First Night Alexandria is the largest, safest, family-friendly, budget-friendly New Year's Eve celebration through the performing arts in the Greater Washington Metropolitan area. 

       Frequently Asked Questions
       Finale News
       Ticket Purchase Locations

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q – Do I have to pay to see the finale?
A – No but if you want to be eligible for one of the prizes you have to have a First Night admission badge and at least one of the 6,000 balls being dropped.

Q - Can I bring my pet to First Night Alexandria?
A - Sorry, First Night is for people of all ages.  Unless this pet is aiding the handicapped, it cannot attend.

Q – What can we do with kids in the afternoon?
A – There are three afternoon activities.

• The Third First Night Alexandria Fun Hunt – a scavenger hunt through the streets of Old Town where you follow clues to get information related to George Washington. Anyone that finishes and has all the correct answers is eligible for one of three prizes (more information and prizes listed at www.firstnightalexandria.org). Clue sheets can be picked up at the Durant Center beginning at 1:00 pm.  This is NOT a timed event.  Clue sheets must be turned in between 4:30-4:45 pm.  Prizes awarded during kickoff at 5:00 pm.
• Free art activities at the Torpedo Factory Art Center, 105 Union Street from 1:00-3:00 pm. In addition to face painting you can make buttons, masks and crowns.
• Potomac Bead at 1104 King Street will have a special beading event from 1:00-3:00 pm. $6 charge.

Q – Where can I get admission badges?
A – You can buy online at www.firstnightalexandria.org or at the Durant Arts Center beginning at noon on 12/31.  Every venue will also sell badges beginning 15 minutes before the first performance.  Tickets will be available until 10:30 pm on 12/31.  The price is $20 through 12/31.

Q – Where can I park?
A – There is plenty of street parking as well as numerous parking lots and garages in Old Town.  Visit the City’s web site at http://alexandriava.gov/Parking.

Q – What time is the Fun Hunt? What is the cost?
A – The Fun Hunt begins at 1:00 pm on 12/31.  You can pick up clue sheets at the Durant Arts Center, 1605 Cameron Street.  You must return the completed clue sheet by 4:30 to be eligible for prizes.  Winners must be present to claim their prizes.  There is no cost to participate in the Fun Hunt.  However, you must have purchased a First Night admission badge to be eligible for prizes.  The Fun Hunt is not a timed event.  It will take you approximately 60-90 minutes to complete without stopping.

Q – How do I get up and down King Street?
A – The easiest way to get around to the venues is to walk.  Most of Old Town is flat and the total distance from one end to the other is only one mile.

The free King Street Trolley runs from the foot of King Street to the metro every 20 minutes.  However, it tends to get full.  The weather is supposed to be beautiful so it will be a great day/evening to walk!

Dash has several routes that run up and down King Street.  The charge is $1.50 per person and they don’t run all night.

Q – What metro station are you close to?
A – King Street metro on the blue and yellow lines brings you right to the heart of Old town and all of the First Night venues.

Q – Is this event kid friendly? Where are the children’s activities?
A – First Night Alexandria is extremely family friendly. No venue is off limits to kids. However, there are some venues that have more activities for kids. Jefferson Houston School on Cameron Street is all about kids with entertainment, face painting, model sail boat building and sailing, moon bounce and interactive carnival games (10 and under). Hooray for Books (King Street) has storytelling for children. Downtown Baptist Church also has face painting, a moon bounce and interactive carnival games for children 10 and younger. The George Washington Masonic Memorial, in addition to adult music will have face painting and clowns making balloon sculptures.

Q – Where are good places to take kids to eat?
A – The best places to take kids to eat in Old Town on New Year’s Eve are King Street Blues (kids eat free on 12/31 with the purchase of an adult meal), Bittersweet, Nickells  Scheffler and Hard Times Café.

Q - Do you take credit cards?
A – Online admission sales take all credit cards.  On 12/31 you can use credit cards at Durant Arts Center (1605 Cameron St.) and Torpedo Factory (105 N. Union St.) only.  Be prepared for a longer process if you must use a credit card. Cash and checks are accepted at all venues.

Q – What do you do if it rains?
A – Bundle up and bring an umbrella. The show goes on regardless of the weather!

Q – What about snow or really bad weather? Can I get a refund?
A – Unless there is a severe blizzard making travel hazardous, First Night Alexandria goes on. Bundle up. Only if the event is cancelled prior to beginning will tickets be refunded.

Q – Can I bring my lawn chair for the fireworks?
A – You sure can bring your lawn chair for the finale but there are no fireworks this year. We’re dropping 6,000 balls instead! Post of photo of yourself, your First Night Admission badge and the balls you pick up on the First Night Alexandria Facebook page. We’ve preselected 20 numbers and those postings will win prizes. One of them is $500!

Q – Do you have porta potties?
A – There are no outdoor portable toilets. All of the indoor venues have bathrooms that are available to use for First Night ticket holders.

Q – What time does the event end?
A – The finale ends at 12:30 am.

Q - How do I know where to go and what to see?
A – The full schedule is posted at www.FirstNightAlexandria.org. When you pick up your admission badge you will also receive a printed program. It explains all the entertainment and shows the best places for kids. The footprint of the event is very walkable.

Q – What restaurants/fast-food places are open?
A – All of Alexandria’s fine restaurants are open on December 31. Most will require a reservation. A list of kid-friendly locations are listed above.

Q – How late will the venues be open?
A – All venues will be closed by 11:45 pm. Some close earlier. Please refer to the schedule either on the web site or the printed program for specific locations.

Q – Where are the closest ATM machines?
A – There are ATM machines at the following locations. Others may be around, but these are the ones we are certain of:

• Embassy Suites Hotel, 1900 Diagonal Road
• Virginia Commerce Bank, 506 King St.
• BB&T Bank, 1717 King St.
• Burke & Herbert Bank at King and S. Fairfax St. and at 621 King St.

FINALE NEWS!!

Last year the Commonwealth of Virginia changed the law concerning setback needed for fireworks. With that change we can no longer do fireworks at the Masonic Memorial.

At 10:00 pm we’ll begin the finale with musical entertainment from Ray Casino, a special appearance by The Stairwells, an all male a cappella group from the College of William and Mary followed by a multimedia light show. At midnight, when New York drops one ball, we’ll be dropping 6,000 in Alexandria and some of them might win you a prize!

Take the balls home and post a photo of you, your First Night admission badge and your balls on the First Night Alexandria Facebook page. We've preselected 20 numbers to win prizes and one of those 20 will win $500! The more often you post, the better your chances are to win.

First Night Alexandria is a private, non-profit organization that depends on the generosy of businesses and individuals to keep this celebration alive. The sale of admission covers approximately one-third of the cost of producing this community celebration. You can help by making a tax-deductable contribution here.

Click here to purchase tickets!

You can also purchase tickets at the following locations 

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