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.
1794 Meetinghouse
New Salem
413shirts.com
Pittsfield
A2Z Science & Learning Store
Northampton
Academy of Music - Northampton
Northampton
Adventure East
Hadley
The Amazing World of Dr. Seuss Museum
Springfield
Amherst Business Improvement District
Amherst
Amherst College
Amherst
Ann Brauer Quilt Studio
Shelburne Falls
Antenna Cloud Farm
Gill
The Apple Place
East Longmeadow
Arcadian Shop
Lenox
Arrowhead
Pittsfield
Art Alive
Amherst
Art for the Soul Art Gallery
Springfield
Art in the Orchard
Easthampton
Artists Square Group Gallery
Springfield
Ashuwillticook Rail Trail
Lanesborough
Asparagus Valley Pottery Trail
Florence
Asparagus Valley Pottery Trail
Florence
- A
1794 Meetinghouse
Po Box 8 / 26 S Main Stree
New Salem
(413) 335-3489 - B
413shirts.com
1595 East Street (inside Bbe Office Interiors)
Pittsfield
413-281-5292 - C
A2Z Science & Learning Store
57 King Street
Northampton
4135861611 - D
Academy of Music - Northampton
274 Main St.
Northampton
(413) 584-9032 - E
Adventure East
12 Breckenridge Road
Hadley
+14138005345 - F
The Amazing World of Dr. Seuss Museum
21 Edwards St.
Springfield
800-625-7738 - G
Amherst Business Improvement District
35 South Pleasant Street
Amherst
413-345-2945 - H
Amherst College
220 S Pleasant St
Amherst
413-542-2000 - I
Ann Brauer Quilt Studio
2 Conway Street
Shelburne Falls
413-625-8605 - J
Antenna Cloud Farm
25 Green Hill Rd
Gill
9173852713 - K
The Apple Place
540 Somers Road
East Longmeadow
4133489628 - L
Arcadian Shop
91 Pittsfield Road
Lenox
413-637-3010 - M
Arrowhead
780 Holmes Rd.
Pittsfield
413-442-1793 - N
Art Alive
35 S. Pleasant Street
Amherst
413-222-5366 - O
Art for the Soul Art Gallery
1500 Main Street, Floor 2
Tower Square
Springfield
413-301-6314 - P
Art in the Orchard
82 Park Hill Rd
Easthampton
413-527-6186 - Q
Artists Square Group Gallery
1500 Main Street
Springfield
413-301-6314 - R
Ashuwillticook Rail Trail
Ashuwillticook Rail Trail
Lanesborough
(413) 442-8928 - S
Asparagus Valley Pottery Trail
221 Pine St.
Studio 352
Florence
413-824-6506 - T
Asparagus Valley Pottery Trail
221 Pine St
Studio 336
Florence
413.625.2870