The streets of downtown San Antonio are expected to be filled for the final party of 2024, drawing in thousands to ring in the new year with food, music and fireworks.
Here’s what to know:
The Celebrate SA: NYE Party and Countdown is a free event open to the public. It starts at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 31, and span across various districts downtown, including Market Street, La Villita, Hemisfair and the San Antonio River Walk until midnight.
Celebrate SA is a citywide celebration that dates back to the early 90s. It’s one of the biggest events of the year, bringing about 75,000 people to downtown San Antonio. The crowd waits in anticipation for the clock to strike midnight, then the 14-minute fireworks show begins.
Several downtown streets are closed for construction. Expect re-routes.
Parking is usually free in downtown San Antonio on Tuesdays, but it won’t be on New Year’s Eve. Arrive early enough to find a parking space. Here are some places you could park downtown, but consider planning your trip with VIA Park and Ride or rideshare if you plan on drinking.
Most events start at 6 p.m., with music from DJ Celebr8 on the main stage at Market Street until 9 p.m., then ending with live music and dancing with Melange by Intensity Entertainment, which showcases vocals, music, dancing.
This year’s celebration will also serve as a heartfelt tribute to Mayor Ron Nirenberg, as he completes his fourth and final term next May. Nirenberg is one of the longest serving mayors of San Antonio. He will lead the countdown at midnight.
At La Villita, see a life-sized Winter Wonderland Village, built by construction students from St. Philip’s College and enjoy a display of St. Philip’s culinary students’ creations at the Gingerbread Student Bake-Off Competition.
If you have kids, head to the Yanaguana Garden at Hemisfair for fun from 6 to 8 p.m. for a special kids countdown.
At 8 p.m., they’ll enjoy crafts, music, games and activities, including a family-friendly carnival at the South Alamo Lot behind the Magik Theatre.
Then head over to Hemisfair Civic Park for dancing, where Sound Cream Airstream returns with its final dance party of 2024 with a performance by Cumbiatron, a photo booth and a front-row seat to fireworks.
Take blankets to claim your spot on the spacious lawn to witness the dance party, which concludes with firework show at midnight.
The parks foundation encourages a donation of $25 per person to support Hemisfair. Donations of $150 or more will include a Hemisfair picnic blanket and four drink tickets while supplies last.
