Celebrating 30 Years of First Night Monterey!

FIRST NIGHT GOES ON, RAIN OR SHINE, AS IT HAS FOR 30 YEARS!

Most performances and activities will take place indoors – so there are great warm & dry venues to see fantastic performances, do a little dancing, and celebrate the New Year with friends and family. There's no better way to start the year than through the arts, looking forward with hope. That's the spirit behind First Night! And our hope today is that the rain will quickly move out of the area, as predicted!

First Night Monterey and Kids' Night Out kicks off at 3 PM in the Monterey Conference Center (3 to 5 pm venues will be moved into MCC) and then continues with 9 Hours of fabulous Art, Music and New Year's fun all the way into the New Year! Be part of this family friendly, alcohol-free celebration ringing in 2023!

Where to Buy Buttons

THE FIRST ACT FOR THE YOUNG & YOUNG-AT-HEART!

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 at the Monterey Conference Center. 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 2023 will have a line-up of over 65 performances designed to delight the entire family. World dance — International costumed dancers.
Monterey Center for Spiritual Living: This beautiful Sanctuary will resound with mellow sounds and great arrangements throughout the night!
The Golden State Theater and Monterey Conference Center feature music, art and community! Dance to the sounds of live bands; Celtic, Folk, Latin, Marimba 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. There will be two indoor finales this year; one at the Golden State Theatre with AJ Lee and Blue Summit, and the other in the Serra Ballroom at the Monterey Conference Center featuring Latin Jazz Collective.

Read More about the Finales
First Night Monterey Poster

FIRST NIGHT NAMED TOP REASON TO VISIT MONTEREY

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