First Night Buffalo

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Western New York's largest drug- and alcohol-free New Year's Eve celebration provides a fun and safe way for families to ring in the New Year. This annual tradition offers family-friendly activities for all ages, including rides and amusements, costumed characters, music, and more.  

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Plan in advance! Allow ample time to get from one location to the next, and arrive at performance venues early. Admission to performances sites is on a first-come, first-serve basis, and programs start at the scheduled times. Programs often draw full houses. Plan backup choices in case a show is filled.

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All tickets are being sold exclusively online Buy tickets for First Night Buffalo.

Tickets at the door will be available at a higher price.

Children age 2 and under are free!

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First Night Buffalo tickets include admission to all rides, performances and rooms!

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A full schedule of events is available by clicking on the "Schedule" tab. You may also pick up an event guide at any area Wegmans location.

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You can see where and when performances are being held in your First Night event guide. You can also see a layout map of the Buffalo Niagara Convention Center here.

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First Night Buffalo seeks to provide equal opportunity for enjoyment to all audience members. Most performance sites are accessible to people with mobility impairments and strollers. If you have specific accessibility questions or concerns, please contact the Buffalo Niagara Convention Center's administrative office at (716) 855-5555.

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Doors open at 4:30 and the event runs from 5-10 pm.

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The Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority has extended Metro Rail service to go past midnight on New Year's Eve. The last outbound train will leave downtown Buffalo at 2:00 a.m. Attendees using Metro Rail can park FREE at either of Metro's two Park & Ride locations, located at UB's South Campus on Main Street or at the LaSalle Station, on Main Street just North of Hertel Avenue. All Metro bus and rail schedules can be found online at http://metro.nfta.com/.

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Free parking is available at Fernbach Parking Ramp and Main Place Mall Ramp- courtesy of Buffalo Civic Auto Ramps, the Buffalo Board of Parking and Mayor Byron Brown.

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First Night Buffalo is geared toward families with young children with a toddler zone, carnival rides, black light bubble dance party, costumed characters, and much more!

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No- all children must be accompanied by an adult at all times.

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All bags and strollers will be checked by security upon entry. Elevators are available at the back of the Convention Center for stroller and wheelchair access to the Exhibit Level.

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First Night Buffalo is completely indoors! There will be a coat check available for $1 per coat, as well as complimentary coat racks available on the Exhibit Level. These coat racks are not monitored- we are not responsible for any lost/stolen items.

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Vendors selling a variety of food and beverages are located inside the Buffalo Convention Center. In addition, most downtown restaurants within the festival footprint are open on New Year's Eve. Please remember, First Night Buffalo is an alcohol-free event. Open containers are not permitted on the streets or in any venues on New Year's Eve.

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EMT's will be onsite at the Convention Center on the upper level by the information tent and on the lower level by the exit.

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Lost and Found is located at the information booth on the Exhibit Level (near the North escalator) from 5:00 - 10:00 pm. If you lose an item at First Night, please check Lost and Found to see if it's been turned in, or contact us at (716) 635-4959 after the event.

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Restrooms are available on both levels of the Convention Center. On the first floor, they are located in the back hallway, just past the elevators behind room 106. A family restroom is located next to the Center Banquet room 101 side on the first floor. On the exhibit level, they are along the back wall near the concession stands. Changing stations are located in all restrooms and the family restroom. There is a mother's room next to the elevator on the first floor behind room 101.

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U.S. Security and City of Buffalo Police will be on site throughout the evening to ensure your safety. 

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We hire a photographer to come to the event and take photos for us so we can show everyone how much fun First Night Buffalo is. Visit our Facebook page at facebook.com/IndependentHealthFoundation after the event to see if your picture is online!

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Yes, upon exiting, your hand will be stamped for re-entry.

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Yes, there is an ATM available in the lobby of the Convention Center.

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All rides close at 9:30pm. Volunteers wearing "last rider" signs will be stationed in each ride line to ensure rides will be shut down on time and no one will be allowed to enter the line after them.

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The ball drop is a separate event from First Night Buffalo and happens at the Electric Tower in Downtown Buffalo at midnight.

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First Night Buffalo doesn't have fireworks, but we have a 9:45pm countdown with a balloon drop and confetti!