Dec 28, 2010 – Jan 4, 2011: 30 First Nights, 4 Polar Plunges, Meteors, Murder Mystery, Alligator Feeding, Indoor Water Park, & Last Week for Holiday Lights!

12/28/10 by Johnny Monsarrat

This is the last week for nighttime holiday lights, and there’s a TON of creative New Year’s stuff that doesn’t involve going to the same bars that are open year ’round.

No giveaways this week, but I do have something free for ya. Did you know that I’m writing a book? It’s based on my art project. Email me at johnny@eventsinsider.com if you’d be willing to look over and comment on my book proposal, which includes the first two chapters. It’s short.

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-Johnny

The Week in Weird
Fri 12/31 – Sat 1/1Boston MetroFirst Night Boston
Don’t do it! Don’t go to a bar! Let’s face it, GETTING DRUNK IS NOT CREATIVE. (Unless you’re doing shots off of an ice sculpture of a naked warrior princess.) We spend a third of our lives asleep… that’s enough blotting out life for me. Even going to somebody’s ballroom party is not exactly a big deal: you stand around, talk, you get drunk, you can do it any time of the year. It drives me crazy. There are so many CREATIVE things to do on New Years Eve. I now present the biggest list of arty New Years Eve events in New England. I know it’s the biggest because I Googled every single town in the state, so much that Google briefly shut me out for too much searching. So here are some great ideas. Let’s start with the big one in Boston, First Night. You buy one ticket and get admission to dozens of dance, music, & participatory events, all within walking distance of each other downtown. It’s really fantastic and you must give it a shot. It’s the largest New Years celebration in the country. The trick is to stand in the back and don’t be afraid to leave & go next door midway through a performance. Starts in the early afternoon and goes through midnight. Various Locations, Boston, MA. more
Fri 12/31WorcesterFirst Night Worcester, MA
However, I’ve discovered another 30 cities in New England that hold First Night celebrations, too! Tired of First Night Boston? Why not get a hotel room and visit another city? Everyone wants a stake in this game. Worcester is getting in on the act, too! And they’ll have shuttles so you don’t have to drive. There’s a street painting festival at the DCU Center, Atwater-Donnelly (my favorite folk group), a trampoline show, and an early parade and fireworks starting at 6pm. Worcester, MA. more
Fri 12/31WorcesterNew Year’s Eve at Wachusett Mountain
Most ski resorts are having a New Years celebration. The best ones like Wachusett Mountain have fireworks and let you ski at night until midnight! And they have snow tubing, too. There’s a shuttle from the Commuter Rail you can take if you don’t drive. See their website. Wachusett Mountain, Princeton, MA. more
Fri 12/31Boston MetroNew Year’s Eve Dance Party at Folk Arts Center of New England
OK, let’s say you’re afraid of walking in the cold and just want to stay in a single place for New Years. Pick up any paper and you’ll see that restaurants and bars are having their usual non-special special celebrations. Here’s a party that’s out of the ordinary, and below are a bunch more, too. The first one is a fantastic folk dance. Church, 11 Homer Street, Newton, MA. more
Sat 1/1Boston MetroL Street Brownies New Year’s Day Swim
Every New Years Day, crazy people go for a swim on New Years. Why not show up and cheer them on? What a way to eliminate a hangover. I list a few more below, as well. 9am registration, 10am swim. It’s unclear where this is, exactly, the “K Street Beach”? Curley Community Center, 1663 Columbia Road, Boston, MA.617-635-5104. more
Sat 1/1Metro WestNew Years Day 1847 at Walden Pond
This is awesome! A re-enactor plays Henry David Thoreau. Then a guided hike. Then hot chocolate! 12-2pm. Concord, MA.978-369-3254. more
Sat 1/1Boston MetroNew Year Winter Walk
Here’s another walk, conveniently in Boston. Below I list a bunch more in state parks all around. 2-4pm. The nearby Franklin Park Zoo is open on New Year’s, too! Franklin Park, Boston, MA. more
Mon 1/3 – Tue 1/4Metro WestQuadtrantids Meteor Shower
Or stay up late to see the meteor shower, which is around before dawn Jan 3rd but peaks at 1am Jan 4th. Go someplace without any city lights, like a large field or lake, and bring someone you can chat with while waiting, because the Quadtrantids are unpredictable. Everywhere. more more
Sat 12/25 – Thu 12/30Boston MetroSing a Long Sound of Music
As I mentioned last week, The Sound of Music, the classic musical is being shown in Arlington along with printed lyrics so you can sing along. How fun!! And it’s happening several days in a row. Regent Theatre, Arlington, MA. more
New Years Eve
Fri 12/31Boston MetroFirst Night Grand Procession & Fireworks
First Night Boston merits a 2nd listing because there’s so much going on. Don’t want to pay for a button, which lets you into all the indoor venues? The parade is free and ends with a big bang in Boston Common, where there are usually ice sculptures. (Except last year it wasn’t cold enough and they had some kind of snow-plastic instead.) Starts at 9am and ends with fireworks over Boston Harbor at midnight. I guess they aren’t doing the early bird fireworks over Boston Common this year, but there is a parade from 5:30-6:30pm down Boylston St. From Hynes Convention Center to Boston Common, Boston, MA. more
Fri 12/31Boston MetroFirst Night Tours at Otis House
While you’re at First Night, make sure to visit this historic 1796 mansion right in downtown Boston, 11am-9pm. There are a ton of other things going on, too. Even if you are going to a party (this is acceptable, just don’t go to a bar for chrissakes), check out the schedule on the First Boston website. 141 Cambridge Street, Boston, MA.617-227-3956. more
Fri 12/31Boston MetroSpirit of Boston New Year’s Cruise
Here’s a creative idea: seeing the fireworks from a ship. Call for reservations. Commonwealth Pier, Boston, MA.617-748-1450. more
Thu 12/30 – Sun 1/2Metro WestNew Year’s Dancin’ Eve
This one’s not just a party, it’s an entire weekend for dance lovers! So I decided to include it. Marriott Hotel, Burlington, MA. more
Fri 12/31Metro WestNew Years’ Eve Contra Dances
Folk dances, if you haven’t tried them, well, it’s true that they aren’t as nightclubby. People don’t dress like skanks, it’s well lit, and the social dances are constructed so that everyone can join in and meet people, so unlike a nightclub there’s no danger of going home with a big mistake, you won’t get vomiting drunk, and there isn’t this ring of people on the edge who are too scared to dance. I like it! 8pm-1am. Scout House, 74 Walden St., Concord, MA.617-547-7781. more
Fri 12/31Metro WestNew Year’s Eve Labyrinth Walk
This is so great! This church has both indoor and outdoor labyrinth and you can come do a 30-minute walk and reflect on life. I called and they swear it is not heavy-handed with religion. You can just show up and do it for fun. 5-7pm, but you can do their outdoor labyrinth anytime. 262 Chestnut Street, Franklin, MA. more
Fri 12/31Metro WestNew Year’s Needham, MA
This one’s the closest real ‘first night’ to Boston. They have a trolley so you can get around without driving. 10am-12am. No fireworks, but there’s a laser light show at the town hall, 6-10pm. Needham, MA. more
Fri 12/31South ShoreNew Years Rockport Eve
There will also be short 45-minute performances at 15 venues in the downtown area of Rockport. 6pm-midnight. They refuse to call it 2011 for some reason. Rockport Downtown area, Rockport, MA. more
Fri 12/31Southeast MassCity Celebrates! New Year’s Eve, New Bedford, MA
A national park in New Bedford will have arts, a parade, and fireworks, from 4-9pm. Although it says 2010, this really is their “New Years 2011” celebration. New Bedford, MA.508-996-8253. more
Fri 12/31North ShoreBeverly’s New Year
This one ends early, it runs 3-7:30pm. There’s a parade but there don’t seem to be fireworks. Cabot Street, Beverly, MA.978-922-8558. more
Fri 12/31Northern MassBillerica Family First Night
In Billerica they’ll have ice sculptures and a parade in front of city hall, but no town-wide performances. 4-8pm. See the right column of the home page for the link. They’ll have hayrides, but since the theme is “Sesame Street”, it seems like this one’s intended for kids. Billerica, MA. more
Fri 12/31Northern MassFirst Night Orange, MA
Orange has fireworks! And hayrides, and a parade! But no oranges. Orange, MA. more
Fri 12/31Northern MassNashoba Ski Area New Year’s Eve Celebration
Beat this, bars that don’t do anything except do what they do all year long for New Years! Skiing, riding, tubing until 11:30pm and then a parade and fireworks! Let’s hope the fireworks don’t start an avalanche. Westford, MA.978-692-5700. more
Wed 12/29 – Fri 12/31Western MassFirst Night Northampton, MA
Further away but trying hard is First Night Northampton, with 17 venues and fireworks at 6:15pm. And they have a Dec 29 ‘preview’, too. Northampton, MA. more
Fri 12/31New HampshireFirst Night Portsmouth, NH
I couldn’t find anything in Concord, the capitol of New Hampshire, but they’re having a First Night celebration in Portsmouth. Portsmouth, NH. more more
Fri 12/31New HampshireFirst Night Wolfeboro, NH
This is the only other one in NH that I found. Wolfeboro, NH. more more
Wed 12/29 – Sat 3/12New HampshireNight Skiing & Fireworks at Cranmore
I mentioned that a ton of ski slopes will be open for New Years. Here’s another. Fireworks will light the skies at 7:30pm on Dec. 31, Jan. 15, Jan. 29, Feb. 19, Feb. 26 and Mar. 12. Cranmore Mountain, North Conway, NH. more
Fri 12/31Cape CodFirst Night Chatham, MA
This is the only one on Cape Cod. They have 19 venues and an afternoon schedule, an evening schedule. 12pm-12am. Then fireworks at midnight at Oyster Pond. Chatham, MA. more
Fri 12/31Rhode IslandBright Night Providence
Providence has a First Night experience, 12pm-12am, with 16 venues, and world-famous acrobats as the headliners! No fireworks, though, the state won’t allow it (boo). Providence, RI. more
Thu 12/30Rhode IslandNew Year’s Murder Mystery
Being involved in this interactive murdery mystery performance sounds like so much fun!! Call immediately; they may already be sold out. Newport, RI. more
Fri 12/31ConnecticutFirst Night Danbury, CT
First Night continues… in Danbury. Danbury, CT. more
Fri 12/31ConnecticutFirst Night Hartford, CT
A carousel, 17 venues, and fireworks at 6pm and midnight. Bushnell Park, Hartford, CT. more
Fri 12/31ConnecticutFirst Night Wesport, CT
And more, in Westport CT and Weston, CT. Westport, CT. more
Fri 12/31 – Sat 1/1ConnecticutNudist resort New Years’
Or, perhaps you’d like to try a party at a nudist resort. Woodstock, CT. more
Fri 12/31VermontFirst Night Burlington, VT
Vermont is getting in on the game as well. Theirs looks especially well organized, with 23 arts venues, contra dancing, a parade, and fireworks both at 6pm and midnight. Burlington, VT. more
Fri 12/31VermontFirst Night Montpelier, VT
Burlington is not actually the capitol of Vermont. It’s Montpelier, the “smallest capitol in the nation”, which is doing it too, with 16 venues. 1pm-10am. Parade and disco party but doesn’t seem to have fireworks. Montpelier, VT. more
Fri 12/31VermontFirst Night St. Johnsbury, VT
St. Johnsbury, VT is about as far north as Montpelier. Maybe you could visit and go skiing, too. They’ll have fireworks. St. Johnsbury, VT. more more
Fri 12/31South ShoreNew Year’s Eve at the Irish Cultural Center of New England
OK, if none of the above appeals, I give up. I have failed to separate you from the desire to just get smashed and dance. Here are two of the more exceptional of the normal parties. 200 New Boston Dr, Canton, MA. more
Tue 12/28 – Sun 1/2Western MassNew Years’s Jam at Earthdance
They claim this all-weekend dance festival sells out, so buy early. It’s an off-beat way to spend New Years. Plainfield, MA.413-634-5678. more
Fri 12/31Metro WestBessie’s New Year’s Eve PJ Dance Party
Have kids? Attend the Discovery Museum and dance around in your pajamas. 12-3pm. Acton, MA. more
Fri 12/31Western MassFirst Night, Jr. at Holyoke
This one’s also for kids, with a carousel, a magician, facepainting, unspecified “crafts”, and balloon animals. 10am-4pm. Holyoke Heritage State Park, 221 Appleton Street, Holyoke, MA.413-534-1723 or 413-530-0893. more
Fri 12/31Boston MetroWhat Are You Doing New Year’s Eve? with Kathy St. George
And this one’s a performance, at both 7pm and 10pm. It looks like she’s a Judy Garland re-enactor. Stoneham, MA. more
New Years Day
Sat 1/1Southeast MassFirst Day Fall River
Now on to New Year’s Day! Quite sensibly, instead of trying to compete for New Year’s, Fall River is having their celebration on New Year’s DAY. First, at 10am, a Polar plunge at Sandy Beach. Then 12-3pm at Kennedy Park. Free. Food, ice skating, train rides, horse and buggy rides, face painting, crafts, music. Free! Fall River, MA.508-676-0324. more
Sat 1/1Boston MetroJoey’s Plunge
Here’s another plunge in Boston, this time to benefit kids with terminal illness. Crazy people jump into the water. Wow. 1663 Columbia Road, Boston, MA. more
Sat 1/1Rhode IslandPenguin Plunge
This one’s for special needs kids. I mean, to benefit special needs kids. They don’t make them jump into the water or anything. That would just be mean. “Hey Jimmy, want to go for a swim?” Mackeral Cove, Jamestown, RI. more
Sat 1/1North ShoreRocky Neck New Year’s Plunge
They haven’t updated their website from last year, but I’ve got your back. I confirmed with the organizers that this one’s happening at the same time. Gloucester, MA. more
Sat 1/1North ShoreNew Years Day Kite Fly – Nahant, MA
You can learn to fly a kite in Nahant alongside some pros. Weather permitting. 12pm-2pm. Nahant Beach (Long Beach), Nahant, MA.978-937-8290. more
Sat 1/1Rhode IslandNew Years Day Kite Fly – Newport, RI
They also have kite flying in Newport, RI… but I couldn’t find any details about that. Brenton Point State Park, Newport, RI. more
Sat 1/1MaineNew Years Day Kite Fly – Portland, ME
And in Portland, ME. 12pm. Portland, ME. more
Sat 1/1Boston MetroFree Public Skates at DCR on New Years Day
Lookie! There’s a ton of ice skating with free rinks all over on New Years. Various state parks, All Over. more
Sat 1/1Boston MetroFirst Day Hikes at Blue Hills
But I’d rather go for a guided hike. They’re all free, all over the state. The Blue Hills is the tallest ‘mountain’ near Boston. Various state parks, All Over. more more
Sat 1/1Boston MetroNeponset First Day Hike
12pm. And this one’s more of a walk. Meet at the HQ at the far end of the parking lot of Pope John Paul II Park. It’s a 90 minute walk with hot chocolate before and after. Free. DCR Shore District Headquarters, 475 Neponset Ave, Dorchester, MA.617-921-6958. more
Sat 1/1North ShoreWicked Frosty Four New Year’s Day Race
Racing on New Years is like racing through an air conditioned park! Salem, MA. more
Sat 1/1Boston MetroFrank Hatch First Day Free at the Gardner Museum
The Gardner Museum is free on New Years Day. 11am-5pm. 280 The Fenway, Boston MA. more
Also Fun
Wed 12/29Boston MetroNights at the Museum
Or check out the MFA this week, also free! 4-9:45pm. But, you know, it’s free EVERY Wednesday at this time. Museum of Fine AHTS, Boston, MA. more
Sat 1/1 – Tue 3/1Northern MassKimball Farm Horse-Draw Sleigh Rides
If there’s snow, you’ve got sleigh rides in Haverhill! Kimball Farm Corn Maze, 780 East Broadway, Haverhill, MA.978 521-3990. more
Wed 12/29South ShoreFire & Ice Hike
This hike does not include a bonfire. Too bad. Myles Standish State Forest, 194 Cranberry Rd, South Carver, MA. more
Mon 1/24 – Sun 1/30Boston MetroBread and Puppet Theatre
27 puppeteers and a brass band. One show for adults and one for kids. 539 Tremont Street, Boston, MA.617-426-1522. more
Thu 12/30Metro WestMayor’s New Year Open House
This is the closest thing to a First Night Boston alternative that’s actually in Metro Boston. Kids stuff from 1:30-3pm. I don’t even think it’s outdoors. 1000 Commonwealth Ave, Newton, MA. more
Thu 12/30Metro WestNocturnal Night at Animal Adventures
7pm. My first thought when finding this was, Where the hell is Bolton? It’s off 495, north of Framingham. There’s a zoo there and they’re doing a night program that includes the feeding of alligators and a large snake! Reserve in advance. Bolton, MA. more
Tue 1/4Rhode IslandWaterfire Celebration for the Inauguration
As part of the government inauguration, there will be a waterfire 5:15-7:30pm. This is when they light bonfires in racks all along the Providence River downtown. Providence, RI. more
Wed 12/29New HampshireMoonlit Snowshoe Tour
Snowshoes!! I’ve never done this!! I really want to go!! I have big feet already! But they are not snowshoe sized.=. Gorham, NH. more
Mon 12/27 – Thu 12/30New HampshireHoliday Luncheons and Sleigh Rides at Remick Museum
Tamworth is pretty far north, but if you’re heading up to the White Mountains for skiing, stop by and get a sleigh ride, um, there’s snow up there, right? 58 Cleveland Hill Road, Tamworth, NH.603-323-7591. more
Sat 1/1 – Fri 12/31Metro WestCoCo Key Water Resort at the Royal Plaza Hotel
I’ve been to this fully heated indoor water park. It’s big enough to spend a whole day there, and not too expensive! Well, half a day. Royal Plaza Hotel, 150 Royal Plaza Drive, Fitchburg, MA.978.342.7100. more
Wed 12/29ConnecticutSanta and Elf Take a Swim!
I have no idea what to make of this. Santa swims? What does he wear to swim? 1pm. Mystic, CT. more
Tue 12/28 – Thu 12/30Lowell AreaCarnival Days at One Stop Fun
One Stop Fun is a combination gymnasium and play center, and because kids have a vacation week off from school, they are amping it up with carnival attractions like moonbounces. I bet it’s great fun for adults, too! 49 Power Road, Westford, MA. more

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