Who: Families, singles, young and the young-at-heart!

• A community oriented, substance-free celebration, First Night offers something for everyone.
• At First Night Columbus, you'll find over 150 entertainers in more than 15 downtown performance sites, and hands on activities involving the imagination and creativity of all participants.
• Join us for the 16th annual New Year's Eve Celebration!

Join us on MySpace: www.myspace.com/firstnightcolumbus

Welcome to First Night Columbus

Mission Statement

To position downtown Columbus as "the place to be" on New Year's Eve celebrating our community spirit, rich cultural heritage and the arts in a substance-free, family-friendly environment.  

Goal Statements

To provide a fun, safe, affordable substance-free New Year's Eve celebration for Central Ohio families in Downtown Columbus

To present a dynamic and artistic event highlighting/profiling artists in Central Ohio for everyone

To increase the awareness of and showcase Central Ohio's diverse and artistic community, and to create an opportunity for local organizations to build long-lasting relationships with First Night

To present a sensational all encompassing event that brings all central Ohio communities downtown to celebrate New Year's Eve  

First Night Columbus Recognized Internationally as #1 in Creative Programming!

A panel of First Night organizers from 117 cities around the world presented First Night Columbus with the PRISM Award for Excellence in Creative Programming, the highest honor awarded to any First Night city, for the 2004 Incredible Wearable Art project.

Through a partnership with Upper Arlington High School, students turned an exuberant display of recycled and commonly used items into handmade pieces of art. The art was brought to life and transformed into wearable treasures, using items such as credit cards, Coca-Cola cans, and playing cards - cut, torn or woven into dresses and gowns. The works of art were displayed on mannequins inside a venue at Columbus City Center.

First Night Columbus also received the Golden Shoestring Award for its Community Mural Project, Celebrate! which was on display during First Night 2004. The mural project was a collaboration among the Ohio Women's Reformatory, FirstLink Youth Volunteer Corp, the Boys and Girls Club-West Side Unit and the Art and College Preparatory Academy as a way to "Celebrate" community and showcase the talent of those who reside in it. Each organization turned blank canvases into works of art by illustrating what the word "Celebrate!" meant to them. This year, to expand on that theme these organizations worked together, side by side to create the mural on display on the AEP Grand Finale Stage.

Design Your Own First Night!

Most First Night entertainers are scheduled to perform multiple times making it easy to see your favorites and sample something new. To get the most from your evening, review the entire schedule ahead of time. Allow enough time to travel between venues to enjoy the magical scenery of First Night. All seating and activities are first come, first served. Be sure to arrive early to enjoy all that First Night has to offer.

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Create Lifelong Memories

Next year, you may not remember what you got for the holidays, but you will surely recall the fabulous memories you created with family and friends at our New Year's Eve Celebration. Will your favorite part be creating a LEGO® village at Veterans Memorial, squishing bubbles at our Bubble Stomp, learning to belly dance at our Learn to Dance workshop or making the most fabulous brown paper bag hat at our Creation Station?

Rather see live entertainment? You will have around 40 live acts to choose from. From dancers, magicians, jugglers, to jazz, folk, choral, or salsa performers, you will have a hard time deciding. Whether this is your first First Night or you are a First Night veteran, you will find the fun never stops! Create lifelong memories at First Night Columbus!

Buy Your Buttons Early & Save!

You can purchase buttons for only $8 before the day of the event at any Central Ohio Giant Eagle location or $10 the day of the event at Veterans Memorial (4-9 p.m.), COSI (4-9 p.m.) or Rhodes Tower (6-9 p.m.). Children 5 and under are FREE.

You can also purchase your buttons online just by clicking on the Buy a Button link at the top of our homepage. All buttons ordered online will need to be picked up at our will call located in the lobby of Veterans Memorial, outside the North Hall.  

Also remember to look for your admission button discount insert in your December Columbia Gas statement. Just enter the promotional code if you wish to order buttons online in order to receive the discount. 

First Night Hotel Information 

Top off your First Night fun with a night in luxury. Book a stay at one of First Night's deluxe downtown hotel partners. Be sure to ask for the "First Night Package" when making reservations! Visit our Hotel page to get more information and links to each hotel.

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The Show Must Go On...

With the majority of First Night festivities taking place INSIDE downtown venues, the celebration will go on whether it rains, shines or snows.

Restrooms

Public restrooms are available in Veterans Memorial, COSI and on the lower levels of Rhodes Tower.

Parking

The following lots and garages are suggested:

Standard Parking:

Huntington Center Garage; Gay and Front Garage; Capital Plaza Garage; Riffe Parking Garage; Gay and High Lot; Mound and High Lot

AMPCO Parking:

Town and Front Street Eastside Lot; Gay and Normandy-Two Lots

Shuttle Service

Looking for a quick way to get from place to place? Hop on our shuttle, which runs from 4:00-11:00 p.m., starting at Veterans Memorial and going down Broad Street to 3rd Street stopping at all of our exciting venues. You can also ride COTA to First Night, www.cota.com.

First Aid And Emergencies

An EMS unit will be on site to take care of your first aid and emergency needs, which will be headquartered at Veterans Memorial.

Hungry?

Starting at 6:00 p.m., visit our Bob Evan's Pancake and Syrup Party to get hot, fluffy, delicious pancakes with a side of sausage! This $6 pancake meal includes your choice of hot coffee with free refills or a refreshing Pepsi beverage. The best part? No waiting outside this year (see Must See Events section for details). For the first time First Night will be offering an International Food Court, located in Veterans Memorial's North Hall. Visit the activity page for additional information. 

Board of Directors:

Shawn Hufstedler, Chairman

Robin Hutchinson-Bell, Vice Chairman

Kyle Bickhart, Treasurer

Mike Brello, Secretary  

Jim Ressa

Bev Soult 

James Gilbert