If you are suffering from a case of the after-Christmas blues, cheer up! It's almost time to ring in another brand new year with First Night Boston 2019!
The celebration's 44th year promises to be just as exciting and entertaining as always with ice sculptures, light displays, live music, dance and cultural performances, children's entertainment, and much more.
As always, all First Night Boston events are free. They begin at noon on New Year’s Eve and culminate with a grand fireworks show at midnight to kick off 2019.
Most of the festivities will take place in the Back Bay’s Copley Square, including the Boston Public Library, Boston Common, Trinity Church, the Christian Science Plaza, and the Old South Church.
Make sure to visit the Frog Pond in Copley Square and the Boston Public Library to check out this year's crop of ice sculptures!
Most family-friendly events take place earlier in the day, and the musical performances and light shows occur into the evening. Copley Square’s main stage will have live musical performances beginning at 7:30 p.m.
There are far too many performances and exhibits to list here, but you can view an entire calendar of events on the First Night Boston website. Here are a few highlights:
5:30 p.m.: Olympic figure skater Ashley Wagner will star in a figure skating show at the Boston Common Frog Pond.
7 p.m.: An early, family fireworks show will light up the sky over Boston Common so you don't have to keep the kids up until midnight!
Throughout the day and night: Live musical performances will take place in Copley Square, including Flight of Fire, Single by Sunday, Chadwick Stokes and the Pintos, and the Boston Sax Quartet.
Organizers expect about 300,000 people, although attendance often depends on the weather.
Curbed Boston offered these additional tidbits of important information:
- You can donate to First Night Boston, which is raising money this year for nonprofits “rooted in supporting and empowering women in our neighborhoods.”
- Boston police suggest that attendees leave backpacks and other larger bags at home.
- It’s illegal to smoke—anything—in public spaces in Boston. Same for drinking alcohol (though bars will be open later than usual on December 31).
- There will be emergency stations as well as spots for collecting lost children in Copley Square and at Beacon and Charles streets.
- Don’t want to fight the crowds? Telemundo Boston, NBC10 Boston, and New England Cable News (NECN) are broadcasting segments of the performances and the fireworks.