First Night® is a community celebration of the New Year through the arts. It is an alcohol-free, public festival that marks the passage from the old year to the new with art, ritual and festivity. All First Night Celebrations are licensed by First Night International® and adhere to a set of standards. For more information about starting your own First Night® go to the First Night® Celebrations offer a wide variety of artists with a broad range of appeal. They are held in both indoor and outdoor venues in close proximity to each other. Affordable admissions Buttons provide entry to all First Night® performances.

New Year's Eve is a time for renewal and new beginnings. It is an opportunity for the community to look ahead collectively with hope and optimism and appreciate their common bonds. The name "First Night®" symbolizes this look forward rather than the technically correct words, "Last Night." Each First Night® Celebration is identified by the date of the New Year the event welcomes. For example, First Night® 2010 will be celebrated on December 31, 2009. All cities that host a First Night® Celebration observe this guideline.