First Night Boston: What You Need to Know

Boston’s First Night celebration actually starts out as a last day celebration with music and revelry beginning at noon today.

The festivities, which are free and open to the public, are focused on Copley Square and the Boston Common. Music, art, light displays, and of course fireworks at midnight to welcome in the new year.

See the full schedule of Boston First Night 2016 activities here.

Here’s what you need to know if you’re planning on celebrating in Boston tonight:

MBTA schedule

The trains will run Thursday night until 2 a.m. and is free after 8 p.m. operate subway service until 2 a.m. on Thursday, and will not collect fares after 8 p.m.

Most commuter rail lines will operate on a modified weekday schedule. See the MBTA’s website for more details.

On New Year’s Day, the MBTA will use a Sunday schedule, and there will be no ferry service to Hingham, Hull, and Charlestown will not operate.

Parking

The city is encouraging revelers to use the MBTA system instead of driving into the city, but if you drive, you should know there are parking restrictions throughout downtown Thursday and Friday. Parking will be restricted on parts of Boylston, Berkely, Arlington and Beacon streets, among several others. See all the affected streets here. In areas you can park, regular parking meter fees are in effect on New Year’s Eve, according to the city of Boston.

Road Closures

The city will be closing roads temporarily during the celebration. The schedule of closures is as follows:

Boylston Street, from Exeter Street to Tremont Street — 5-8 p.m.

Charles Street, from Park Plaza to Beacon Street — 5-8 p.m.

Dartmouth Street, from St. James Avenue to Boylston Street — 6 a.m. - 2 a.m.

Atlantic Avenue, from Milk Street to Cross Street — 11:30 p.m. - 12:30 a.m.

Event highlights

Parade — The People’s Procession to Boston Common steps off at 6 p.m. and will wind from Copley Square to Boston Common. Music, floats and large puppets are expected.

Fireworks — There are two fireworks shows scheduled Thursday, the first on Boston Common at 7 p.m., then another to ring in the new year at midnight over Boston Harbor.

Live music — The Boston Saxaphone Quartet kicks off the celebration with a concert at Copley Place at noon. Performances follow throughout the day in Copley Square, spanning genres to appeal to everyone’s musical tastes.

Ice sculptures — The Winter on the Waterfront will feature more than a dozen ice sculptures along the waterfront, including locations at Faneuil Hall, Charlestown, the Seaport, East Boston, and downtown Boston. See the event website for more information.