Boston stages the annual “First Night” celebration that began there in 1976.
First Night Boston was created as an alcohol-free, arts-centered alternative to conventional New Year's Eve parties. Its program brought performances, visual art, ice sculpture, and family activities into public spaces around the city, especially Copley Square and the Back Bay.
The concept spread to other communities in the United States and Canada, so “First Night” can refer to celebrations in multiple cities. The original event, however, was Boston's. This distinction matters because the name is a model and a brand-like title rather than a single worldwide festival. Boston's celebration has changed over the decades, but its defining idea remains welcoming the new year through public arts programming.