Description
In 2001, First Night Spokane stepped onto the downtown scene and brought to the community a New Year’s Eve celebration unlike no other. Designed to be a family friendly non-alcoholic celebration of the arts, First Night introduces its audience to a vast menu of dance, music, performance and visual artistry. First Night takes pride in providing something for everyone and that is why we are considered the top winter festival in the region!.
Beginning at 3:00 p.m. in the afternoon at the Spokane Convention Center, First Night opens the evening festivities with our Sacred Heart Children’s Hospital Kids Night Out. This extraordinarily fun venue is designed to be both creative and educational and allows children and their families to explore their inner artist by providing a plethora of interactive crafts and activities that challenge them and keep them entertained all evening! At approximately 6:00 p.m., First Night attendees will gather in front of the Spokane Convention Center to join in the fun of our Mardi-Gras styled Masquerade Parade sponsored by the Kalispel Tribe. With noise makers, masks, lights and lots of loud music, participants are encouraged to march to the beat of their own drum as the parade winds its way through the downtown Spokane streets and ends up at Riverfront Park just in time for our opening ceremonies at 6:30 p.m.
With the opening ceremonies underway, those attendees looking to begin their New Year in a healthy way may want to join in our Second Annual Resolution Run. Whether you’re a seasoned running athlete or a family just out for an evening stroll through the park, this 5k run/walk invites everyone to participate. At 7:00 p.m., with more than 40 venues and 200 performances and visual art exhibits, attendees are encouraged to plan ahead so they are able to see and enjoy as much as they possibly can. Venues can be large and small in size with music, theatre, dance, drums and interactive visual art and encompass the core of the downtown area to include bank lobbies, hotels, parking garages, bus depots, anywhere and everywhere. The culmination of the evening happens at midnight with the crown jewel, the Spokane Tribe Midnight Fireworks Spectacular. With a dazzling display of color and amazing pyrotechnics, these fireworks capture the essence of ending the year with a splash and a bang! First Night’s reputation as a family centered event and a catalyst for expanding exposure to the "arts" in Spokane is unsurpassed and we are extremely proud and honored to be part of the Spokane community.
