Your New Year starts HERE in Historic Downtown Monterey!
JOIN US FOR 9 HOURS OF CREATIVE, JOYFUL AND AMAZING MUSIC AND ART!
Come to enjoy the bounty of entertainment First Night Monterey provides all the way into the New Year! From Jazz to Comedy, Rock & Roll and World Music to Lion Dancers and Fire Shows in the streets; indoor and outdoor venues to see fantastic performances, do a little dancing, and celebrate the New Year with friends and family. We will transform your New Year's Eve into a creative celebration!
THE FIRST ACT FOR THE YOUNG & YOUNG-AT-HEART!
OPENING CEREMONY & TWILIGHT PROCESSION
The most creative New Year's Eve for your family! First Night Monterey and Kids' Night Out kicks off at 3 PM with the Opening Ceremony and Free-To-All activites at the Monterey Conference Center. Kids' Night Out culminates with the 5:30 PM Twilight Procession on Alvarado Street serving as the Kids' Night Out Finale. Music, song, dance, art creating, hat making and more will complete your artful time!
THE SECOND ACT: THE MAIN EVENT!
Button-up for 9 hours of entertainment! From Rap to Jazz, Blues to Rock to Folk! FNM 2025 will have a line-up of over 50 performances designed to delight the entire family: an admission Button is your ticket to them all!
Music and Dancing on the street— International costumed dancers, live bands!
Indoor venues feature music, art and community! 85% or venues are indoors! Dance to the sounds of live bands; Rock, Celtic, Americana and Jazz are just a few of the sounds you will hear. View art exhibits from First Night-sponsored workshops from Greenfield to Salinas and Marina, and post your hopes and dreams for the New Year on our Resolution Sculpture.
FINALE PERFORMANCES - NEW YEAR'S EVE COUNTDOWN!!
The Grand Finale! Live music from featured performers will bring us into the New Year with a countdown to midnight! Special surprise guests may be dropping in to join the band - you never know what might happen at a First Night finale! Whether you want to be on your feet dancing or just sitting back and enjoying the tunes, you can guarantee a fun and exciting time into the New Year.
FIRST NIGHT NAMED TOP REASON TO VISIT MONTEREY
Visit California has included First Night Monterey as one of "20 ways to Celebrate New Year’s Eve 2023 in California!" Read the article. The San Francisco Chronicle listed First Night Monterey as #5 in its 2015 article entitled "Ten Reasons to Visit Monterey County Now", describing First Night as "The state’s most dynamic and alcohol-free family-friendly New Year’s Eve festival." Thanks – we agree! Read the full article.
THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS
