First Night Celebrations are held on New Year’s Eve and are typically hosted either by local towns or by churches or community centers. These are offered as a way of celebrating not just the new year but local artists and local culture as well. It began in Boston in 1975, organized by local musicians and artists who wanted a different way of celebrating the new year. Within a few years, thousands of people were celebrating First Night in Boston; soon other communities began organizing their own events. Now First Night is celebrated across the country with over 1 million people taking part. Numerous NJ communities have their own First Night events and here are links to several of them.

Haddonfield

Morristown also (http://www.mayoarts.org/indiv/indiv_FirstNightMorris2014.html)

Seaside Heights

Teaneck

Mount Holly

Ocean City hosts First Day at the Beach which features a 5K run/walk on the boardwalk. The run starts at the Music Pier between 8th and 9th Street at 130PM. Prizes are awarded for runners and registration is $25.00. In addition the shops along the main drive are open for the New Year’s Day Shopping Extravaganza. A polar bear plunge (they call it First Dippers) will be held. Those participating must sign a waiver, but they will get a beach nut certificate certifying that they were crazy enough to go in the water on New Year’s day. For more details visit their website at http://www.ocnj.us or their First Night webpage.

Fireworks will be held at Monument Square Park in New Brunswick.

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The Battleship NJ provides a unique locale to celebrate the new year. Admission is $64.95 and includes dinner, a tour of the ship and guests will have an excellent view of the fireworks that go off at 6pm and midnight. Guests will sleep in the same bunks used by sailors when the ship was still operational. Breakfast on New Year’s day will also be provided. For more information visit http://www.battleshipnewjersey.org or call 866 877-6262 X144

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Go for a midnight run in Sea Girt at the 10th annual JSRC Twilight Run & Walk. A $30 ticket gets you a hot buffet and one drink at Edgars Pub, 153 Sea Girt Ave, Mannasquan. Read more here.

Geared towards younger people, the Pop Shop in Collingswood hosts their 5th annual Kazoo Parade. Local Mummers provide music and entertainment and local children will lead a parade down Main St. Cookies and refreshments are provided (as are kazoos). Visit their website at http://www.thepopshopusa.com, then grab your kazoo and head to 729 Haddon Ave in Haddonfield.

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Come to the NJ Aquarium on New Years Eve and celebrate with fish, fireworks and family fun! There will be special activities, and the Aquarium provides an excellent spot from which to view the fireworks over the river. Tickets are $30.00 Visit their website for more details. http://www.adventureaquarium.com/

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Send off 2013 and start 2014 with an old Scottish tradition, the Hogmanay. This is a Scottish tradition, with roots going back to pagan celebrations many centuries ago. There are many customs associated with Hogmanay, which vary greatly by region but the primary custom involves “first-footing” which involves being the first to cross the threshold of a friend and often involves gift giving, or perhaps food and drink. The Brearly House in Laurenceville celebrates with a bonfire, which is used as a clensing ritual. Old Christmas trees are piled up and a bonfire created out of them. People write down bad things that happened in the previous year and throw the paper into the fire to get rid of all that is associated with those bad events, cleansing themselves of it and creating a fresh start for the new year.

The Brearly House is a historic landmark and you can learn more about it and the Hogmanay bonfire at their website. http://www.thelhs.org. Brearly House 100 Meadow Rd, Lauwrenceville. You can learn more about Hogmanay at Wikipedia.

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Hoboken has tons of bars and this is a guide to the many events on New Year’s Eve.