Austin’s New Year 2019: Everything you need to know

The city’s annual New Year’s Eve bash on Auditorium Shores usually brings out all the stops, and this year should be no exception. The free (and alcohol-free), family event features three stages, scads of local and regional bands, food trucks, kid’s activities, multiple art installations, something called a trackless train, and a light show at the Stevie Ray Vaughan statue.

The Monday event begins at 3 p.m. and will showcase such local favorites as Nakia and the Blues Grifters, Tiarra Girls, Mélat, and Lost Coast. The event will be capped off with the traditional fireworks finale, starting at 10 p.m. (Check our map of best spots for watching the fireworks if you don’t plan on being at Auditorium Shores in the evening.)

Transportation and parking

Public parking will be available at Palmer Auditorium, One Texas Center, and City Hall. There is no free parking for this event, and there is no event parking in the neighborhood.

As always, attendees are encouraged to find alternative transportation to this popular event. Designated ride-hailing off/pick up will be located one block from the event, at One Texas Center, 505 Barton Springs Road. You can enter the parking lot through South First Street or Haywood Avenue.

There do not appear to be special shuttles scheduled, but Capital Metro will have its usual routes in service. There will also be be bike racks available at the event. Note: Skateboards, scooters, and personal motorized vehicles are prohibited.

What to bring/what not to bring

Prohibited

• Drones
• Drugs or alcohol
• Coolers (except for medical needs)
• Glass containers
• Styrofoam containers
• Smoking
• Professional video cameras
• Pop-up tents or anything that blocks others from seeing the show
• Skateboards, scooters, or personal motorized vehicles
• 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

Allowed

• Blankets
• Umbrellas (small, hand-held style)
• Baby strollers
• Small wagons
• Binoculars
• Camping chairs (not in front of the main stage)
• Personal handheld walkie-talkies
• Personal cameras, including digital cameras; DSLRs with stock lenses; point-and-shoot cameras; and traditional film cameras.
• Bike are allowed, but riders must walk them through the crowd

Pets on leashes only are allowed, but:

• Organizers 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.

Street closures and alternate access

In addition roadways mapped below will be closed from 8 p.m. to midnight on Monday, Dec. 31. (You can find a complete list of closures on the city’s website.)

Alternative routes for traffic

• North/south: Mopac (Loop 1), Lamar Boulevard, IH-35.
• East/west: Barton Springs Road, Fifth Street, Sixth Street, 11th Street, 15th Street, MLK Jr. Boulevard