Original text from an earlier festival edition. Dates, performers, prices, addresses and application instructions below are historical; they do not describe the returning 2027 edition. Old forms and transaction controls are disabled. Read current information ↗
History of First Night Akron
First Night Akron is a major visual and performing arts festival created by and for the community to welcome the New Year in Downtown Akron on December 31st each year. First Night Akron is in its 14th year!
First Night began in Boston in 1976 as a way to bring neighboring communities together in celebration, while providing an alternative way of ushering in the New Year.
First Night admission buttons help support the cost of the celebration and provide admission to all First Night venues on event night. The design for the button changes each year and is a unique work of art.
Past First Night Akron button artists include: Don Drumm, Mark Soppeland, Laura Ruth Bidwell, Miller Horns, Joan Colbert, Michael Ayers, Leandra Drumm, Dan Cuthbert, Janice Troutman, Martha Kaltenbach, Jon C. Lund, Linda Hutchinson and Liz Remmel. The First Night Akron 2010 Button Artist is Julienne Hogarth.
First Night Akron is a program of Downtown Akron Partnership. Founding partners are the City of Akron and the Akron Beacon Journal.