Ringing in 2021: New Year’s Celebrations

CityCentre is decorated for the holidays and on New Year’s Eve, will be hosting live music and a countdown to midnight. (Photo courtesy of CityCentre)

Do you remember where you were last New Year’s Eve? Drinking champagne at a friend’s house? Dancing at a crowded party? Watching fireworks in downtown? While most of those gatherings won’t be possible this year, there are still plenty of festive ways to say good riddance to 2020. Here, we’ve rounded up some ideas on ways to celebrate this New Year’s Eve. (Note: before you finalize your plans for New Year’s Eve, be sure to take a look at the CDC’s guidelines for holiday celebrations and small gatherings.)

Family Friendly | Here are some events and happenings where all ages are welcome. 

CITYCENTRE Celebration
Dec. 31, 9:30 p.m.- Jan. 1, 12:30 a.m.
800 Town and Country Blvd.
Admission: Free; Parking is $10 
Enjoy live music in the plaza and a countdown to midnight. If you can’t make it in person, catch the concert live on Instagram @citycentrehou. 

Skating at Discovery Green  
Dec. 31, 11 a.m.-7 p.m. 
1500 McKinney St.
Admission: $15 per person (includes skate rental and 75 minutes on the ice) 
Enjoy some holiday magic on the ice this New Year’s Eve at Discovery Green’s outdoor ice rink. Tickets must be purchased in advance online here, and masks are required. 

High Noon Countdown
Dec. 31, 10 a.m.-noon, 1-3 p.m. 
4775 West Panther Creek Drive #280, The Woodlands
Admission: $6 for adults and children 1 year and older; free for children under 1
Ring in the New Year with day-time balloon and confetti drops at The Woodlands’ Children’s Museum. Festivities include horn blowing, noisemakers, bubble wrap dancing, creative art projects and live music from Tom’s Fun Band. 

Holiday in the Gardens   
Dec. 31, 6-10 p.m.
One Hope Boulevard, Galveston 
Admission: $19-$30 
Head to Galveston’s Moody Gardens and enjoy a one-mile trail filled with sound enhanced lighted and animated displays themed to your favorite holiday music. Other holiday attractions include Rudolph 4D, holiday 3D films, an Arctic Slide and train rides, plus fireside s’mores and great food that ranges from dinner at the Moody Gardens Hotel to your favorite festive fare and confections along the Festival of Lights trail.

a’bouzy, known for its French cuisine and long list of sparkling wines, is offering this New Year’s Eve Party Kit. (Photo: Shawn Virene) 

Dining | Enjoy a special meal at one of these Houston restaurants. 

a’Bouzy  
Dec. 31, 11 a.m.-10 p.m.
2300 Westheimer
Ring in the New Year with the ultimate New Year’s Eve Party Kit for four for $308. The kit includes ingredients for cocktails plus a variety of champagnes, a New Year’s Spotify playlist, party hats, tiaras, and noisemakers. Reservations are also available for dine-in. Visit here for reservations. 
 
Backstreet Café
Dec. 31, 5-11 p.m.
1103 S. Shepherd 
Celebrate with a four-course dinner ($79 per person), featuring dishes like scallop crudo, dry-aged duck, grilled lamb chops and espresso chocolate cake. Please call 713-521-2239 for reservations. 

Bloom & Bee  
Dec. 31, 5-10 p.m. 
The Post Oak Hotel, 1600 W. Loop S.
Ring in the New Year at Bloom & Bee with a special Four-Course menu featuring Texas Akaushi Filet Mignon & Lobster “Oscar style” and more ($125 per person). To make a reservation, call 346-227-5041. 

Caracol
Dec. 31, 5:30 p.m.-midnight (last reservation at 10 p.m.)
2200 Post Oak Blvd. 
Enjoy a four-course meal ($85 per person) at Chef Hugo’s coastal Mexican restaurant, plus a complimentary sparkling toast at midnight. Live music will be provided by Ikaru. Reserve your table by calling 713-622-9996. 

Etoile Cuisine et Bar
Dec. 31, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., 5 p.m.-midnight
1101-11 Uptown Park Blvd. 
Etoile will be open on New Year’s Eve for lunch, serving their regular menu and for, serving a special 4-course menu for $88 person. Reservations required. Book online here.

Hugo’s
Dec. 31, 5 p.m.-midnight (last reservation at 10 p.m.)
1600 Westheimer 
Enjoy a special 4-course menu ($72 per person) on New Year’s Eve, plus live music by Viento and a complimentary sparkling wine toast at midnight. Reservations highly recommended. 

Rainbow Lodge
Dec. 31, 5-10 p.m.
2011 Ella Blvd. 
Rainbow Lodge, known for its seafood and wild game, is serving a special 3-course menu ($79 per person) on New Year’s Eve. Make your reservation here.

Sixty Vines 
Dec. 31, pickup on Dec. 31 between 2-6 p.m.
2540 University Blvd.
Sixty Vines is accepting reservations for dine-in on NYE, and they are also offering a specially curated curbside kit. The New Year’s Eve celebration package feeds two for $150 and includes salami and cheese, filets with grilled shrimp, choice of one side and Deviled Affogato. It also features Rose, Brut, glasses, a confetti popper and sparklers. Preorder here.

The Annie Café & Bar   
Dec. 31, 5 p.m.–Jan. 1, 1 a.m. 
1800 Post Oak Blvd., Suite 6170
Enjoy an evening of delicious food, specialty cocktails, 2021 swag, and live music. Reservations required. Call 713-804-1800. 

Traveler’s Table  
Dec. 31, reservations from 5-9:30 p.m. 
520 Westheimer Rd. 
Celebrate New Year’s Eve two ways with Traveler’s Table. Choose to Dine-in and enjoy a 3-course New Year’s Eve Prix Fixe Menu and a glass of bubbly for $79 per person. DJ Josh Dupont will be spinning from 7 p.m. until close. Reservations required and can be made via Resy. Or, indulge in a 3-course New Year’s Eve “Take-Out for Two” Prix Menu and your choice of a bottle of red, white, or sparkling wine for $130, plus tax and gratuity. 3-course Prix Fixe Menu “for one” also available for $60, wine not included. To preorder take-out, click here. 

Xochi  
Dec. 31, 5 p.m.-midnight (last reservation at 10 p.m.)
1777 Walker St. 
Xochi is offering a four-course Oaxacan feast for $79 per person. Dishes include chicken tamales, pork shank in mole sauce and horchata ice cream with cinnamon churro sticks. Call 713-400-3330 for reservations.  

At-Home Activities | Prefer to stay in? Here’s some ideas for festive activities you can do at home. 

Ring it in with Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin Eve with Ryan Seacrest 
Dec. 31, 7p.m. 
Watch on ABC 
Although this year’s Times Square New Year’s Eve festivities are closed to the public, the show is still going on! Jennifer Lopez will be performing just before the Times Square ball drop, and other performers include Billy Porter, Cyndi Lauper and Jimmie Allen. 

Watch a New Year’s Themed Movie
Get into the New Year’s spirit with a themed film. There’s of course New Year’s Eve, a film that features interconnected love stories that culminate on the celebrated night. But there’s plenty of other films, too, like Sleepless in Seattle, When Harry Met Sally and The Holiday, all of which include critical scenes that take place on New Year’s Eve.  

Eat Special Good Luck Foods 
People from around the world have traditional “good luck foods” they eat on special occasions. Try your hand at some of these festive favorites. In China and Japan, long noodles symbolize a long and prosperous life. In Austria and Germany, Marzipan Pigs are handed out during Christmas and New Year’s. Or, you can always keep it simple and make the Southern staple: Black-eyed peas.  

The Houstonian Hotel, Club & Spa is offering a luxurious New Year’s Eve package that includes complimentary champagne and festive New Year’s Eve accessories. (Photo: Steve Lee Photography) 

Staycations | Enjoy a romantic New Year’s Eve getaway without leaving Houston.  

Hotel Alessandra  
1070 Dallas St. 
Hotel Alessandra is offering a special New Year’s Eve package that includes luxurious accommodations for two, a welcome amenity and Food and Beverage credit. Call 713-242-8555 for more.  

The Houstonian Hotel, Club & Spa  
111 North Post Oak Lane 
Bid farewell to 2020 with a luxurious stay at The Houstonian. The “Cheers to 2021 Package” includes accommodations for the 31st, $100 credit for dining in TRIBUTE, access to the Houstonian Club and more. Call 713-680-2626 for more details and to make a reservation.