Celebrate the New Year in Boston

December is here and as always, the holiday season goes by quickly. Fortunately, after the shopping, tree trimming, gift giving and family dinners, there’s one last great event to look forward to, New Year’s Eve in Boston.

One of the best things to do in Boston on New Year’s Eve is attending First Night® Boston, a city-wide festival that has been running since 1976. There are so many fun things to do and see, including family-friendly events held earlier in the evening so the little ones can take in the excitement.

Boston Park Plaza is the perfect hotel for all the New Year’s Eve events in Boston. Located in the heart of Boston, just one block from Boston Common, most of the First Night Boston festivities are within easy walking distance or a short ride away on the subway (known as the T).

Here is an itinerary of some of our favorite Boston New Year’s Eve events. 

Emancipation Proclamation Concert – 1:00pm

The historic Trinity Church, just blocks from Boston Park Plaza, is the setting for the Emancipation Proclamation Concert, a musical and spoken word performance celebration of liberty and freedom. Co-presented by the Handel and Haydn Society and the Museum of African American History, the concert commemorates the abolition of slavery and the celebrates the spirit of progress for human rights. Tickets are required.

Ice Skating on the Boston Common Frog Pond – 1:00pm to 3:00pm

For a quintessentially Boston activity, lace up the skates and take to the ice at the Boston Common Frog Pond. It is a great way to spend the afternoon. Skate rentals are available. If hunger calls or toes need to be warmed, be sure to visit the adjacent Frog Pond Café to grab a hot chocolate.

First Night® Parade and Family Fireworks – 6:00pm to 8:00pm

Everyone loves a parade. This year, the Celebrate Boston Procession begins at Copley Square. Enjoy clowns, marching bands, giant puppets, and decorative floats as they wind through the streets, ending at Boston Common. Speak to our Concierge for the tips on the best places to catch the parade. At 7:00pm, immediately following the First Night Parade, the City of Boston and the Mugar Foundation present a Family Fireworks show on Boston Common. 

Live Music at Copley Square – 7:30pm to 12:30am

It would not be New Year’s without live music and dancing. This year, the Copley Stage will feature multiple bands and performers headlined by The Sultans, one of Boston’s favorite local bands. After the midnight countdown, a spectacular pyrotechnics and light show will illuminate the Square.

Boston Harbor Fireworks – 12 midnight

The ultimate night capper is the Boston Harbor Fireworks, a breathtaking sight. Bostonians come by the thousands and line the shores to witness the event. Bursting high in the sky, the fireworks illuminate the harbor, creating a dance of light and color worthy of the moment.

However you choose to spend December 31, be it at a restaurant, tavern, ballroom, or one of the many First Night Boston events around town, be sure to visit our Concierge team. They will have all the answers you need to make your New Year’s Eve one to remember.

About Us

Boston Park Plaza is so much more than a hotel. We are a Boston icon, integral to the city’s heritage. As one of the best hotels in Boston, we offer a true one-of-a-kind experience, as richly textured and profoundly memorable as Boston itself.