Dallas 2018 New Year's Eve: Music, Fireworks & Family Fun
Dallas is the premier destination to welcome 2018. With a lineup of music‑filled concerts and cocktail‑driven celebrations, you’ll have endless ways to bid farewell to the Year of the Rooster. Dress festively and prepare to dance and toast into the New Year.
Start the Party Early
Kick off the festivities early with Lights All Night, Dallas’ signature two‑day EDM festival. From Dec. 29‑30 at Dallas Market Hall, the event showcases spectacular light shows, confetti cannons, and headline DJs such as Bassnectar and Porter Robinson.
See the Fireworks
This year’s AT&T Streaming Lights at Reunion Tower is the must‑see event for Dallas’ New Year’s Eve. The 360‑degree lightshow will feature more than 4,000 special effects in an eight‑minute, music‑choreographed display that lights up the sky at midnight. While the tower itself is closed during the show, multiple watch parties are available nearby. The official host location is Saint Rocco’s rooftop party in Trinity Groves, where your ticket includes an Italian dinner, champagne toast, and an intimate concert with Jackopierce.
For those who prefer a quieter view, the best spots are along the West side of the Trinity River, at the levees, and Trinity Overlook Park. The show will also be televised on NBC 5/KXAS‑TV so you can enjoy the fireworks from home.
Attend a Hotel Party
Check out the Sheraton’s “The Art of Celebration” on Dec. 31, featuring live R&B, jazz, hors d’oeuvres, and a champagne toast. The Crowne Plaza hosts the NYE Ball, spanning three themed floors with Dallas’ top DJs, signature drinks, and games such as jumbo Jenga, corn hole, and beer pong. Hilton Anatole’s Emerald City will also celebrate with its annual “Rock the ’18” party, complete with 70s hits, dinner, and drinks.
Spend NYE with the Kids
If you’d rather keep the kids off the midnight crowd, bring them to the Dallas Arboretum’s Happy ‘Noon’ Year’s Eve event. The family‑friendly program features arts and crafts, music, and a celebratory ball drop at noon.
Ring in the New Year with a Brew
Head to Noble Rey Brewing Co. for Brew Year’s Eve—a night of craft beer, pizza from Social Pie, desserts, music, and a commemorative glass to take home after the champagne toast. For a playful twist, visit the NYE Cidercade Bash in the Design District, where over 150 arcade games are free to play and Slow Bone provides barbecue to pair with your midnight toast.
Enjoy a Classic NYE Performance
Prefer a more relaxed evening? Catch the Dallas Symphony Orchestra’s special New Year’s Eve concert at the Meyerson Symphony Center. The program features works by Antonín Dvořák, Charles‑Camille Saint‑Saëns, Johann Strauss, and more. Admission includes a champagne toast during intermission.
