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First Night Monterey, the New Year’s most awaited Festival, feauring Good Luck, Good Fortune, and a “New Beginning” for Everyone!

First Night Monterey, the New Year’s most awaited Festival, feauring Good Luck, Good Fortune, and a “New Beginning” for Everyone!

Featuring the very special theme of “New Beginnings” (after more than a year of the Pandemic), First Night Monterey (FNM) will be celebrating 29 outstanding years of bringing the community together through both visual and performing arts for all ages, with lots of food options, on New Year’s Eve. This widely acclaimed event is an alcohol-free family celebration of the arts including a multicultural extravaganza is the largest New Year’s Eve event on the Central Coast and the official celebration of the City of Monterey. FNM is one of the largest First Night celebrations in the United States.

First Night Monterey takes place in downtown Monterey, an area that features many outstanding dining options. FNM is a unique New Year’s Eve event with arts programming that takes place throughout Downtown Monterey, including the Monterey Conference Center. With an average of 25 sites, 26 Performing groups and bands and 65 performances, First Night Monterey has something for everyone – both locals and visitors from all over the world!

The festivities begin at 3:00pm with “Kids’ Night Out” on the spacious lawn on Pacific Street in front of historic Colton Hall, featuring 2 hours of music, art and storytelling. At 5:30pm, the Twilight Parade is a community procession down Alvarado Street and serves as the finale to the Kids’ Night Out programming. The Evening Festival of the Arts begins at 6:00pm and ranges from pop to rock, hip-hop to jazz, and lots of interactive art activities all the way to the finale. This unique special event helps to bring in the New Year 2022 in style and fun! Built around the four pillars of First Night (Art, Celebration, Community, and New Year’s Eve), First Night Monterey is an event that brings families from all over California and beyond to enjoy an amazing event in Monterey!

First Night Monterey Tickets are colorful buttons deplicting the image of New Beginnings and First Night 2022. Designed by Kayla Lee, a CSUMB Senior from San Leandro, CA majoring in Communication Design with a minor in Business, the button allows access to all indoor sites. Beginning in November, buttons can now be purchased online at www.firstnightmonterey.org and after the first of December at all Safeway stores in Monterey County.

Purchase your Buttons (First Night Tickets) now and save! “Early Bird” Pricing ends December 13th at 8:00pm! Buttons will be available in stores at our retail partners after Thanksgiving. Admission Buttons can be purchased online through December 28th as well as at many retail locations throughout December and at the event itself. Buying a button ensures that First Night Monterey offers the best in community arts and performing acts. Your button supports the First Night Monterey celebration and directly supports the Artists’ fees. Many First Night venues are indoors, and an admission button is your ticket to these performances!

First Night Monterey Admission Buttons give you access to multiple venues with 50(plus!) Performances and 8 Interactive Art Stations from 3:00pm to midnight including “Twilight Procession” and the “Countdown-to-Midnight” Finale Performance plus 9 Hours of fabulous art, music and New Year’s fun!

ADULT BUTTON (16 and Older)

  • $20.00 Early Bird Price until December 13th
  • $25.00 Advance Purchase Price Until December 30
  • $29.00 Full Price December 31st (Day of Celebration) available at Event

YOUTH BUTTON (6-15 years old)

  • $12.00 Early Bird Price until December 13th
  • $15.00 Advance Purchase until December 30th
  • $18.00 Full Price December 31st (Day of Celebration) available at Event

Children under 5 Years of Age are admitted free.
NOTE: Online Sales close December 28th & prices change at 8:00pm online on December 31st or at store closing

Following State and CDC Protocol, Attendees must show Proof of Covid Vaccination or a Negative Covid Antigen Test within 72 Hours in order to be admitted to Our Indoor Venues. Please bring Your Covid Vaccine Card or Proof of Negative Test, Plus ID with You. We will provide Wristbands at the event for Vaccinated/Tested Attendees. Masks must be worn at Indoor Venues.

For more information, including details on the outstanding performers and artists, please visit www.firstnightmonterey.org or call (831) 373-4778.

Various Monterey County Locations
$25-$29 adults; children $12-$18; early bird prices
03:00 PM - 12:00 AM on Thu, 30 Dec 2021
Various Monterey County Locations