What are you doing New Year’s Eve? Ring in 2024 with these free activities!

Celina Colby

Celina Colby is an arts and travel reporter with a fondness for Russian novels.... VIEW BIO

It’s almost 2024, but celebrating the start of the new year doesn’t have to mean expensive bottle service and crowded, up-charged restaurants. These free New Year’s Eve outings are perfect for date night, family fun or a solo celebration of a fresh start.

Noon Year’s Eve

When: Saturday Dec. 30, 11 a.m.
Where: Boston Public Library, Brighton Branch
Info: Celebrate the New Year a smidge early with this noon countdown and craft workshop at the Brighton branch of the Boston Public Library.

Concerts at City Hall Plaza

When: Sunday, Dec. 31, 11 a.m.–12 p.m.
Where: City Hall Plaza
Info: The Main Stage for the First Night Boston 2024 celebration is at City Hall Plaza, and there you can watch live music from local artists all day and night. Enjoy R&B by Nancia, Latin jazz by LIZJE, sounds of the African diaspora from Koliba and much more.

Experience the Mapparium

When: Sunday, Dec. 31, 11 a.m.–5 p.m.
Where: South End
Info: Get free admission to the Mapparium at the Christian Science Plaza all day. This immersive experience allows you to walk through a 360-degree glass globe. 

Touch-a-Truck

When: Sunday, Dec. 31, 12 p.m.–4 p.m.
Where: Seaport
Info: At this special event, a selection of construction trucks and other vehicles will be onsite at the Envoy Hotel for children (and adults!) to interact with.

Waterfront Ice Sculpture Stroll

PHOTO: COURTESY BOSTON HARBOR NOW

When: Sunday, Dec. 31, 1 p.m.–5 p.m.
Where: Downtown and Seaport
Info: Stroll the waterfront to view more than 30 ice sculptures, beautiful artworks on view for one night only. On the way, you can view the lit-up trellis at Christopher Columbus Waterfront Park and the Seaport’s Snowport winter village.

First Night Parade

When: Sunday, Dec. 31, 6 p.m.
Where: Downtown
Info: A series of celebratory groups will lead a New Year’s Eve parade from City Hall Plaza to the Boston Common. See the New Liberty Firetruck, the Jamaica Plain Honk Band, the Boston Windjammers and others.

Frog Pond Skating Spectacular

When: Sunday, Dec. 31, 6 p.m.
Where: Boston Common
Info: Watch a vibrant ice skating show performed by The Skating Club of Boston, featuring nationally and internationally competitive figure skaters, synchronized skating and more.

First Night Fireworks

When: Sunday, Dec. 31, 7 p.m. and midnight
Where: Downtown
Info: Ring in the new year with a bang at two grand fireworks displays, the first at a family-friendly 7 p.m. on the Boston Common, the second over the Boston Harbor at midnight.