About Us:
In 1997, a small group of enthusiastic Carlisle citizens who were passionate about promoting and supporting the arts in local communities discovered a successful program called "First Night," and brought it to Carlisle. The non-profit national program is supported and licensed by the flagship location in Boston where hundreds of thousands of individuals enjoy their multi-day festival, which culminates in the celebration of New Year's Eve - "Boston-style." The unique family-friendly alcohol-free nature of the event has captured the attention and support of many other cities who hold their own First Night Event, including Monterey, CA, Hartford, CT, St. Petersburg, FL, Ocean City, NJ, Buffalo, NY, Charlotte & Raleigh, NC, and Knoxville, TN, to name a few.

In Carlisle, the celebration has not yet reached the extravagance of Boston, but we have developed our own "Carlisle Style." The enthusiasm of our generous and loyal supporters has expanded the event from a handful of hopeful art-loving people to a multi-cultural, diverse crowd of thousands of individuals from all walks of life, representing all age groups, and traveling from many neighboring states. Music, dance and art are interwoven throughout the evening in many historical venues in our exciting college town. There is certainly "something for everyone" to enjoy