Boston is gearing up to ring in the New Year with a full slate of festivities as Mayor Michelle Wu outlined the city's preparations for the annual First Night celebration. This year's event, known for attracting revellers from around the globe, will be held at the revamped City Hall Plaza. Wu expressed her enthusiasm, stating, "Our newly renovated City Hall Plaza is the perfect venue to welcome families from all over to ring in the New Year. I encourage all our residents to celebrate safely as we welcome 2024," in a statement obtained by Boston.gov.
First Night's free programming promises to keep participants entertained for over 13 hours and, for the first time, will include events inside Boston City Hall, comedy, and carousel rides on the Greenway. In an effort to fully to ensure a safe atmosphere, the Boston Police Department has announced it will maintain a strong presence and is urging attendees to refrain from consuming alcohol or marijuana in public spaces, not to operate drones, and to report any suspicious activities. Boston Police Commissioner Michael Cox emphasized public safety, saying, "Families participating in the Official First Night celebrations, as well as residents celebrating in our neighborhoods, can expect to see a strong police presence," according to Boston.gov. Cox also reminded attendees to report any concerns to an officer on site or to call 911 if necessary.
First Night will also include a toe-tapping parade from City Hall Plaza to the Boston Common at 6:00 p.m and will feature early Family Fireworks at 7:00 p.m, perfect for those with children or those looking to turn in early. The night will conclude with the traditional Midnight Fireworks over Boston Harbor, ensuring the celebrations finish with a bang. Event organizer Dusty Rhodes, in a sentiment shared with Boston.gov, expressed pride in facilitating the event, stating, "We are again proud to help organize this proud Boston tradition, and excited to celebrate in this year's home of City Hall Plaza."
With the city expecting large crowds, event goers have been strongly encouraged not to drive into Downtown Boston to avoid traffic and parking headaches. Additional personnel from the Boston EMS will be deployed across the city to swiftly to attend to any emergencies, with Boston EMS Chief Jim Hooley urging celebrants to, "Dress appropriately for the weather, have a transportation plan, and be a good friend, making sure everyone gets home safely," as reported by Boston.gov. Adding a silver lining for late-night commuters, the MBTA has announced free fares post 8:00 p.m. on New Year’s Eve, with schedules available on their website.
The excitement is palpable but safety remains a top priority. The public has been reminded that the use of illegal fireworks by private citizens poses significant risks and is prohibited. Festivities like these serve as a reminder of the balance between celebrating and staying safe, a maxim that the city of Boston seems ready to uphold to ensure a joyful commencement of the new year. More information can be found on the official event website at firstnightboston.org.
