A community celebration of the arts, First Night Monterey is an affordable, alcohol-free family celebration held on New Year’s Eve, 3pm-midnight, in the heart of Downtown Old Monterey. Join us as we dance, play, act, perform, create and sing our way into 2022! Featuring multiple performance venues, First Night happens rain or shine.

Activities begin at 3pm with the Opening Ceremony held on Colton Lawn stage on Pacific Street. Kids Night Out begins at 3:30pm with interactive art activities. The Twilight Procession will take place at 5:30pm as we process down Alvarado Street. And be sure to make your New Year's resolution at the interactive Resolution Sculpture! Musical performances tonight will range from Classical to Hip Hop and Jazz to Reggae. We’ll also have dance venues, written word venues, and a whole lot of visual art. The Grand Finale begins at 11:15pm.

COVID PRECAUTIONS: For the safety of attendees, all indoor audience members, staff, and artists must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or present a negative COVID test (dated within 72 hours) along with a valid photo ID. Event status may change due to developing local, state, and federal safety policies.