Tag: New Year’s Eve

The Ultimate Guide to New Year’s Eve Festivities in San Antonio

Tenfold Rooftop rings in the new year with savory bites, vibrant cocktails, and the best views in the city. Photo: Garrett Smith, used with permission.

New Year’s Eve celebrations are a global tradition, marked by diverse customs and festivities. In cities worldwide, crowds gather for fireworks displays, like those in Sydney and New York. Many people enjoy family gatherings with food, drinks, and games, while others attend elaborate parties or live concerts. In Spain, it’s customary to eat 12 grapes at midnight, symbolizing good luck for each month of the year. In Japan, people visit temples for prayers and reflection. Whether through fireworks, quiet reflections, or festive parties, New Year’s Eve offers a unique blend of joy, hope, and cultural significance.

One of the biggest ways to celebrate the new year in San Antonio is going downtown for the big fireworks display. As someone who has attended once or twice, I can tell you that it’s one of the city’s biggest parties, besides Fiesta, that is. If you’re still looking for ways to ring in the new year, consider the following events. (Kimpton Santo, Hotel Emma, Thompson San Antonio – Riverwalk, 2024)

** Kimpton Santo **

Kimpton Santo in San Antonio, TX has announced its New Year’s Eve Celebration (12/31). The new downtown hotel, which opened in August 2024, is throwing a lavish bash at its Rooftop bar, Tenfold, with limited tickets available for the celebration.

Tenfold Rooftop rings in the new year with savory bites, vibrant cocktails, and the best views in the city. Don’t miss the first ever Black & White Party at Tenfold Rooftop. Interested guests can choose between a NYE Pre-Party and Midnight Party, with ticket options of General Admission or reserving a VIP table for four. Price varies between $100 to $1800 based on the chosen party and ticket option. The Pre-Party is from 3p.m. – 7:30p.m. and the Midnight Party goes from 8p.m. to 1a.m. on December 31.

General admission tickets include globally-inspired small plates from the signature 10x Tour Menu,  complimentary coat check and a live DJ set. The VIP table option adds on tickets for up to four guests at a reserved table, cocktail service, and a complimentary bottle of bubbles for the table. Choose how you want to experience the most elevated New Year’s Eve party in San Antonio.

Dean’s Steak & Seafood is celebrating New Year’s Eve early with more brunch. Make the most of time with friends and family as the holidays wrap up. The classic brunch is extended through Wednesday, January 1.

Kimpton Santo Hotel
431 S. Alamo St.
San Antonio, TX 78205

** Hotel Emma **

Hotel Emma, Texas’ only AAA Five Diamond Hotel nestled in San Antonio’s Pearl District, is ringing in its 10th anniversary year in 2025 with a full schedule of events this winter and it all begins with a New Year’s Eve Cellar Select 7-Course Dinner.

December 31 | New Years Eve Cellar Select 7-Course Dinner 

Newly appointed Executive Chef Geronimo Lopez is putting on a seven-course show in the Hotel’s Elephant Cellar which faces the exhibition wine cellar and was built in 1938 – a space as historic as it is grand. Cocktail hour begins at 7p.m.

The experience is underlined by exquisite spirit pairings with each course, kicking off with 2015 Dom Pérignon Chardonnay & Pinot Noir Blend brut Champagne coupled with potato blinis and sturgeon caviar. Other highlights include a fitting 7 Fishes Risotto for the second course, alongside a Double Eagle Very Rare 20-year Bourbon.

There are Two Ways to Take Part in the Exclusive Experience: 

December 31 | New Year’s Eve at Sternewirth 

At Sternewirth, limited tickets are available to hear Diego Martinez & Band from 8:30p.m. to 2a.m. Reservation-only mezzanine booths are available amidst the space’s signature refurbished cast iron fermentation tanks. Complete with complimentary Champagne and oysters, the event gives first priority to hotel guests – so it’s best to book a room and make it a staycation. Tickets are $25pp. 

Hotel Emma
136 E Grayson St.
San Antonio, TX 78215

** Thompson San Antonio – Riverwalk **

This holiday season, Thompson San Antonio – Riverwalk invites both local guests and travelers to experience a festive lineup of seasonal feasts, activities, and events bringing the spirit of the holidays to life with memorable celebrations. Highlights include the Moon’s Daughters’ infamous NYE Rooftop party.

Thompson San Antonio’s New Year’s Eve celebration at The Moon’s Daughters promises to be the most anticipated event of the year. Guests can enjoy breathtaking panoramic city views from the 20th-floor rooftop terrace, live entertainment from DJ Catwalk, champagne toasts, and more at Downtown San Antonio’s premier NYE celebration. Catwalk is a dynamic DJ, producer, and creator from San Antonio, known for high-energy sets and a unique blend of genres. An “open-format” artist, she seamlessly mixes old and new sounds, delivering fresh, surprising performances every time. Her two singles, “Here We Go” and “Faster (feat. Nick Mery),” are available on all major platforms.

From these special events and dazzling décor to its full-service spa and luxurious accommodations, Thompson San Antonio – Riverwalk invites travelers and the local community to rejoice with loved ones this holiday season.

Celebrate New Year’s Eve at The Moon’s Daughters. Courtesy photo, used with permission.

The DoSeum celebrates with Virtual Countdown for kids

The DoSeum’s new year countdown will be virtual this year. Photo: The DoSeum, used with permission.

This year, The DoSeum is keeping its annual New Year’s Noon countdown tradition alive with a virtual celebration for the whole family to enjoy at home. Families are invited to join from home for a fun-filled Facebook LIVE event on Thursday, December 31 at 11:45a.m. with a hands-on celebration.  (The DoSeum, 2020)

Everyone can make their own Confetti Poppers to prepare for the noon countdown for kids. Creating a confetti popper is a fun activity the whole family can do together with easy to find supplies: balloons, four-inch-long cardboard tube (e.g., from a roll of toilet paper), scissors, tape and glue, colored paper, stickers, markers, and confetti (pre-packaged or cut some paper into small pieces). No registration is required for this event.  Families are encouraged to use #TheDoSeum in their social media posts to connect with and engage with other families participating in this fun virtual event.  

The DoSeum is a place where interactive fun and hands-on learning come together—a place where minds are always at play. The DoSeum offers exhibits, programs, camps, classes, and field trips designed for all learners, encouraging young minds to explore the joy of learning through connections to STEM, the arts, and literacy. Originally founded as San Antonio Children’s Museum, The DoSeum has grown over the past 25 years to become a premier leader in informal education, while still staying true to the mission of connecting families and transforming communities. As a 501(c)(3), The DoSeum is committed to accessible and free programming to low-income San Antonio-area children, with a goal of serving 10,000 kids from Title I schools annually.

Ring in the New Year at La Cantera Resort & Spa

Plaza San Saba at La Cantera Resort & Spa. Courtesy photo, used with permission.

Ring in the New Year with a Great Gatsby inspired New Year’s Eve Celebration at La Cantera Resort & Spa. Come dressed as a flapper or don a tweed jacket, vest, and bow tie to bid adieu to 2020 in 1920s style.  The New Year’s package includes resort room accommodations, New Year’s dinner for two at SweetFire Kitchen and a midnight toast presented by Moët & Chandon. (La Cantera Resort & Spa, 2020)

SweetFire Kitchen will be serving a southern style three course meal with old-world flair. After dinner, enjoy live piano music by Ken Brown in the resort lobby overlooking Plaza San Saba.  Then, at the stroke of midnight raise your glasses and toast in the New Year provided by Moët & Chandon. Your ride home is the elevator to your floor and room.

The New Year’s Eve package for two is $399. For reservations, call 210-558-6500 and mention promo code SOIREE. Space is limited, social distancing and masks are required.

The Resort strives to provide the safest and cleanest environment to our guests and to our associates, as much as possible. The Resort has teamed up with safety, engineering and chemical partners, consultants, and adopted recommendations from the CDC in the development of their CLEAN TOUCH initiative. 

For a complete list of New Year’s Eve offerings and to review the resort’s Clean Touch initiative, visit La Cantera Resort & Spa online.

New Year’s Eve holiday specials and menus

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Southerleigh is one area restaurant having a special New Year’s Eve menu. Photo: Nick Simonite, used with permission.

Still need plans for the long New Year’s Eve holiday? Area restaurants have special menus and events planned to help guests usher in the new year. (Hotel Emma, Hotel Contessa, Boiler House, Southerleigh, Esquire Tavern, Rosella at the Rand, Krause’s Café, Pinch Boil House, 2017)

Hotel Emma will offer special holiday themed menu items on New Year’s Eve at Sternewirth and Supper.
New Year’s Eve at Sternewirth
San Antonians are invited to celebrate New Year’s Eve at Sternewirth, Hotel Emma’s bar and club room. Guests will be able to enjoy Latin jazz music by local icon Henry Brun and his international trio. A $20 cover fee will include champagne toast and party favors. Price: $20 Time: 9p.m. to 2a.m.
New Year’s Eve Special at Supper
Supper will open its doors during New Year’s Eve and will be welcoming guests and locals to dine in and ring in the new year. Please call the restaurant at (210)448-8351 for reservations. Hours: 11a.m. to 3p.m. and 5p.m. to 10p.m.

Hotel Contessa is offering a pre-fixe dinner menu on Sunday, New Year’s Eve. Reservations are required for New Year’s Eve dinner, $55/person, $25/children ages 8-13 and children 7 and under eat free.

Boiler House will be serving holiday themed cocktails and dinner items on New Year’s Eve from 5 p.m. to close. The restaurant will also have their regular lunch menu along with special brunch items on New Year’s Day from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. New Year’s Eve Cocktail items include: Gingerbread Martini for $14 and Hot Buttered Texas Rum for $12. New Year’s Eve Dish items include: Lemon Chive Crabcake for $15, Calamari Piccata for $21, Roast Leg of Lamb for $29 and Eggnog Pound Cake for $8. New Year’s Day Brunch items include: Green Chile Pulled Pork, Poached Eggs & Popcorn Grits, Hangover Hash, BLT Mac & Egg and Barbacoa Sando.

Southerleigh will have specialty items for New Year’s Eve brunch and dinner. Southerleigh’s hours on New Year’s Eve are from 10 a.m. to 12 a.m. and will be closed on New Year’s Day. Brunch hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and will include House Cured and Braised Country Ham, Creamed Field Peas, Flash Fried Collards and Eggs Over Easy. Dinner hours: 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. and will include Slow Roasted Pork Shank, Hoppin John, Black Garlic spiked Spinach, Dijon Glace and Whole Fried Gulf Flounder, Creamy Crystal Butter, House Fries and South Texas Slaw. Guests will receive a complimentary glass of champagne to ring in the new year at 12 a.m.

Esquire Tavern will be celebrating New Year’s Eve with dinner reservations and sparkling wine to toast at midnight. There will be live music and more.

Rosella at The Rand will be serving regular Sunday brunch on New Year’s Eve from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The restaurant will then open the same evening for a FREE New Year’s Eve party from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. Rosella at the Rand will be open for New Year’s Day brunch from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Krause’s Cafe will have a self-serve Hot Chocolate bar, Bloody Mary bar and free black eyed peas on New Year’s Day. Restaurant hours are from 7:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. and will be celebrating the new year with a Munich Platter – A pork shank stands atop of mashed potatoes, chicken schnitzel, red cabbage, sauerkraut, assorted sausage, crisp pork belly and a side of Dunkel Sauce.

Pinch Boil House and Bia Bar will be hosting a crawfish boil with a Boil & Brews on New Year’s Eve, Eve, Saturday December 30 from 12p.m. to 3p.m. Guests can enjoy boiled crawfish or crab legs, shrimp and other seafood items. There will also be a DJ and cold beer.

Live from Jazz, TX

jazzsign
Texas Public Radio will be hosting ‘Live from Jazz, TX’ this Saturday December 31 from 7p.m. to 8p.m.  Photo by Hilmy, used with permission.

Texas Public Radio in partnership with Jazz, TX will be hosting ‘Live from Jazz, TX’ this Saturday December 31 from 7p.m to 8p.m. on Texas Public Radio 89.1 in San Antonio. This special programming will include music from the Grand Opening week at Jazz, TX and Doc Watkins and his orchestra along with Texas Public Radio’s Nathan Cole. It will be a swinging hour of jazz standards and country classics with a Texas twist some of which were first made famous by Willie Nelson and Bob Wills. There is no cover charge and listeners will get to enjoy the music that makes Jazz, TX one of the city’s best places for live music. (Jazz, TX, 2016)

Jazz, TX is owned and operated by renowned musician Brent “Doc” Watkins. It is located in the cellar of the Bottling House and hosts musical acts include jazz, blues, big band, Texas swing, salsa, conjunto and Americana including Doc Watkins. It is open from Tuesday through Saturday and aside from music guest can enjoy a wide variety of food, beverages, wine and spirits.

Jazz, TX
312 Pearl Pkwy, Suite 6001
San Antonio, TX 78215
(210) 332-9386

New Year’s Eve show at Jazz, TX

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Jazz, Tx at the Pearl is having a New Year’s Eve show this Saturday. Photo courtesy of Jazz, TX, used with permission.

The Pearl’s newest upscale music venue, Jazz, TX, is having a New Year’s Eve show featuring venue owner and musician Doc Watkins and his orchestra. Ticket price includes dancing, featured show by Doc Watkins and his Orchestra and a full dinner that includes prime rib, crab cakes, shrimp, parmesan risotto and braised kale. Beverages are not included but will be available for purchase. This is a black tie event with the early show starting at 6p.m. and the late show at 10p.m. Early show bar seating is $150 per person and $200 per person for reserved table seating. Late show bar seating is $150 per person (sold out) and $200 per person for reserved table seating. Tickets may be purchased online. (Jazz, TX, 2016)

Jazz, TX is owned and operated by renowned musician Brent “Doc” Watkins. It is located in the cellar of the Bottling House and hosts musical acts include jazz, blues, big band, Texas swing, salsa, conjunto and Americana including Doc Watkins. It is open from Tuesday through Saturday and aside from music guest can enjoy a wide variety of food, beverages, wine and spirits.

Jazz, TX
312 Pearl Pkwy, Suite 6001
San Antonio, TX 78215
(210) 332-9386

Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve Menus at Nao Latin Gastro Bar

naolatingastrobar
Nao Latin Gastro Bar will have special menus available for Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve. Photo by Sandra Cruz

Nao Latin Gastro Bar is a student-staffed restaurant at the Culinary Institute of America located at the Pearl. The menu features Latin American dishes rooted in tradition but reinvented using a variety of ingredients and techniques and includes seasonal and progressive Latin food. For guests who would rather eat out for the upcoming holidays Nao Latin Gastro Bar is having special Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve menus available. (Nao Latin Gastro Bar, 2016)

Nao Latin Gastro Bar will be open on Christmas Eve for brunch and dinner and will have the normal brunch menu available from 10a.m. to 3p.m. For dinner there will be a special four-course menu available for $40 per person. Dinner hours are from 5:30p.m. to 10p.m. and reservations can be made by phone at (210) 554-6484 or via Open Table. Guests will have a choice of arugula salad with goat cheese, fennel and apple or roasted squash soup with coconut milk, malagueta peppers and cashews followed by a choice of charred octopus served with Chilean pebble and celeriac, pork belly skewers with chicharrón, ají rojo, and cilantro or burrata and charbroiled beets with basil and orange. For the main course, there is a choice of hanger steak served with crispy fingerling potatoes, charred vegetables and chimichurri, Red Bird Farms roasted chicken served with white beans, lemon and peppers or the fresh Gulf catch served with charred vegetables, tomatoes stewed with capers, olives, onion and golden raisins. Dessert consists of a choice between Churros tossed in cinnamon sugar served with chocolate and dulce de leche sauces and fresh whipped cream or almond Panna Cotta with passion fruit curd, charred pineapple and lime zest.

For New Year’s Eve there will be a four-course dinner menu available from 5:30p.m. to 10p.m. which includes a glass of bubbly to ring in the New Year. Cost is $70 per person with an optional three-course wine pairing for $25 per person. Reservations can be made by phone at (210) 554-6484 or via Open Table. The menu begins with a choice of charred carrot salad with goat cheese, arugula, pepitas and chimichurri or roasted squash soup with coconut milk, malagueta peppers and cashews. It is followed by a choice of seared scallop with crispy fried oyster, ají amarillo, creamed leeks and spinach and sweety drop peppers, crispy pork belly with ají panca, green apple and pickled vegetables or burrata and charbroiled beets with basil and orange. The main course consists of a choice between veal chop with sunchoke, pebre and snap pea salad, duck confit served with tamarind, sweet potato and brussel sprouts or fresh Gulf catch with charred vegetables, tomatoes stewed with capers, olives, onion and golden raisins. Dessert consists of a choice between churros tossed in cinnamon sugar and served with spiced chocolate, stewed plantains and fresh whipped cream or almond Panna Cotta with passion fruit curd, charred pineapple and lime zest.

Nao Latin Gastro Bar
312 Pearl Parkway
San Antonio, TX 78215
(210) 554-6484