Fort Worth’s Sundance Square expects over 60,000 revelers for its largest New Year’s Eve celebration, featuring food, music and heightened security.

FORT WORTH, Texas — Sundance Square is gearing up for what organizers are calling the largest in-person New Year’s Eve celebration in Texas, with more than 60,000 people expected to ring in 2026.

“Hosting the largest in-person New Year’s event takes a lot of planning,” said Gregory Newman, music director for Sundance Square.

The downtown entertainment district has been transforming in recent days as vendors, performers and security teams prepare for Tuesday night’s festivities.

Among those setting up is Ossy Avila, chef of Knight Out Taqueria, who typically works crowds at AT&T Stadium during Cowboys games. This marks his first New Year’s Eve celebration at Sundance Square.

“It has been days and days and days of nonstop work,” Avila said. “We start stacking one piece at a time until you create the whole tower.”

Newman emphasized the event’s appeal: “It’s not the kind of celebration you’re going to want to see on your TV on the couch.”


Security measures in place

Fort Worth police and Sundance Square security are implementing safety protocols for the expected crowd. Attendees can expect road closures and crowd control measures.

Fort Worth Police and Sundance Security plan on working collaboratively to keep revelers safe. While at the same time, Fort Worth PD ramps up patrols across the city.

“We have officers on site that the community will be able to see, police officers, police cars, but also we have a huge wave of undercover officers people don’t see,” said Daniel Segura of the Fort Worth Police Department.

Authorities are warning against fireworks, shooting off handguns and impaired driving.

“We are not going to tolerate any illegal activity on the roads or in the streets,” Segura said.


Looking ahead

For vendors like Avila, the celebration represents more than just a busy night. He has ambitious goals for 2026, including opening his own brick-and-mortar restaurant and earning a Michelin star.

Artist Erik Gomez, who will be among those celebrating, also has aspirations for the new year.

“As an artist, I would love to have a solo show at an art gallery. That’s one of my biggest goals this upcoming year,” Gomez said.