First Night Boston 2026 - New Year's Eve Event Schedule
We have Not Yet Posted This Year's Information for This Event Yet
If new information for this event is already available for this year, please let us know.
If new information for this event is already available for this year, please let us know.
Festivities for the 50th First Night Boston begin at 10:00 a.m. with performances at the Boston Public Market and exhibits opening at the First Church of Christ, Scientist. At noon, stages alight at Boston Public Library in Copley Square, the Copley Place Mall, and in newly refurbished Copley Square Park. Beginning at 2:00 p.m., outdoor performances kick-off at the main stage in City Hall Plaza with Leaving Irene, SUPERPINK, Houston Bernard, and MAMADOU blending a variety of beats for the growing crowds.
The ice sculpture gallery will sparkle for all to enjoy, celebrating major events coming to Boston in 2026 and America’s 250th birthday.
The Greenway carousel offers free rides through the afternoon, and at Boston Common, archery for beginners opens for guests to take aim at 12:00 p.m. The Skating Club of Boston hosts its first of two figure skating shows in the Frog Pond at 3:00 p.m.
Boston Mayor Michelle Wu and others will speak from the main stage in City Hall Plaza at 5:45 p.m., before the First Night Parade brings hundreds of performers to Boston Common for the 7:00 p.m.
Mugar Family Fireworks presented by The Mugar Foundation. As the countdown continues, the tempo at City Hall Plaza picks up with Sons of Levin, Veronica Robles, Hill House the Band, Kei, and the Sultans putting their local roots and vibrant sounds on display.
As the clock strikes midnight, a second fireworks display will set Boston aglow, with the best vantage points available at Christopher Columbus Park, the North End, and East Boston.
The fireworks and headlining performance will cap more than 12 hours of free entertainment, light shows, ice sculptures, and other family-friendly programming ringing in 2026, and continuing the longest-running First Night celebration in the world.
View the Schedule of Events
First Night Event Schedule - Wednesday, December 31
Morning & Noon
10:00 AM
• Jeff Jam Sing-a-long
• How Do You See the World? Experience + Mapparium
12:00 PM
• Boston Saxophone Quartet
• Performances by The Greater Boston Chinese Cultural Association
• Chu Ling Dance Academy
12:30 PM
• Fuller and Friends Trio
Afternoon Events & Performances
1:00 PM
• Chester Brezniak and Yelena Beriyeva
• Emancipation Proclamation Concert
• A Trike Called Funk
1:30 PM
• ToriTori
• Puppet Showplace Theater
2:00 PM
• Leaving Irene
2:30 PM
• Alex Minasian Trio
3:00 PM
• SUPERPINK
• Frog Pond Skating Spectacular – Show 1
4:00 PM
• Houston Bernard
• Organ Concert
5:00 PM
• MAMADOU
• Brighter Ignited
5:30 PM
• Frog Pond Skating Spectacular – Show 2
Wednesday, December 31 - Evening Events
6:00 PM
• First Night Parade
6:30 PM
• Boston Music Project
• Pipes and Pops Concert
🎆 7:00 PM
• The Mugar Family Fireworks, presented by The Mugar Foundation
8:00 PM
• Pipes and Pops Concert (continues)
8:10 PM
• Veronica Robles
8:50 PM
• Hill House The Band
9:50 PM
• kei
10:30 PM
• The Femmes
🎆 MIDNIGHT FIREWORKS
12:00 AM
• Midnight Fireworks, presented by Meet Boston
More Event Details - Good to Know
First night is thrilled to welcome back the First Night Parade that will take colorful and celebratory groups from City Hall Plaza to Boston Common at 6:00 PM leading up to Family Fireworks over the Common starting at 7:00 p.m. Midnight Fireworks over Boston Harbor can be viewed from the Harborwalk at Fan Pier, Christopher Columbus Park, and the East Boston waterfront.
MBTA
The T is free after 8:00pm this year!
Skating Spectacular at Frog Pond
Join The Skating Club of Boston and the City of Boston for the Frog Pond Skating Spectacular on New Year’s Eve, Tuesday, December 31st at 3:00pm & 5:30pm. Ring in the new year with family and friends.
Parade Procession
The First Night Boston Parade will once again march from City Hall Plaza to Boston Common with a spectacular line-up of participants on New Year's Eve. The parade starts at 6:00 p.m., and once the performers pass by, the public is invited to walk along to the Boston Common, where fireworks will begin at 7:00 p.m.
Ice Sculptures
Ice sculptures make their dazzling return to First Night Boston! Sculptures will be located in City Hall Plaza, at Boston Common, and along the waterfront. They will be available for public viewing from 12:00 noon to 12:30 AM.
Waterfront Ice Sculpture Stroll
Presented by: Boston Harbor Now & Waterfront Partners
When: December 31, 1pm – 4pm
Where: Boston Waterfront
FREE
Early Family-Friendly Fireworks Display
Presented by: Skating Club of Boston
When: December 31, 7:01pm
Where: Frog Pond Boston Common
FREE
Midnight Harbor Fireworks
Presented by: Boston Harbor Now, The Friends of Christopher Columbus Park, & The Wharf District Council
When: December 31, 11:59pm - 12:15am
Where: Boston Harbor.
Best Viewing: Public viewing is free and available along the Harborwalk at Fan Pier, Christopher Columbus Park, and the East Boston waterfront.
Join us and NBC10 Boston, NECN, and Telemundo Boston.
Event Locations:
● Boston Public Market
● City Hall & City Hall Plaza
● Boston Common
● Boston Harbor (Long Wharf)
● First Church of Christ Scientist
● CanalSide Food + Drink
First Night First Day is an annual two-day, city-wide celebration that is free and open to the public. Arts and musical performances will take place in various venues around the Back Bay.
Since 1975, Boston’s First Night has been a New Year’s Eve celebration of artistic performances, the wonders of the season and the beginning of a new year. In keeping with this fantastic Boston tradition, the First Night celebration in 2023 will continue to be free and open to all.
Looking for more fun December events in Boston? Our handy guide is a great resource to find out what's happening near you this month.
Start the new year off right with our handy guide to January Events in Boston, and take advantage of all the winter activities.
Visit our Boston Events Calendar for more great ideas on fun things to do with kids in Greater Boston all year long.
More information can be found at boston.gov/first-night.
| HOURS | ↑ top |
Saturday December 31st (12noon-12midnight) through Sunday, January 1st (11a.m.-4p.m.).
| COST | ↑ top |
Free | - Everything at First Night is free. No tix or buttons required.
| WEBSITE | ↑ top |
| LOCATION | ↑ top |
560 Bolyston Street, Boston, MA, 02201 map
Phone: 617 204 4206
| TIPS | ↑ top |
- Find fun places to go ice skating in Boston or snow tubing near Boston in our handy guide to winter fun! Our readers have also shared their favorite sledding hills in the area for those snowy winter days.
- Many venue also host open houses on certain holidays, so you can always stay in-the-know about holiday happenings in Massachusetts in our helpful guide to family fun.
| RELATED LINKS | ↑ top |
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