Austin's annual free New Year celebration 2024
AUSTIN - The countdown has begun for Austin's annual free New Year celebration. The event is free and open to the public. Here are a few things you should know to help you plan your evening.
When
Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024, 7 p.m. - 12:30 a.m.
Where
The celebration will be at Auditorium Shores, which is 800 W Riverside Dr. in Austin.
Schedule of events
- 7 p.m.: Park grounds, food trucks, and beer garden open
- 7–11:45 p.m.: Music Performances by DJ Mel, Angélica Rahe, Gina Chavez, and Third Eye Blind
- 11:45–11:55 p.m.: Austin’s New Year Drone Show presented by Arca Continental Coca-Cola Southwest Beverages
- 11:55 p.m. - midnight: Countdown to 2025, ending with a midnight fireworks show
What you can and cannot bring
Attendees are welcome to bring blankets and chairs, but pets – except for trained service dogs – are not allowed.
A variety of local vendors will have food, and non-alcoholic and alcoholic drinks (21+ only) available for purchase.
Local food truck vendors onsite this year include Amy’s Ice Cream; Burro Cheese Kitchen; Garbo’s Lobster; Gelu Italian Ice; Iron Burger; Peace, Love and Burgers; RedFin Mobile; Shawarma Point; Tacobaby; The Mighty Cone; and Yapa Artisan Empanadas.
No outside alcohol, glass, fireworks, or sparklers will be allowed at Auditorium Shores.
Additional allowed and prohibited items and activities can be found at austintexas.gov/ANY.
How to get there
- Hike-and-Bike Trail — Bring a light and remember, motorized vehicles are not permitted.
- Bike to the event — The park is open, and you can ride directly to Auditorium Shores.
- CapMetro — Free rides are available on Dec. 31 after 5 p.m. on all services. Bus routes will operate regular service and rail service will be extended until 2:30 a.m. on Jan. 1. Please use the CapMetro Trip Planner to find your best transit option.
- Shared Mobility / Dockless Devices — The southwest corner of Riverside Drive and South First Street will be available for drop-off.
Parking for Austin’s New Year
Expect congestion in and around the downtown area, South Lamar Boulevard, Barton Springs Road, and Riverside Drive.
Please observe the Bouldin Creek Neighborhood parking restrictions in place for safety.
Attendee parking options include:
- Public Parking north of Lady Bird Lake
- One Texas Center
- Palmer Events Center Garage
- RiverSouth Garage at Riverside Drive and South First Street
- City Hall Garage
- State Garage N
ADA-accessible parking will be available at the Palmer Event Center Garage and One Texas Center.
Road and lake closure information
The cut-out spaces along Riverside Drive in front of Auditorium Shores will be closed Dec. 29 - Jan. 1.
For Austin’s New Year on Dec. 31:
- West Riverside Drive from Lee Barton Drive to South First Street will be closed from 6 p.m. to 1 a.m.
- South First Street from Cesar Chavez Street to Riverside Drive will be closed from 10:30 p.m. to 1 a.m.
A detailed road closure map shows parking options and closures for Austin’s New Year. For safety reasons, Lady Bird Lake between the railroad trestle bridge and the South First Street bridge will be closed to all watercraft from 10:30 p.m. Dec. 31, 2024 to 1 a.m. Jan. 1, 2025.