First night hartford returns for its 37th year on December 31, 2025
YOUR COMPLETE
FIRST NIGHT
HARTFORD
2026 GUIDE
Participate in one or all of the indoor Afternoon & Evening Activities and more with your all-access FNH 2026 buttons: $5 for kids and $15 for adults!
Check out further artist information, lists of food trucks and other vendors, sharable programming info, and details about family-friendly art activities on our social channels.
Jump to:
First Night Hartford HQ
Union Station’s Great Hall is open 2-10 pm
Comma Vintage BUSKER STAGE
at the front steps of Union Station on Union Place: local solo and duo talents, including live music, DJs, hula hooping, juggling
2-10:30 pm
Pick up GIFT OF TIME SHOP preorders & new, limited edition First Night Hartford merch
MEET UP with your friends & family
Support the festival with a cash DONATION!
Shop from community VENDORS
Bid in the First Night Hartford SILENT AUCTION
Pick up your full festival GUIDE printed by the Hartford News
Pick up your ALL-ACCESS BUTTONS pre-purchased on ezEvent, or pay in person
NOTE: You can also show your proof of purchase at any First Night Hartford 2026 venue during their programming slot and pick up your all-access buttons from our FNH 2026 volunteers.
Sign in or sign up to VOLUNTEER for a 2 or 4 hour shift–solo, duo, or with a group!
Have a question as you PLAN YOUR DAY & NIGHT?
Access up-to-date INFO at our NYE WELCOME TABLE
BUSHNELL PARK
MAINSTAGE
entertainment on Trinity Street
Hosted by Emmy-nominated news anchor Keith McGilvery
4 pm Academy Modern Band from the Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts Half-Day Program
5:20 pm Natasha Ramos & The Casuals
5:55 pm People's Parade arrives with the Hartford Hot Several & Night Fall!
6 pm FAMILY FIREWORKS
10 pm Indigo Folly, winner of this year’s FNH + ezEvent Battle of the Bands
11 pm The Rahsaan Langley Project
Midnight FIREWORKS!
Food Trucks & Vendors on Trinity Street in Bushnell Park
2 pm - Midnight
(To see a complete list, visit our Instagram at @firstnighthartford)
CITA Park Beer Garden on Trinity Street
21+ ID required
5 pm - Midnight
The Last Mile at First Night Walk/Jog/Run
Combat the New England winter and stay active! Kick off your NYE resolution with the last mile of 2025 within the boundaries of Bushnell Park. See the route on the map above!
2-11 pm
Winterfest Hartford: Free Ice Skating
2-7:30 pm
Bushnell Park Carousel
Free Rides brought to you by the Bushnell Park Conservancy
2-8 pm
Magic Mural Art Wall & Countdown Clock by RiseUP on the Frontier building at nearby 111 Trumbull Street
starts at 4 pm
Health & Wellness Hub
Write to your future self with a New Year’s Resolution postcard, connect with local health and wellness resources, and make 2026 your best year yet
2 pm - Midnight
Make Your Own Luminary on the lawn adjacent to the skating rink
4-8 pm
Bushnell Park Pump House
Jazz, Folk & Irish Music; Warming Cottage with Tea & Hot Cocoa
2-8 pm
Family-Friendly Afternoon Activities
(all indoor programming requires a FNH 2026 all-access button)
Night Fall’s Make your own party favors & bead drum! • America 250 CT Reflection Wall • 2-5:30 PM at Hartford Public Library - Downtown Branch
Night Fall’s Make your own tambourine! • Living Legends Among Us art exhibition • 2-5:30 PM at ArtSpace Gallery
Night Fall’s Make your own mini puppet! • Vinyl DJ Eric Otero • 2-5 PM at TheaterWorks Hartford
Night Fall’s Make your own castanets! • America’s 250th Birthday kick-off including Hamilton Karaoke • 2-5:45 PM at CT’s Old State House
Night Fall’s Giant Acorn: help decorate the acorn and put your wishes inside! • 2-5:30 PM at Hartford’s Union Station
Kids’ Drumming with Rob the Drummer • 2:30-4 PM at Black Eyed Sally’s
Ornament-making activity from The Wadsworth • Self portrait drawing with Posh Paint • 2:30-5 PM at Hartford City Hall
PETRICHOR, a light + sound installation by Mercury • 2-6 PM at 69 Pratt Street
Storybook Reading: Growing Up In Frog Hollow by Lynn Davis • 3 PM at Hartford Prints!
Family Friendly Improv Shows • 3 & 4 PM at Sea Tea Comedy Theater
Baby Grand Piano performances by Heather Reichgott • 3 PM & 4:30 PM at Center Church
Magic Shows with Matt Matthews Magic • 3 PM & 4:30 PM at Christ Church Cathedral
Jazz with Nat Reeves Trio • 4-6 PM at Morneault's Stackpole Moore Tryon
People’s Parade Starts at 5:30 PM
Meet the Hartford Hot Several and Night Fall at the corner of Pratt & Main; proceed to the corner of Main & Gold and then through Bushnell Park past the Carousel to the 6 pm Family Fireworks!
Evening Activities
(all indoor programming requires a FNH 2026 all-access button)
PETRICHOR, a light + sound installation by Mercury 6-11 PM at 69 Pratt Street
Improv Comedy Shows at 7, 8, 9 & 10 PM at Sea Tea Comedy Theater (general audience)
Discoteca Biblioteca–silent disco with DJ Sonia Sol • America 250 CT Reflection Wall 8:30-11:30 PM at Hartford Public Library - Downtown Branch
Sally’s All Star Band 8:30 PM - Midnight at Black Eyed Sally’s
Karaoke at Sunberry 9 PM - Midnight • 21+ (ID Required)
DJ AR 9:30-11:30 PM at Trumbull Kitchen
RnB NYE: The Rahsaan Langley Project (TRLP) 8 PM ONE Bar + Kitchen
RnB NYE: The K.C. Movement 10 pm ONE Bar + Kitchen
All times and locations are subject to change. Check this guide for the latest information.
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS & PARTNERS
First Night Hartford 2026 Fireworks Displays sponsored by the William and Alice Mortensen Foundation • PETRICHOR, a light + sound installation by Mercury, sponsored by the Roberts Foundation for the Arts • Health & Wellness Hub sponsored by Planet Fitness and City of Hartford Health & Human Services
Thank You to our Board of Directors!
Marian Andoh Clarke, President • Joel M. Kleinman, Treasurer • Chevon Reid, Secretary
Jonathan Aidukonis • Carlos Brea • Mariam Brookes • Janice Castle • Jason Ellis
Michael McGarry • Luis Porter-Rodriguez • Tyeccia Rowley • DeVaughn Ward
First Night Hartford, Inc., is community-supported!
Donate any amount to join us in making First Night Hartford 2026 spectacular!
