As New York City drops the ball in Times Square on New Year’s Eve, Alexandria will drop 6,000 balls on revelers as laser lights crisscross the sky and club music moves people to dance and sing at the First Night Alexandria finale on the lawn of the George Washington Masonic Memorial. The finale warms up with a dance party on the Memorial lawn beginning at 10 p.m. with tunes by DJ Ray Casino. At 11:30 p.m. the show goes multimedia, with video, music, and a swirling spectrum of colorful lasers, culminating in a midnight countdown and ball drop. Party-goers will want to snag a ball so they can enter to win prizes. On January 1, participants who go to First Night’s Facebook page and post a photo of themselves with a ball and First Night badge will discover if they are a winner.
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First Night Alexandria is a mega mix of live musical acts and entertainment with 100 performances at 18 indoor venues throughout Old Town Alexandria. Swing, Argentinean tango, Cajun, rock, blues, jazz, and entertainment for kids, are just some of the acts ringing in the New Year. With these performances, plus a comedy magic show, interactive kids’ activities and the all-ages, brain-teasing Fun Hunt, First Night Alexandria is the largest family-friendly and alcohol-free New Year’s Eve event in the region. Your ticket for the event is a First Night badge which gives you access to entertainment and activities at spots all around Old Town. This year’s First Night headquarters is the Durant Arts Center, 1605 Cameron Street, just blocks from King Street Metro Station.
Starting at 7 p.m., with your First Night badge and schedule in hand, stroll Alexandria’s charming historic streets among venues, or hop on and off the free King Street Trolley to catch your favorite acts. Check out fabulous entertainment at venues including the Torpedo Factory Art Center, the Little Theatre of Alexandria, historic Christ Church, and the Lyceum. Museums, public buildings, and even retail shops are turned into performance venues to showcase incredible regional and national talent. Make a night of it with dinner at one of Old Town’s acclaimed restaurants, pop into a warm, inviting pub, or grab a bite to eat at designated First Night venues.
