If you are looking for a family friendly New Year’s Eve in Akron, Ohio, look no further than the First Night Akron!
First Night Akron has been providing family friendly New Year’s Eve celebrations for 17 years in Downtown Akron. Enjoy a celebration of the arts with live music, dance, theater, visual arts, and interactive arts this Monday, December 31, 2012 from 6pm – midnight in Downtown Akron!
My family has been going to First Night Akron for years and we are always so impressed by the volume and quality of family friendly New Year’s Eve activities and performances to enjoy. Admission is just $10 for adults and kids are FREE!
First Night Akron – Family Friendly New Year’s Eve Entertainment Schedule
First Night Akron will give you and your family access to over 80 experiences featuring music, dance, theater, interactive and visual art performances and projects for all ages! Print the entire First Night Akron Event Guide here. Or download it to your Android, iPhone/iPad and Kindle.
You can also find hard copies at locations throughout downtown Akron, Ohio and on New Year’s Eve. I highly recommend checking out the event guide before you go to First Night Akron so you can plan the activities and performances your family will want to visit. There is so much to see and do that there is no way you can see everything, plan your evening ahead of time so you don’t miss anything that you really want to see.
Check out the First Night Akron Entertainment Schedule – way too much to mention on this post!
[slickr-flickr tag=akronfirstnightthree]As a mom with a kindergartener and second grader these are the spots we will be sure to visit:
Akron-Summit County Public Library
6-9 p.m. –Akron-Summit County Public Library Children’s Make & Take
6-9 p.m. –SCPH Soapbox Derby Photo Opportunity
John S. Knight Center-Exhibit Hall 1
6-9 p.m. –Buck and Buffy
6-11:15 p.m. –Air Aquarium
7-11:15 p.m. –Eyedea CJ – contact juggler
The Shoppes at Akron Centre (we spent a LOT of time here last year!)
6-9 p.m. –Box Creations – Step 2
6-9 p.m. –Pat Catan’s Mask Making
6-9 p.m. –Get Painted Temp Tattoos
6:00-6:15 p.m. –The Illusion Factory
6-9 p.m. –Bill Roddy Juggling & Painting
6-8 p.m. –joyUNSPEAKABLE Productions
6-9 p.m. –Browser Newshound
6-9 p.m. –Akron Beacon Journal Make & Take
6-9 p.m. –All American Soap Box Derby Pinewood Derby
6-9 p.m. –Orbit
6:30-7:30 p.m. –The Illusion Factory
7:45-8:00 p.m. –The Illusion Factory
8:15-9:00 p.m. –Weathervane Playhouse
Around Town
6-9 p.m. –Marlowe the Magic Clown
6-11 p.m. –Drip E. Faucet – Magician, Juggler and Plumber
8-midnight –Street Beat Drummers
9-midnight –Magic Mike Productions
9:00-11:30 p.m. –Point of No Return Improv
Mainstage
7-11 p.m. –Horse Drawn Wagon Rides
8:15-9 p.m. –ZOBAPAGO
9-9:15 p.m. –Children’s Fireworks Show
9:15-11 p.m. –Kent State Ice Carving Club Demonstration
12-12:15 a.m. –Midnight Fireworks
As you can see, there is so much to do and see at First Night Akron. I really like that they offer an early New Year’s Eve countdown with fireworks at 9pm for families with young children. It is an affordable option for families too since kids under 10 get in FREE.
First Night Akron Venues
Below are the First Night Akron Venues where you and your family have more than 80 experiences available for New Year’s Eve. You can either walk or take the Metro bus for free to each of the locations throughout the night. You can check them out on this map too.
- Akron Civic Theatre – 182 S Main St
- Akron-Summit County Public Library – 60 S High St
- Grand Staircase – Akron Civic Theater – 182 S Main St
- Greystone Hall – 103 S High St
- John S. Knight Center – 77 E Mill St
- Mainstage – 200 S Main St
- Robert K. Pfaff Transit Center (METRO) – 631 S Broadway
- The Shoppes at Akron Centre – 76 S Main St
- Summit Artspace – 140 E Market St
- Zion Lutheran Church – 3rd Floor – 139 S High St
- Zion Lutheran Church – Gym/Food Court – 139 S High St
- Zion Lutheran Church – Sanctuary – 139 S High St
When is First Night Akron?
New Year’s Eve – Monday, December 31, 2012 from 6 p.m.-midnight
Join the fun no matter what the weather, First Night Akron primarily takes place at indoor venues throughout Downtown Akron with several activities outdoors including fireworks displays.
How much does First Night Akron Cost?
Buttons are just $10 for ages 10 – adults and Kids under 10 are FREE! Parking is also free!
Where do I buy First Night Akron Buttons?
Buy your First Night Akron 2013 Buttons online at www.firstnightakron.org or at the below locations.
First Night Akron office, Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Angel Falls Coffee (Highland Square)
Akron Beacon Journal Customer Service Desk
Carolyn’s Cupboard (Wadsworth)
FirstMerit Bank (participating branches)
Gasoline Alley (Bath)
Stage Left Boutique at the Akron Civic Theatre
You can also buy First Night Akron Buttons on December 31 at Acme Fresh Markets until 8 p.m. and at Stage Left Boutique at the Akron Civic Theatre and The Library Shop on Main in Downtown Akron.
First Night Akron with Bonus Year-Long Activities
I’ve talk to you before about the Discover Downtown Akron Passport. It is This passport is your way of enjoying Downtown Akron for an entire year for just $15. It includes the $10 First Night Akron button! So, when you spend the extra $5, you’ll enjoy exclusive tours, free admission to popular venues, sporting events, theater and more from now until December 2013! Total value is $213, so $15 is a great deal. I’ve given the passports as gifts too. You can buy your Discover Downtown Akron Passport at various places across the area including Acme Fresh Markets, and a list of other local stores. If you plan to attend First Night Akron, this is a great way to enjoy attractions and events yearlong for just $5 more.
Win 4 First Night Akron Buttons
You have the chance to win 4 First Night Akron Buttons!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Facebook. In order to comply with the latest Facebook Promotion Guidelines (revised 5/11/11), the following statements are true:
* Giveaway participants release Facebook from any responsibility whatsoever.
* Giveaways on this blog are in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Facebook.
* Giveaway participants are providing information to this blog and giveaway sponsors only; not to Facebook
30 Day Winning Rule applies. For complete contest rules, please see our Contest Statement and Blog Disclosure.
Contest ends at NOON EST on December 30, 2012 when a winner will be drawn at random. I will notify the winners and they will have 24 hours to respond or another winner will be selected! Winner will pick up their buttons at the Downtown Akron Partnership office located at Greystone Hall in Downtown Akron on Monday, December 31, 2012.
This was not a paid post. My own opinions were used based on my perceptions and experience. Thank you to Downtown Akron Partnership who provided the tickets for review and giveaway.
