Boston Mayor Michelle Wu is urging people from across Greater Boston to enjoy the city’s 50th annual First Night celebration while detailing some dos and don’ts aimed at keeping the event safe.
As a “family-friendly celebration of art, joy and community,” Wu said in a Monday press conference, “First Night in Boston is known around the world.”
“We’re continuing the Boston tradition of celebrating with our neighbors and enjoying more than 12 hours of live performances, beautiful ice sculptures, fireworks, a parade and more,” Wu added.
A full schedule of events, which take place across downtown Boston and are free and open to the public, can be found at firstnightboston.org/schedule.
Wu said there are certain steps that participants should take to maintain the event’s safety and family-friendly character.
In addition to dressing warmly for what’s expected to be a cold day, Wu said, “Don’t use or sell fireworks, fly drones, or consume alcohol or other substances in public spaces.
“And please, if you see anything suspicious, please reach out and report it, to make sure, just in case, everybody is safe,” Wu said.
Jim Hooley, Boston’s emergency medical services chief, offered additional counsel to revelers, including those that aren’t taking part in official First Night activities.
“Celebrate responsibly,” Hooley said. “If alcohol’s going to part of your plans, please drink in moderation. Pace yourself, know your limits.”
“Celebrating responsibly also means looking out for yourself and the people you’re with,” Hooley added. “So if you’re hosting at home or if you’re attending events, whatever, be a good buddy, be a good friend, be a good host. Be a good wingman, wingwoman, whatever.”
“Keep an eye on the people you’re with, OK?” Hooley said. “Don’t let somebody wander off, or if they’ve had a little bit too much, take care of them. Make sure they get them home safe or arrange for that to happen. Please have a transportation plan ahead of time for yourselves. Use the MBTA, rideshare service, or a designated sober driver. Have that planned in advance.”
Hooley, Police Commissioner Michael Cox, Fire Commissioner Paul Burke, and MBTA Police Chief Kenneth Green all promised an enhanced presence during First Night, and urged anyone needing help or observing something problematic to seek assistance from their personnel.
Dusty Rhodes — the president of Conventures Inc., which produces First Night — reflected on the evolving character of the festival, which was launched in 1976 by artist Clara Wainright.
“This event started, quite frankly, as a very, very small — more of a literary, if you will — quiet, sort of bookish, arts [event], and it just grew,” Rhodes said. “But when we took it over in, basically, 2013, we needed to amplify all the different aspects of art and entertainment — and skewing it again back to being a free family festival.”
That mission, Wu said, has been successfully accomplished.
“Anyone who has been to the First Night parade and seen the incredible costumes and the figures and the puppets and all that, it’s an unforgettable experience,” she said. “And we hope that kids will come, year after year.”
“It’s now at the point where some of the children who first saw it back then have now taken multiple generations of their families to experience this. And we want to keep that going,” Wu said.
Get around free on the MBTA on New Year’s Eve
To encourage use of the T, rides are free beginning at 8 p.m. Dec. 31 on all subway lines, buses, ferry, The RIDE, and Commuter Rail trains that depart or arrive from North or South Station.
The Blue, Green, Orange and Red Lines, Mattapan Trolley and buses will all be running later than usual. The final trains of the night will pass through downtown Boston shortly after 2 a.m. Buses are scheduled until 2:55 a.m.
Last trains on New Year’s Eve
Blue Line
- To Wonderland, departing Bowdoin at 2:18 a.m.
- To Bowdoin, departing Wonderland at 1:55 a.m.
Green Line
- B branch to Government Center, departing Boston College at 1:43 a.m.
- B branch to Boston College, departing Government Center at 2:27 a.m.
- C branch to Government Center, departing Cleveland at 1:49 a.m.
- C branch to Cleveland, departing Government Center at 2:25 a.m.
- D branch to Union Square, departing Riverside at 1:43 a.m.
- D branch to Riverside, departing Union Square at 2:12 a.m.
- E branch to Medford/Tufts, departing Heath Street at 2:08 a.m.
- E branch to Heath Street, departing Medford/Tufts at 1:55 a.m.
Orange Line
- To Oak Grove, departing Forest Hills at 2 a.m.
- To Forest Hills, departing Oak Grove at 2 a.m.
Red Line
- To Alewife, departing Braintree at 1:45 a.m.
- To Alewife, departing Ashmont at 2 a.m.
- To Braintree, departing Alewife at 1:54 a.m.
- To Ashmont, departing Alewife at 2:20 a.m.
