Things To Do With Family This NYE In Fort Worth, TX

The Fort Worth area is a playful paradise for families looking for engaging activities to delight parents and children alike. New Year’s Eve (NYE) can present some challenges for families, as many of the raging parties around the area are hardly kid-friendly. We’ve rounded up a helpful selection of New Year’s destinations and activities that offer entertainment for kids of all ages, so you can include your family in the fun as you ring in 2023. Here are our top picks for NYE.

Zoo Year’s Eve

Giraffe Tongue Lashing by Dan Dennis is licensed with Unsplash License

Drop your kids off at the Fort Worth Zoo for an unforgettable New Year’s Eve. Parents can head out and enjoy adult activities on the town while the little ones are safely cared for at this charming overnight event. The fun begins at 6 p.m. and continues through the evening with a movie, crafts, and a nighttime hike through the park. Kids get to sleep over at the zoo and wake up to a continental breakfast. This event is for kids aged six to 10. Admission is $85 per child, but zoo members will enjoy a 10% discount.

Location: 1989 Colonial Parkway, Fort Worth

Over the Top NYE

Reunion Tower will host its seventh annual Over the Top NYE in partnership with Hunt Realty Investments, Inc. This is the only panoramic fireworks display in the Central time zone that you can see from 360 degrees around the tower. The fireworks show will start at 11:59 p.m. on New Year’s Eve. The show will also feature 225 drones creating a stunning airborne visual display from heights of up to 400 feet around the skyline to ring in 2023.

There are several ways to enjoy the fireworks show with your family. You can make reservations to celebrate the New Year at the Hyatt Regency Dallas and enjoy a dinner buffet and live music from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. leading up to the fireworks show. The buffet is $55 for adults and $35 for children. Adults can also opt for an open bar with the buffet for $110.

You can also view the fireworks show from any spot around town with a view of the Reunion Tower. Tune in to 98.7 KLUV on the radio while you watch to get the full experience. If you need to put younger kids to bed before the fireworks, you can also watch on television during the Lonestar NYE Live! New Year’s Eve special on NBC5-KXAS.

Location: 300 Reunion Blvd. E., Dallas

First-Day Midnight Hike

Several state parks offer first-day hikes and activities. The closest option to the DFW area is Lake Mineral Wells State Park where you can ring in the new year with an exciting hike covering about a mile and a half on the Lake Mineral Wells State Park Cross Timbers Trail.

You’ll get to take in the fascinating sounds of wildlife at midnight as you let your eyes adjust to the dark and enjoy beautiful views of the starry sky. Bring your flashlight, water, comfy shoes, and cozy layers to keep you warm during the hike. The hike leaves from the Cross Timbers Trailhead at 11:30 p.m. and gets back around 1 a.m.

If you’re not up for a day trip with a late-night drive home, consider making a special night of it camping out at Lake Mineral Wells State Park. Several campsites are available, including equestrian campsites, which are conveniently located near the trailhead for the first-day hike. You’ll have access to a dump station, restrooms, hot showers, and the park store.

Location: 100 Park Road 71, Mineral Wells

Dallas Symphony Orchestra New Year’s Eve

Add some culture to your family evening with a concert from the Dallas Symphony Orchestra at the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center. The orchestra will play at 7:30 p.m. on New Year’s Eve. The concert pays tribute to Viennese tradition with waltzes that bring time-honored New Year’s traditions to life once more. Step back in time to the Strauss dynasty with this sophisticated and engaging choice for the evening.

This early evening show will leave you plenty of time to get home before midnight and observe other family traditions, such as gathering around the television to watch the ball drop, sharing a buffet of favorite snack foods late into the evening, or setting New Year’s resolutions together. Begin with a lovely bit of culture and bring in the new year filled with inspiration for an artistic year to come.

Location: 2301 Flora St., Dallas

Day 1 DFW

If your family isn’t up for a late night on NYE, go ahead and take it easy the night before so you can make the most of Day 1 DFW. This event takes place on the first day of the year at the Irving Convention Center. Jan. 1, 2023, will mark the eighth year of this family-focused celebration.

Though details have yet to be announced, you can expect a day filled with fun activities, live entertainment, and more. The evening ends with a fireworks show at Frisco’s Toyota Stadium. You must purchase your tickets in advance, so keep an eye on the event page to make sure you don’t miss out on a thing.

Location: 500 W. Las Colinas Blvd., Irving

Dallas Zoo Lights

Head to the Dallas Zoo for a fun and festive way to celebrate the last day of the year. The zoo lights take place from Nov. 17 through Jan. 1, so New Year’s Eve marks one of your last chances to see the display. You’ll find more than a million lights around the zoo in themed displays, 3D sculptures, and massive animal lanterns. Holiday drinks and snacks will keep you fueled up for the fun. Purchase your tickets in advance, as this popular day can sell out.

Location: 650 S.R.L. Thornton Freeway, Dallas

These are our top picks for New Year’s Eve with the family in and around Fort Worth. Do you have other suggestions to add? Contact our team at Hiley Hyundai of Fort Worth and let us know so we can update our listing.