First Night Boston "Button" limitations for some events?

by Ms. Vida
(Amherst, MA)

This "button" that we buy, does it really gain entrance to all of the events on the Event Calender? There are some events that say only the first 50 button holders get in. Is this the case for all events because other event managers neglected to put that up on their website? Or do the ones that do not mention the button not allow button holders to get in for free?

There are two types of limits that I'm aware of, and you're right, they're not always well-explained.

First, some venues specifically limit the number of First Night button holders that they'll let in for free, usually because they can't afford the financial hit of letting everyone in for free. So these are the ones that state limits about how many people they'll admit. The 3 that I'm aware of this year are the Museum of Fine Arts, which will let up to 300 button holders in for free between 10am and 12noon, the American Repertory Theatre in Cambridge, which is offering free admission to up to 100 button holders for a couple of performances, and the Boston Ballet, offering free admission to The Nutcracker for up to 100 button holders (line up to get these tickets starting at 11, although you should probably be there earlier if you want to be near the front of the line), and a 30% discount on tickets to everyone else for the 12/31 performance.

There are several special performances this year (for example, Suzanne Vega at Jordan Hall, Mavis Staple at Symphony Hall, and Mike Daisey at Huntington Theatre) where you can get guaranteed admission and orchestra seats if you get a special $35 ticket; this is also true for the Harbor Cruises that depart at 11pm for fireworks viewing at midnight. For these performances, my understanding is that you can still probably get seats with the $18 button, but you need to line up early - the advantage offered by the $35 admission is that it guarantees the seats and saves you time. To be sure of getting on the very popular Harbor Cruises, you need the $35 ticket (which also includes all the other First Night events).

For other events, unless there is a stated limit, everyone with a button has an opportunity to get in. HOWEVER - physical space limitations (like if a performance area can hold only 100 people without violating fire codes) sometimes mean that not everyone gets in, or you need to stand in line for awhile. More events get added each year - this year is bigger than ever - as the event planners try to make sure that there are plenty of events for everyone.

Susan

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First Night Boston "Button" limitations for some events?

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Dec 26, 2011
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slight corrections
by: First Night

Hi - First Night PR person here.

Couple of things: there are very few First Night events that are limited by anything other than the capacity of the venue. In addition to the ones Susan listed below, there is also the Central Square Theatre presentation, which is limited to the first 50 button holders.

Our midnight fireworks cruise is SOLD OUT. But anyone can see the fireworks from the shore, for FREE.

Suzanne Vega's show is actually NOT one of the ones that has reserved seating. Anyone can get in with a button, until the theatre capacity is reached.

We're happy to answer any questions at 617-542-1399 or info@firstnight.org.

Thanks and happy new year!

[First Night PR person - Many thanks for this information - Happy New Year to you, and BIG thanks for all your efforts in producing this fabulous Boston event every year!!! ~ Susan]

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