originally published: 12/29/2025
(MORRISTOWN, NJ) -- First Night Morris County 2026 is the biggest and brightest New Year’s Eve celebration in New Jersey, providing a magnificent, family-friendly, substance- and alcohol-free celebration in the heart of Morristown. It offers a high-quality, curated cultural experience that unites the community and supports local partners. Your admission button grants you unlimited access to over 7 hours of spectacular entertainment—an excellent value for the whole family.
* 80+ Performances at 20+ Venues (In-Person, 1 Streaming, and 1 On-Demand) and over 40 On-Demand Films.
* Celebrating America’s 250th: This year’s event serves as the official launch for Morris County’s 250th-anniversary celebrations, highlighting the county’s pivotal role in securing America’s independence.
* Historical Showcases: Explore the Pathways of History Community Showcase at Morristown High School, spotlighting over 30 local historical organizations.
* Heroines of History: Visit the Woman’s Club of Morristown for an interactive program featuring costumed interpreters portraying women who shaped the community’s civic and cultural life.
* Revolutionary Exhibits: At Macculloch Hall, enjoy the “Eyewitness to History” exhibit marking the 200th anniversary of Lafayette’s return to Morristown, alongside 18th-century tunes from The Dolce Trio.
Tickets are available for purchase online until December 31st at 3:00pm. In-person buttons will be sold at the MPAC Box Office (2:00pm to 3:30pm), the Morristown Library (3:30pm to 9:00pm), and the MPAC Box Office Reopens (8:30pm to 10:00pm). Additionally, a limited amount of tickets will be on sale at the Hyatt Regency Morristown (5:00pm to 9:00pm) and Morristown High School (4:30pm to 8:30pm).
Music & performance highlights include:
Vignola & Clemente: A spectacular joint performance live and streaming from the Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC).
Marc Milovats – Holiday & Hits: A festive, high-energy musical celebration at the Hyatt Regency.
Mayo Performing Arts Company: An emerging artist showcase featuring “An Evening of Song,” including Broadway favorites and more.
Variety for All: Enjoy the Baroque Orchestra of New Jersey, the soulful Bozza Brasil, and comedic sets by Myq Kaplan and Matt Jenkins.
Interactive Family Fun: The Children’s Fun Festival at Morristown High School features Dinoman, Fun with LEGO, the Craft Creation Station, and the Child’s Play Challenge Course.
The Film Festival: Dive into a cinematic journey with over 40 films available throughout the night. Experience curated screenings in-person starting at 4:30 PM, featuring family-friendly, teen, and adult award-winning international films. For those who prefer to watch at their own pace, our on-demand platform offers a robust selection of films that you can enjoy throughout the evening and beyond.
The Grand Finale: The night concludes with the traditional Midnight Countdown and Fireworks to welcome the New Year.
Unmatched Convenience: Complimentary Shuttles start at 4:30 PM, and Complimentary Parking is available at any Morristown Parking Garage starting at 4:00pm.
Dinner & New Year’s Eve in Morristown: Make it a full “night on the town” by exploring the vibrant local dining scene. Through a special partnership with the Morristown Partnership, attendees can easily access a comprehensive Local Dining Directory featuring downtown’s best eateries. Whether you are looking for a quick family bite or a celebratory dinner, the directory is available via the First Night website, mobile app, and QR codes located right in your official program book.
Live-Stream & On-Demand Convenience: Can’t make it to every venue? Enjoy the MPAC Live-Stream or browse On-Demand content through the First Night Morris App, allowing you to experience world-class performances from the comfort of your own device.
First Night® Morris County is a self-funded, volunteer-led 501(c)(3) non-profit dedicated to fostering appreciation for the arts and providing year-round community development through the FNM365® program.
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EVENT PREVIEWS
MPAC's annual Sustainability Series returns for 2026 with Free Presentation of National Geographic Live! - Rise of T.rex
(MORRISTOWN, NJ) -- Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC)'s annual Sustainability Series returns for 2026 with a free presentation of National Geographic Live! - The Rise of T.rex on Wednesday, April 15 at 7:30pm. Tyrannosaurus Rex is the most famous dinosaur out there, but few people know the true story of this species. This event is made possible through the generous sponsorship of BASF.
Manayunk StrEAT Food Festival to Take Place April 19th
(MANAYUNK, PA) -- The largest food event in Philadelphia - and one of the largest food truck festivals in America - is back and bigger than ever! StrEAT Food Festival returns to Manayunk on Sunday, April 19, 2026, from 11:00am to 5:00pm. Over 85+ of the region's top food trucks and food vendors will line historic Main Street for the day, serving up menus that range from savory BBQ and global street food to decadent desserts and sweet treats.
Passage Theatre to host 41st Anniversary Gala at Trenton War Memorial on April 25th
(TRENTON, NJ) -- To celebrate the culmination of their forty-first season, Passage Theatre, the only professional theatre company in the city of Trenton, will host their annual fundraiser gala on Saturday, April 25, 2026 at the Trenton War Memorial. The event begins at 5:00pm.
Roselle Park Arts Festival returns April 25th
(ROSELLE PARK, NJ) -- The Roselle Park Arts Festival, a free community-wide celebration of the arts, will return Saturday, April 25, 2026, bringing artists, live music and family-friendly activities to downtown Roselle Park.
U.S. Olympic Gold Medalists Headline 2026 Stars on Ice Tour
(NEWARK, NJ) -- U.S. Figure Skating returns from Milan with one of the most decorated American teams in Winter Olympic history. The 2026 Stars on Ice tour will bring the opportunity to celebrate their achievements to Newark on Friday, May 1, 2026 for a 7:00pm performance at Prudential Center.
2026 Down & Derby Wine Festival: A Day of Wine, Music, and Derby Fun in South Jersey
(CAMDEN, NJ) -- South Jersey's most anticipated wine festival is back! The Fourth Annual Down & Derby Wine Festival will take place on Saturday, May 2, 2026, from 2:00pm – 7:00pm at Veterans Island in Cooper River Park. Hosted by the Camden County Board of Commissioners and Visit South Jersey, this exciting event will bring together the finest local wineries, live entertainment, delicious food, and derby-themed festivities.
RVCC presents Bill Blagg's Magic in Motion
(BRANCHBURG, NJ) -- Local audiences will have the opportunity to explore how physical science creates magic when the Theatre at Raritan Valley Community College presents Bill Blagg's Magic in Motion on Wednesday, May 6, 2026 at 11:00am.
Visual Arts Center of New Jersey to Celebrate Spring Exhibitions with a Community Day on June 6th
(SUMMIT, NJ) -- On Saturday, June 6, 2026, the Visual Arts Center of New Jersey will celebrate its spring exhibitions with a Community Day event. The day, which will feature artist-led walks around Summit, a live podcast recording, and drop-in workshops, will run from 10:00am to 2:00pm.
2026 Princeton Festival to Take Place June 5-21 at Morven Museum & Garden
(PRINCETON, NJ) -- The Princeton Symphony Orchestra (PSO) is pleased to announce that world-renowned bel canto soprano Sondra Radvanovsky and The Bacon Brothers, Michael and Kevin, are scheduled to perform at the 2026 Princeton Festival. At the core of the Festival, there is live opera with Festival veteran and current Met Opera star Toni Marie Palmertree returning to sing the title role in Puccini's Madama Butterfly. These major stars typify the quality of musical offerings to be found at this year's Festival which runs from June 5-21 on the grounds of Morven Museum & Garden.
MORE EVENTS
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Rutgers University Center for Social Justice Education & LGBT Communities - In Full Bloom: A Conversation with Durand BernarrTuesday, April 14, 2026 @ 7:00pmNew Brunswick Performing Arts Center (NBPAC)
New Brunswick, NJ
