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.
Blue Heron
West Newton
Durant-Kenrick House and Grounds
Newton
Jackson Homestead and Museum
Newton
Jump N' Slide
Newton
Newton Commonwealth Golf Course
Newton
Andover Newton Theological School
Newton Centre
Artitudes Inc.
West Newton
The Barn Family Shoe Store / The Kids Barn
West Newton
Boston Showcase Company
Newton Highlands
CERI
Newton
Folklorica
Newton Centre
Enter Folklorica and you'll discover a world class gallery waiting to ignite your curiousity and arouse your sense of sophisticated... more
Greentail Table
Newton
Hebrew College
Newton Centre
Henry Bear's Park
Newton
Historic Newton
Newton
The Jackson Homestead Museum
Newton
Leather World
Newton
M. Steinert & Sons
West Newton
Newton Free Library
Newton
Newton History Museum at the Jackson Homestead
Newton
1809 Federal-style farmhouse; houses Newton's Historical Society; once a stop on the Underground Railroad. more
- A
Blue Heron
950 Watertown St. Suite 8
West Newton
617-960-7956 - B
Durant-Kenrick House and Grounds
286 Waverley Avenue
Newton
617.641.9142 - C
Jackson Homestead and Museum
527 Washington Street
Newton
6177961450 - D
Jump N' Slide
145 Wells Ave
Newton
6179695867 - E
Newton Commonwealth Golf Course
212 Kenrick St.
Newton
617-630-1971 - F
Andover Newton Theological School
210 Herrick Road
Newton Centre
617-964-1100 - G
Artitudes Inc.
1286 Washington Street
West Newton
(617) 244-9220 - H
The Barn Family Shoe Store / The Kids Barn
25 Kempton Place
West Newton
(617) 332-6300 - I
Boston Showcase Company
66 Winchester Street
Newton Highlands
(617) 965-1100 - J
CERI
386 Langley Road
Newton
617-527-6710 - K
Folklorica
61 Union Street
Newton Centre
617-630-1815 - L
Greentail Table
343 Watertown Street
Newton
617-244-3510 - M
Hebrew College
160 Herrick Road
Newton Centre
617-559-8600 - N
Henry Bear's Park
28 Austin Street
Newton
617-916-0533 - O
Historic Newton
527 Washington Street
Newton
(617) 796-1450 - P
The Jackson Homestead Museum
Newton Historical Society
527 Washington Street
Newton
617-796-1450 - Q
Leather World
30a Langley Road
Newton
(617) 332-6519 - R
M. Steinert & Sons
1069 Washington Street
West Newton
617-426-1900 - S
Newton Free Library
330 Homer Street
Newton
(617) 796-1360 - T
Newton History Museum at the Jackson Homestead
527 Washington St.
Newton
617-796-1450