Happy New Year

6 crazy alternative ways to celebrate New Year's Eve 2024 in Dallas

Epic Family New Year at Epic Waters Indoor Waterpark in Grand Prairie.

Photo courtesy of Epic Waters

Dallas-Fort Worth has no shortage of ways to celebrate New Year's Eve. You can choose the traditional route: big parties, nightclub festivities, catching fireworks displays at midnight, and we've got that list here. You can also usher in New Year's Eve with a nice dinner (we have that list, too).

But this list is for those who crave something different from the same-old same-old, but don't want to just stay home and watch TV.

The events on this list offer an alternative to the usual New Year's Eve whether it's at a waterpark, a skate park, or in a major twist, at Dallas' top animal shelter.

Here's 6 unexpected ways to ring in the New Year:

Epic Waters presents Epic Family New Year
Epic Waters Indoor Waterpark in Grand Prairie host their Epic Family New Year, a family-friendly celebration with live entertainment, music, games, and activities for kids and families. That includes Duck Drops every two hours from 6 pm to midnight, as well as New Year’s paraphernalia like party hats, noisemakers, and festive food options. All regular waterpark attractions will be open, including slides, wave pools, and the lazy river.

Arlington Skatium presents Noon Year's Eve
For the non-night-owl who wants to welcome 2025, Arlington Skatium is starting the party early with a Noon Year's Eve skate party that starts at, yes, 12 pm. This is a classic wooden roller rink with an arcade and cool neon lights for extra mood magic. There will be a countdown and balloon drop at noon, as well as loads of skating fun.

Gary Owen's DFW NYE Takeover VIII
Comedian Gary Owen has become a New Year's Eve tradition in Dallas, hosting a comedy showcase with a roster of his best friends. This year, Owen will perform alongside fellow comedians like Lavell Crawford, Ms. Pat, Nate Jackson, J.J. Williamson, and T. Robe. The event takes place at Texas Trust CU Theatre in Grand Prairie.

Stomping Ground Comedy presents Year in Rearview
Year in Rearview is an interactive improv comedy show fully powered by the biggest life moments of your year. Audience members can laugh along as improvisers at Stomping Ground Comedy Theater help them process their 2024 memories by spinning them into comedic and cathartic re-enactments. Free drinks will be provided during this special event, and there will be two separate showtimes available for the 90-minute show, with the 10 pm event including an after party and midnight champagne toast.

Four Day Weekend presents New Year’s Eve Show
Comedy troupe Four Day Weekend will celebrate New Year’s Eve in a big way with their annual New Year’s Eve Show. The package includes a cocktail-style dinner from 8:30-9:45 pm, admission to the interactive comedy show starting at 10 pm, and a champagne toast with party favors. The show takes place at Four Day Weekend's theater in Lowest Greenville.

Dallas Animal Services and Adoption Center present New Year's Eve: Calming the Canines
Instead of champagne and fireworks, celebrate the New Year at Dallas Animal Services and Adoption Center, the city's municipal shelter which is inviting animal lovers to a radical event. Come hang out with animals (and fellow animal lovers) at the shelter and read, sing, or play an instrument to soothe them during noisy times, since the booming sounds of fireworks can be stressful and frightening for animals, whose hearing is way better than ours. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own books, folding chairs, or yoga mats to sit and read to the animals.

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FIFA in on the big screen

Dallas' Klyde Warren Park turns into free World Cup watch party hub

Photo courtesy of Klyde Warren Park

Klyde Warren Park will host free watch parties for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Dallas' Klyde Warren Park is set to become one big watch party for 2026 FIFA World Cup. The park will host free public viewing events for nearly the entire tournament, showing dozens of matches on a giant outdoor LED screen in the heart of downtown Dallas.

According to a release, the park's "Global Watch Parties" will run from June 11-July 19, turning the 5.4-acre green space into a gathering spot for both devoted soccer fans and those who just want to experience the excitement of the tournament with others.

The watch parties will be free to attend and are expected to draw thousands of local residents and international visitors. Matches will be broadcast live from FOX and Telemundo in both English and Spanish. The park's viewing schedule can be found here.

Games will be shown every day of the tournament except Saturday, July 4 and designated tournament "rest" days on July 8, 12, 13, 16, and 17. Programming could begin as early as 6 am and continue until 10 pm, according to the release.

In addition to the matches themselves, visitors can expect food trucks, dining options, live music, fitness classes, family activities, public art installations, and appearances by local soccer organizations and community partners.

On weekends, Olive Street between the east and west sides of the park will be converted into a pedestrian plaza to improve access and accommodate larger crowds, organizers say.

“Klyde Warren Park has always been Dallas’ town square — a place where people from every neighborhood, background and culture come together to celebrate the moments that define our city,” says Kit Sawers, president and CEO of Klyde Warren Park, in the release. “The FIFA World Cup will bring the world to North Texas, and we’re proud to provide a free, welcoming space where fans and families can experience the excitement together in the heart of Dallas.”

Fans are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets to watch games from the lawn, while surrounding restaurants and food vendors will help create a festival atmosphere throughout the tournament.

The schedule overlaps with Klyde Warren Park's annual Independence Day celebration (including the fireworks) on July 4, adding another major event to a busy summer in Dallas.

“These watch parties extend the World Cup experience far beyond the stadium,” Sawers says. “Whether you have match tickets or not, this gives everyone an opportunity to be part of the energy, pride and global connection that comes with hosting one of the world’s biggest sporting events.”

Nine FIFA World Cup matches (more than in any other host city) will be played at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, dubbed "Dallas Stadium," for the tournament. They will start with Netherlands vs. Japan on June 14, followed by England vs. Croatia on June 17, Argentina vs. Austria on June 22, Japan vs. Sweden on June 25, and Jordan vs. Argentina on June 27.

The stadium will also host two Round of 32 matches (June 30 and July 3), one Round of 16 match (July 6), and one Semi-Final match (July 14).

Early estimates said Dallas-Fort Worth could welcome nearly 4 million visitors during the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

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