Tonight, more than a million people are expected to turn out for First Night, a celebration of arts and culture that has been a hallmark of Boston since 1976. Here’s a breakdown of the festivities.
37th
Annual First Night in Boston. The event was first held Dec. 31, 1976.
70
Related
Cities nationwide that hold First Night events. At its peak, more than 200 cities held similar events.
$900,000
The budget for this year’s event. About a million people are expected to attend.
35
Venues, indoors and outdoors, across the city.
1,000
Artists in 200 performances and exhibitions.
1,114
People marching in the grand procession. The parade begins at 5:30 p.m. in front of Hynes Convention Center and proceeds to Charles and Beacon streets.
160
Theater artists, including magicians, jugglers, and comedians.
3
Ice sculptures at Prudential Plaza and Copley Square.
280
Dancers performing in venues and during the procession.
300
Handmade puppets in the parade.
30-45
Weight, in tons, of each ice sculpture.
320
Musicians.