area Rapid Transit system is offering free bus and light rail rides between downtown Dallas and the Dallas Fort Worth International Airport. The promotion runs from 6 p.m. to each routes’ end of service.
Say goodbye to 2024 at Grapevine’s food and entertainment hub Harvest Hall, which has eight restaurants and two bars to choose from. There’ll be karaoke, a DJ and dancefloor, photo booths, a prosecco cart and a midnight balloon drop.
The celebration runs from 5 p.m. to 1 a.m. at 815 S. Main St. It is free to attend, but make sure to reserve a spot online.
Fort Worth’s downtown Sundance Square claims to be hosting the state’s largest New Year’s Eve celebration this year. In addition to live music and midnight fireworks, there’ll be plaza entertainers including jugglers, aerialists, stilt walkers, trick ropers and mimes.
Food trucks and bar stations will be on the square, as well as the tallest Christmas tree in Texas. The event is 6 p.m. to 1 a.m. at 420 Main St.
The Colony’s shopping and entertainment complex Grandscape is throwing a New Year’s Eve party at its lawn stage with music, dancing and more. Performances include local DJs, the Georgia Bridgwater Orchestra and a midnight fireworks show.
The event is from 8 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. at 5752 Grandscape Blvd. Spots on the lawn are first-come, first-served. Lawn chairs and blankets are welcome, but no outside coolers or alcoholic beverages are allowed.
Animal lovers can spend a unique New Year’s Eve at Dallas Animal Services and Adoption Center, soothing the pets during noisy fireworks shows. The Calming the Canines event invites community members to read aloud, sing or play music for the shelter animals.
It’s 10:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. at 1818 N. Westmoreland Road. Attendees should bring something to sit on, but refreshments will be provided.
The Reunion Tower’s iconic New Year’s Eve display is returning to Dallas for the ninth year. While the drone portion was canceled after a child was injured at a holiday drone show in Florida, the event will still feature over 15,000 pounds of fireworks and more than 5,000 pyrotechnic effects.
Unlike other events, there’s no on-site celebration. However, spectators can watch at nearby spots including Trinity Groves, the Ronald Kirk Bridge or along streets like Riverfront Boulevard and North Beckley Avenue.
The show begins at 11:59 p.m. Those unable to watch in person can see the New Year’s Eve display on local television stations, the Reunion Tower’s social media accounts or a YouTube livestream. More information can be found here.
