Boston launched the First Night arts-based New Year's Eve celebration in 1976.
First Night began in Boston as a non-alcohol-centered alternative to conventional New Year's Eve entertainment. The inaugural event took place on December 31, 1976, and emphasized public arts, performances, and community participation rather than a single countdown spectacle.
The idea spread to other cities in the United States and Canada. Local First Night organizations commonly presented concerts, theater, dance, visual art, and family activities in downtown venues, often using a common wristband or button for admission.
First Night is sometimes confused with Boston's broader New Year's Eve festivities, but the name refers specifically to the arts celebration. The organization behind the original event later became First Night International, which supported similar celebrations in other communities.