First Night Boston 2026: Everything you need to know for New Year's Eve

"Events From fireworks, dance performances, figure skating, and ice sculptures, here's everything you need to know for the free New Year's Eve celebration. Boston's First Night, the city's annual New Year's Eve celebration, will once again bring dance, figure skating, live music, and its signature fireworks show to locations across the city on Dec. 31. The programming features performers ranging from The Skating Club of Boston, the Boston Chapter of the American Guild of Organists, and musicians spanning classical, pop, and hip-hop."

""There's really a wide range of musical spectrum and we're excited to be able to give our stage up for them and for the people of Boston to come and enjoy it," T.K. Skenderian said, First Night's Director of Marketing & Communications. All events are free and open to the public, though Boston First Night accepts donations. Where is First Night Boston 2026? This year's celebrations will take place across 10 sites, including Copley Square, the Boston Public Library, City Hall Plaza, Boston Common, and Boston Harbor (site of the midnight fireworks display). The hub of activity will center around Boston City Hall, which will host live musical performances throughout the day."

"Food Boston Public Market will be open until 3 p.m. on Dec. 31 with nearly 20 local vendors offering a range of food and drinks, including cocktails, hard cider, beer, and wine. At City Hall Plaza, Fiesta Shows will serve sausage, fried dough, chicken finger, tater tots, and soup. Daddy's Fried Dough will also offer fried dough and hot chocolate. At Boston Common, Dean's Concessions will provide a variety of sweet treats and savory snacks."

Boston's First Night 2026 will stage free, citywide New Year's Eve celebrations across ten sites including Copley Square, the Boston Public Library, City Hall Plaza, Boston Common, and Boston Harbor, where the midnight fireworks display will occur. The hub centers at Boston City Hall with live musical performances throughout the day. Skating performances are scheduled at the Frog Pond at 3 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. The annual parade and an early fireworks show at 7 p.m. will take place at Boston Common. Food and drink options will be available from Boston Public Market and multiple concessions. Performers span figure skating, organists, classical, pop, and hip-hop musicians.

Read at Boston.com