Austin To Ring In New Year In Style With Fireworks Display

AUSTIN, TX — It's one thing to watch a fireworks display to ring in the new year in Austin. It's quite another thing to see pyrotechnics at the mother of all fireworks displays staged by the municipality itself.

Best part of it all: It's free. So grab your friends, family, neighbor, colleagues and clients to say goodbye to 2019 and hello to 2020. The loud sounds of fireworks will be tempered with the the sweet sounds of Shinyribs and The Peterson Brothers providing live entertainment.

The party gets started at 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 31 at Vic Mathias Shores. The music starts at 9 p.m. before the fireworks finale at 10 p.m.

It's one of the latest fireworks displays in the city, and revelers are invited to bring their blankets or chairs to grab a good spot on the grounds to enjoy the spectacle. Food trucks will be on hand for those getting hungry.

There's so many questions related to this monumental event. Fortunately, organizers have devised a Frequently Asked Questions compilation.

How do I get there?

• There are a number of parking options near Vic Mathias Shores including: City Hall (163 Lavaca St.) One Texas Center (505 Barton Springs Rd.) and The Convention Center Garage (500 E. Cesar Chavez).

• If you’re planning on having someone drop you off please remember citations will be issued to drivers that pick-up/drop-off in an open travel lane and/or outside of the designated pick-up/drop-off area.

• On-site bike parking will be available.

• Sit back and let Cap Metro do the driving for you. Cap Metro will offer free rides on buses and the Metro Rail after 5pm on New Year’s Eve. Visit Cap Metro at www.capmetro.org for public transit options.

• Please note: A few street closures will take place at the site and for the fireworks show. Those closures include: Cesar Chavez Street west of Guadalupe Street and the South 1st Street Bridge, Riverside Drive from Lamar Boulevard to South 1st Street, and South 1st Street from Riverside Drive to Cesar Chavez Street.

What am I allowed to bring?

• Blankets.
• Camping chairs.
• Umbrellas (small, hand-held style).
• Baby strollers.
• Small wagons.
• Binoculars.
• Personal cameras, including digital cameras; DSLRs with stock lenses; point-and-shoot cameras, and traditional film cameras.
• Only leashed pets will be allowed. We strongly suggest taking your pet home before the fireworks finale at 10 p.m. People with aggressive pets will be asked to leave the event.

What items are prohibited?

• Smoking.
• Drones.
• Alcoholic beverages.
• Glass containers.
• Styrofoam containers.
• Smoking.
• Professional video cameras.
• Pop-up tents or anything that blocks others from seeing the show.
• Amplified music or noisemakers of any kind, other than traditional NYE party favors.
• Unauthorized/unlicensed vendors.
• Fireworks or explosives of any kind.
• Weapons of any kind.

What food trucks will be there?

Food trucks include:

• Burro Cheese Kitchen.
• Evil Weiner.
• Four Brothers.
• Happy Lobster.
• Kebabalicious.
• Pueblo Viejo.
• Red Fin.
• Stacked Sliders.
• Waffle Love.

For more event, entertainment, and parking information on Austin’s New Year visit austintexas.gov/any.