The countdown for First Night St. Johnsbury 2016 is almost over: the 23rd edition of this New Year’s Eve festival of the arts on Thursday, December 31, starts at 4 pm and runs to the midnight fireworks finale.
First Night 2016 may well be the biggest entertainment extravaganza yet.Counting up the offerings at the biggest single arts event in Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom totals 56 different shows put on by well over 200 artists in 111 performances at 20 venues!
First Night is mostly about music. The region’s rich musical scene showcases about as many genres as one can count – folk, pop, rock, jazz, bluegrass, Broadway, sacred, silly, contemporary, country, classical, covers, originals, and some that defy one-word description. And there’s plenty to “see” too: dance, circus acrobatics, magic, hypnotism, comedy, pyrotechnics, and planetarium shows, and movies.
As always, the kids can work off some energy on the Family Fun Fair’s giant inflatable playground and enjoy games and activities or spend some quiet time at The Athenaeum’s story hours.
When not enjoying all the entertainment, one can buy a wide variety of food and beverage at several venues. And the free late-night pancake supper is always popular.
All this for the price of a commemorative First Night button counts as quite a bargain. Available through the Catamount Arts box office and online at www.firstnightstj.com or the many area outlets at banks and other businesses, advance admissions are 25% off ($15, adult and $10, student) if purchased before Thursday. The full price admission on December 31, at the First Night Booth in front of Courthouse Park or at Catamount Arts is still only $20 for adults and $13 for students. And preschoolers are always free!
Special sparkling sponsor buttons are also available for $50, or two for $75, and three for $100, while supplies last.

Oct 31, 2024, 5 AM

Oct 31, 2024, 7:30 to 9:30 PM

Nov 4, 2024, 3 to 7 PM