Brookline First Light 2018: What To Know

BROOKLINE, MA — First Light is in the air. If you've lived here a while, you know the drill, but if you're just joining us here's the recap: To welcome the holiday season, Brookline businesses get together in their neighborhoods to celebrate what's called First Light. It's basically a night festival full of art, holiday lights and an excuse to get out and get some early holiday shopping in locally with the community.

This year, Brookline's First Light is Thursday, Nov. 29. It begins at 5 p.m. and lasts til about 8 p.m. Parking has been free in past years, but this year it is not, according to town hall officials.

In addition to hosting a variety of family-friendly performances and exhibits, many businesses also offer free giveaways, food samples, raffle prizes, hot cider. Go stand in front of Party Favors and watch their experts decorate cakes. Head to the Marriott and listen to music that will warm you right up. Tiny Hanger will feature some face painting and look for something new from Viking Sports: Pop up Ninja Warrior courses in Coolidge Corner and Brookline Village. These cold weather mobile Ninja Warrior courses are geared toward families, with each courses featuring a mix of agility, balance, and speed obstacles.

More than two decades ago First Light began as a way for Washington Square businesses to bring a little holiday spirit and call attention to their shops and get folks to consider doing their holiday shopping locally at the area small businesses.

The name is a bit of a play on First Night held to celebrate New Years, but is an attempt to highlight the first holiday decorations.

This year much of the activity has shifted from Washington Square to Coolidge Corner and Brookline Village. This year St. Mary's is getting into the action and between the three squares some 39 businesses are participating.

For the past few years, organizers are hoping capture the special parts of Brookline in a photography contest. The deadline for submissions was Nov. 1, and the photos are now being reviewed both by a panel of judges, and fans of the 1st Light Facebook page.

Here are some more details on the schedule:

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Photo by Jenna Fisher