Boston's communal New Year's Eve celebration, aka First Night.

[No Elephants]

Boston invented First Night in the 1970s as an alcohol-free family-friendly celebration. Some seventy other cities followed suit over the years.




Many ice sculptures will be all over downtown Boston.


























Transportation in and out of downtown Boston will be free.












About a million revelers will enjoy the events of the night, such as a light show.













I especially love the wide-eyed look of kids who are thrilled to be up way past their bedtimes, with all the adults.


















Fireworks and skilled ice skaters will fill Boston Common, where cows once grazed.

















(Note the "new" state house, built 1795-95, with its golden dome. The "old" state house, not in the photos, was built in 1713 and still has the symbols of King. George.)




A phantasmagorical parade will rock the darkness.






https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQTNJLepJpxLi07mJNgI8AKDhZhFe_4oDbNS3bpiV3ijffXDIVBtQ











(Note the beautiful church in the background.)





Churches and other venues will be the site of concerts, puppet shows and other delights for people of all ages. The first Night button (which must be purchased for a modest amound) means free admission to all the indoor events--so no lines to buy a ticket.









However, the outdoor events, which are the most spectacular, are all free.











The evening's activities will end with fireworks on Boston harbor, which will illuminate many historic sites, like Fanueil Hall and the old Custom House Tower (now a condo).
















Then it's back onto the MTA to join Charlie. Since the fare is free, he can finally return, so his fate we all can learn. He need not ride forever 'neath the streets of Boston. He's the man who can finally return.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xsqBtZNBL60 (song and slide show)

[Enthusiast]

1. How incredible!

I had no idea. New Years Eve is appropriately boring here.

[No Elephants]

2. It started in the mid-1970s as a much sweeter, less produced event.

Now, it's so produced that it almost went bankrupt and ended last year. The price of the button that gets people into the indoor events just can't cover the costs. Once of the things Mayor Menino did before his last day in office, after a twenty year reign, was find corporate sponsors.


There are really so many things happening that I never do Boston's First Night justice when I try to describe it. It was a genius idea, really, to prevent drunk driving accidents on New Year's Eve.



My favorite Boston First Night ice sculpture, from brilliant local ice sculptor, Don Chappelle:





Some other drop dead gorgeous ice scuptures from around the world at this link:

http://matadornetwork.com/nights/photo-essay-24-exceptional-ice-sculptures/


(Harbin, China appears many times in that gallery. Guess they're beating us in ice sculptures, too.


Amazing, especially given that they are so ephemeral. Even in Boston, we've had some unseasonably warm New Year's Eves--and the sculptors are lucky if their works last until midnight.

[No Elephants]

3. The ice sculpture above just became my desktop. until at least New Year's Day.

[Enthusiast]

4. Well it is awesome.

[No Elephants]

5. Blue states have more fun!