New Year's Eve in MontereyIt takes place on the “last” night of the year, but trust us: First Night Monterey is the place to be on December 31st.

This family-friendly, alcohol-free New Year’s celebration takes place at over 25 performance sites downtown (most venues are indoors). This year’s theme is “A Fantasea,” and Alvarado Street will be illuminated in colorful blue and green “aquarium” lights as more than 200 artists join to “dance, act, play, perform, create, and sing our way into 2012!”

After the opening ceremony on Colton Lawn and Pacific Street at 3 pm, Kids Night Out! kicks off with face painting, henna tattoo artists, puppet art theater, folk music and a magic show.

At 5:30 pm, all are welcome to join the Twilight Procession down Alvarado Street from Portola Plaza to Pearl Street with stilt walkers, dancers, marchers, giant puppets, and parade floats.

“First Night” will feature over nine hours of entertainment – from classical to jazz, blues to rock, hip-hop to folk:

  • John “Broadway” Tucker (with an all-star cast of Bay Area musicians)
  • Blues at Eleven (eclectic mix of blues, rock, funk and jazz)
  • The Black Irish Band (Irish, Scottish, Italian and American folk music)
  • First Night Rock Star (your chance to be a “virtual” rock star)
  • Greek Village Dancers (audience participation welcome!)
  • Grumbling Ginger (acoustic folk rock with a Celtic twist)
  • I Cantori di Carmel (choral music: classical to Broadway)
  • James Hurley (top-rated acoustic singer/songwriter)
  • Junkman Jam (infectious grooves performed on “junk” and recycled materials)
  • Kuzanga Marimba (music from Africa)
  • MC Lars (hip-hop artist)
  • Monterey Bay Lion Dance Team (high energy dance)
  • Park Avenue Studio of Belly Dance
  • Shinsho Mugen Daiko (Taiko drummers)
  • Sambahemians (Brazilian percussion)
  • Smoking Gun (rock ‘n roll)
  • Sophia Songhealer (uplifting vocals)
  • Thom and his Cats (Big Band: 40s, 50s and 60s)
  • Trio Amaha (Brazilian music)
  • The Wharf Rats (smooth rock)

Warning: “Art Attacks!”—spontaneous celebrations with drummers, dancers and stilt walkers—can occur anywhere, anytime!

Advance purchase buttons are $12 (age 6-15) and $20 (16 and up). Children 5 and under are free.