Some Vaccine, Mask Requirements For First Night Morris County

MORRISTOWN, NJ — Typically, First Night Morris County brings nearly 10,000 to Morristown to celebrate the New Year. But the pandemic has made 2021 rather atypical, and the new normal will carry into at least part of 2022.

First Night Morris County — one of New Jersey's largest New Year's events — returns for in-person celebration this holiday season. But First Night will include some vaccination and masking protocols for its indoor performances.

The event features 13 performance venues — five theaters in the AMC, three parts of the Mayo Performing Arts Center, St. Peter's Episcopal Church, St. Peter's Parish House, two rooms in the Hyatt Regency Morristown and the Atrium Art Gallery of the Morris County Government Office.

Performance access is limited by seating capacity. All attendees 12 and older must show proof of full vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test taken within 48 hours of the event start time.

Masks are required inside each venue except while briefly consuming concessions.

More than 50 performances, including livestreamed and on-demand events — will take place from 4 p.m. to midnight Dec. 31. See here for more info and pricing.

Organizers canceled many major Morristown events throughout the pandemic but held several large, outdoor gatherings this fall, such as the Jazz & Blues Festival and the Festival on the Green.

But coronavirus cases have recently surged throughout Morris County and New Jersey. State officials elevated all counties to the "high-risk" category of COVID-19 activity, which took Morris County out of the "moderate" category.

New Jersey reported 1,698 in-patients getting treated for COVID in hospitals as of Monday — the state's highest total since April 27. But one year ago at this time, COVID hospitalizations stood at 3,639.

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