Boston’s alcohol-free New Year’s Eve arts festival, founded in 1976, was called First Night.
First Night began in Boston on December 31, 1975, welcoming the year 1976. Artist Clara Wainwright organized the event as a way to celebrate the arts in public spaces and to offer an alternative to alcohol-centered New Year’s celebrations. Performances took place in venues around the city and included music, dance, theatre, and visual arts.
The idea spread widely across North America. Many communities adopted the name First Night for their own New Year’s Eve arts festivals, although individual programs and organizations differed. Boston’s original event became a model for civic celebrations that emphasized performances, family participation, and public access.
The festival’s name refers to the first night of the new year rather than to a particular performance. Boston’s version continued for decades, though its organization and format changed over time. Its historical importance lies in helping popularize the arts-focused New Year event model.