15 best New Year's events around Austin to ring in 2023

NYE 2022

Toni Blay Flickr

Every new year, Austinites have a new chance to celebrate their own way. Maybe you start your New Year’s Eve with brunch, continue the festivities with a multi-course dinner, then finish off the night at any one of the lush evening celebrations happening throughout Austin. Or maybe you have a quiet evening at home with a prepared dinner from a local restaurant, and visit a new brunch spot on New Year's Day. (Either way, brunch.) Whether you’re looking to spend New Year's Eve at home, with your family, or out and about, we’ve got you covered with 15 fun-filled events happening around the city.

Saturday, December 31

Dining

Tillie’s at Camp Lucy’s New Year’s Eve Dinner
For those looking to spend an evening in the Hill Country, Tillie’s executive chef Andy Knudson will craft a special five-course dinner for guests from 5-9 pm. Enjoy hamachi tartar, ricotta gnocchi, pan roasted scallop, and more. Wine pairings are also available. Reserve ($125 per person) on OpenTable.

APT 115’s New Year’s Eve Menu
A special 10-course tasting menu by James Beard-nominated chef Charles Zhuo looks to impress, at APT 115’s intimate restaurant in an apartment unit. Chef Zhuo is the only kitchen staff, utilizing only a portable stove top burner and minimal cooking tools. Feel the welcoming atmosphere as if you’re in a friend’s home with curated music from owner and musician Joe Pannenbacker’s record collection. Reserve ($130 per person) on Tock.

L'Oca d'Oro's "Don't Worry Darling" NYE Dinner
Inspired by Olivia Wilde’s critically-acclaimed film and the aesthetic of a 1950’s science fiction utopia, L’Oca d’Oro will provide guests with a dinner to help them relax into 2023. The multi-course meal will finish off with a dreamsicle baked Alaska by Chef Jules Stoddart. Reserve ($100 per person) at locadoroaustin.com.

Evening Celebrations

City of Austin’s New Year’s Eve Celebration at Auditorium Shores
The annual "Austin’s New Year" celebration looks to be “unlike any other” this year with live music, drag performances, food trucks, and — for the first time — beer, wine, and champagne at a beer hall. The celebration will feature a dynamic firework show at midnight (instead of 10 pm like in previous years). Beginning at 6 pm, guests can bring their own picnic blankets and chairs to the lawn to enjoy performances by Extragrams, El Combo Oscuro, Taméca Jones, and The Texas Gentlemen. This event is free to the public and suitable for all ages.

The Paramount Theatre Presents Bob Schneider’s Great Big Spectacular NYE Party
Joined by special guests Primo the Alien and Big Skinny, Austin’s beloved Bob Schneider will ring in 2023 at The Paramount Theatre's annual celebration. A new option for guests this year is a "VIP seating for two" package that includes front row or center mezzanine seats, a custom table, and guests’ choice between champagne or wine. Tickets (starting at $35) available at austintheatre.org.

NYE at ACL Live with Pat Green
Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter and Texas native Pat Green will perform a special New Year’s Eve show alongside Corey Kent and Kody West at ACL Live at 8 pm. The show will feature a balloon drop, free champagne, and a midnight countdown with Father Time. Tickets (starting at $39) available at acllive.com.

Devil May Care's Stop the Clock
Wind back the clock with Devil May Care at their lavish, all-inclusive New Year’s Eve party at 8 pm. Guests are encouraged to dress on-theme. They'll enjoy a choice of four NYC classic-inspired cocktails, passed bites and food displays, live entertainment from Soleiman and Gamma, and an Ace of Spades champagne toast at midnight. Tickets ($150) available at devilmaycareatx.com.

Zanzibar’s New Year’s Eve Party
If you’re looking for something a little more tropical, Zanzibar is hosting an island-themed New Year’s Eve celebration beginning at 9 pm. Enjoy a panoramic view of downtown Austin while sipping on a complimentary glass of sparkling wine and trying an island-inspired small bites buffet. DJ Devin Taylor will provide the soundtrack for the evening, followed by a firework show over Lady Bird Lake at midnight. Tickets (starting at $100) available on Eventbrite.

Hotel ZaZa Austin presents NYE Bash
Don your best cocktail attire and enjoy a glam evening of live music and themed entertainment at Hotel ZaZa at 10 pm. Capture the moment with their interactive photo booth station. A bubbly toast will follow the midnight countdown. Tickets (starting at $125) available on Eventbrite.

NYE at Home

Aba’s New Year’s Eve Dinner To Go
Mediterranean restaurant Aba is offering locals a way to close out the year at home with their to-go New Year’s Eve Dinner Package from now until 9 am on December 28. The package serves two guests and includes seven menu items by Chef CJ Jacobson. Guests can pick up their orders between 10 am and 4 pm on Saturday, December 31. The food is served cold with instructions to reheat. To-go orders available on Tock.

Brunch

1886 Café & Bakery NYE Brunch
Get the day started early with an elegant brunch experience featuring holiday specials and favorites such as the Brazos huevos rancheros, Texas-shaped waffles, and cocktails crafted with Austin liquors. Brunch will be served from 7 am to 2 pm. Reservations are not required.

Family-friendly

The Thinkery: New Year’s Eve Celebration
From 9-11 am and 1-3 pm, partygoers can welcome the new year by joining The Thinkery’s celebration and participate in family-friendly balloon drops, bubble wrap stomps, music, and other activities. Baby-friendly activities will also be available. Tickets ($30, kids under 2 go free) available at thinkeryaustin.org.

Sunday, January 1

1886 Café & Bakery New Year’s Day Brunch
Start your 2023 on a high note with an elegant brunch experience featuring holiday specials and favorites such as the Brazos huevos rancheros, Texas-shaped waffles, and cocktails crafted with Austin liquors. Brunch will be served from 7 am to 2 pm. Reservations are not required.

Bathrobe and Bingo Brunch for Charity at TLC
Break out your favorite bathrobe or pajamas for a Bingo Brunch at TLC from 11 am to 3 pm, to benefit Cupid’s Charity for the Children’s Tumor Foundation. There will be raffle prizes, TLC’s full menu (including New Year’s Day brunch specials), Texas-sized cocktails, and $5 mimosas. RSVP on Eventbrite.

Dog Haus Biergarten Four Points
This gourmet hot dog franchise is ringing in the new year with their annual tradition celebrating National Hangover Day. Hot dog fans can lull their first hangovers of 2023 with any burrito or burger and a PBR for $9.99. For a little extra “hair of the dog,” the restaurant will have $5 pints available all day.

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Texas chefs and restaurants advance as James Beard Award finalists — and none are in Austin

James Beard Finalists 2023

The James Beard Foundation has selected its finalists for their annual Restaurant and Chef Awards, and none are in Austin. This is a bit of a surprise since there were 6 different Austin nominees, and considering how well-represented Austin has been in previous years. In 2022, Austin's Edgar Rico (Nixta Taqueria) won Emerging Chef and Iliana de la Vega (El Naranjo) was named the first ever Best Chef: Texas.

Nonetheless, Texas as a whole is well-represented among 2023 finalists and one Austin establishment will be recognized as an American classic. Texan restaurants and chefs in the running for national awards include:

Outstanding Bar: Las Ramblas, Brownsville
Outstanding Bakery: Kuluntu Bakery, Dallas
Outstanding Bakery: La Casita Bakeshop, Dallas
Outstanding Restaurant: Lucia, Dallas
Best New Restaurant: Restaurant Beatrice, Dallas
Best New Restaurant: Don Artemio Mexican Heritage, Fort Worth
Best New Restaurant: Tatemó, Houston
Outstanding Wine and Other Beverages Program: Nancy’s Hustle, Houston

Texas is considered its own region and one person will earn Best Chef: Texas; this year's finalists include:

John Russ, Clementine, San Antonio
Ernest Servantes and David Kirkland, Burnt Bean Co., Seguin
Reyna Duong, Sandwich Hag, Dallas
Benchawan Jabthong Painter, Street to Kitchen, Houston
Emiliano Marentes, ELEMI, El Paso

Notably, all of this year’s finalists for both the national categories and Best Chef: Texas are new. None of them received nominations in 2022.

The finalists are drawn from a pool of semifinalists that included 10 nominations each for Houston and Dallas, seven for San Antonio, six for Austin, and two for Fort Worth.

Last year, Texans did well in the awards, with Houston cocktail bar Julep winning Outstanding Bar Program, on top of the previously mentioned Austin winners. In addition, two Texans won media awards — Austin chef Jesse Griffiths (Dai Due) for his cookbook, The Hog Book: A Chef’s Guide to Hunting, Butchering and Cooking Wild Pigs and Texas Monthly taco editor Jose Ralat for his Tex-Mexplainer columns.

The Foundation will reveal its Restaurant and Chef Award winners at an awards ceremony on Monday, June 5, 2023, at the Lyric Opera of Chicago. Media Award winners will be announced on June 3.

Austin classical music station composes open house events for official "KMFA Day" proclamation

House lights up

Classical music events may be a little intimidating to get into, but Austin's friendly classical music radio station, KMFA, is making sure everyone gets involved in the most Austin way: an open house and market. At this event, Mayor Kirk Watson will declare April 1 "KMFA Day," with a proclamation followed by music, tours, lessons, and more.

This is the station's second open house at its new home space, the bespoke Draylen Mason Music Studio, but the day of recognition is a new achievement. As part of the official proceedings, a work by Austin-born sculpture artist Betty Gold will be dedicated to former KMFA President and General Manager Ann Wilson. The work, Alas VIII (Wings VIII) (1992-1993), was recently moved to the KMFA entrance.

Being an open house, this day festival encourages visitors to experience the different spaces through hourly tours and cloistered performances. The schedule could easily keep visitors engaged for the length of the event (2-6 pm), with appearances by Austin Saxophone Ensemble and One Ounce Opera; ballet workshops and shows by Density512 and Red Nightfall Productions; and performances by multiple local high school bands.

There will also be more interactive offerings, like an "instrument petting zoo" and an "arts partner marketplace." Snacks will be provided by Topo Chico, and some of the events take place outside on the Malcom Cooper Patio.

KFMA has gone through a period of dramatic change recently. George Preston is the organization's new president after Wilson, appointed in January as its first new CEO in a decade. He brings experience from Chicago, Boston, New York City, and more. This may be one of Preston's first civically minded events with the organization, but its schedule is always packed with creative happenings including fundraising dinners and appearances at festivals in and out of Austin.

A scroll through the stations current offerings, from radio personalities to local and national programs, shows a wide commitment not just to venerable arts organizations and their canons, but to more casual, everyday arts appreciation. KMFA works closely with local schools and on-campus resources, including the Butler School at the University of Texas at Austin.

More information about KMFA Day is available at kmfa.org.

Where to find the most iconic — and best — meals in all of Texas

Hit the Road

Texans don't need much of a reason to hit the open road. Our state is brimming with natural beauty and charming small towns, but nothing motivates us to fill up the tank like a bonanza of regional foods.

There are renowned Texas flavors to be found throughout the entire state, from small towns like Round Top to the far west end in El Paso. And with meals ranging from Tex-Mex and barbecue to Frito Pie and kolaches, the Lone Star State is known for some of the most iconic foods in America.

When you hit the open road to explore (and taste) it all, know that a Hilton Hotel is nearby for a good night's rest. Whether you're traveling with family, friends, or as a couple, the right room is waiting with a warm welcome.

Hope you're hungry, because here is but a small slice of some of the best.

Barbecue
Goldee's BBQ, Fort Worth
Few barbecue joints in Texas can make a name without serving the holy trinity of brisket, sausage, and ribs. Still, the young chefs and pitmasters at this Fort Worth stop one-up the competition with unexpected sides like chicken rice and collard greens and crowd-pleasers like fish and chips.

Chicken Fried Steak
Babe's Chicken Dinner House, Carrollton
All Texans take their chicken fried steak with some degree of seriousness. We dare say this eatery — which originated in Carrollton and has locations all over North Texas — takes it the most seriously of all, with plenty of family-style sides to round out the table.

Tacos
La Cocina, McAllen
Former oil worker Evin Garcia combines tradition and innovation at this McAllen haunt. Enjoy everything from birria tacos dipped in a luscious consommé to an octopus version served with traditional al pastor fixings like onion, cilantro, and grilled pineapple.

Elotes
Elotes Fanny, Austin + North Texas
With locations in Austin, Fort Worth, and Garland, this snack shop mini-chain knows everything about corn. Get it by the cob or in a cup, and make sure to douse it in the fiery homemade Atomic Salsa.

Fried Chicken
Dolli's Diner, Nacogdoches
This diner does just about everything right, but the crowning jewel of the menu is undoubtedly the chicken fried chicken. It's served with mashed potatoes, gravy, and fresh veggies for color and is best enjoyed with funnel cake fries for dessert.

Frito Pie
RD's Burger, Cibolo
This casual stop does its namesake dish with aplomb, but found pure magic in its Frito Pie. It's served with no muss or fuss and occasionally on the insanely delicious burger.

Kolaches
Slovacek’s, West
When it comes to kolaches, any bakery in West will serve the real deal. Relative newcomer Slovacek's gets the vote for its dozens of fruit flavors and creative klobasnek (the meaty cousin of kolaches) filled with boudin, pepperoni, or kraut.

Pies
Royer's Round Top Cafe, Round Top
No trip to Round Top's famous antique fair is complete without a stop at this darling cafe. "Pie Man" Bud Royer makes every visit sweet with pies like buttermilk, pecan, and the multi-fruit Troy's Junk Berry.

Queso
L & J Cafe, El Paso
This El Paso tradition is by a graveyard, sure, but don't let that deter you from enjoying its queso. The miraculous concoction made with roasted green chile, tomatoes, and onions is served with just-fried tostadas.

Tamales
Leal's Tamale Factory, Lubbock
A Lubbock classic, this mainstay doesn't go for newfangled tamale flavors like sweet potato. Order pork, chicken, or cheese and rediscover the fundamentals.

Viet-Cajun crawfish boils
Crawfish & Noodles, Houston
Who knows what James Beard-nominated chef Trong Nguyen puts in his secret sauce. What we do know is that it's one of the most intensely flavorful experiences in all of Houston.

Texas knows no bounds when it comes to to where you can go (and eat). No matter where your next foodie adventure takes you, a Hilton hotel is waiting for you.

With over 550 Hilton hotels spanning across the state of Texas, the possibilities to earn more while exploring the Lone Star State are endless.

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