Boston's First Night Spectacular
One of the largest and best-behaved New Year’s Eve celebrations in the country is Boston’s First Night, begun in 1976 by a group of artists looking for an alternative to humdrum holiday fare.
First Night is a celebration of arts and creativity, with hundreds of special performances citywide for children, families and adults of all ages. The event, which showcases local talent, neighborhoods and organizations, kicks off with an imaginative parade at 5:30 near Copley Square, and has grown from an attraction drawing a few thousand people to a major regional affair drawing more than a million participants and modeled by hundreds of cities across the country.
The procession at 5:30 is the best way to set the tone for an exuberant New Year’s Celebration. Giant puppets with whimsical masks swoop down on the crowds, mock “dragons” dance and lunge in the street, and jesters in festive robes and caps dispense silver stickers of good luck to the bystanders.
The celebration, with floats, mini-cars, marchers and costumed participants on foot begins at Hynes Auditorium and wends its way down Boylston Street, culminating on the Boston Common, where colonial cattle once grazed. The first of two fireworks displays start here at 7:30; the second at midnight on the waterfront at Columbus Park, and between the two bookend spectacles of the night are countless performances in churches, halls and auditoriums around town.
More than 1,000 artists in 200 performances in more than 40 venues participated in First Night 2007.
The outdoor events, including ice sculptures, laser light shows and other installations, are free, and indoor performance--from face-painting for the kids, to dance exhibitions and music--are supported by the sale of a First Night Button which, for $15 admits the wearer to all First Night events.
We spent the full 9 ½ hours enjoying the festivities, starting at 4:00 and arriving back home around 1:30 a.m. Of course, you can pick and choose how much to see, but with a little advance preparation, you’ll enjoy First Night even more.
Tips for First Night:
- Dress warmly and wear comfortable walking shoes
- Buy your First Night Button in advance if you plan on attending any of the indoor events. Shaw’s supermarket on Huntington Ave. near Copley Square sells them at their customer service desk, as do other stores in the area.
- Map out your preferred events in advance and get to the desired location ahead of time for better chances at a good seat. Events are quickly SRO.
- Take time out and stop for a snack, coffee or hot chocolate.
- Eat enough beforehand to fuel all the walking you’ll be doing.
- Bring small pocket snacks if you don’t plan on stopping.
- Many events, especially the ones in churches may have hot drinks, but plan ahead for breaks throughout the evening.
- Don’t miss the parade and at least one of the fireworks displays
For further information, see the First Night home page: http://www.firstnight.org/Pages/FirstNight_Button.aspx
- Barbara Sealock
