First Night Northampton, Holyoke’s First Night Jr. and festive fun at MGM Springfield will ring in 2023

Live music, comedy, fireworks, ceremonial ball “drops” and “raisings” and magic all await New Year’s Eve revelers young and old on Saturday as families and older adults on their own ring in 2023.

“We’re excited to be back live and in-person. There is nothing better than to have a live audience when listening to music, and we are thrilled to have First Night Northampton back the way it is supposed to be and seeing families enjoying themselves,” said Steve Sanderson, events producer for the Northampton Arts Council and First Night Northampton.

Last year’s First Night was cancelled a week before the event due to an uptick in the coronavirus variant, leaving organizers scrambling to turn the annual celebration into a virtual live-streamed event.

“This year we are back with everything under the sun – puppets to jazz to rock to folk to much more, over 100 performances at 21 venues, including four new performance sites and the return of Smith College,” Sanderson said, noting the Expandable Brass Band will kick off First Night at noon with a parade from the Academy of Music on Northampton’s Main Street.

By day, First Night is geared for families, culminating in a colorful display of fireworks at 6:15 p.m. from the roof of the city’s downtown parking garage. After the fireworks, the programming changes to a more music-oriented format including rock, funk and jazz bands.

Then, 30 minutes before midnight, First Night Northampton will culminate with a gathering on the street, which is closed outside the Hotel Northampton so everyone can dance and celebrate the official arrival of 2023 as the countdown and unique “ball raising” begins.

Family programming includes performers such as Carrie Fergusen and the Grumpytime Club Band, comedy and magic with Ed Popielarczyk, Henry the Juggler, the Nields for Kids, Mad Science of Western New England, Happier Valley Comedy, Roger Salloom, Show Circus Studio, New Leaf, Tom Knight Puppets, Yo-Yo Guy, Rocking Puppies and more.

“My favorite pick this year for family entertainment is the Rocking Puppies, a kid-fronted punk band whose lead singer is nine years old,” Sanderson said.

Evening entertainment for grown-ups includes Carinae, Cheap City, the Nields, the Northamptones, Soul Magnets, Klezamir, the Suitcase Junket, Vimana, Pangeans, Love Crumbs, Tony Silva Spanish Guitar, the Valley Jazz Voices, the Fawns, Group Semei, ReBelle, and others.

A single pin opens the doors to every event at every venue. They are on sale at many locations throughout Western Massachusetts listed on the FirstNightNorthampton.org website or they can be purchased online, then picked up on Saturday at First Night headquarters at Thornes Marketplace, open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Adult pre-sale pins are $16 good all day and evening until Dec. 30, then available for $20. The price is $10 for seniors age 65 and older with proof of age and are not available online. Pins for kids at $8 for those ages 2 to 10 can be purchased anytime. Kids under 2 are free. There is also a day-only button for adults priced at $10 which is good until 6 p.m. and can be purchased anytime.

First Night Northampton no longer requires proof of vaccination to attend. Masks are strongly recommended but not required.

Proceeds from First Night Northampton help fund the Arts Council.

There will be free on-street parking during First Night and at all of Northampton’s municipal lots, except at bagged meters and at the downtown parking garage.

In Holyoke, First Night Junior also returns after an absence during COVID at Holyoke Heritage State Park on Saturday from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m.

Tickets are $10 or $35 for a family pack of four tickets and include unlimited rides on the Holyoke Merry-Go-Round, admission to the Children’s Museum at Holyoke, live entertainment and an early fun “ball drop” at 12:50 p.m.

Tickets are available online only at Holyokemerrygoround.org/tickets.

MGM Springfield is ringing in the New Year on Saturday with what they are calling their “2023 Vision.”

Music lovers can rock in the new year with Foreigners Journey: The Music of Foreigner and Journey with Constantine Maroulis. Showtime is 9 p.m. at Aria Ballroom at the casino. Tickets are available at mgmspringfield.com.

After the concert, DJ WhyNot will spin music in the casino’s Bellagio Ballroom from 10:30 p.m. until 1 a.m. The event is free, but only for those 21 and older.

If you are looking for a laugh, Scott Seiss will bring his best to ROAR Comedy Club at 8:30 p.m. Tickets are available on the MGM Springfield website.

Commonwealth Bar and Lounge is throwing a party with a full night of live music featuring the New System, Skyway, & DJ Architect. Table reservation packages include glasses of champagne for the midnight toast and an assortment of macaroons.

Table reservations begin at 9 p.m. and are $80 for two, $160 for four and $240 for six. Reservations can be made on the MGM Springfield website.

TAP Sports Bar will be open until 2 a.m. but the kitchen will close at 11 p.m. You can add to the night’s fun by making a bowling lane reservation from 9 p.m. through 12:30 a.m. for up to four people per lane. Packages include 3 appetizers from the TAP menu and a champagne toast at midnight. Email tbaron@mgmspringfield.com for booking.