You may think that NYC’s Times Square is the place to be on New Year’s Eve. But you don’t have to leave North Texas to enjoy the celebration. Locals used to head for Downtown Dallas for the festivities but the city stopped that event a few years back. That’s opened the door for many other venues to offer up exciting celebrations of their own. 

Trying to decide where you should celebrate on New Year’s Eve? Check out this list of ideas. (But please take an Uber if you plan to drink so we can all enjoy a safe and healthy new year.)

Lone Star NYE at Reunion Tower

Lone Star NYE will be broadcast throughout Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, Kansas, and Missouri from AT&T Streaming Lights at Reunion Tower. Featuring musical performances and a central time zone countdown, the event will be capped off with eight minutes of dazzling fireworks. But for security and safety reasons, Reunion Lawn will be closed to the public.

The Old Red Museum of Dallas County History & Culture

Want to get a good view of the festivities in person? The Old Red Museum in downtown is hosting an event called “New Year’s Eve 2018 Champagne Life: Royalty at the Castle.” The event will include dinner, table service, music by celebrity DJs and The Inspiration Band — with great views of the Reunion Tower fireworks. Prices range from $79 all the way up to $10,000, depending on how much luxury you want.

Dallas Symphony Orchestra 

Want a classier type of New Year’s celebration? Come to the Arts District and spend your evening with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra. Could there be a better place to sing Auld Lang Syne? They will also be plenty of beautiful music by Strauss, Dvorak, and more as well as a champagne toast to ring in the New Year.

Photo by Gavinmulloy77 / CC BY-SA

Live Blues at Granada Theater

If you’re looking to celebrate the future by listening to famous hits from the past, you’ll find a good time in Lower Greenville. It’s gonna be A Hard Day’s Night with a Beatles tribute band for a night of music and fun at the Granada Theater. Ticket are $35 each.

Courtesy of Hilton

New Year’s Eve Party in Plano

If you don’t want to head all the way into the city, the KISS-FM New Year’s Eve Party with Kellie Rasberry will be the best dance party in Plano. Dance all night to pop hits and enjoy some great food. Your all-inclusive ticket provides appetizers, a delicious dinner, and an open bar. Tickets cost $138 for singles or $270 for couples. Hosted at the Hilton Hotel at Granite Park.

Courtesy of Ampersand / Instagram

Masquerade Ball at Ampersand

Ampersand is hosting a NYE Masquerade Ball in the West 7th area in Downtown Fort Worth. The club just opened this year, so this will be their first NYE celebration. It promises to be unlike anything else you’ll find elsewhere, with burlesque dancers, a balloon drop, and complementary masks. Table prices range from $400 to $1200 and the party goes late until 2:00 a.m.

Courtesy of TripAdvisor / Raddison

New Year’s Eve Bash at Cassidy’s

Cassidy’s in the Radisson Hotel in North Fort Worth has a New Year’s Eve bash with live music by DJ XL, Marcia Rose, and Incognito in the ballroom. The event also offers a champagne toast at midnight and a breakfast buffet afterward. Best of all, you can stay in the hotel and enjoy a relaxing night instead of trying to get home among all the city’s other revelers. Tickets are $50 each; hotel rooms not included.

Courtesy of Landmark Fort Worth

“Biggest New Year’s Bash in Fort Worth”

 The Landmark Bar & Kitchen in the Cultural District is hosting what they call the “Biggest New Year’s Bash in Fort Worth.” They’re sweetening the deal with a $500 cash giveaway and $1,000 in door prizes. Ticket prices include $15 for standard admission, $20 for VIP, and $45 for the balcony. Party late until 2:00 a.m.

Ella Fitzgerald Tribute at Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra

If you want a classier type of evening in Fort Worth, come to watch Grammy Award-winning jazz vocalist Carmen Bradford perform a tribute to Ella Fitzgerald with the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra. Tickets for the event at the Bass Performance Hall range from $38 to $93.