North Austin News

The City of Austin is gearing up to welcome the new year with its annual New Year Celebration at Auditorium Shores. This free and family-friendly event is set to take place on Sunday, Dec. 31, 2023, from 7 p.m. to midnight, with a countdown to fireworks beginning at 11:55 p.m.

One of the highlights of the evening will be the presence of CNN Anchor Sara Sidner and CNN Contributor Cari Champion, who will be live at Austin's countdown as part of the network's "New Year's Eve Live with Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen." The event will also feature a night of entertainment headlined by The Band of Heathens, food trucks, beverage vendors, and a magnificent midnight fireworks show.

The schedule of events for Austin's New Year kicks off with the opening musical act shortly after the park grounds at Auditorium Shores open at 7 p.m. The Suffers will then take the stage, followed by a headlining set from The Band of Heathens. CNN will broadcast the Central Time Zone countdown live from Auditorium Shores starting at 11:30 p.m., leading up to the onsite countdown to the 2024 new year at 11:55 p.m., and the annual fireworks show.

Attendees are encouraged to bring blankets and chairs to make themselves comfortable during the festivities. However, pets, with the exception of trained service dogs, will not be allowed at the event. A variety of vendors will be on-site, offering food, non-alcoholic and alcoholic drinks for purchase. It's important to note that no outside alcohol, glass, fireworks, or sparklers will be permitted at Auditorium Shores.

In terms of parking, there will be public parking options available north of Lady Bird Lake, including One Texas Center, Palmer Events Center Garage, River South Garage at Riverside Drive and South First Street, City Hall Garage, and State Garage N. ADA-accessible parking will be provided at the Palmer Event Center Garage and One Texas Center. Alternatively, attendees can consider alternative transportation options such as utilizing the Hike-and-Bike Trail (non-motorized vehicles only), biking to the event, taking advantage of free CapMetro rides after 5 p.m., or using shared mobility services.

To ensure a smooth flow of traffic, road and lake closures will be in effect during the event. West Riverside Drive from Lee Barton Drive to South First Street will be closed from 7 p.m. to 1 a.m., and South First Street from Cesar Chavez Street to Riverside Drive will be closed from 11 p.m. to 1 a.m. Lady Bird Lake, between the railroad trestle bridge and the South First Street bridge, will also be closed to all watercraft from 10:30 p.m. on Dec. 31, 2023, to 1 a.m. on Jan. 1, 2024.

The Austin Police Department, Austin Fire Department, and Austin-Travis County EMS will be working together to ensure the safety of all attendees. They encourage everyone to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to 9-1-1. It's also important to plan for the weather, stay with your group, be mindful of pedestrians and other vulnerable road users, keep your phone fully charged, and plan ahead for a safe ride home.

As we continue to navigate the ongoing pandemic, Austin Public Health recommends that attendees get vaccinated, use hand sanitizer, wash hands frequently, and stay home if feeling sick.

As the official destination marketing and sales organization for the City of Austin, Visit Austin is proud to be part of this exciting event. Their goal is to promote Austin as a premier business and leisure destination, enriching the community's overall quality of life.

The Austin Center for Events (ACE), a collaborative assembly of City of Austin departments and agencies, is responsible for streamlining special event permitting on public and private property. ACE works closely with event organizers to guide them through the special event permitting process, ensuring that events like Austin's New Year Celebration run smoothly and safely.

Join the City of Austin and Visit Austin at Auditorium Shores on Dec. 31, 2023, for a memorable New Year's Eve celebration as we bid farewell to 2023 and welcome in the exciting year ahead. Let's come together as a community and make this a night to remember.

For additional details, please follow this link: https://www.austintexas.gov/news/ring-2024-city-austins-new-year-celebration