EVENT HISTORY

First Night® came into existance in Boston in 1976 to bring the neighboring communities of the city together in a joint arts oriented celebration. Since then, some 400 cities from Cape Cod to Honolulu have hosted their own annual First Night® celebrations. It is a public celebration that revives the ancient traditions of marking the passage of time with art, ritual and festivity in a present day context.

In 1991 Bethlehem citizens visited another First Night® and knew they wanted a celebration in Bethlehem. This celebration became the sixth in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the 91st in the country.

Thanks to a successful partnerships of citizen volunteers, businesses, performers and arts organizations, ArtsQuest is proud to present First Night® Bethlehem to the communities of the Lehigh Valley.

FIRST NIGHT® INTERNATIONAL
MISSION STATEMENT

To promote and foster the concept of First Night®, an alcohol-free community celebration of the New Year through the arts; to authorize cities to hold this event and to assure compliance with prescribed standards; to provide a forum for ideas, information, education and services for participating communities; thereby broadening and deepening the public’s appreciation of the visual and performing arts.

Visit the official First Night® International website at www.firstnight.com

DIRECTIONS & PARKING

Parking for First Night® Bethlehem is available at the following locations:

  • North Street Parking Garage: 75 W. North St. - Directions
  • Walnut Street Parking Garage: 33 W. Walnut St. - Directions