Come to enjoy the bounty of entertainment First Night Monterey provides all the way into the New Year! From Jazz to Latin, 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 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 activities 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!
Button-up for 9 hours of entertainment! From Folk to Jazz, Blues to Rock to World Music! FNM 2026 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% of venues are indoors! Dance to the sounds of live bands; Rock, Blues, Country 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.
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. There will be two indoor finales this year; one at the Golden State Theatre with Wrockinfoose, and the other in the Serra Ballroom at the Monterey Conference Center featuring Everyday People. Pick up your Finale Ticket after 8pm at the Plaza Kiosk (free to button-holders.)
Be a part of First Night! Artful activities are on-going now through the new year as we produce First Night Monterey. First Night volunteers last year included teens, military personnel, retirees, service organizations and community members just like you! Volunteers working 4+ hours on New Year's eve earn a free admission button! You can help! It would be impossible to produce FNM without the hundreds of volunteers. Volunteer individually or as part of a group! Students: Build up your community service hours; volunteer in a fun and creative environment! Expand your resumé with relevant experience; service learning hours are available.
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.
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.
