Many southeastern cities enjoy First Night New Year's Eve celebrations, offering family-friendly and alcohol-free fun. With eight First Night celebrations, Virginia is the leader in the Southeast for offering First Night family-friendly alternatives in place of traditional New Year's Eve celebrations.
Virginia's First Night Celebrations
Date - December 31st:
First Night Alexandria
Photo of First Night Alexandria Fireworks Display: Michael Geissinger
First Night Alexandria is the largest, family-focused New Year's Eve celebration in Northern Virginia, featuring nearly 200 performances during the evening, clowns, face painters, fireworks at midnight to welcome the New Year, free parking, and free shuttles throughout Old Town and Del Ray. This affordable, safe and alcohol free celebration has been celebrated in Alexandria since 1994.
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More Event Information - Visit the First Night Alexandria Web Site.
First Night Virginia in Charlottesville
First Night Virginia is Virginia's first official First Night celebration and the second in the world, preceded only by Boston. Drawing close to 10,000 people to Downtown Charlottesville, this popular annual event features 75 different performances in 24 venues. The fun begins at 5:15 p.m. with a Community Processional, which steps off at the Omni Hotel. Kids will especially enjoy the Bubble Wrap Stomp, Creation Station and bouncing in the New Year on the three inflatables. Fireworks will begin at 9 p.m. First Night Virginia Headquarters will be in the atrium of the Omni Hotel.
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Additional Event Information - Visit the First Night Virginia Web Site.
First Night Fredericksburg
Featuring an evening of continuous performances by area artists, performed in historic churches, business and the streets of downtown Fredericksburg, this family-friendly alternative to traditional New Year's Eve celebrations offers fun for all ages. The festivities begin at 6:30 p.m. and culminate with a midnight celebration to welcome the New Year.
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Additional Event Information - Visit the First Night Fredericksburg Web Site.
First Night Harrisonburg
Downtown Harrisonburg's First Night celebration features lively musical, dance and dramatic performances presented in various downtown buildings including churches, commercial spaces, building lobbies and stores. A 5K run begins at 3 p.m. and entertainment continues from 6 p.m. until midnight. An exciting Grand Procession takes place a 7 p.m. and an exciting Fireworks Finale on Court Square welcomes the New Year at midnight.
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Additional Event Information - Visit the First Night Harrisonburg Web Site.
First Night Leesburg
Featuring entertainment coordinated by the Bluemont Concert Series, First Night Leesburg hosts over 100 performances at 20 indoor locations within walking distance of each other in historic downtown Leesburg. Performances include jazz, classical music, puppet shows, bluegrass, folk music, magicians and more. At midnight, a traditional Grand Illumination on the courthouse green welcomes the New Year. Shuttle bus service for major sites is available throughout the event and most sites are handicapped accessible.
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Additional Event Information - Visit the First Night Leesburg Web Site.
First Night Warrenton
Featuring entertainment coordinated by the Bluemont Concert Series, First Night Warrenton hosts over 50 performances at 10 indoor locations within walking distance of each other in historic downtown Warrenton. Performances include jazz, classical music, puppet shows, bluegrass, folk music, magicians and more. At midnight, a traditional Grand Illumination on the Old Courthouse green takes place. Attendees receive candles, pass the flame to their neighbors and all join in singing in the New Year as the Old Courthouse bell rings the last twelve chimes to midnight.
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Additional Event Information - Visit the First Night Warrenton Web Site.
First Night Williamsburg
First Night Williamsburg is a family-oriented New Year's Eve celebration of the performing arts, presented in a number of venues within walking distance of historic Williamsburg's Merchants Square. Area entertainers perform vocal and instrumental music, dance, magic, storytelling, puppetry, juggling, clown acts and more. The Grand Finale, beginning at 11:15 p.m. at William and Mary's Zable Stadium, welcomes the New Year with a countdown and dazzling fireworks extravaganza at midnight.
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Additional Event Information - First Night Williamsburg Web Site.
First Night Winchester
First Night Winchester offers an array of more than 50 performing artists staging 35 plus shows, including country, classical, rock’n roll and jazz, big band, Irish jigs, comedians, magicians, puppeteers, jugglers, a ventriloquist, mimes, model trains, story-telling, face painting, dancing and more. Festivities begin at 6 p.m. and end with a party under the stars at midnight (at the intersection of Boscawen and Cameron Streets) for a traditional Apple Drop countdown and fireworks show. (A Children’s Fireworks event takes place at 8 p.m. across from Braddock Street United Methodist Church.)
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Additional Event Information - Visit the First Night Winchester Web Site.
More First Night Celebrations in the Southeast
Explore First Night celebrations in other southeastern states.
