Dallas New Year's Eve

Destination 01

Downtown Dallas & Reunion Tower

7 places

Reunion Tower's midnight fireworks, river viewing spots and big-night dinners; two nights.

• Photo: Farragutful · CC BY-SA 4.0

  Reunion Tower

  The 561-foot tower with an LED globe; at midnight on Dec 31 it launches Lone Star NYE, a 360-degree fireworks, light and drone show.

  Tip There is no public viewing at the tower on Dec 31; ride up to the GeO-Deck on Dec 30 instead.

  SeeReunion District$$60 minDec 31, 11:59 pm

• Trinity Groves

  A cluster of restaurants and patios in West Dallas at the foot of the Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge, facing the skyline and the tower.

  Tip Book a patio table well ahead, or arrive by 10 pm; it is the most popular free viewing spot.

  DoWest Dallas$$2.5 hrDec 31, from 10 pm
• Photo: IcedCowboyCoffee · CC0

  Ronald Kirk Bridge

  The old Continental Avenue bridge over the Trinity, now a pedestrian park with shade sails and a straight view of the downtown skyline.

  Tip Bring a blanket and arrive by 10 pm; the deck is open to wind off the river.

  SeeTrinity RiverFree2 hrDec 31, 11 pm

• Fearing's

  Dean Fearing's Southwestern restaurant in the Ritz-Carlton Uptown, which served a five-course New Year's Eve dinner in 2025.

  Tip Reserve in November; New Year's Eve menus sell out.

  EatUptown$$$$2.5 hrDec 31, 7 pm

• Al Biernat's

  An Oak Lawn steakhouse where New Year's Eve brings a late DJ and a champagne toast at midnight for the last seating.

  Tip Take an early seating if you want to watch the fireworks by the river.

  EatOak Lawn$$$$2 hrEarly dinner

• House of Blues Dallas

  A concert hall, bar and restaurant in Victory Park, a short ride north of the tower.

  Tip Check its Dec 31 lineup in November; holiday shows sell out.

  DrinkVictory Park$$3 hrLate night

• Hyatt Regency Dallas

  The mirrored-glass hotel at the base of Reunion Tower, whose guests get on-site viewing of the midnight show.

  Tip Book early; on Dec 31 the tower grounds are open only to hotel guests and Crown Block diners.

  StayReunion District$$$

Destination 02

Bishop Arts District

6 places

A slow Jan 1 in Oak Cliff: breakfast, a lake walk and an old movie palace.

• Oddfellows

  An all-day cafe in Bishop Arts that opens at 7 am, with a busy weekend brunch and a full coffee bar.

  Tip No brunch reservations; arrive early or put your name in and walk the block.

  EatBishop Arts$$75 minMorning
• Photo: Michael Barera · CC BY-SA 4.0

  Bishop Arts District

  A few blocks of 1920s brick storefronts in Oak Cliff filled with independent shops, galleries, bakeries and bars.

  Tip Many shops open late morning on holidays; plan to browse after brunch.

  ShopBishop Arts$1.5 hrLate morning

• Eno's Pizza Tavern

  A Bishop Arts tavern known for thin-crust pizza and Texas craft beer on tap.

  EatBishop Arts$$75 minLunch
• Photo: Michael Barera · CC BY-SA 4.0

  Lake Cliff Park

  A park around a small lake on the Oak Cliff bluff, opened in 1906 as an amusement park, with views toward downtown.

  Tip The easy path around the lake makes a good first-day walk.

  OutdoorsOak CliffFree45 minAfternoon
• Photo: Renelibrary · CC BY-SA 4.0

  Texas Theatre

  A 1931 movie palace on Jefferson Boulevard, where Lee Harvey Oswald was arrested, now showing films with a bar inside.

  Tip Check the schedule for a Jan 1 matinee.

  DoOak Cliff$2.5 hrAfternoon
• Photo: Michael Barera · CC BY-SA 4.0

  Kessler Theater

  A restored 1942 neighborhood movie house in Oak Cliff that now hosts concerts several nights a week.

  Tip Check the calendar for shows on Dec 30 or Jan 1.

  DoOak Cliff$$2.5 hrEvening