First Night Austin
Austin, Texas

Photos courtesy First Night Austin/ photographer Amativa Sarkar

When: Festivities take place from mid-day to midnight on New Year's Eve.

Where: Events are held throughout downtown Austin, from Congress Avenue to Auditorium Shores.

Although the ornaments and twinkle lights may have already been packed away until the next holiday season, the citizens of Central Texas have one more present to unwrap as the capital city welcomes the coming year with a free celebration of all that makes Austin unique.

Joining in on a tradition which began in Boston during the bicentennial year and is now embraced globally, the city showcases over 60 performers and artists during a half-day, alcohol-free party which begins with a Family Festival, where visitors can learn about Kwanzaa, listen as storytellers weave tales, and explore a range of interactive art exhibits ( past years have included origami cranes, a kaleidoscopic maze and mixed media landscapes).

A profusion of percussion heralds the arrival of the Grand Procession, the steady stream of street performers including stilt walkers, boisterous bands and costumed coryphees promenade past Congress Avenue on their way to City Hall, where a Family Finale allows little sleepyheads to say hello to the new year at an early hour.

After enjoying the menagerie of multi-media exhibits ranging from light shows to operettas, a crowd 130,000 strong gather around Lady Bird Lake as fireworks illuminate the initial moments of a brand new year.

For more information:

• visit www.firstnightaustin.org