New Year’s Eve in Boston: It’s All About First Night!

End 2009 and begin 2010 with Boston’s First Night celebration. First Night Boston is truly the “granddaddy” of all First Night celebrations. Begun in 1976 by a group  of artists and performers as a community-based New Year’s cultural celebration to end Boston’s year-long bicentennial activities, First Night Boston has served as the model for First Night Celebrations world-wide. Every year, New Englanders and visitors turn out in force- sometimes as many as 1 million people throng the streets- to ring in the year Boston First Night- style.

First Night Boston featuring performances by over 1000 artists-  musicians of all genres, mimes, choral groups and dancers at more than 40 locations throughout downtown. Fireworks light up Boston Harbor at midnight.

In the days leading up to First Night you can watch the ice sculptors perform their special kind of magic creating their spectacular works of art-  and hope that the weather cooperates and stays cold so that they don’t melt!

Special kids entertainment starts at 1 PM at the Hynes Convention Center (900 Boylston St., Boston) (Map) culminating in a Mardi-Gras style parade down Boylston Street beginning at 5 PM and  family fireworks on Boston Common at 7 PM.

First Night Boston is terrific fun-  a family oriented and alcohol-free event. And you won’t wake up on New Year’s Day morning with a hangover!

First Night Buttons are $18 and can be purchased on-line or at Star and Shaw’s Markets throughout the city.

Image Credit: Boston Convention and Visitor’s Bureau