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.
Chelmsford Country Club
Chelmsford
Luciana Calvin Photography
Chelmsford
Bruce Freeman Rail Trail
Chelmsford
Chelmsford-Westford, 6.8 miles (phase 1). more
Chelmsford Center for the Arts
Chelmsford
Massachusetts Visitor Center
Chelmsford
Weston Nurseries of Chelmsford
Chelmsford
- A
Chelmsford Country Club
66 Park Rd.
Chelmsford
978-256-1818 - B
Luciana Calvin Photography
21 Central Square
Chelmsford
617-259-0883 - C
Bruce Freeman Rail Trail
Chelmsford St.
Chelmsford
978-580-6190 - D
Chelmsford Center for the Arts
1 A North Road
Chelmsford - E
Massachusetts Visitor Center
I-495
Northbound Between Exits 32 And 33
Chelmsford
978-250-9704 - F
Weston Nurseries of Chelmsford
160 Pine Hill Road
Chelmsford
(978) 349-0055