First Night Boston 2024 - New Year's Eve

Many of the beloved traditions of First Night’s past will continue, including cultural and musical performances in various indoor venues around the Back Bay, fantastic ice sculptures, and light displays.
The event features a wide range of local musicians, artists, and performers at indoor and outdoor venues through the Back Bay. Plus, everything at First Night is free. No tix or buttons required!
New for 2023, the event’s main stage in Copley Square will move across the park to the front of Boston Public Library. Dartmouth Street will be closed to vehicle traffic between St. James St. and Boylston St. during the hours of the event.
The free and family-friendly event runs from 12pm on Saturday, December 31, 2022 through 12:30am on Saturday, January 1, 2023, and resumes on New Year’s Day with live performances in Copley Square from 11:00am to 1:40pm.
View the 2023 Schedule of Events
A parade from Copley to the Boston Common will lead up to the Family Fireworks over the Common starting at 7:01 p.m. Midnight Fireworks over Boston Harbor will once again be produced by the Friends of Christopher Columbus Park.
MBTA
The T is free after 8:00pm this year!
Procession
[From Copley Square to Boston Common] We’re thrilled to welcome back our Celebrate Boston Procession, the people's parade that will take colorful and celebratory groups from Copley Square to Boston Common at 6:00 PM.
Copley Ice Sculptures
Ice sculptures make their dazzling return to First Night Boston! This year’s sculptures, themed “The 250th Anniversary of the Boston Tea Party” will bring an ice-themed peek into a historic moment.
Sculptures will be located in the Copley Square fountain on New Year’s Eve, and available for public viewing from 12:00 noon to 12:30 AM. Additional sculptures will be displayed around Boston Public Library.
Restrooms
Ample portable restrooms will be available in Copley Square near Trinity Church.
Waterfront Ice Sculpture Stroll
Presented by: Boston Harbor Now & Waterfront Partners
When: December 31, 1pm – 4pm
Where: Boston Waterfront
FREE
Skating Spectacular at Frog Pond
Presented by: Skating Club of Boston
When: December 31, 6pm
Where: Frog Pond Boston Common
FREE
Early 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
Join us and NBC10 Boston, necn, and Telemundo Boston for our signature midnight Copley Countdown pyrotechnics and light show in Copley Square.
Event Locations:
● Copley Square
● Boston Public Library- Central Library
● Boston Common
● Boston Harbor (Long Wharf)
● Copley Place Mall
● Copley Square
● First Church of Christ Scientist
● Old South Church
● Trinity Church
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
The most direct access via MBTA is the Green Line to Copley Station. The T is free after 8 p.m.
Dartmouth Street will be closed from St. James to Boylston from December 31st through January 1st. Trinity Place and Blagden Street will be closed on the 31st and 1st. Boylston Street will be closed from 5:30 – 7:00 PM on the 31st along the parade route from Dartmouth St. to the Boston Common.
There will be no parking on Bolyston Street between Dartmouth and Clarendon on the 31st and 1st.
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.
RELATED LINKS | ↑ top |
- Profiles
- Localities
- Events
- First Night Boston 2024 - New Year's Eve, 12/31/23-1/1/24
Info changes frequently. We cannot warrant it. Verify with First Night Boston 2024 - New Year's Eve before making the trek. If you find an error, please report it...