First Night Boston 2025

Make your New Year's Eve celebration exciting and memorable by bringing your family and friends to First Night Boston, where you can experience this unique holiday!

The First Night in Boston was created on December 31, 1976. Today, this event gathers its citizens and visitors from across the country and beyond! It was the first event of its kind, and since its inception, cities from around the world have become inspired to make their own New Year's Eve celebrations!

The festivities start at noon on December 31, 2024, in the City Hall Plaza and last all day, finishing with the program on January 1, 2025, with the last musical performance at 12:30 AM.

Pack your bags and head to Boston! We guarantee you a phenomenal day of festivities!

What to Expect When Attending First Night Boston 2025

Expect a family-friendly and festive atmosphere with a lot of fun!

New Year's Day and Night celebration will be full of amusing activities, live performances, fireworks, good food, and much more!

One of the main attractions of this event is the frozen figures made by sculptors, which are displayed in Copley Square and nearby. You'll be able to walk past them, take amazing photos, and watch while artists work on their fantastic ice sculptures. If you’re going with kids, they’re going to absolutely love it. Go down the Waterfront Ice Sculpture Stroll - a new and special part of this year's First Night Boston!

Children can also enjoy arts and crafts, face painting, and puppet shows. You can take them to Boston Public Library if they want to hear children's stories!

Music and artistic performances by local bands and dance groups will be lively with pop, jazz, and other genres you can listen to and dance to. The stages will be placed around Copley Square, Boston Common, and other nearby venues. Boston’s fantastic tradition will be presented through cultural performances, such as traditional dance and music.

Nothing captures the spirit of New Year’s Eve quite like a brilliant fireworks display, a highlight of any festival. If you're not planning to stay out until midnight, the early fireworks will illuminate Boston Common at around 7:00 PM. The midnight fireworks will mark the official beginning of the New Year, attracting a large crowd to the waterfront of Boston Harbor.

The event includes two parades. The afternoon parade is a family favorite, with a colorful procession of costumed performers, floats, and musicians. The First Night Parade is scheduled to start at 6:00 PM, and the parade route goes from City Hall Plaza to Boston Common.

Food trucks and vendors will sell hot drinks and snacks so you can warm up and treat yourself to something tasty! The event is alcohol-free, but you can enjoy a cup of hot cocoa!

Expect typical winter weather. The average temperature will be chilly, with highs around 40°F (4°C) and lows near 30°F (-1°C). Be prepared for snow, which will add to the festive atmosphere! Dress in layers and enjoy your New Year's Eve celebration!

The event is free to attend!

Security Protocols

• Security personnel will check bags, guide the crowd, and ensure everyone's safe.
• Medical tents will be placed at the venues to assist if someone needs them.
• Prohibited items include alcohol, large bags, and dangerous objects.

How to Get To or From the Event

These are your options to reach the event:

• Subway: If you're taking the Green Line, get off at Copley Station for direct access to Copley Square. If you're heading to the fireworks at Boston Common, the Arlington Station is also a great stop. Orange Line will also take you to the Copley Square or Boston Common. The stops are Back Bay Station or Downtown Crossing. Red Line gets right to Boston Common. Check the MBTA website for schedules and the best line for you.
• Car: If you decide to drive, be aware of street closures. You can park somewhere in the Back Bay or downtown area. Arrive early to secure a good spot!

First Night Boston 2025 Bag Policy

Remember, security will check all small bags. Large bags are prohibited in major event areas like Copley Square and Boston Common, but it's best not to bring them at all to the venue.

There's no designated area to store luggage at the event. Don't worry—Bounce offers a convenient solution!

With the help of Bounce, an online platform, you can easily store your luggage in a secure place in Boston.

Bounce partners with local businesses worldwide and provides secure and convenient locations for travelers to store their bags. Choose an area in Boston and contact us on our official Bounce website or our app.

First Night Boston 2025 Bag Storage

Store Your Luggage With Bounce and Enjoy the New Year's Eve

A Bounce partner will take care of your bags!

Bounce partners with local businesses, with 13,000 locations for storing your luggage in more than 2000 cities.

A Bounce partner will assist in finding a convenient luggage storage location.

After contacting the Bounce partner online and paying, consider everything done and enjoy your stay in Boston! The price is just $4.10 per day, and there is no cancellation fee if you can't make it! We also offer 24/7 support for anything you need.

How to Stow Your Bag at First Night Boston 2025 With Bounce

• Book: Choose the location, contact a Bounce partner, and pay online.
• Go to the location: Arrive at the location, show the confirmation, and store your belongings.
• Have fun at First Night Boston: Go to Boston's City Hall Plaza and participate in the New Year's Eve Celebration!

How to Make the Most Out of First Night Boston 2025

• Check the schedule: Check the schedule closer to the event to see which performances you want to see.
• Don't miss the fireworks display: The light show will be spectacular! Choose a good viewing spot! The prime spots are along the Harborwalk at Fan Pier, Christopher Columbus Park, and the East Boston waterfront.
• Participate in the Waterfront Ice Sculpture Stroll Selfie Contest: Take a unique selfie picture and post it to social media. Tag @BostonHarborNow to get a chance to win the prize! 
• Watch the Frog Pond Skating Spectacular Show: The Skating Club of Boston will host a free skating show; bring your kids and have fun!

Come to Boston, store your luggage with Bounce, and make a great start to 2025 with the First Night celebration!