Thu 12/31 @ 6PM
First Night Akron has been a tradition for 20 years, offering both indoor and outdoor activities all evening, leading up to the midnight fireworks display. For the cold haters, there’ll also be a laser fireworks display inside the Knight Center at 9pm.
But there’s much more. Entertainment of all types starts at 6pm at a bunch of different venues all within walking distance in downtown Akron, among them the Akron Civic Theatre, the Akron Art Museum and Summit Artspace. There’s jazz, folk, gospel, rock, Americana, blues, dance, theater performances and even a Chinese music ensemble, as well as hands-on activities for kids. Admission to everything is $10; kids under 10 are free.