There won’t be any fireworks over the harbor at midnight to ring in 2017, but there will be a display at 7 on Boston Common and a countdown to midnight in Copley Square. There will also be plenty of other free events and performances around the city as part of First Night Festivities. Here’s a look at the highlights, plus information on how to get there.
MBTA
New Year’s Eve
As in years past, the T will not collect any fares after 8 p.m. on New Year’s Eve.
Subway lines will operate on a modified weekday schedule, with extra trains running between 3 p.m. and 1 a.m.
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Commuter rail will run on a modified Saturday schedule with extra outbound service from North and South stations after midnight. See the MBTA website for more details.
Buses will operate on a regular Saturday schedule, as will commuter boats and ferries, and the RIDE.
New Year’s Day
The MBTA will operate on a regular Sunday schedule on Jan. 1.
Street closures
The city is closing some Boston streets to vehicles, and officials are urging those attending First Night festivities to use public transportation.
The following streets will be closed for portions of New Year’s Eve:
Boylston Street, from Exeter Street to Tremont Street, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Charles Street, from Park Plaza to Beacon Street, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Dartmouth Street, from St. James Avenue to Boylston Street, 10 a.m. to 1 a.m.
Ice sculptures
The theme of this year’s ice display in Copley Square is “Maritime Legends.” Ice sculptures will also be displayed in front of businesses around Back Bay. See the list of participating businesses on the First Night website.
Fireworks
Although there won’t be a fireworks display over the harbor at midnight, there will be a one over Boston Common at 7 p.m. The show is funded by The Mugar Foundation, according to the First Night website. At midnight, head to Copley Square for a countdown to 2017, which culminates in a pyrotechnics display and light show.
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First Night performance highlights
10 a.m.
Shakespeare Unauthorized Exhibition
Boston Public Library in Copley Square
12:15 p.m.
Performance by the Boston Sax Quartet
Boston Public Library McKim Building
12:30 p.m.
Boston Public Library McKim Building
Boston Public Library Johnson Building
12:45 p.m.
Boston Public Library Johnson Building
1 p.m.
Boston Public Library’s Art & Architecture tours begin
Boston Public Library McKim Building
1:15 p.m.
Performance by Greater Boston Chinese and Cultural Association’s Waist Drum Troupe
Copley Square
Boston Public Library McKim Building
1:30 p.m.
Boston Public Library Johnson Building
1:45 p.m.
Copley Square
2:30 p.m.
Performance by Eric German & Orchestra
Copley Square
Performance by the Boston Opera Guy
Boston Public Library McKim Building
Puppet Showplace Theater’s First Night Puppetry Festival
Boston Public Library Johnson Building
3 p.m.
Organist George Sargeant plays the Skinner orchestral pipe organ
Old South Church
3:15 p.m.
Performance by O’Shea Chaplin Irish Dancers
3:30 p.m.
Copley Square
Boston Public Library McKim Building
3:45 p.m.
Copley Square
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4 p.m.
Performance by Greater Boston Chinese and Cultural Association’s Yo Yo Troupe
Boston Public Library McKim Building
Copley Square
5 p.m.
Copley Square
5:30 p.m.
Performance by Phunk Phenomenon
Copley Square
6 p.m.
Frog Pond
Copley Square
6:30 p.m.
Old South Church
7 p.m.
Boston Common
7:30 p.m.
Copley Square
8 p.m.
Old South Church
8:15 p.m.
Copley Square
9 p.m.
Copley Square
9:45 p.m.
Performance by Air Traffic Controller
Copley Square
10:45 p.m.
Copley Square
Midnight
Pyrotechnics display
Copley Square