Though somewhat scaled back, Boston’s First Night celebration (refer to listing, page 16) has one thing going for it that it hasn’t been able to claim in years past—all events for the 2016 edition are free. Boston’s all-day New Year’s Eve arts and culture extravaganza—which began in 1976 and set the trend for similar events all around the world—boasts a mix of tried-and-true favorites along with re-tooled happenings, including three colorful afternoon mini-parades through Copley Square, a larger procession from Copley to Boston Common beginning at 5:30 p.m., live music in and around the square, the Family Fireworks on Boston Common at 7 p.m. and a pyrotechnic display in Copley coordinated with the ever-popular midnight fireworks over Boston Harbor. The party continues the next day with even more live entertainment taking place in Copley Square.

Photo: Courtesy of Mass. Office of Travel & Tourism