Ring In 2024: First Night Boston Is Back With A New Location

Is it really almost that time of year? Out with the old, in with the new! A fresh new year is coming. And that means, it's almost time to ring in 2024. First Night Boston is back with a new location. Unquestionably, the country's oldest and largest New Year's Eve arts festival is going to be lit!

Boston's annual New Year’s Eve bash is moving to the recently renovated City Hall Plaza. As reported in Boston.com, some First Night events will be located at Boston Common. Meanwhile, other happenings are scheduled at various indoor performance sites. If you are there for live music, there will be plenty of it from noon on December 31 through 12:30am on January 1.

First Night fireworks are back, with 2 timeslots. The early show is at 7:00, and follows the 6:00 parade from City Hall Plaza to Boston Common. Then, at midnight the fireworks will light up Boston Harbor. Following the "light show,", a pyrotechnic display will take place over the plaza.

There is an abundance of art, music, ice sculptures, dance and more to absorb at the family friendly First Night in Boston. Get the full schedule HERE. As always, it's best to take the T into town, as parking is extremely limited on New Year's Eve. Take the T to Government Center, Haymarket or State Street. Visit mbta.com/holidays for more information.

Did you know that Boston's First Night started in 1976? Since then, it's become a world famous celebration for those of us in the community and visitors. The website says it was created by artist and visionary Clara Wainwright "to give artists and musicians from the Boston area the opportunity to play at venues across the city in family-friendly and alcohol-free environments."

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'Tis the season when many of us craft our New Year's resolutions, including aspirations such as adopting healthier habits, reducing social media consumption, abstaining from alcohol, and embracing more home-cooked meals. While these goals are admirable, the recurring nature of such resolutions and the common struggle to stick to them is a familiar tale. Whether one opts for one resolution or a collection of them, why not inject a dose of originality by steering clear of clichés?

The advent of the New Year presents a blank canvas. It's an opportunity to rectify past missteps. New Year's resolutions embody the optimism that the upcoming year will be brighter, symbolizing a departure from the past. Dennis Buttimer, M.Ed., CEAP, RYT, a facilitator at Thomas F. Chapman Family Cancer Wellness at Piedmont, shared his take on the motivation behind making these resolutions. He stated, "I think most people desire a second chance to enhance the quality of their lives," as shared on Piedmont.org. He mentioned that we are employing a concept known as "self-efficacy." This concept entails that, by setting a goal and actively pursuing it, we gain a sense of control over the events unfolding in our lives.

While the tradition of formulating New Year's resolutions has been around for quite some time, it has evolved. According to the History Channel, the ancient Babylonians, credited with pioneering this practice some 4,000 years ago, observed a different commencement of the year in mid-March, coinciding with the planting of crops. Their 12-day religious festival, Akitu, involved the coronation of a new king or the reaffirmation of loyalty to the reigning one. Interestingly, the Babylonians made pledges to the gods, promising to settle debts and return borrowed items. Fulfilling these commitments was believed to garner favor from the pagan deities for the ensuing year.

Back to the present day: if you want to embrace the tradition of New Year's Resolutions but want to steer clear of the usual ones that people typically lean towards, check out our compilation of non-cliché New Year's resolutions below.

Spice up your palate by trying a new food each month. Whether it's exotic fruits, international cuisines, or local foods. This resolution will take your taste buds on an adventure.

Sending handwritten letters to say thank you is a great way to add a personal touch to your New Year. It's a chance to swap out emails and texts and give someone something tangible. A tangible note carries a special warmth that words on a screen can't replicate.

Unplug and unwind by turning off your phone for one night every week. Enjoy some screen-free time and soak in the real world. It's a resolution you can treat like a mini digital vacation.

Travel somewhere special and savor the experience without the pressure to post. Take a trip without turning it into a social media spectacle. Keep it on the down-low, soak in the adventure, and let your experiences be yours alone. No hashtags needed.

Instead of fixating on future goals, try crafting a reverse bucket list. Jot down and cheer for all the quirky and unexpected things you've already accomplished. It's like a highlight reel of your incredible moments.