origins
dancers from Blue Lapis Light perform in 2007
First Night takes the ancient custom of marking the passage of time and transforms it into a citywide celebration of our cultural richness and artistic diversity. The concept of First Night Austin was created by a group of community-minded artists in Boston who were ignited by the idea of a citywide celebration of the New Year -- a meaningful alternative to traditional revelry. It is a family-friendly, affordable, and alcohol free New Year's Eve festival that celebrates art, ritual and festivity.
It began in 1976 as a finale to Boston's Bicentennial events and has since expanded into a tradition that brings neighbors and communities together in a way no other celebration could. That first year in Boston over 60,000 people attended. Today that number has grown to over one million. In fact, the idea is so popular that over 120 other cities in the United States, Canada and New Zealand now have similar festivals each with their own rich, cultural twist.
Austin was the first metropolitan area to create a First Night in Texas. Wichita Falls also initiated its inaugural event on December 31, 2005. (And don't be confused by the name of the event. First Night Austin 2006 took place on the last day of 2005. On the last day, we look ahead collectively to welcome the New Year with hope and optimism.)
To learn more about the history of First Night, check First Night International at www.firstnight.com.
First Night Cities
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