First Night Boston

First Night Boston 2024 schedule: Here's what to expect

Musicians, fireworks, a parade, an ice skating display and ice sculptures are among the attractions

First Night Boston 2020 fireworks
Mark Garfinkel

First Night Boston is less than two weeks away.

We've already learned who the headliner will be -- platinum-selling hip-hop artist Sammy Adams. But what does the rest of the schedule look like?

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First Night Boston announced its full schedule of performances on Tuesday.

Beginning at 11:11 a.m., artistic and musical performances kick-off at the Main Stage with Hyde Park-based Sweet Harmony. The Boston Saxophone Quartet will begin indoor programming at Boston’s City Hall's Civic Pavilion at 12 p.m. with its Noteworthy Scholars program, and arts and crafts presented by Greater Boston Chinese Cultural Association will fill the second floor of City Hall at 1 p.m. Arts and crafts include calligraphy for New Year’s blessings, translating names into Chinese, face painting, and more. 

On City Hall Plaza, the Main Stage rocks on with local acts Ava & Cam, Paco, Boston Music Project, and Tristan and Delaney blending new and old beats for the growing crows. The Ice Sculpture Gallery, featuring iconic Boston landmarks will be sparkling for all to enjoy. 

The carousel on the Greenway offers free rides from 12-3 p.m., and at 2 p.m., Improv Asylum makes its First Night debut with the first of three afternoon shows at its Hanover Street location. The audience-interactive and lightning-fast improv is designed for the whole family and goes until 4:40 p.m. In the Back Bay, the breathtaking Organ Concert in the First Church of Christ Scientist also begins at 2 p.m. 

The microphones rattle atop City Hall Plaza as the sun sets with performances from local artists including Koliba, Lizje, and Maddi Ryan. Koliba is bound to turn heads by blending traditional and modern West African rhythms, reggae, ska, zouk and more. Colombian-American Lizje’s captivating blend of Latin Jazz and pop music keeps the energy high while Maddi Ryan returns her talent to First Night for the third straight year.

Boston Mayor Michelle Wu will lead a speaking program at 5:45 p.m. before the First Night Parade brings hundreds of performers to Boston Common for the 7 p.m. fireworks display. As the countdown continues, the tempo at City Hall picks up with Sons of Levin and LaQuandra Seymore performing short sets, before Guess Method, Nancia, and Ayla Brown & Rob Bellamy put their local roots and vibrant sounds on display. 

Headliner Sammy Adams flexes some Boston muscle when he takes the stage at 11:30 p.m. As a second fireworks display glows above Boston Harbor at midnight, New England will ring in 2024 with Adams in the spotlight.

Here's a look at the full schedule:

11 a.m.: How Do You See the World Experience and Mapparium at First Church of Christ Scientist

11:11 a.m.: Sweet Harmony at the City Hall Plaza Main Stage

12 p.m.: Boston Saxophone Quartet at City Hall, Greenway Carousel on the Rose Kennedy Greenway

12:10 p.m.: Ava & Cam at the City Hall Plaza Main Stage

1 p.m.: Paco's Band at the City Hall Plaza Main Stage, Arts and Crafts Presented by Greater Boston Chinese Cultural Association on the Second Floor of City Hall

2 p.m.: Boston Music Project at the City Hall Plaza Main Stage, Improv Show at Improv Asylum, Organ Concert at First Church of Christ Scientist

3 p.m.: Tristan and Delaney at the City Hall Plaza Main Stage, Improv Show at Improv Asylum

4 p.m.: Koliba at the City Hall Plaza Main Stage, Improv Show at Improv Asylum

5 p.m.: LIZJE at the City Hall Plaza Main Stage

6 p.m.: Frog Pond Skating Spectacular at Boston Common, First Night Parade from City Hall Plaza to Boston Common

6:30 p.m.: Maddi Ryan at the City Hall Plaza Main Stage

7 p.m.: City of Boston's Family Fireworks, presented by The Mugar Foundation & the City of Boston

7:20 p.m.: Sons of Levin at the CIty Hall Plaza Main Stage

8:10 p.m.: LaQuandra Seymore at the City Hall Plaza Main Stage

8:50 p.m.: Guess Method at the City Hall Plaza Main Stage

9:50 p.m.: Nancia at the City Hall Plaza Main Stage

10:30 p.m.: Ayla Brown and Rob Bellamy at the City Hall Plaza Main Stage

11:30 p.m.: First Night City Hall Countdown and Sammy Adams at the City Hall Plaza Main Stage

Midnight: Boston Harbor Fireworks, presented by Meet Boston at Boston Harbor (Long Wharf)

You can also click here for the full schedule of events.

First Night Boston begins at Boston City Hall Plaza at 11 a.m. on Dec. 31, and more than 200,000 people are expected to visit the free event throughout the day and into the night.

In addition to the musicians, fireworks, parade and ice skating spectacular, ice sculptures will be located at City Hall Plaza featuring iconic Boston landmarks.

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