New Year's Eve With Kids in San Antonio (2026)
Last updated by Moms Guide SA
Many New Year's Eve events for kids aren't announced yet. We'll add events when they're announced.
Quick answer
Most 2026 New Year's Eve events for kids aren't announced yet. Six Flags lists its New Year's 360 Fireworks Celebration for Dec. 26 to 31. The DoSeum lists Dec. 31 as its Kids Countdown day. Zoo Lights, SeaWorld's Christmas Celebration and Illuminate at the Botanical Garden all run into January. We'll add events when they're announced.
- Fireworks
- Six Flags, Dec. 26 to 31
- Early countdown
- DoSeum Kids Countdown, Thu., Dec. 31
- New Year's Day
- Most museums are closed
Quick picks
- Six Flags Fiesta Texas
New Year's 360 Fireworks Celebration, Dec. 26 to 31, 2026. Fireworks times aren't posted yet.
- The DoSeum
Lists Thu. Dec. 31 as its Kids Countdown day, so it's closed for regular visits. Times and tickets aren't posted yet.
- The Rock at La Cantera
Rock the Clock NYE Party, Thu. Dec. 31, from 8 p.m. at Frost Plaza. All ages, with live music. Tickets go on sale Oct. 15.
- San Antonio Museum of Art (SAMA)
Open 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on New Year's Eve. Kids 12 and under get in free.
Early countdowns and fireworks
Celebrate SA, the city's downtown New Year's Eve party, hasn't posted its 2026 plans yet. We'll add events when they're announced.
Entertainment
Six Flags Fiesta Texas
New Year's 360 Fireworks Celebration, Dec. 26 to 31, 2026, during Holiday in the Park. Fireworks times aren't posted yet.
San Antonio
Museums
The DoSeum
Its hours page lists Thu. Dec. 31 as Kids Countdown, so the museum is closed for regular visits that day. Times and tickets aren't posted yet.
San Antonio
Entertainment
The Rock at La Cantera
Thu. Dec. 31, from 8 p.m. at Frost Plaza. All ages, with live music. General admission and VIP tickets go on sale Oct. 15.
San Antonio
Holiday lights still on at New Year's
These light shows run past Jan. 1, so they work for a calmer night out.
| Show | Dec. 31 | Jan. 1 | Last day |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Light Park at Wolff Stadium | 5:30 to 10 p.m. | 5:30 to 10 p.m. | Jan. 3 |
| Lights Alive! at Alamo Ranch | Closed | 6 to 9:30 p.m. | Jan. 2 |
| Lights Alive! at Traders Village | 6 to 10 p.m. | 6 to 10 p.m. | Jan. 2 |
| Zoo Lights | Hours not posted yet | Hours not posted yet | Jan. 3 |
| SeaWorld Christmas Celebration | Check the park's calendar | Check the park's calendar | Jan. 3 |
| Holiday in the Park at Six Flags | Check the park's calendar | Check the park's calendar | Jan. 4 |
| Illuminate at the Botanical Garden | Not posted yet | Not posted yet | Jan. 10 |
| Johnson City Lights Spectacular | Dusk to midnight | Dusk to midnight | Jan. 3 |
- The River Walk lights stay on from sundown to sunrise into early January, and seeing them is free.
What's open on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day
We list a place as closed or open only when its own site says so. For the rest, check the venue's site before you go.
| Place | Thu., Dec. 31 | Fri., Jan. 1 |
|---|---|---|
| The DoSeum | Kids Countdown only | Closed |
| Witte Museum | Not posted | Closed |
| San Antonio Museum of Art | 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. | Closed |
| San Antonio Missions | 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. | Closed |
| Skating rink at The Rock at La Cantera | Closed | 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. |
| San Antonio Zoo | Hours not posted yet | Hours not posted yet |
Tips for New Year's Eve with kids
A few things that make the night easier.
- Pick an early countdown for little kids, so bedtime stays close to normal.
- Fireworks are loud. Bring ear covers for babies and kids who don't like noise.
- Buy tickets early for anything ticketed. Countdown events can sell out.
- Plan for parking and crowds near downtown, and keep a meeting spot in mind.
- Pack snacks, water and a warm layer for a late night outside.
New Year's events on our calendar
Events from Dec. 26 to Jan. 1, from our events calendar. Times change, so check with the organizer.
New Year's 360 Fireworks Celebration at Six Flags Fiesta Texas
Six Flags Fiesta Texas
Dec 26 to Dec 31, multiple dates
Noon Day's Eve!
Pan American Branch Library
Dec 30 · 11 a.m.
New Years Eve Dog Day
San Antonio Zoo
Dec 31 · 11 a.m.
Rock the Clock New Year's Eve Party at The Rock at La Cantera
The Rock at La Cantera
Dec 31 · 8 p.m.
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Questions parents ask
Where can kids celebrate New Year's Eve in San Antonio?
Six Flags Fiesta Texas lists its New Year's 360 Fireworks Celebration for Dec. 26 to 31, 2026. The DoSeum lists Dec. 31 as its Kids Countdown day. The Rock at La Cantera has an all-ages Rock the Clock party from 8 p.m. Most other 2026 events aren't announced yet.
Is there a noon countdown for kids in San Antonio?
The DoSeum lists Dec. 31 as its Kids Countdown day, but it hasn't posted times or tickets for 2026 yet. Library countdown events show in the events list on this page once they're on our calendar.
Where can we see New Year's fireworks with kids?
Six Flags Fiesta Texas has its New Year's 360 Fireworks Celebration from Dec. 26 to 31, 2026, but fireworks times aren't posted yet. Celebrate SA, the city's downtown party, hasn't posted 2026 plans yet.
What's open on New Year's Day in San Antonio?
The DoSeum, the Witte Museum, the San Antonio Museum of Art and the San Antonio Missions are closed Jan. 1. The skating rink at The Rock at La Cantera is open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., The Light Park is open 5:30 to 10 p.m. and Lights Alive! at Alamo Ranch is open 6 to 9:30 p.m.
Are Christmas lights still on at New Year's?
Yes. Zoo Lights and SeaWorld run through Jan. 3, 2027, Six Flags Holiday in the Park through Jan. 4 and Illuminate at the Botanical Garden through Jan. 10. The River Walk lights stay on into early January.
Holiday guides
More holiday plans for San Antonio families, from Thanksgiving to New Year's Day.
How we check facts
We check the facts in this guide on each venue's official site, and we update the guide when they change.
We don't make up ratings or reviews.