3PM – 8PM | Sunday, December 31 | Port Townsend
First Night is an all-ages New Year’s Eve extravaganza featuring live music and circus, interactive art experiences, heritage and history exhibits, food, fireworks and more! This unique winter celebration provides attendees of all ages an opportunity to celebrate, connect and participate in a beautiful and momentous experience of light and love in the depths of winter.

Suggested donation: $10 per person or $20 per family w/children (no one turned away). Tickets for the Circus and Key City Public Theater events sold separately.

First Night is a self-guided tour of indoor and outdoor venues in downtown Port Townsend. The heart of the event is set in front of Port Townsend City Hall, on Madison Street between Washington and Water. There you will find a welcoming cast of community, bonfires to gather around, lantern making, face painting, food vendors and the perfect place to watch fireworks. Participating indoor venues include Key City Public Theatre, Jefferson County Historical Society and The American Legion Hall.

First conceived by a small group of artists and musicians for the December 1975 NYE celebration in Boston, the event sought to avoid the emphasis on alcohol typical of New Year’s Eve parties and focus instead on live and interactive arts and culture performances. Today, more than 200 cities nationwide host First Night celebrations. In Port Townsend, this longstanding and beloved tradition became a part of The Production Alliance’s Season of Events in 2021, after more than a decade of stewardship by the Jefferson County Historical Society.

Madison Street
3PM – 7PM
Food vendors, lantern making, face painting, fire pits and family fun!
6PM
AVE – Live Music
7PM
Lantern Parade with the
Unexpected Brass Band
7:45PM
Fire Show with special guest
Ramblxr
8PM
Fireworks
*Madison Street closed to vehicle traffic between Water and Washington streets

American Legion
3PM – First Night Circus
5PM – First Night Circus

Historical Society
3PM – 7PM – Indoor Activities

Key City Public Theatre
3PM – Great Expectations
7PM – Great Expectations