Visitor Basics
First Night Boston 2023, Boston’s biggest public celebration, returns to Boston’s Back Bay and Copley Square on December 31, 2022.
When
First Night Boston begins in Copley Square at 12:00 noon on Saturday, December 31, 2022, and continues with programming throughout the day and night. The last musical performance in Copley Square ends at 12:30 AM on January 1, 2023.
Where
First Night Boston is centrally located in Boston’s Copley Square, with additional programming happening at Boston Common, Boston Public Library, Copley Place Mall, and several churches and hotels in Boston’s Back Bay neighborhood.
COVID-19 Precautions
First Night Boston will adhere to all current city and state safety precautions as it relates to COVID-19. If city and state recommendations are adjusted as the New Year draws closer, First Night Boston will similarly adjust its guidelines to comply with those set by governing bodies.
Free and Open to all
Thanks to our amazing supporters, all First Night activities are free! No buttons are required to attend First Night’s programming.
Support First Night Boston
In order to keep our activities free, we need your support! If you would like to make a tax deductible donation to First Night, please click the button below:
Ice Sculptures
The ice sculptures will be centrally located in the Copley Square Fountain, and around the Boston Public Library. Ranging in size and style, the sculptures will be in place by the afternoon of December 31 (exact timing will vary depending on the weather) and illuminated at night. Additionally, nearby businesses in the Back Bay will also have displays for all to enjoy.
Music resumes at 11:00 AM on January 1, and continues until 1:40 PM, while the ice sculptures remain on display for all.
Click here for more information.
Fireworks
There are several displays of fireworks through the day. The City of Boston’s Family Fireworks presented by The Mugar Foundation will begin at 7:00 PM above Boston Common. The Copley Countdown and Midnight Pyrotechnics Show will occur in Copley Square at midnight from the roof of the Fairmont Copley Plaza Hotel. Midnight Fireworks presented by the Friends of Christopher Columbus Park will occur over Boston Harbor at the strike of 12:00.
Public Transportation
We strongly recommend using the MBTA to travel to and from First Night Boston. Boston’s Back Bay is serviced by several public transportation stations, including stops on the MBTA Commuter Rail, Green Line, Orange Line, and several bus lines.
Visit mbta.com/holidays for schedule information.
Parking
First Night does not have specified event garages, however the following are close by: Clarendon Garage at 100 Clarendon St., Copley Place, Prudential Center, and Boston Common Garage. Street parking is available on some streets, but extremely limited. If parking on area streets, please obey area signs as several parking bans and restrictions will be in place.
We recommend booking convenient and affordable parking in advance through SpotHero, the nation’s leading parking reservation app.
To reserve your parking spot, visit the First Night Boston SpotHero Parking Page and book a spot with rates up to 50% off drive-up.
New to SpotHero? Download the SpotHero iPhone | Android app.
Traffic Restrictions
Dartmouth Street in Boston’s Back Bay will close to vehicular traffic between St. James Ave. and Boylston Street from 8:00 AM on Saturday, December 31, 2022 until 1:00 AM, on Sunday, January 1, 2023.
Boylston Street between Ring Road (near Dartmouth Street) and Charles Street will close to vehicular traffic on Saturday, December 31, 2022 from approximately 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM.
Charles Street between Boylston Street and Beacon Street will be closed to traffic on Saturday, December 31, 2022 from approximately 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM.