Frog Pond Ice Skating Show and Fireworks

by Brandy
(Boston)

Do you need to purchase a First Night button to attend the outdoor events that are on the Commons, specifically the ice skating show, Boston Pops performance, and the earlier fireworks?

Susan's reply: Hi Brandy - You can watch all outdoor events at First Night for free - the First Night buttons are required just for the indoor events.

The Frog Pond skating show begins at 6pm this year, and the fireworks start at 6:45pm and last 12 minutes.

Local news channel NECN will broadcast this event, as well as from other locations, starting at 6pm, and will include a performance of Dis Vincent performing "So Good."

As far as I'm aware, the Boston Pops are not performing at the event, although they do occasionally give other outdoor performances on Boston Common during warmer times of the year.

If you're looking for other outdoor events, don't forget the Grand Procession, the huge parade starting at Hynes Convention Center at 5:30. It will wind around the Common (Boylston to Charles Street to Beacon Street toward the State House) and is Boston's most elaborate, grandest parade of the year, with hundreds of performers, wonderful costumes, entertainers, bands, music - truly a spectacular performance. Many of the groups that perform indoors at other times during the day are also in the parade, so it's a great way to get to see them. If you're at the Common to watch the Ice Show, keep in mind that the parade will pass by at some point - sorry, I don't know the timing.

Another fun outdoor thing to do is to go see the ice sculptures. My understanding is that 3 of them will be in Boston Common this year, with another 2 in Copley Plaza. Depending on what time you're there, some of the carving may still be underway. By 5pm or so, once it's dark enough, they'll be lit up with colored lights, and they're totally spectacular.

Have a wonderful time at First Night, and Happy New Year!

Susan
Boston Discovery Guide

Fun Things to Do in Boston in January

The holidays may be over, but you'll find lots to do in Boston during January - everything from the L Street Brownies famous New Year's Day Polar Swim to 2 popular wine festivals to the Boston Celtic Music Festival, and much more - including National Pie Day when our own Boston Cream Pie takes the spotlight.

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