First Night Boston 2026

Since 1976, Boston’s First Night has been a New Year’s Eve celebration of artistic performances, the wonders of the season, and the beginning of a new year. Don't forget to take advantage of <a href="https://joyraft.com/event/free-mbta-on-new-year-s-eve-boston-306798">FREE MBTA rides after 8pm</a> on NYE. New this year: Boston Harbor is sponsoring <a href="https://joyraft.com/event/new-year-s-eve-on-the-waterfront-ice-sculpture-stroll-celebration--2-boston-1030205">FREE water taxi rides</a> between East Boston’s Lewis Mall Dock, Fan Pier, and North Station from 1-5pm to check out the ice sculptures! Fireworks: <a href="https://joyraft.com/event/first-night-boston-2025-boston-common-new-year-s-eve-fireworks-boston-1010348">7pm on Boston Common</a> &amp; <a href="https://joyraft.com/event/new-year-s-eve-on-the-waterfront-midnight-fireworks-boston-398446">12am on Boston Harbor</a> And don't miss the <a href="https://joyraft.com/event/live-concert-at-city-hall-plaza-for-first-night-boston-2026-boston-1030475">music festival taking place at City Hall Plaza</a> featuring over 10 musical acts. FULL SCHEDULE 👇 Wednesday, December 31 10:00am EST<ul><li><a href="https://firstnightboston2026.sched.com/event/2CXRj/jeff-jam-sing-a-long?iframe=yes&amp;w=100%&amp;sidebar=yes&amp;bg=no">Jeff Jam Sing-a-long</a></li><li><a href="https://joyraft.com/event/join-us-at-the-christian-science-plaza-for-celebrations-as-part-of-first-night-boston-2026--2-boston-1029632">How Do You See the World? Experience + Mapparium</a></li></ul>12:00pm EST<ul><li><a href="https://joyraft.com/event/ice-sculpture-village-at-first-night-boston-2024-boston-441443">Ice Sculpture Village at First Night Boston 2025</a></li><li><a href="https://joyraft.com/event/new-year-s-eve-on-the-waterfront-ice-sculpture-stroll-celebration--2-boston-1030205">Ice Sculpture Stroll &amp; Celebration</a></li><li><a href="https://firstnightboston2026.sched.com/event/2CVQE/boston-saxophone-quartet?iframe=yes&amp;w=100%&amp;sidebar=yes&amp;bg=no">Boston Saxophone Quartet</a></li><li><a href="https://firstnightboston2026.sched.com/event/2CVQr/performances-by-the-greater-boston-chinese-cultural-association?iframe=yes&amp;w=100%&amp;sidebar=yes&amp;bg=no">Performances by The Greater Boston Chinese Cultural Association</a></li><li><a href="https://firstnightboston2026.sched.com/event/2CVPA/chu-ling-dance-academy?iframe=yes&amp;w=100%&amp;sidebar=yes&amp;bg=no">Chu Ling Dance Academy</a></li><li><a href="https://firstnightboston2026.sched.com/event/2D8aH/archery-at-the-common?iframe=yes&amp;w=100%&amp;sidebar=yes&amp;bg=no">Archery at the Common</a></li></ul>12:30pm EST<ul><li><a href="https://firstnightboston2026.sched.com/event/2CXRv/fuller-and-friends-trio?iframe=yes&amp;w=100%&amp;sidebar=yes&amp;bg=no">Fuller and Friends Trio</a></li></ul>1:00pm EST<ul><li><a href="https://firstnightboston2026.sched.com/event/2CVPk/yelena-beriyeva?iframe=yes&amp;w=100%&amp;sidebar=yes&amp;bg=no">Yelena Beriyeva</a></li><li><a href="https://firstnightboston2026.sched.com/event/2CVPG/emancipation-proclamation-concert?iframe=yes&amp;w=100%&amp;sidebar=yes&amp;bg=no">Emancipation Proclamation Concert</a></li><li><a href="https://firstnightboston2026.sched.com/event/2CXFd/a-trike-called-funk?iframe=yes&amp;w=100%&amp;sidebar=yes&amp;bg=no">A Trike Called Funk</a></li></ul>1:30pm EST<ul><li><a href="https://firstnightboston2026.sched.com/event/2CXFP/toritori?iframe=yes&amp;w=100%&amp;sidebar=yes&amp;bg=no">ToriTori</a></li><li><a href="https://firstnightboston2026.sched.com/event/2CVP7/puppet-showplace-theater?iframe=yes&amp;w=100%&amp;sidebar=yes&amp;bg=no">Puppet Showplace Theater</a></li></ul>2:00pm EST<ul><li><a href="https://firstnightboston2026.sched.com/event/2CVQc/leaving-irene?iframe=yes&amp;w=100%&amp;sidebar=yes&amp;bg=no">Leaving Irene</a></li></ul>2:30pm EST<ul><li><a href="https://firstnightboston2026.sched.com/event/2CXYA/alex-minasian-trio?iframe=yes&amp;w=100%&amp;sidebar=yes&amp;bg=no">Alex Minasian Trio</a></li></ul>3:00pm EST<ul><li><a href="https://firstnightboston2026.sched.com/event/2CVPt/superpink?iframe=yes&amp;w=100%&amp;sidebar=yes&amp;bg=no">SUPERPINK</a></li><li><a href="https://joyraft.com/event/boston-common-frog-pond-skating-spectacular-2023-boston-437065">Frog Pond Skating Spectacular – Show 1</a></li></ul>4:00pm EST<ul><li><a href="https://firstnightboston2026.sched.com/event/2CVQZ/houston-bernard?iframe=yes&amp;w=100%&amp;sidebar=yes&amp;bg=no">Houston Bernard</a></li><li><a href="https://firstnightboston2026.sched.com/event/2CVPb/organ-concert?iframe=yes&amp;w=100%&amp;sidebar=yes&amp;bg=no">Organ Concert</a></li></ul>5:00pm EST<ul><li><a href="https://firstnightboston2026.sched.com/event/2CVQB/mamadou?iframe=yes&amp;w=100%&amp;sidebar=yes&amp;bg=no">MAMADOU</a></li><li><a href="https://firstnightboston2026.sched.com/event/2Cr3H/brighter-ignited?iframe=yes&amp;w=100%&amp;sidebar=yes&amp;bg=no">Brighter Ignited</a></li></ul>5:30pm EST<ul><li><a href="https://joyraft.com/event/boston-common-frog-pond-skating-spectacular-2023-boston-437065">Frog Pond Skating Spectacular – Show 2</a></li></ul>6:00pm EST<ul><li><a href="https://joyraft.com/event/first-night-2025-parade-boston-1010347">First Night Parade</a></li></ul>6:30pm EST<ul><li><a href="https://firstnightboston2026.sched.com/event/2CVRj/boston-music-project?iframe=yes&amp;w=100%&amp;sidebar=yes&amp;bg=no">Boston Music Project</a></li><li><a href="https://firstnightboston2026.sched.com/event/2CVRs/pipes-and-pops-concert?iframe=yes&amp;w=100%&amp;sidebar=yes&amp;bg=no">Pipes and Pops Concert</a></li></ul>7:00pm EST<ul><li><a href="https://joyraft.com/event/first-night-boston-2025-boston-common-new-year-s-eve-fireworks-boston-1010348">The Mugar Family Fireworks, presented by The Mugar Foundation</a></li></ul>7:20pm EST<ul><li><a href="https://firstnightboston2026.sched.com/event/2CVRy/sons-of-levin?iframe=yes&amp;w=100%&amp;sidebar=yes&amp;bg=no">Sons of Levin</a></li></ul>8:00pm EST<ul><li><a href="https://firstnightboston2026.sched.com/event/2CVRI/pipes-and-pops-concert?iframe=yes&amp;w=100%&amp;sidebar=yes&amp;bg=no">Pipes and Pops Concert</a></li></ul>8:10pm EST<ul><li><a href="https://firstnightboston2026.sched.com/event/2CVR0/veronica-robles?iframe=yes&amp;w=100%&amp;sidebar=yes&amp;bg=no">Veronica Robles</a></li></ul>8:50pm EST<ul><li><a href="https://firstnightboston2026.sched.com/event/2CVQQ/hill-house-the-band?iframe=yes&amp;w=100%&amp;sidebar=yes&amp;bg=no">Hill House The Band</a></li></ul>9:50pm EST<ul><li><a href="https://firstnightboston2026.sched.com/event/2CVPY/kei?iframe=yes&amp;w=100%&amp;sidebar=yes&amp;bg=no">kei</a></li></ul>10:30pm EST<ul><li><a href="https://firstnightboston2026.sched.com/event/2CVQf/the-femmes?iframe=yes&amp;w=100%&amp;sidebar=yes&amp;bg=no">The Femmes</a></li></ul>11:30pm EST<ul><li><a href="https://firstnightboston2026.sched.com/event/2D8ab/the-sultans?iframe=yes&amp;w=100%&amp;sidebar=yes&amp;bg=no">The Sultans</a></li></ul>&nbsp; Thursday, January 1 12:00am EST<ul><li><a href="https://joyraft.com/event/new-year-s-eve-on-the-waterfront-midnight-fireworks-boston-398446">Midnight Fireworks, presented by Meet Boston</a></li></ul><a href="https://firstnightboston2026.sched.com/">Full Schedule Here</a>

Boston

Etienne 

Jasmine

Ian Venskus

Maria

Zahia

Danny Reyome

S22: conversations

Wondering what to do in Boston? Places to eat? Free activities? Good for a group? Date night spot? Girls night out? The best things to do? Ask Joyraft!

Best places to go in Boston? Things to do? Places to eat?

Questions & answers about things to do in Boston

Recs 💬

Community recs 💬

S4: top picks

The most fun, cool and unique things to do in Boston. Can’t miss events, shows and experiences. Concerts, restaurants, bars, free things in Boston and beyond.

The most fun and cool events happening around Boston

Hot and new things to do in Boston

Hot & new

Hot & new 🔥

S11: happening this weekend

What to do in Boston this weekend? From festivals, concerts, performances, free events, screenings and more, Joyraft has the best things to do in Boston.

25+ things to do in Boston/Cambridge/Somerville this weekend

Things to do in Boston this weekend

This wknd

This weekend for you

S21: roundups

Our top picks: outdoor dining, free events, spring festivals, best bars, upcoming concerts, museum parties - the latest in and around Boston.  Slug: joyraft-top-picks-best-things-to-do-boston-ma

Top picks of the best things to do in and around Boston

Joyraft picks: Boston’s best things to do

Roundups ⭐️

Curated by Joyraft ⭐️

S28: calendar experiences

This week in Boston

This week in Boston 📆

This week 📆

S20: c+d experiences

Discover new, unique events and experiences happening in and around Boston. Perfect for date night, good for a group or with a friend. Be the first to know.

The newest events happening in and around Boston

The newest events on Joyraft

Just added

Just added to Joyraft

S16: editor picks

The most unique and can’t miss things coming up in Boston / Cambridge / Somerville and beyond. Festivals, food, drinks, fairs, concerts, art and free activities.

Unique and Can’t Miss Things to Do in Boston

Can’t-miss things to do in Boston 🚨

Can't-miss things to do 🚨

S2 (A): top experiences

The most popular things to do on Joyraft. Concerts, restaurants, bars, events, parties, openings, kid friendly, date ideas, free things in Boston and beyond.

Top 20 things to do in Boston

Top 20: Joyraft’s most popular

Top 20

Top 20 on Joyraft

S3 (A): trending experiences

Discover can’t miss events and things to do in Boston. The most fun, unique and cool events coming to the Boston area this spring and summer.

The hottest events happening in Boston

Trending events on Joyraft

Trending 📈

S17: interest based

Your guide to everything free in and around Boston. From events, to fairs, to festivals, to outdoors. Joyraft has all the free events happening near you.

100+ free things to do in Boston and beyond

Free things to do in Boston

Free things to do

S19: interest based

Kid-friendly events in Boston

S18: interest based

Where to eat and drink in Boston? Joyraft has Boston’s newest bars, restaurants and specials. Drinks and pre fixe dinner menus. Cambridge & Somerville too.

Boston Bars and Restaurants: Events and Openings

Food & drink experiences in Boston

Food & drink experiences 

Where

First Night Boston 2026

Website

Where?