Skating, dancing, live music, and more marked the celebration that took place throughout the city.
A woman wore 2026 glasses as she watched the First Night parade in Boston, Massachusetts December 31, 2025. (Jessica Rinaldi/Globe Staff)
Frigid temperatures couldn’t keep the revelers away from Boston’s First Night celebration, which took place at locations across the city on New Year’s Eve.
Festivities included dance, live music, figure skating, ice sculptures, a parade and fireworks.
Here are a few scenes from the day’s activities:
Prelude of Boston, the juvenile Theatre on Ice team, performs during the annual First Night Spectacular on Dec. 31, 2025, in Boston. (Danielle Parhizkaran/Globe Staff)Roger Wellington of the Skating Club of Boston performs during the annual First Night Spectacular on Dec. 31, 2025, in Boston. (Danielle Parhizkaran/Globe Staff)A dancer watches as members of Artisan Dance Academy pose for photos off stage after performing as part of First Night festivities in Boston, Dec. 31, 2025. (Jessica Rinaldi/Globe Staff)Dancers performed the “Elegance of Dynasty” as part of the Chu Ling Dance Academy’s performance for First Night festivities in Boston, Dec. 31, 2025. (Jessica Rinaldi/Globe Staff)Handel and Haydn Society and the Museum of African American History co-present the Emancipation Proclamation Concert at Trinity Church as part of First Night festivities in Boston, Dec. 31, 2025. (Jessica Rinaldi/Globe Staff)A child watches as Handel and Haydn Society and the Museum of African American History co-present the Emancipation Proclamation Concert at Trinity Church as part of First Night festivities in Boston, Dec. 31, 2025. (Jessica Rinaldi/Globe Staff)A woman wearing 2026 glasses posed for a portrait during First Night in Boston, Dec. 31, 2025. (Jessica Rinaldi/Globe Staff)Members of Extinction Rebellion lined up to take part in the First Night parade in Boston, Dec. 31, 2025. (Jessica Rinaldi/Globe Staff)A member of Extinction Rebellion played to the camera before the start of the First Night parade in Boston, Dec. 31, 2025. (Jessica Rinaldi/Globe Staff)A woman danced in the First Night parade in Boston, Dec. 31, 2025. (Jessica Rinaldi/Globe Staff)The parade procession passes the Park Street Church as it travels down Tremont Street during First Night Boston 2026 celebration on Dec. 31, 2025. (Danielle Parhizkaran/Globe Staff)A member of the William Diamond Juniors of Lexington paused to fix his drum before marching in the First Night parade in Boston, Dec. 31, 2025. (Jessica Rinaldi/Globe Staff)Stilt walkers from Open Air Circus made their way to the First Night parade in Boston, Dec. 31, 2025. (Jessica Rinaldi/Globe Staff)A person paused to take a photo of ice sculptures during First Night in Boston, Dec. 31, 2025. (Jessica Rinaldi/Globe Staff)Spectators watch the fireworks display during First Night Boston 2026 celebration at Boston Common on Dec. 31, 2025. (Danielle Parhizkaran/Globe Staff)Spectators watch the fireworks display during First Night Boston 2026 celebration at Boston Common on Dec. 31, 2025. (Danielle Parhizkaran/Globe Staff)The Prudential Center glows with a 26 during the First Night Boston 2026 celebration at Boston Common on Dec. 31, 2025. (Danielle Parhizkaran/Globe Staff)
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Alexa Clarke is a sustainability enthusiast and the lead writer at Yuancheng Lights. Passionate about solar technology, she shares expert insights, product reviews, and practical tips to help readers embrace energy-efficient lighting. When not writing, she enjoys exploring nature and DIY solar projects.
