New England
Best New Year’s Eve Events in New England
Looking for a new way to ring in the new year? Here’s our list of the best New Year’s Eve events in New England.
By Aimee Tucker|Dec 16 2019|
Best New Year's Eve Events in New England
Photo Credit:Best New Year’s Eve Events in New England | Connecticut
First Night Hartford
This citywide arts festival features wristband-admission events throughout the city leading up to midnight, including face painting, carousel rides, ice skating, dancing, food, comedy, horse-drawn carriage rides, fortune telling, and more! Fireworks welcome the new year from Bushnell Park at 6 p.m. and midnight. firstnighthartford.orgBest New Year’s Eve Events in New England | Maine
Downtown Countdown
The city of Bangor invites residents to ring in the new year with free family-friendly events, including a variety of entertainment and outdoor musical performances, great food, and a grand finale beach ball drop at midnight in West Market Square. countdownbangor.comGreat Sardine and Maple Leaf Drop
For a truly original start to your new year, head to Eastport for the annual Great Sardine and Maple Leaf Drop from the Tides Institute and Museum of Art. Many local restaurants and businesses are in on the fun, with special menus, entertainment, and late hours. At 11 p.m. Eastern (or midnight Atlantic time) a giant red maple leaf drops to ring in the new year, followed by an 8-foot sardine an hour later at midnight Eastern time. tidesinstitute.org/new-years-eveBest New Year’s Eve Events in New England | Massachusetts
First Night Boston
Started in 1976, organizers claim Boston’s First Night celebration is the oldest and largest New Year’s Eve arts festival in the country. Today artists help Bostonians ring in the new year in style, with free events including a grand procession down Boylston Street, musical performances, spectacular ice sculptures, and midnight fireworks over Boston Harbor to keep the party moving. firstnightboston.orgFirst Night Chatham
Celebrate the new year in Cape Cod style. Button-admission offers theater, live music, indoor putt putt golf, and a circus. At midnight, a giant lighted cod drops at Oyster Pond, followed by a fireworks display. firstnightchatham.comFirst Night Worcester
Family-friendly events run all day long with button-admission, ending with a spectacular fireworks display starting at 11:15. Venues throughout the city feature puppet shows, theater, storytelling, dance, magic, and music. Note: First Night Worcester has announced that the 2017 celebration would be its last. firstnightworcester.orgBest New Year’s Eve Events in New England | New Hampshire
First Night Portsmouth
Outdoor and indoor events take place throughout the day. Buttons grant you access to indoor venues for music, shows, and all around fun. Show your button at Puddle Dock Pond at Strawbery Banke for a discount on skating, and don’t miss the fireworks at 7:30 over South Mill Pond. proportsmouth.orgBest New Year’s Eve Events in New England | Vermont
First Night Burlington
Head to Main Street for Burlington’s annual button-admission First Night festivities, packed with more than 12 hours of alcohol-free events for all ages. Take in dozens of live musical acts, storytelling, animated-cartoon screenings, live comedy and even a circus. Meals are served at a handful of locations, and free waterfront fireworks on Lake Champlain light the sky at midnight. firstnightburlington.comBest New Year’s Eve Events in New England | Rhode Island
Newport Polar Bear Plunge
If midnight parties aren’t your thing, ring in the new year by jumping (or watching others jump) into the freezing cold waters of Easton Bay in Newport, RI, on New Year’s Day as the Newport Polar Bears take their annual noontime plunge. visitrhodeisland.com If we’ve missed your favorite New Year’s Eve events, let us (and everyone!) know in the comments section. This post was first published in 2014 and has been updated.
I don’t think there is the bonfire at First Night Chatham anymore. We’ve gone every year for a number of years but the bonfire wasn’t on the schedule last year or for this year’s upcoming celebration. I hope it is brought back!
Hi Mike. Thanks for the info. What a bummer! We don’t see it listed anymore, either, so the listing will be updated.
First night Portsmouth, NH. We went last year, they give you a list of events so you can plan accordingly. It was in the teens last year but we had foot and hand warmers. We stayed at the Sherdian and walked to everything we wanted to see. Also, there is stand up comedy at the hotel (price was inexpensive).
Agreed – Portsmouth, NH is perfect for families. We go to have dinner, see the ice sculptures, dance to a dj in the street and watch the 7pm fireworks display – nice and early for young kids to enjoy.
First Night in Northampton, MA is one not to miss! Watch the globe go up on top of the Hotel Northampton.
First Night Boston has been significantly scaled down the last couple of years. This year’s event will be free; no admission or button required (same as last year). It’s free because the funding has been cut and there aren’t as many activities or artists being featured.
Hi Susan. Thanks so much for the helpful info. We’ve updated the post to reflect the current activities.
I’ve never seen you include the celebration that Needham, MA has: for years they’ve held wonderful events all day & evening, for families & adults (the refurbished, historic ballroom in the town hall holds dancing & a countdown in the evening).
The island of Nantucket also holds a yearly New Year’s Eve celebration. The Nantucket Hotel, situated in Downtown Nantucket, will be hosting a “Nautical New Year’s Eve Dinner & Dance Party.” The festivities include a Cocktail Reception, Clambake Dinner with live entertainment by singer and multi-instrumentalist, “Matty B,” and a Dance Party with Matty B spinning the tunes, and a Late Night/Light Bites Buffet. There will also be an “Anchor Drop and Countdown to 2019” outdoors at 5:00 p.m. for families and Midnight for all others. A lighted Anchor will be dropped off the roof of The Nantucket Hotel.
There has been a first night celebration in Orange MA for 15 years or so . With so few in Ma im surprised its not listed here .
I did not see the Family New Year’s Eve celebration at Pat’s Peak in Henniker.
This is a big hit for our teenagers (my college kids and adults too).
They do a celebration most years. There is a cost associated, but it is pretty reasonable. This is a family event.