Massachusetts invented the First Night celebration, and is also at the forefront of creating First Day activities for residents and visitors to enjoy on January 1st each year. From yoga to frisbee golf, and from road races to outdoor hikes, here is a selection of First Day activities in Massachusetts.

 

Relax with Yoga

The New Bedford Whaling Museum offers a meditation and yoga session appropriate for all levels.

 

Golf in January!

Check out the 8th annual New Year’s Day Disc Golf Tournament in Oaks Bluff, Martha’s Vineyard. It’s a growing sport that is played with a Frisbee, not a golf ball.

 

Have a Toast

White’s of Westford is offering a Champagne Brunch Buffet from 11am to 1pm to help jump start your New Year.

 

Cool Jazz & Ice Sculptures

Boston First Night continues through to First Day with live music, dance and magic performances starting at 11 am and continuing till 4pm in Copley Square, Boston Common as well as Berklee College of Music and the Prudential Center.

 

Sprint into the New Year

There are nine 5K road races in Massachusetts on January 1, in Whitinsviille, Sandwich, Norwood, Seekonk, Lowell, Westfield, Salisbury, Needham and North Falmouth.

 

Go Indie

The Gateway City Arts in Holyoke presents Rubblebucket, an Indie Music and Dance group from Brooklyn, to rock the house, starting at 8 pm.

 

First Day Hikes

The Department of Conservation & Recreation (DCR) has scheduled First Day Hikes in eleven state parks located in Boston, Uxbridge, Topsfield, Saugus, Milton, South Carver, Hull, Brewster, Waquoit, Lanesborough and Turners Fall.

 

Harbor Swim

If welcoming the New Year means diving into cold water, then check out the annual Polar Bear Plunge with the L Street Brownies in South Boston, or the hearty folks in Provincetown.

 

Art Exploration

Take a Gallery Tour at the Mass MoCA in North Adams, from 11 am to 5 pm. On display, Xu Bing’s monumental Phoenix, a display of birds fabricated from construction sites in urban China.

 

Historic Brunch

Combine the past and the future with a First Day Brunch at Old Sturbridge Village, a replica historic village from the 19th century.

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