First Night Monterey (Virtual)

Ring in the New Year with a First Night first! This special program for New Year’s Eve will bring you around the country and feature music, art, dance, and poetry from Florida to Illinois and onward to California. First Nights are coming together, virtually and free, to showcase our local performers. Built around the four pillars of First Night (Art, Celebration, Community, and New Year’s Eve), we will have a historic event for the entire family to enjoy. First Night Monterey will feature performers that are also streamed from Springfield, IL and St. Petersburg, FL.

Due to the ongoing COVID -19 pandemic, we cannot bring our communities together in the traditional way that brings joy to so many. But, we can come together to share the holiday, make our resolutions for the New Year, and ring in 2021 with the hope, unity, and optimism we are all ready to embrace.

To enjoy all of the family fun, plan to attend virtually.

At a Glance:

What: First Night Monterey 2021 featuring performers from two other First Night celebrations streamed from Springfield, IL and St. Petersburg, FL. The event premiers and airs only on December 31st.

When: December 31, 2020 from 6pm-Midnight PST

Kids’ Night Out activities begin at 3 pm PST.

Where: Premiering on YouTube.com/FirstNightMonterey

Also: Fun Pre-Event First Night Monterey Activities also featured starting December 20, 2020, including a 2020 Public Art Scavenger Hunt in Historic Downtown Monterey if you’re visiting Monterey to be done at your own schedule

Daily updates on the website: www.firstnightmonterey.org

Cost: First Night is all about community and you can access the link to the event on our website. We do have buttons and this is a way to receive this year’s button by making a donation.

For more information: www.firstnightmonterey.org or call 831-233-2092.

About the First Night Celebrations

Join First Night Monterey, to enjoy kids’ night out, music from around the country, and some interactive art activities. Thousands will come together to enjoy First Night in the comfort of their own homes with entertainment from these three special First Night celebrations.

Our virtual celebration will bring you and your family the best of entertainment and a fun, joyful way to welcome 2021 together.

CELEBRATE NEW YEAR’S EVE MONTEREY STYLE Wherever You Are!

Since 1993, Monterey’s First Night has been a New Year’s Eve celebration of artistic performances, the joy of families, and the beginning of a new year. In keeping with this Monterey tradition, the First Night celebration will joyfully bring in 2021 with an array of performances that will be broadcast on YouTube.com/FirstNightMonterey.

Share your resolutions for the new year and your celebrations from home by using #firstnightmonterey, #celebrate21 in your posts. Happy New Year!

Join First Night artists and performers to say adieu to 2020 and welcome in 2021 with all of the possibilities that a new year implies. This year, First Night Monterey is a Virtual Online Celebration that will transport you into a world of wonder and imagination. Over 18 performances will showcase the very best artists and performers from Florida to Illinois to Monterey.

First Night Monterey premieres Kids’ Night Out, featuring dance, art and storytelling. Evening Festival of the Arts begins at 8:00pm with performances running until midnight, when you’ll welcome in the New Year with an exciting finale of fireworks and a Rock and Roll band performance.

Love music? There’s music for everyone’s taste. The smooth jazz sounds from Monterey Jazz Festival’s Next Generation Jazz Band, and the Gerald Clayton Quartet, a four-time Grammy nominated artist. The Yvette Gonzales-Nacer Trio features Broadway star, actress and singer who brings a soulful eclectic classic Latin sway. A perennial favorite of First Night, the Black Irish Band returns performing in an historic 1800 building and the soothing sounds of Heartstrings will have the entire family toe tapping. Other favorites include MC Lars, Dirty Cello and East of Eden with Kiki Wow in her final Monterey concert.

Leading up to New Year’s Eve, First Night has several fun activities for the entire family. Our 2020 Scavenger Hunt is a great way for First Night’ers in Monterey to spend time outdoors with the family. Our public art scavenger hunt will take you on an adventure through the downtown streets of our 250-year-old Historic Monterey. Along the way, you’re invited to take selfies and load them on the First Night Monterey Facebook and Instagram pages.

Making NYE party favors, we will have an assortment of art activities for the kids and adults! Make a celebration hat, a noisemaker, and create your own art as you watch the clock count down to the New Year.

Donate and receive a fun First Night Monterey New Year’s Package:

First Night Monterey 2021 Buttons, designed by Yvonne Rendon, a CSUMB student, are available and there are a variety of ways to get yours. First Night Monterey welcomes your donations to keep this important annual event going for years to come. Make a donation of $40 - $100 and we will mail or you pick up buttons, NYE hats, horns and everything to celebrate the beginning of 2021.

Hashtag: #FirstNightMonterey

Facebook.com/FirstNightMonterey

Twitter.com/FirstNighter

Instagram.com/FirstNightMonterey

#firstnightmonterey, #celebrate21