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. In keeping with this fantastic Boston tradition, the First Night celebration will open 2024 with an array of performances.

Schedule of Events

December 31, 2023

12:00pm - Arts and Crafts Presented by Greater Boston Chinese Cultural Association at City Hall Second Floor

The Greater Boston Chinese Cultural Association (GBCCA) will be doing arts and crafts in City Hall Plaza on the second floor for all to enjpy! The GBCCA will also perform in the First Night Boston Parade at 6:00 p.m.

The Greater Boston Chinese Cultural Association (GBCCA) is a registered non-political, non-profit organization that promotes public awareness of Chinese culture and heritage, and enhances the well-being and social standing of Chinese Americans. At First Night, the group entertains and educates audiences about Chinese culture, language, and arts. With nearly 60 years of history, GBCCA has innumerable accomplishments and memories from over the years. They are a returner to First Night!

1:00pm - Paco's Band at City Hall Plaza Main Stage

Returning to First Night this year, Paco and his band will be back on the main stage performing some of your favorite 50's and 60's hit oldies music.

Through his passion for singing and entertaining, Paco hopes to help others find joy, peace and meaning through music and visual arts. Paco and his band have a repertoire ranging from holiday songs, pop-rock to classic oldies music. Be sure to watch their sizzling performance!

2:00pm - Ava & Cam at City Hall Plaza Main Stage

Ava Gaudin and Cam Hebert have played together at venues and festivals all over New England. They have a healthy mix of Pop, Rock and Country songs spanning decades. The duo has a unique chemistry that combines Ava’s sweet yet powerful vocals with Cam’s intricate guitar playing and passion for performance. Together they share their love for music and playing for a live audience.

2:00pm - Organ Concert at First Church of Christ Scientist

Start your First Night at The First Church of Christ, Scientist, with the glorious sounds of one of the world’s largest pipe organs. Co-sponsored by the Boston chapter of the American Guild of Organists, the concert will feature three celebrated Boston-area organists, Gigi Mitchell-Velasco, Director of Music for First Church Boston; Brink Bush, International Concert Organist; Cathy Meyer, Minister of Music and organist for Andover’s South Church (UCC).

Also on the Christian Science Plaza, enjoy free admission to the How Do You See the World? experience + Mapparium™ globe from 10am-5pm, tours of The Mother Church at 11am and 2pm, and visit the Christian Science Reading Room from 10:30am-5:30pm.

6:00pm - Frog Pond Skating Spectacular at Boston Common

Experience a spectacular figure skating show produced by The Skating Club of Boston. The outdoor show offer the public a chance to see national and international competitive figure skaters, soloists, groups, wee skaters, Team Excel Synchronized Skating and Theater On Ice of Boston teams in the center of the historic and iconic Boston Common Frog Pond.

6:30pm - Maddi Ryan at City Hall Plaza Main Stage

Boston-based singer and songwriter Maddi Ryan, draws inspiration from modern and classic pop-country music. Ryan's performances have taken her through Nashville and New England playing emotion-driven originals with a hint of southern swagger. Watch Maddi perform at the main stage in Copley Square.

7:00pm - City of Boston's Family Fireworks Presented by The Mugar Foundation & The City of Boston at Boston Common

Enjoy a spectacular Fireworks display over the Boston Common, brought to you by The Mugar Foundation and The City of Boston.

7:30pm - Sons of Levin at City Hall Plaza Main Stage

Inspired by classic rock bands such as Phish and Grateful Dead, Sons of Levin offers their sound as an homage to previous great rock and roll acts while delivering their own take on the jam/rock scene.

8:30pm - Guess Method at City Hall Plaza Main Stage

Guess Method is a dance inducing Indie-Funk powerhouse hailing from the Boston area. Originating from the coastal communities of southern Rhode Island, this group has grown over the past few years, accumulating new members, a horn section, and touring throughout the East Coast.

10:30pm - Ayla Brown & Rob Bellamy at City Hall Plaza Main Stage

Both former collegiate athletes and Massachusetts natives, new country duo, Ayla Brown & Rob Bellamy found each other 1,000 miles away in Nashville while writing songs together. They clicked together musically and personally and began recording demos, uploading videos on Facebook and YouTube of their songs, and booking shows together along the East coast. They married each other in 2021 and a year later welcomed a baby in 2022. Meet the artists!

Having multiple talents and interests hasn’t deterred Ayla Brown from achieving many significant hallmarks in her young career. She’s released 5 studio albums, has performed on the Grand Ole Opry stage twice, placed 13 th on Season 5 of American Idol, performed overseas for the troops in 13 different countries, sang live on national television including on ESPN, FOX & Friends, CNN, and CBS, and was a full scholarship basketball player for Boston College. She has opened up for artists like Lynyrd Skynyrd, Eric Church, Jason Aldean, Josh Turner, Charlie Daniels, Sara Evans, Phil Vassar, and more and now she is a full-time ratio host on Country 102.5 WKLB in Boston, MA on “Country Mornings with Jonathan Ayla” from 6:00-10:00am.

11:30pm - First Night City Hall Countdown at City Hall Plaza Main Stage

The First Night Copley Countdown will bring Boston closer to 2023 with live performances, and a laser show display high above City Hall Plaza. Music will continue until 12:30 a.m.

January 1, 2024

12:00am - Boston Harbor Fireworks Presented by Meet Boston at Boston Harbor (Long Wharf)

Welcome the New Year with a breathtaking Fireworks display over the Boston Harbor at midnight, brought to you by Meet Boston.

Date: December 31, 2023-Janurary 1, 2024

Location: Various Venues in Boston, MA 02210

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