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.
1749 Court House Museum
Plymouth
3 Daughters Jewelry, Apparel & Gifts
Plymouth
Al's Backwoods Berrie Co.
Plymouth
Americana Theatre Company
Plymouth
The Art Shoppe Jessart Studio
Plymouth
Billington Sea Kayak
Plymouth
Blake Planetarium
Plymouth
Brewster Gardens
Plymouth
Burial Hill
Plymouth
Capt'n Tim Brady & Sons
Plymouth
Captain John Boats
Plymouth
Cattivo Plymouth
Plymouth
Champions Indoor Golf
Plymouth
Colony Place
Plymouth
Common Sense Market
Plymouth
Cupcake Charlie's
Plymouth
DEAD OF NIGHT GHOST TOURS
Plymouth
Diesel & Lulu's
Plymouth
eKnits4U
Plymouth
Firehouse Flowers & Event Design
Plymouth
- A
1749 Court House Museum
4 Town Square
Plymouth
508-830-4075 - B
3 Daughters Jewelry, Apparel & Gifts
114 Water Street
Plymouth
508-747-3330 - C
Al's Backwoods Berrie Co.
76 Camelot Drive
Plymouth
508-317-0205 - D
Americana Theatre Company
251/2 Court Street
Plymouth
508-591-0282 - E
The Art Shoppe Jessart Studio
84 Court Street
Plymouth
508-662-1432 - F
Billington Sea Kayak
41 Branch Point Rd.
Plymouth
800-286-0083 - G
Blake Planetarium
117 Long Pond Road
Plymouth
508-830-4470 - H
Brewster Gardens
57 Water Street
Plymouth
508-747-0100 - I
Burial Hill
School Street
Plymouth
508-830-4078 - J
Capt'n Tim Brady & Sons
Town Wharf
Plymouth
508-746-4809 - K
Captain John Boats
10 Town Wharf
Plymouth
508-746-2643 - L
Cattivo Plymouth
98 Water Street
Plymouth
781-561-5835 - M
Champions Indoor Golf
30 Golf Drive
Plymouth
508-715-6399 - N
Colony Place
174 Colony Place
Plymouth
508-746-7663 - O
Common Sense Market
53 Main Street
Plymouth
508-732-0427 - P
Cupcake Charlie's
6 Town Wharf
Plymouth
508-747-9225 - Q
DEAD OF NIGHT GHOST TOURS
31 North Street
Plymouth
508-866-5111 - R
Diesel & Lulu's
23 Sandwich Street
Plymouth
(774) 238-4240 - S
eKnits4U
62 Court Street
Plymouth
508-747-0100 - T
Firehouse Flowers & Event Design
5 South Street
Plymouth
774-205-4449