First Night celebrations return to Boston in full force for first time since pandemic started

BOSTON — Boston’s annual New Year’s Eve celebration will return to its full programming for the first time since the pandemic started.

Saturday marks the 48th year the city has hosted a First Night celebration, making it the oldest and largest New Year’s Eve arts festival in the country.

Musical and dance performances kick off at noon and run all the way through the first hours of the new year.

For the first time since the pandemic started, all indoor events will take place. There will also be some events on New Year’s Day for the first time in about five years.

The day-long celebration includes activities for people of all ages.

A parade will march from Copley to the Boston Common, followed by Family Fireworks over the Common at 7 p.m.

A pyrotechnics show at Copley Square will precede fireworks at midnight over Boston Harbor.

Attendees are reminded to dress for the weather, which may include some rain, but will be much warmer than at past First Night celebrations.

The warmer than usual temperatures created an added obstacle for the popular ice sculptures, which had to be moved inside and wrapped in dry ice to keep them cold before the celebration.

Organizers are reminding people that street parking will be limited. Attendees are encouraged to take public transportation.

The MBTA will be operating on an extended schedule and will be free after 8 p.m. on New Year’s Eve.

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