The Northampton Arts Council is thrilled to present our city’s 39th annual New Year’s Eve celebration and festival of the performing arts, which takes place on December 31, 2023. The event falls on a Sunday this year, and we look forward to welcoming enthusiastic crowds at the venues and on the streets downtown. First Night continues to be a unique opportunity to celebrate the cultural vibrancy of our community while sharing time with friends, neighbors, and visitors. We’ll witness a fireworks display at 6:15 pm. We’ll gather outside the Hotel Northampton for a “ball-raising.” A bargain-priced pin is still the ticket to over 75 arts and entertainment performances.
More info can be found at First Night Northampton.org.
Parking:
On First Night, there is free on-street parking. All of Northampton’s municipal lots are free EXCEPT for the downtown parking garage. Smith College parking lots and the Smith College garage on West Street are complimentary and open to the general public. There are also lots at Forbes Library, the Northampton Senior Center, and the Northampton Community Arts Trust at 33 Hawley Street.
Please remember that access to and from the E.J. Gare Parking Garage will be restricted from approximately 4:30 PM to 6:45 PM because of the fireworks display. The same is true for the adjacent municipal lots.
Similarly, parking is restricted at 8:00 PM in order to empty spaces adjacent to the Hotel Northampton for the ball-raising (see graphic). Please do NOT park at bagged meters or in areas that are clearly marked as restricted.
