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 to World Music, with Lion Dancers and Fire Shows in the streets, we will transform your NYE into a creative celebration!

Many performances and activities will take place indoors – so there are great 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 Monterey!

First Night Monterey and Kids' Night Out kicks off at 3 PM at the Pacific Street Location 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 2024! Wishing you a creative and happy 2024!

Buy Buttons/Find WillCall First Night Basics

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. 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!

Kids' Night Out Activities

THE SECOND ACT: THE MAIN EVENT!

"Button-up" for 9 hours of entertainment! From Rap to Jazz, Blues to Rock to Folk! FNM 2024 will have a line-up of over 60 performances designed to delight the entire family.

Music and Dancing on the street— International costumed dancers, live bands!
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; Rock, Celtic, Americana, 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.

Read About our Performing Artists

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 Jett Wolf, and the other in the Serra Ballroom at the Monterey Conference Center featuring The California Cowboys. Pick up your Finale Ticket after 8pm at the Plaza Kiosk (free to button-holders.)

Read More about the Finales

VOLUNTEER SIGN-UP FOR FNM 2024

Be a part of First Night! Artful activities are on-going now through the new year as we produce First Night Monterey 2024. 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 now, individually or as part of a group! Get involved! Artful activities are on-going! High School and College 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.

Read More/Sign Up!