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7 celebrations near Downtown Houston to ring in the New Year

From DJ sets to jazz performances, the following parties each offer unique ways to celebrate New Year’s Eve in Houston. 

Doc’s Houston: The jazz club is kicking off New Year’s Eve with back-to-back performances led by Tianna Hall and The Houston Jazz Band at 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. Guests can also enjoy a festive four-course prix fixe menu, beginning with a cozy black-eyed pea soup, followed by a grape-arugula salad with walnuts, ricotta and pomegranate molasses.

  • Dec. 31, 7 p.m.
  • $75-$125 (per ticket)
  • 1201 Westheimer Road, Ste. A, Houston

Moon: Enjoy New Year’s Eve at the newly opened Post Oak cocktail bar. Guests can start the night with regular service before a DJ brings in curated sounds to celebrate the hour. 

  • Dec. 31, 5 p.m.-Jan. 1, 2 a.m.
  • Prices vary
  • 1800 Post Oak Blvd., Ste. 6110, Houston

 
On The Business Beat
Suds Car Wash to open several new locations across the Houston area

Suds Deluxe Car Wash is expanding in Texas with eight new locations listed as coming soon on the business's website. The new locations are spread out across Houston, San Antonio and West Texas, with four of the eight slated for the Houston area.

What we know: The car wash facility offers a variety of specials to choose from, such as the Thrifty option for just a basic clean and rinse, all the way to the Sudsy Special, which provides a clean and rinse, wheel cleaner, tire shine, hot wax, weather guard and ceramic shell.

Prices vary from $12 to $25 for a single wash. However, customers can also purchase a monthly membership that provides unlimited washes.

Additional amenities are also available for free with every car wash, including mat cleaner, clean towels, glass cleaner, air wands, vacuums and leather conditioner.

 
On The Transportation Beat
Hobby announces progress on $470M expansion effort

The final steel beam has been put into place on a $470 million expansion project at Houston's William P. Hobby Airport, according to a Dec. 12 news release from the Houston Airport System.

What's happening: As previously reported by Community Impact, the expansion is set to bring seven new gates to the airport, more than doubling the number of existing gates. Other improvements include:

  • An updated baggage claim system
  • Additional baggage claim carousels
  • Expanded dining and retail options
  • Weather-protected canopies at departures

Ground broke on the project in early 2024, and the placement of the final steel beam marks just over the halfway mark, as the expansion is expected to wrap up in 2027.

In their words: "The topping-off milestone underscores the craftsmanship behind one of Houston’s most significant aviation projects—and marks the moment the new concourse officially began its transition from structure to space," the release states.

 
Statewide News
Taxes, school discipline and more: 5 trending CI Texas stories from 2025

Here are five of the most-read CI Texas stories from this year and the latest updates on these trending topics.

1. Texas Senate passes bill that would nearly double property tax exemption for seniors, people with disabilities: Elderly and disabled homeowners were set to receive a $200,000 property tax exemption this year.

2. Texas House bill would make it easier to remove students from the classroom: The law gives teachers more discretion to remove students from the classroom if they are repeatedly disruptive or threaten the safety of others.

3. What to know about the 17 state propositions on the Nov. 4 ballot: Nearly 3 million Texans voted in the November election, approving all 17 constitutional amendments.

4. Texas House bill would prohibit cellphone use in K-12 schools: Under House Bill 1481, cellphones and other personal communication devices are prohibited bell-to-bell in Texas public schools.

5. Texas families can now access 2022-23 A-F school accountability ratings after multiyear legal battle: The state later released ratings for the 2023-24 and 2024-25 school years in August.

 
What You May Have Missed
Coastal Texas Project updates, Greenhouse Road underpass: 5 trending stories in the Greater Houston area

Catch up on Community Impact’s coverage this week with five trending Greater Houston-area stories from Dec. 19-26:

1. Coastal Texas Project moves forward with two new design contracts

2. $81M Greenhouse Road underpass set for 2026 construction

3. 8 businesses coming soon to Sugar Land-Missouri City

4. Vevor to open at former Big Lots location on Jones Road

5. Singas Famous Pizza coming to Sugar Land
 

 

Your local team

Cassie Jenkins
Editor

Chloe Mathis
General Manager

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