The quick turnaround from Christmas to New Year’s Eve can make ringing in 2018 somewhat of an afterthought. With a pulse on the city’s happenings, Visit Houston has compiled a list of the top 15 parties as well as kid-friendly events that are sure to suit your celebration tastes. After quite the year for our city, it seems Houston is ready to leave behind the highs and lows of 2017 and welcome 2018 with a bang. We wish our readers a healthy, happy and prosperous New Year!

Popping Bottles for an NYE Night Out 

Enjoy a night out on the town at some of Houston’s best restaurants. Of course, with New Year’s Eve being a busy night, reservations are encouraged or required at most establishments. '

  1. Ring in the New Year with El Big Bad’s New Year’s Eve – Year of the Unicorn party, because what could be better than their margarita with an upside down bottle of Korbel in it? Otherwise known as The Unicorn Cocktail.
     
  2. Café Azur has two seating times offered for their New Year’s Eve menus, 5 – 8 p.m. for a relaxed atmosphere and 8:30 p.m. for those wanting more of a celebration. The menus include four and five French Riviera-inspired courses, depending on your seating time.
     
  3. Prohibition Supperclub & Bar is hosting The Jazz Age NYE Dinner and The Jazz Age NYE Countdown, a modern and glamorous collaboration of dance, theatre and comedy, complemented by lively jazz music. Tickets are available for both shows and an additional $65 prix-fixe dinner is required for purchase. 
     
  4. Do you prefer a quieter or sophisticated New Year’s Eve immersed in the arts? At the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts, the Ars Lyrica Houston will be playing New Year’s in Berlin, which includes an elegant dinner, musical program and festive gala. Tickets are required.
     
  5. For a wilder musical experience, The House of Blues is hosting A Very Metal New Year’s Eve feat. Ozz with Special Guests. For a convenient bite before the concert, reservations are available at the House of Blues or Foundation Room.
     
  6. The Ballroom at Bayou Place is hosting an event that gives back to the community with its New Year’s Eve Party. Proceeds from the ticketed event benefit The Houston Ballet Nutcracker Market and Houston Ballet Foundation.
     
  7. City Centre will host a New Year’s Eve party on the plaza with live music by Bristol Fashion, confetti drop at midnight and 60-second fireworks show.
    Prohibition Supperclub
  8. Hotel Sorella, also in City Centre, will ring in the New Year at the Farewell 2017 party in the Monnalisa Bar with live music by The After Party and AJ Vallejo’s Southtown. The hotel is also offering packages for accommodation and party entry.
     
  9. Clé will be hosting its annual Clé Presents: NYE 2018 party from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m.
     
  10. Also, NYElectric 2018, Hotel Derek’s party, includes four-hour complimentary food and drinks, two DJs and an electric countdown to the New Year. Tickets are required.
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  12. The Hyatt Regency Houston will be hosting its Ruby Red New Year’s Eve Party as the venue is celebrating its 40th anniversary. The party will span four floors of the hotel with a 50,000 balloon drop at midnight.
  13. Swanky Bar Bleu offers a red carpet experience with its New Year’s Eve Ball. With hookah, stilt walkers, confetti canons and more, the event will have everyone celebrating in style.
     
  14. Perhaps you’re looking to make the rounds to a few different bars, as opposed to staying in one spot. If that’s the case, enjoy the Houston All Access Pub Crawl Pass this New Year’s Eve, which allows access to a number of venues in the Midtown area.
     
  15. There will be a similar pub crawl option Downtown hosted by Houston Young Professionals. The Downtown Bar Crawl is free with Batanga serving as the meeting point. Five-dollar donations are encouraged.
     
  16. Another affordable option is Howl At The Moon’s New Year’s Eve 2018 Party. At just $30/person you’re guaranteed entry and certain liquors are discounted. 

Popping Bubbles for a Kid-Friendly NYE 

Children's Museum of Houston

Parents often dread the late night that New Year’s Eve entails, but there are plenty of options to wear your kids out long before the ball drops at midnight. Celebrate early with your kids at Noon Year’s Eve in City Centre complete with face painting, a DJ, balloon and caricature artist, and a bubble drop at noon. If you’re looking for a fun way to keep your kids entertained while out of school, check out the Children’s Museum of Houston’s Rockin’ New Year WonderWeek from Dec. 28 to Jan. 3. The weeklong event offers fun brain-building activities including bingo, experiments, and even a splatter paint party. If you haven’t seen TXU Presents Zoo Lights at the Houston Zoo, you can still catch it on New Year’s Eve. Tickets are a must for this event. Should you prefer some indoor fun, the Downtown Aquarium will be hosting Sharkey’s New Year’s Eve complete with a buffet, balloon drop, and prizes. Reservations are required and can be made by calling 713.315.5112.