Sat 12/31 @ 6PM-midnight
First Night Akron has become an eagerly awaited tradition who like their New Year’s Eve festive but family-friendly and lacking in drunks (it’s alcohol-free). The six-hour celebration, now in its 21st year, revolves around the arts, with music, dance and theater performances by local musicians, bands and ensembles, art displays, ice carving, face painting, and interactive and hands-on activities taking place at an array of venues in the downtown area. There’s even a pecha kucha event at the Akron Art Museum, a silent disco at the Knight Center and horse-drawn sleigh rides outside, illustrating the diversity of what’s available.
And there are TWO fireworks displays at Lock 3 — one at 9pm and one at midnight. Find a full schedule of events here, and plan ahead because there’s no way to do everything.
Admission buttons are $10 and get you into everything; children under 10 are free when accompanied by an adult with a button. They can be purchased as such host venues as the Akron Civic Theatre, the Akron Art Museum, Lock 3 and the Library Shop at the Akron-Summit County Man Library in advance or on the day of. A $15 Downtown Akron Passport gets you into an additional dozen events.