FIRST NIGHT MONTEREY 2026

Watch for complete event details as they are revealed in December

WHAT:

First Night Monterey is a vibrant, community-centered celebration of the arts held annually on New Year's Eve. First Night is Monterey's most exciting and uplifting cultural experience, perfect for friends and families looking to ring in the New Year in a fun, safe, and artistic environment.

Join Us! Celebrate New Year's Eve at First Night Monterey, where creativity, community, and culture come together in a joyous and inclusive event. Get your admission buttons, "button up" and prepare for an unforgettable night of entertainment and artistic expression!

WHEN:

December 31, from 3 PM through Midnight

WHERE:

Historic Downtown Monterey - Multiple performance venues, most sites are indoors. It rarely rains in Monterey on New Year's Eve but regardless, First Night Monterey goes on "Rain or Shine"! 85% SITES INDOORS!

ADMISSION:

Save money by buying early! Admission Buttons are a work of original art and will be on sale for Will-Call pickup at Early Bird prices beginning online in mid-November. Buttons can be purchased at select local stores beginning in December. Your Purchase Directly Supports the Artist Fees. Prices and dates are subject to change until purchased.

PROGRAM:

We invite you to a very special party as we transform the streetscapes, buildings, theaters, churches and concert halls throughout Historic Downtown Monterey into a fun, informative and unique way for the community to experience multiple forms of art on an evening where we celebrate our uniqueness, our commonality and the coming of the New Year!

  • Kids' Night Out: Dedicated to children, offering engaging art activities and interactive fun, beginning with the opening ceremony at 3:00 pm and culminating with the 5:30 Twilight Procession, ensuring the younger attendees have a memorable night.
  • Performances: Our event features over 20 diverse groups performing multiple sets across various venues. From Classical to Hip Hop, Jazz to Reggae, Dance Venues to the Written Word and visual arts, there's something to captivate every audience.
  • Program: Check our website in November and December for an overview of the program. Plan your night ahead by reviewing the program and performers - it's a big night with nine hours of entertainment!

Activities begin at 3:00PM with the Opening Ceremony. Kids Night Out! begins at 3:30PM with interactive art activities: face artists, interactive art activities and folk music will entertain children of all ages. Join us for the Twilight Procession at 5:30. Commit your New Year's resolution at the interactive Resolution Sculpture, challenging all of us to see the changes we can make in our individual lives!

Performances range from Classical to Hip Hop, Jazz to Reggae, Dance Venues to the Written Word and a whole lot of art; FNM presents artwork completed this past year by youth and community members within our ArtWorks! Outreach projects.

Grand Finale starts at 11:15. Check program and return to Finale webpage for complete details. A separate ticket (FREE with your button) is required for the finale; get your finale ticket after 8pm by showing your button at the Portola Plaza Kiosk.

HOTELS AND RESTAURANTS:

There are many hotels to choose from in Monterey. First Night Monterey has a varied selection of food and beverage booths for your enjoyment. The Monterey Peninsula has excellent restaurants of every conceivable type; far too many to be listed here. For listings and reviews of hotels and restaurants, go to www.seemonterey.com. First Night is located in historic downtown Monterey.