First Night Boston

A Celebration of Arts and Community

Once a year on New Year's Eve, the city of Boston begins its festivities with a celebration called First Night Boston or just First Night. The festivities include a variety of music, dance, theater, comedy, arts and crafts, ice sculptures, and fireworks. first night boston - boston first night celebtration - christmas tree in downtown boston

First Night Boston began in 1976 by a group of artists and local residents as a way to bring neighboring communities of the city together in one large celebration.

During this combining of communities into one celebration, this group of individuals sought to give visitors an alternative way to ring in the new year by incorporating local culture while banning the public consumption of alcohol.

Other surrounding towns and communities started their own First Night celebrations and has since spread to cities all over the world.

Beginning at 1 pm and ending at midnight with the Boston Harbor fireworks, the New Year's Eve activities are spread out throughout downtown Boston and include both outdoor and indoor venues.

Literally covering one end of the city of Boston to the other, there are over 30 event locations to enjoy. Even though public transportation like the T (Boston subway system) is the way to go, plan on doing a good amount of walking.

When I was at First Night Boston, it was very cold outside, windy and freezing rain was in the forecast. I saw a lot of people walking around ill-prepared for the weather so I was glad I had looked at the weather forecast ahead of time and dressed accordingly.

I would definitely recommend not driving through downtown Boston during the celebration as roads may be closed at the discretion of Boston Police with traffic being very slow to allow the free-flowing of pedestrian traffic.

If you do want to drive to Boston and park your car, the "official" parking garage for the First Night Boston celebration is The Garage @ 100 Clarendon. Parking on New Year's Eve is $12. There are a few other parking garages throughout Boston with T stations relatively close by:

The Garage @ 100 Clarendon 100 Clarendon Street Boston, MA 02116 (617) 275-0151	Christian Science Plaza Parking Garage 250 Massachusetts Avenue Boston, MA 02115 (617) 450-2000
Prudential Center Parking Garage Boylston Street, Huntington Avenue, Belvidere Street and Exeter Street Boston, MA 02115 (617) 236-3060	Radisson Hotel Garage 200 Stuart Street Boston, MA 02116 (617) 482-1800
Motor Mart Garage 26 Park Plaza Boston, MA 02116 (617) 482-8380	Boston Common Parking Garage Charles Street Boston, MA 02116 (617) 954-2098
Center Plaza Garage One Center Plaza Boston, MA 02108 (617) 742-7807	Garage at Post Office Square 0 Post Office Square Boston, MA 02109 (617) 423-1430
Fan Pier Parking 28 Northern Avenue Boston, MA 02210 (617) 261-4500	Gale International Parking Lot/ LAZ Parking 25 Northern Avenue Boston, MA 02210 (617) 737-3363

Helpful Tips and Information

To enjoy the day and night's activities to their fullest, you'll want to know some practical information before coming to First Night Boston.

As events and activities on the program guide are subject to change, make sure to check out the First Night website for the latest updates. They are also on twitter and can be followed at twitter.com/firstnight.
Some of the performances are admitted on a first come, first serve basis. There are no reserved seats and late admission is at the discretion of the site's management.
Some of the events are located in places of worship. Food, beverages and smoking are not permitted unless otherwise posted.
Many events are interpreted in American Sign Language (ASL) and all official First Night sites are wheelchair accessible, except the Boston Park Plaza Terrace Room.
Restroom facilities are located at Boston Common, City Hall Plaza, Copley Square, and the Shops at Prudential Center.
Medical emergencies and lost children are handled by Boston's EMS. In any emergency, dial 9-1-1. The Medical/Lost Children stations are located at the Hynes Convention Center - Room 101 from 1 pm - 11 pm and the Boston Common at the corner of Charles and Beacon Streets from 1 pm - 12 am.
The First Night Boston activities will go on regardless of weather.

Before coming to First Night Boston, you'll want to make sure you get your button. At retailers, the cost is $18 and free for children under 4. Purchasing the button on www.firstnight.org will give you the special advance price of $15.

Some of the retailers the buttons can be purchased at are Au Bon Pain, Shaw's Supermarket, Tedeschi Food Shops/ Store 24, AAA Southern New England, and Borders.

By purchasing your button, you'll be able to enter many of the events and performances throughout the First Night Boston festivities. There's also extended value and discounts from time of sale, end of November, through the month of January; named First Month.

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Events and Attractions

Throughout the day and night, First Night Boston hosts several events, attractions, fun things to do and see. The city itself is filled with festive lights and Christmas displays along the way such as in areas like Quincy Market and Faneuil Hall.

first night boston - quincy market lights

If you like parades, be sure to be in the area before 5 pm as street side views fill up quickly.

The Metro Boston Grand Procession begins at the Hynes Convention Center at 5:30 pm, travels down Boylston Street, takes a left onto Charles Street in Boston Common. Included in the procession are over 800 artists from all over Boston; marching bands, puppeteers, jazz bands, circus acts and many others.

The attractions at First Night Boston found on the program guide (and also found on their website) can be divided into categories such as music, dance, magic & stunts, storytelling, puppets & theater, film, workshops, visual arts & exhibitions and outdoor activities.

Here is a list of the event locations at First Night Boston:

American Repertory Theatre 64 Brattle Street, Cambridge Nearest T Station: Red–Harvard	Improv Asylum 216 Hanover Street Nearest T Station: Green–Haymarket Capacity: 180
Arlington Street Church Arlington Street at Boylston Street Nearest T Station: Green–Arlington Capacity: 670	King’s Chapel 58 Tremont Street Nearest T Station: Green/Blue –Government Center or Blue/Orange–State Street Capacity 350
Boston Common Nearest T Station: Green/Red– Park Street or Green–Boylston Outdoors	The Mary Baker Eddy Library 200 Massachusetts Avenue Nearest T Station: Green E–Symphony or Green–Hynes Capacity: 260
Boston Harbor Nearest T Station: Blue–Aquarium Outdoors	Museum of Science 16 Science Park Nearest T Station: Green–Science Park
The Boston Park Plaza Hotel Terrace Room 64 Arlington Street Nearest T Station: Green–Arlington Capacity: 350	New England Aquarium Central Wharf Nearest T Station: Blue–Aquarium Capacity: 800
Boston Public Library 700 Boylston Street Nearest T Station: Green–Copley Capacity: 342	Old South Church 645 Boylston Street Nearest T Station: Green – Copley or Orange – Back Bay Capacity: Sanctuary - 950
City Place/Transportation Building 115 Stuart Street Nearest T Station: Green–Boylston Capacity: 500	Old South Meeting House 310 Washington Street Nearest T Station: Blue/Orange–State Street Capacity: 650
Copley Square Nearest T Station: Green–Copley Outdoors	Old State House Museum Washington Street at State Street Nearest T Station: Green/Blue Government Center Capacity: 45
Emmanuel Church 15 Newbury Street Nearest T Station: Green–Arlington Capacity: 900	Orpheum Theatre One Hamilton Place Nearest T Station: Green/Red–Park Street Capacity: 2700
First Church in Boston 66 Marlborough Street Nearest T Station: Green–Copley Capacity: Sanctuary - 350	Otis House Museum 141 Cambridge Street Nearest T Station: Red–Charles Street/MGH or Green/Blue–Government Center Capacity: afternoon-40; evening-70
The First Church of Christ, Scientist, Christian Science Plaza 175 Huntington Avenue Nearest T Station: Green E–Symphony	St. Paul’s Cathedral 138 Tremont Street Nearest T Station: Green/Red–Park Street Capacity: 650
Hynes Convention Center 900 Boylston Street Nearest T Station: Green–Hynes	USS Constitution Museum Charlestown Navy Yard, Building #22 Nearest T Station: Green/Orange– North Station or #93 MBTA bus Capacity: 350

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One of my favorite things to see at First Night Boston was the ice sculptures in Boston Common. You can really see how talented the artists are through their work in creating these large and intricate displays.

first night boston - ice sculpture in boston common

As you pass by the ice sculptures walking through Boston Common, you'll also see families and friends ice skating at Frog Pond. If you like, you can rent skates and ice skate also, but be prepared to wait in line for quite some time.

We were there watching for 10 or so minutes and didn't see the lines moving much at all. I believe there's a maximum capacity for the ice and people can only go in once the same amount of others comes off. Best to come back another day when there's less crowds to deal with.

Fireworks displays happen twice during the night. One set occurs at 7 pm in Boston Common at the Boston Common Ball field and is touted as "Boston's Family Fireworks Celebration." This is great for kids and everyone else not wanting to stay up for the midnight display.

The second set of fireworks takes place at midnight on Boston Harbor celebrating the New Year with a brilliant display of light, color and sound. We found a spot right behind the Rowes Wharf hotel, through the archway, and I was lucky enough to get some very nice shots (cold as it was outside!).

first night boston - boston harbor fireworks

First Night Boston Essentials

Location: Downtown Boston - 30+ event locations throughout the city as listed above

Phone: First Night Boston Phone: (617) 542-1399

Email: info@firstnight.org

Website: www.firstnight.org

Dates: December 31st. - First Month discounts from end of November (first day button goes on sale) through month of January

Hours: First Night events occur from 1 pm to 12 am.

Prices: $18 for purchase of button, Children under 4 - Free. Buttons can be purchased at Au Bon Pain, Shaw's Supermarket, Tedeschi Food Shops/ Store 24, AAA Southern New England and Borders.
*Buttons purchased in advance online at firstnight.org are $15 each*

Attractions: Cultural events including music, dance, magic & stunts, storytelling, puppets & theater, film, workshops, visual arts & exhibitions and outdoor activities. List of even locations are above. Also included are ice sculptures at Boston Common, Fireworks at 7 pm at Boston Common and 12 am at Boston Harbor and the Metro Boston Grand Procession starting at 5:30 pm at the Hynes Convention Center.

Parking: Parking Garages as listed above.

Hotel Search: Lowest prices for Boston hotels!

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