Corporate body

First Night International

1976-

First Night International is a non-profit organization with the mandate to promote alcohol-free New Year's Eve celebrations. The organization began as an alternative New Year's Eve celebration in Boston in 1976. The organizers of this event promoted the festivities as an alcohol-free, family-oriented New Year's celebration, and its success prompted an organization called "First Night International", which trademarked the name "First Night," so that all cities wishing to organize a festival by that name must first join the organization and pay a fee. Over 150 American cities and some international cities host these festivities on December 31. First Night festivals feature a variety of acts, events, and demonstrations showcasing the visual and performing arts, drawing primarily on local artists and entertainers. Cities generally stage First Night festivals in a central location and the atmosphere may resemble that of a street fair. Although some open-air entertainment is available to everyone, people who wish to attend events scheduled for indoor venues generally have to buy a pass (usually in the form of a button they wear on their clothing) which entitles them to attend all the events. One of the stated goals of First Night International is to wean people away from more boisterous, alcohol-laden New Year's Eve celebrations. Beyond decreasing alcohol consumption on New Year's Eve, they aim to promote a sense of community, provide family-oriented entertainment, deepen public appreciation for the arts, and bring new life to downtown areas.

Boston, MA

Non-profit organization

RAD, July 2008 version. Canadian Council of Archives.

Catalogued May 2022.

1) Archival material
2) https://encyclopedia2.thefreedictionary.com/First+Night
3) https://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/30/nyregion/nyregionspecial2/30Rfirst.html
4) https://en-academic.com/dic.nsf/enwiki/1000658