24 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY DECEMBER 25-31, 2025 www.montereycountynow.com YOUR FIRST NIGHT — PLAN AHEAD FOR FUN! Make the most of your celebration by planning your night with this guide. Flip to pages 4–5 for the full schedule grid by time and location, and page 6 onward for an alphabetical performer listing. Mix and match your favorite artists, explore new styles, and build the perfect path through the evening. Give yourself a little extra time to move between venues! Welcome to a night where creativity, community, and celebration come alive! First Night Monterey fills nine unforgettable hours with music, art, dance, and joy as we welcome the New Year together. From jazz and rock to world rhythms, lion dancers, and dazzling fire performances, every corner of downtown will be transformed into a festive canvas of expression. - Ellen Martin and the Board of Directors GETTING TO FIRST NIGHT First Night Monterey buses are FREE thanks to the generosity of MST! Park your car at the Del Monte Shopping Center near the back of Macy’s. FREE buses will pick you up at the bus stop in front of Macy’s every 15 minutes beginning at 3:00pm and take you downtown to the Bus Transit Center, Alvarado at Pearl. Catch the bus back to the Del Monte Center at the Transit Center until 12:30am SAFETY FIRST Please leave large purses, backpacks, and oversized bags at home. First Night Monterey is supported by Monterey Police Department officers stationed throughout the event for everyone’s safety. RESTROOMS Most indoor venues offer public restrooms. City parking lot restrooms remain open until 10:00 PM. Portable facilities are also available near Wells Fargo Bank at Franklin & Alvarado. Check the map for exact locations. SERVICES FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES Accessible parking is available in all city parking lots and garages. FOOD AND DRINK Visit the First Night Food Court on Alvarado Street between Franklin and Del Monte Streets. A variety of yummy food to take & go! LOST & FOUND Command Center at the FNM Kiosk in the plaza near the Monterey Conference Center. First Night is not responsible for lost or stolen items. WEATHER Rain or shine, First Night Monterey will joyfully proceed regardless of weather. 85% of First Night venues are indoors! Dress in layers and comfortable shoes. OTHER Stroller space is limited. Bicycles are not permitted inside the venues; please walk bikes inside the FNM footprint. OPENING CEREMONY FREE! Join us in the Serra Ballroom as we kick off the Kids’ Night Out and our New Year’s Eve Celebration! TWILIGHT PROCESSION At 5:30 PM, our Twilight Procession lights up Alvarado Street, moving from Franklin Street toward Pearl Street. Line the sidewalks, cheer on our community groups, and feel the energy as artists, dancers, families, and friends kick off the evening together! The grand finale! Live music from featured performers will bring us into the New Year with a countdown to midnight! Special surprise guests may be dropping in to join the band - you never know what might happen at a First Night finale! Wrockinfoose will play at the Golden State Theater, and Everyday People will be in the Serra Ballroom at the Monterey Conference Center. You can guarantee a fun and exciting time into the New Year! FINALE TO THE NEW YEAR— COUNTDOWN TO MIDNIGHT This year, we’re excited to offer two indoor finales! Button-holders can pick up a free finale ticket at the Portola Plaza ticket booth beginning at 8:00 PM. Tickets are first come, first served—look for the signs. Both your 2026 First Night button and your finale ticket are required for entry to our countdown celebrations. FIRST NIGHT MONTEREY BUTTONS Buttons give you access to all indoor events and performances at First Night Monterey in Historic Downtown Monterey. ADULT BUTTONS (16+) $32 Advance Purchase Price (Dec.15–30) $35 Full Price (Day of Celebration, available at Event Kiosks) YOUTH BUTTONS (AGES 6 TO 15) $18 Advance Purchase Price (Dec.15–30) $20 Full Price (Day of Celebration, available at Event Kiosks) Purchase online at www.firstnightmonterey.org before 12/28 to secure advance pricing. Shine bright tonight! Pick up glow-in-the-dark goodies and other fun items at our merchandise booth. Every purchase helps fund First Night Monterey’s community arts programs. Site 1: Serra Ballroom, Monterey Conference Center (free). . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3:00–5:00pm Site 6: Alvarado St. near Pearl. . . . . . . . . .4:30–9:00pm Site 16: Portola Plaza . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3:00–11:00pm 5 Monterey Firefighters 7 Galleria Alvarado St. 8 Just Sing & Dance Stage 8A Resolution Venue, Alvarado St. 8B Sunset Center Make and Take! 9 Bonifacio Stage, Alvarado St. 10 Selfie Spot, Alvarado St. 12 Franklin St. Stage, Alvarado St. 14 Illumination Stage, Alvarado St. OUTDOOR VENUES 1-4 Kids Night Out Monterey Conference Center 11 Golden State Theater 15 Monterey Center for Spiritual Living 18-23 Monterey Conference Center: Serra Ballroom, Serra Lobby, Steinbeck 1, Steinbeck 2, Stevenson 2 INDOOR VENUES 6 FNM Buttons & Merch Kiosk 13 Food Vendors 16 FNM Buttons & Merch Kiosk 17 Will Call until 8pm, at 16 after 8pm EVENT KIOSKS & FOOD YOUR NEW YEAR STARTS HERE IN HISTORIC DOWNTOWN MONTEREY! Buy your buttons before New Year’s Eve & save! THE GRAND FINALE! FIRST NIGHT MERCHANDISE Children 5 and under are admitted FREE! To all the volunteers who give their time and spirit to First Night Monterey—thank you! This celebration shines because of your commitment. Our community gathers, joy fills the streets, and the arts come alive thanks to you. THANK YOU TO OUR VOLUNTEERS! WElCoMe TO:
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