NBC 5’s Lone Star NYE 2026 Promises 90‑Minute Countdown, Texas Bands, and Reunion Tower Fireworks

NBC 5’s Lone Star NYE 2026 will debut on December 31 at 10:58 p.m., bringing a 90‑minute live countdown from Dallas’s Reunion Tower and Fort Worth’s Sundance Square to North Texans.

Program Overview

The 90‑minute special will feature live segments from both Reunion Tower and Sundance Square. “We’re very excited to bring our 10th ‘Lone Star NYE’ to North Texans, with an extended 90‑minute program live from both Dallas’ Reunion Tower and Fort Worth’s Sundance Square this year,” said Tony Canales, President and General Manager of NBC 5 and Telemundo 39. He added, “We appreciate that our ‘Lone Star NYE 2025’ was again the most‑watched local TV special last New Year’s Eve and want to make it even bigger and better for North Texans this milestone year. This local production of our ‘Lone Star NYE 2026’ includes a live, local countdown filled with popular Texas music, spectacular fireworks and a drone light show that will connect North Texans to ring in 2026 together.”

Featured Performances

The broadcast will showcase exclusive performances by Texas‑based bands Fastball and Old 97’s, recorded in advance. Old 97’s, formed in 1992 in Dallas, have released 12 studio albums, two EPs, a split release, and one live album. The band, known for pioneering alt‑country in the late 1990s, describes their style as “loud folk.” Lead vocalist Rhett Miller reflected, “Old 97’s used to do an annual New Year’s Eve gig in Dallas and it was always such a thrill and an honor to count down the new year in our hometown,” said lead vocalist Rhett Miller. “It’s been a few years since we got to do that. And now to get to do it on such a prestigious platform as NBC is going to be an absolute blast. We love Dallas and we think 2026 is going to be the best year yet.”

Fastball, formed in 1994 in Austin, consists of guitarist/vocalist Miles Zuniga, bassist/vocalist Tony Scalzo, and drummer Joey Shuffield. Their 1998 album All the Pain Money Can Buy featured the hit single “The Way,” which topped the American rock charts for seven weeks. Zuniga noted, “Things really are bigger in Texas – like New Year’s Eve in DFW with the Old 97’s on NBC 5!”

Viewing Options

The show airs over the air on NBC 5 and is available on cable, satellite, and the NBC Dallas Fort Worth News 24/7 live‑streaming channel. Viewers can access the stream on Roku, Samsung TV Plus, Amazon Fire TV, Xumo Play, Google Play, Freevee, TCLtv+, and Local Now. Peacock premium subscribers can stream live as well. NBC 5 will also stream the event live on NBCDFW.com and the NBCDFW app; the free “NBC 5 DFW” app can be downloaded from Apple and Google Play.

Fireworks & Drone Show

The finale features Reunion Tower’s live fireworks spectacular and a drone light show presented by Hunt Realty Investments and Reunion Tower, promising a dazzling display over the Dallas skyline.

Social Media Participation

Viewers can join the festivities online with the hashtag #LoneStarNYE. Selected posts and photos shared with the network will appear in the live broadcast.

Replay Availability

A replay of the fireworks show will be added the day after the original broadcast.

Key Takeaways

• NBC 5’s Lone Star NYE 2026 will air at 10:58 p.m. from Dallas and Fort Worth.
• The program features Fastball, Old 97’s, Reunion Tower fireworks, and a drone light show.
• The event is accessible via over‑the‑air TV, cable, satellite, and multiple streaming platforms, with a replay available the following day.

The 10th edition of Lone Star NYE promises an energetic countdown, iconic Texas music, and a spectacular fireworks finale, inviting North Texans to celebrate the arrival of 2026 together.