First Night Festival

Curated by Kevin Zarnoch, Renaissance Navigator

Every year on New Year’s Eve Day, a million people take to the streets in Boston for this unique, exuberant celebration of the arts. Starting at noon, there are exhibits and performances that continue throughout the day, at the end of which everyone heads to Boston Common to see the gigantic ice sculptures lit up against the dark December dusk. There’s also a grand procession on Boylston Street, where thousands flood the streets in what feels like a more wintry and wholesome version of Mardi Gras. The grand finale is a thrilling fireworks show at midnight above the beautiful Boston skyline.