The original First Night® celebration began in Boston in 1976 by a group of artists trying to create a wonderful alternative to the typical New Year’s Eve celebration. Offered as a finale to Boston’s Bicentennial events, First Night® Boston revived old traditions of marking a new year by bringing communities together to showcase talent.

This unique New Year's Eve celebration fosters appreciation of visual and performing arts and cultural activities through a community, family-oriented, and alcohol free setting.  First Night celebrations create an atmosphere in which children and teenagers can join with parents and grandparents in welcoming in the New Year.  It is a safe, positive approach to traditional New Year's Eve revelry. 

Having been so successful, other communities soon began to ask the founding members of First Night® Boston for assistance starting their own similar celebrations on New Year’s Eve. In time the International Alliance of First Nights was born and in 1993 First Night® International became a stand-alone non-profit entity. First Night® International authorizes and monitors the use of the First Night® name, promoting community, creativity, and cultural diversity through all of its activities and services.

Today more than 250 cities nationwide host alcohol-free First Night® celebrations. First Night® is also an international celebration, with festivities in Australia, Canada, Scotland and England. First Night® Greater Grand Forks has been a member since 1994 with the Grand Forks and East Grand Forks downtown areas serving as the stage for this event.