GET AN EARLY START & PLAN YOUR NIGHT
Know before you go! Review the performance details and preliminary schedules online before you come - there's a lot to see and do. Grid schedules will be printed in the Monterey County Weekly in the two weeks before Dec. 31; be sure to pick up your copy. Performance descriptions (online, listed in order of first set starting time) can be sorted by genre and by venue. Check out Kids' Night Out activities here.
Admission to performances is first come, first served with buttons; we make every effort to ensure that events begin at scheduled times and venues are cleared between performances. Give yourself time to get from one venue to another! There is no reserved seating. Late admission is at the discretion of site management.
FINALE TICKETS
Space in the two Finale venues is limited, so a Finale ticket (no extra cost to button-holders) is required to get into the venue of your choice. If you are planning to stay thru midnight, PICK UP YOUR FINALE TICKET, available after 8pm at the FNM Kiosk ticket booth in Del Monte Plaza (look for the signs!)
FNM KIOSKS: NEW YEAR'S EVE BLINKIES AND BUTTON SALES
Glow in the dark, light up the night, fly into the new year! First Night Monterey takes pride in providing New Year's Eve novelty items at family-friendly prices. Visit one of our kiosks to purchase the perfect glow-in-the-dark accessory that will add a magical sparkle to anyone's New Year's Eve look. This is a fundraiser for First Night; all proceeds benefit our year-round arts programs. Buy Admission Buttons here also.
GETIING TO FIRST NIGHT
First Night encourages patrons to ride the MST busses, free with your admission button. Ample parking is available at Del Monte Center, with shuttle service to the festival, courtesy of MST. Shuttle riders will receive free light-up necklaces! Please visit our Park & Ride page for details. Valet parking is not available.
FOOD AND DRINK/WHERE TO STAY
Visit the First Night Food Court on Alvarado Street between Franklin and Del Monte Streets. We have a variety of yummy food to take & go! The Monterey Peninsula has excellent restaurants of every conceivable type; far too many to be listed here. For listings and reviews of restaurants and hotels, go to www.seemonterey.com.
WEATHER
First Night programming takes place regardless of weather conditions. In over 30 years of FNM, it has rarely rained on New Year's Eve in Monterey. Regardless, rain or shine, First Night Monterey will joyfully proceed. 85% of First Night venues are indoors! Dress in layers and wear comfortable shoes. NYE Forecast
SERVICES FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES
All Venues and MST busses are wheelchair accessible. All parking lots have handicap accessible parking.
PETS/STROLLERS/BICYCLES
Please leave your pets at home, dogs and other pets are not allowed at FNM venues –outdoors or indoors.
Stroller space is limited; we will make every effort to accommodate your needs.
Bicycles are not permitted inside the venues; please walk bikes inside the FNM footprint.
RESTROOM LOCATIONS
Most indoor sites have public restrooms. Public restrooms are open until 10pm at City Hall and in the City Parking lots. Portable facilities will be available by Wells Fargo Bank on Franklin Street at Alvarado Street. Check our Venue Map for locations!
EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES AND LOST CHILDREN/ITEMS
The Command Center is located in the FNM Kiosk near the Monterey Conference Center. For serious medical attention call 911, or ask a volunteer or Police Officer for assistance. Lost and Found is located in the Command Center. Parents seeking lost children should report here. To report a lost child, or if you have found a lost child, ask a First Night volunteer or a Police Officer for assistance.
FIRST NIGHT IS A FAMILY-FRIENDLY, ALCOHOL-FREE CELEBRATION
No alcohol is sold or permitted at First Night Monterey venues. Laws against public consumption will be enforced.
BE MINDFUL
Some events are in places of worship. Please show proper respect. Food, beverages and smoking are not permitted at venues unless otherwise posted.
SAFETY FIRST
First Night is staffed
with MPD officers stationed throughout the event. In the interest of safety, please leave at home your large purses, backpacks and large bags - you will be asked to leave them at the door and they will be subject to a visual search. FIRST NIGHT IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR LOST OR STOLEN ITEMS