First Night Boston 2008

A tradition for more than thirty years, First Night is a daylong New Year's Eve event that celebrates the arts in Boston. From 1 pm to midnight on December 31, a wide variety of indoor and outdoor venues throughout downtown Boston feature theatre, dance, music, visual arts, film, and more for all ages.

First Night attracts more than 1.5 million people annually. Some of the more popular attractions include the Mardi-Gras style Grand Procession, the interactive Family Festival at the Hynes Convention Center, large lighted ice sculptures on Copley Square and the Boston Common, and two fireworks displays. Outdoor events are free; to get into indoor events you need to buy a First Night Button (see more below).

A Brief History of First Night: First Night got its start in 1976 when a group of artists and Boston-area residents decided they wanted an alternative to traditional New Year's Eve celebrations. Over the years the event has grown from a small arts event on the Boston Common to a major citywide festival of the arts with related year-round community programming. First Night showcases Boston’s cultural and artistic communities through more than 250 exhibitions and performances by both local and internationally recognized artists. More than 200 cities worldwide now hold similar celebrations.

First Night 2008: Boston's 32nd annual First Night New Year's Eve activities take place from 1 pm to midnight on December 31, 2007, and include more than 200 performances at more than 40 indoor and outdoor venues throughout downtown Boston. You can view a PDF of the complete schedule of events online at firstnight.org. To get you started, here are ten of this year’s top events.

Purchasing a First Night Button: A First Night Button gives you access to all indoor First Night events throughout the day. Outdoor events are free, though they are supported by sales of the First Night button. The buttons also make a nice keepsake. The First Night 2008 button features a photograph by 27-year-old Mike Ritter of Dorchester.

Buttons are just $15 (children under 4 are free) and are available at Boston-area Shaw’s and Star Markets, Store 24, L'il Peach, Tedeschi's, Au Bon Pain, and dozens of other locations. A complete list is available at the First Night website. Buttons can also be ordered online now from firstnight.org. On December 31, you can purchase buttons at the Hynes Convention Center and First Night button booths on the Boston Common and Public Garden for $20.