Identity area
Type of entity
Corporate body
Authorized form of name
First Night International
Parallel form(s) of name
Standardized form(s) of name according to other rules
Other form(s) of name
Identifiers for corporate bodies
Description area
Dates of existence
1976-
History
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.
Places
Boston, MA
Legal status
Functions, occupations and activities
Non-profit organization
Mandates/sources of authority
Internal structures/genealogy
General context
Relationships area
Access points area
Subject access points
Place access points
Occupations
Control area
Authority record identifier
Institution identifier
Rules and/or conventions used
RAD, July 2008 version. Canadian Council of Archives.
Status
Level of detail
Dates of creation, revision and deletion
Catalogued May 2022.