Make Plans for 21st Annual First Night Alexandria

PHOTO by Victor Wolansky courtesy of First Night Alexandria

Information courtesy of Visit Alexandria

__________________

Make plans now for one of Alexandria’s biggest parties.

A spectacular fireworks display over the Potomac River will ring in the New Year Thursday night as part of First Night Alexandria, the largest family-friendly and alcohol-free New Year’s Eve party in the Washington, DC region. All of Old Town will be buzzing with activity from 2 p.m. to midnight. Afternoon activities and the Seventh Annual Fun Hunt will be followed at 7 p.m. by more than 175 live performances at 28 indoor venues in Old Town and one in Del Ray.

Each year, revelers stroll Old Town Alexandria’s historic streets among art galleries, historic sites, churches and even retail shops that have been transformed into cozy performance venues. Intimate concerts at Principle Gallery and Imagine Artwear will entertain guests while the Torpedo Factory Art Center and the George Washington Masonic Memorial rock with dancing to great bands.

Old Town’s many restaurants and pubs welcome First Night fans, with a choice of eateries catering to families with children or folks looking for an upscale date night. First Night hotel packages make for an attractive long weekend in Alexandria, and provide a chance to take in even more arts, shopping and culture in the city. A complete New Year’s Eve getaway can be planned at VisitAlexandriaVA.com/FirstNight.

ENTERTAINMENT 7 PM to MIDNIGHT

The main event begins at 7 p.m. with live performances at 28 indoor venues in Old Town. The city’s most musical evening features rocking rhythm and blues, traditional Irish music, acoustic folk and more.

This family-friendly event is chock-full of activities for kids throughout the night, including face painting, a moon bounce, clowns doing balloon sculptures and interactive games.

Children’s performer Groovy Nate will bring his unique blend of music, movement, puppet skits and comedy to First Night, and the Old Fashioned Carnival in Del Ray will feature games, music, prizes and more. The Battle of the Local Stars returns in 2015, with teenage musicians competing for a paid performance spot at next year’s event. Alcohol-free venues keep it fun and accessible for all ages – and children under 12 and active military are free.

AFTERNOON ACTIVITIES 2 to 5 PM

Daytime activities kick off at 2 p.m. at locations throughout town, including the seventh annual all-ages, brain-teasing Fun Hunt. Additional First Night activities range from tasting events to interactive art lessons and pet-friendly gatherings hosted by the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria. Returning kid-friendly activities are presented by the Torpedo Factory Art Center, The Art League, the AlexandriaArchaeology Museum and Hooray for Books!

EVENT DETAILS

• WHAT: First Night Alexandria
• WHERE: Event: 28 venues in Old Town Alexandria, VA 22314
• Headquarters: Durant Arts Center, 1605 Cameron Street, Alexandria, VA 22314
• Fireworks Finale: Unit block of King Street and along the waterfront, Alexandria, VA 22314
• DATE: December 31, 2015
• TIME: Afternoon activities: 2-5 p.m. including Seventh Annual Fun Hunt
• Performances: 7 p.m.-midnight at venues throughout Old Town Alexandria, VA 22314
• Fireworks: Midnight along the Potomac River at the foot of King Street, Alexandria, VA 22314
• INFO: FirstNightAlexandria.org; VisitAlexandriaVA.com/FirstNight; 703-746-3299
• ADMISSION: $20 before December 14, $30 after, children 12 and under and active military free

Where to Purchase Admission Badges:
Online at FirstNightAlexandria.org/tickets and pick up your badge at the AlexandriaVisitors Center (221 King St.) beginning December 21; or pick up your online-purchased badge on Dec. 31 beginning at noon at the Durant Arts Center (1605 Cameron St.) or beginning at 2 p.m. at the Torpedo Factory Art Center (105 N. Union St.). Badges will not be mailed.

Badges may be purchased at the Alexandria Visitors Center (221 King St.) from Dec. 2 to 31. Online purchases can also be picked up at the Visitors Center beginning Dec. 21.

Every venue will sell badges beginning 15 minutes before the first performance. Cash only on Dec. 31 with the exception of the Durant Arts Center (1605 Cameron St.), Torpedo Factory (105 N. Union St.) and the Visitors Center which will accept credit cards.

About First Night Alexandria
First Night Alexandria (FNA) is the largest family-friendly, budget-friendly and alcohol-free New Year’s Eve event in the region. FNA began in 1994 as a celebration of the New Year through the performing arts. Coffee shops, retail stores, hotels, museums and public buildings are turned into performance venues to showcase a variety of talent. First Night celebrations take place around the world, having been founded in 1976 by a group of civic-minded artists in Boston as a meaningful alternative to traditional New Year’s Eve revelry. To learn more, visit FirstNightAlexandria.org.