Weekend Event Planner

These are the 10 best things to do on New Year's weekend in Dallas

There is no shortage of things to do around Dallas on New Year's weekend this year. In addition to the numerous New Year's Eve parties planned, a few of which also make the list below, you can take in a unique theater production, laugh at a famous comedian, and celebrate New Year's Day in two different but equally fun ways.

Below are the best options for your precious free time Thursday through Sunday. Don't like what you see? Lucky for you, we have a much longer list of the city's best events.

Thursday, December 29

Dallas Children's Theater presents Lone Star Circus: La Féte
Celebrate the 10th anniversary of Dallas’ own Lone Star Circus with this all-new merry circus celebration featuring extraordinary circus acts from all over the planet. Performers include breathtaking acrobats, awesome aerialists, amazing equilibrists, unbelievable jugglers, endearing four-legged performers, and, of course, hilarious clowns. The circus is at Dallas Children's Theater through Sunday.

Marvelous Nerd Year's Eve
The inaugural Marvelous Nerd Year's Eve is a new kind of New Year's celebration: a four-day geek expo at Sheraton Dallas featuring over 30 celebrity guests, artists, and authors. Celebrities at the event, taking place through Sunday, include Stan Lee, Michael Rooker, Nichelle Nichols, Jason Mewes, Brian O'Halloran, Sean Gunn, Robert Picardo, Maurice LaMarche, Glenn Morshower, and more.

Pegasus Theatre presents Death on Delivery
A brand-new family-friendly Harry Hunsacker adventure, presented in Living Black & White, comes to Eisemann Center for the Performing Arts in Richardson, courtesy of Pegasus Theatre. This time, the setting is a hospital where the intrepid trio of Harry, his assistant Nigel Grouse, and Lt. Foster of the “real” police must solve a mysterious string of murders. The production runs through January 22.

Friday, December 30

Lights All Night New Year's Eve Party
The two-day Lights All Night festival draws tens of thousands for the ultimate party experience. For its seventh annual celebration, taking place at Dallas Market Hall on Friday and Saturday, Lights All Night features headliners deadmau5, Above & Beyond, Zedd, A$AP Ferg, Nero, RL Grime, and Tchami, among many other acts.

Saturday, December 31

AT&T Performing Arts Center presents Reliant Lights Your Holidays
After being postponed due to weather, Reliant Lights Your Holidays now takes place on New Year's Eve. The venues and trees of AT&T Performing Arts Center will be illuminated by hundreds of thousands of dazzling LED lights, and visitors can also enjoy a fireworks show, a holiday concert featuring A.B. Quintanilla y Elektro Kumbia, and a performance by the cast of The Book of Mormon, among other things.

Dallas Symphony Orchestra presents New Year's Eve Celebration
The Dallas Symphony Orchestra rings in the New Year with Strauss waltzes and Viennese-inspired revelry, led by conductor Andrew Grams. You can avoid other New Year's Eve mayhem by taking in the majesty of Meyerson Symphony Center, complete with a free champagne toast at intermission.

Brian Regan in concert
Setting a comedic standard of excellence that others continually try to follow, Brian Regan is a unique comedian who is relatable to generations of fans and revered by comedians as the best in the business. He's returning to the area for a special New Year's Eve show at the Music Hall at Fair Park to get you laughing your way into 2017.

Reunion Tower presents New Year's Eve Fireworks
You can't actually go to or around Reunion Tower to watch its fireworks, unless you're attending Cloud Nine's masquerade-themed party, but the best views are from a distance anyway. There are various watch parties to be found in the downtown area, or just find a nice parking spot within sight of the tower, and enjoy the show at midnight.

Sunday, January 1

Vogel Alcove presents Day 1 Dallas
Returning for its second year, Day 1 Dallas is a family fair designed for children and families to celebrate New Year’s Day together. The event, taking place at Fair Park, features interactive children’s activities like a Lego area, petting zoo, and snow hill; crafts and games; and a spectacular fireworks show.

AT&T Performing Arts Center presents Lightwire Theater’s A Very Electric Christmas
Lightwire Theater enthralls audiences with their unique combination of skill and grace as told through the technological innovations of moving light characters. Combining the arts of puppetry, theater, and dance with the music of holiday hits, this tale of family, friendship, and hope is an inspired and exhilarating holiday experience at Winspear Opera House.

Lone Star Circus' La Féte takes place at Dallas Children's Theater through January 1.

Dallas Children's Theater presents Lone Star Circus Holiday Spectacular

Photo courtesy of Lone Star Circus

Lone Star Circus' La Féte takes place at Dallas Children's Theater through January 1.

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Rolling a strike

High 5 Exchange bowling and entertainment mega-center rolls into Allen

Facebook/High 5 Exchange Austin

The High 5 Exchange in Austin has bowling galore.

A new family entertainment destination is rolling into Allen, bringing bowling, laser tag, miniature golf, virtual reality, and more. Called High 5 Exchange, the venue has broken ground at 2361 Quail Covey Rd. in The Farm in Allen.

It is expected to open in 2027, according to a release.

High 5 Exchange comes from a family entertainment company founded by husband-and-wife team Scott and Jenny Emley. They opened the first location in the Lakeway area of Austin more than a decade ago; a second Austin location followed a few years later.

Their roots are in Austin - Scott Emley played football for UT Austin - but the couple recently relocated to McKinney. There's also a location under construction in Mansfield.

The entertainment mega-center in Allen will combine indoor and outdoor attractions, dining, and rooms for parties and other group events.

Tasty-looking tacos at High 5 in Austin.Facebook/High 5 Exchange Austin

Bowling will be the major draw, with 24 lanes supplied by QubicaAMF. The lineup will include 16 traditional tenpin lanes equipped with EDGE String pinspotters, HyperBowling, and Neoverse, along with eight Fly'n Ducks duckpin lanes, the release says. The combination will give guests the choice between traditional full-length bowling and duckpin bowling, which uses a smaller ball.

"Bowling has a unique ability to bring different generations, interests and skill levels together," said Jody Pastula, director of new business development, U.S., for QubicaAMF, in a statement. "By offering both tenpin and Fly'n Ducks duckpin bowling, High 5 Allen is creating more ways for guests to participate and share the experience. We are pleased to be part of a project designed around connection, variety and repeat visits."

Beyond bowling, High 5 Allen will feature laser tag, a virtual reality arena, an arcade gaming floor, escape rooms, an immersive experience from Creative Works called "Limitless," and outdoor miniature golf. The venue will also have dedicated spaces for birthday parties, corporate gatherings, and private events, along with food and beverage service.

While details on the food and beverage program have not yet been announced, the Austin locations feature a full-service bar and a menu of "American classics with a gourmet twist."

High 5 Exchange Allen Rendering of High 5 Exchange at The Farm in Allen.Rendering courtesy of High 5 Exchange

High 5 Exchange will be part of The Farm in Allen, a 135-acre mixed-use development at the southeast corner of the Sam Rayburn Tollway and Alma Drive. Developed by Allen-based JaRyCo Development in partnership with the Johnson family, The Farm combines residential, office, dining, retail, and entertainment components.

"Allen and the surrounding communities have been part of our vision for this project from the beginning," said Scott Emley, co-founder and CEO of High 5 Exchange, in a statement. "The Farm brings together homes, workplaces, parks, dining and entertainment in a way that fits how people want to connect.

"We are excited to create a place where a family can spend an afternoon, coworkers can gather after work, and friends can celebrate the moments that matter."

entertainment and dining bowling allen