There will be a large number of special events in Boston to celebrate the new year.  Most of them are part of First Night Boston.  Here’s a Full Schedule

• Blink light and music show – every 30 minutes from 4:30-10:30pm, every night through Jan 1st
• Ice sculptures – at Quincy Market, Copley Square, and other places 

• Monday afternoon Dec 31st
  • Free Puppet Shows at the Boston Public Library in Copley Square (12:15, 1:00, 1:45, 2:30, 3:15)
  • Ice Sculpture Stroll along Boston Waterfront – and other activities – beginning at 1:00 PM
• New Year’s Eve – Monday, Dec 31st
  • Free Skating Performance at Frog Pond on Boston Common – 5:30PM
  • Fireworks on Boston Common – from 7:00 to 7:30
  • Light and Music show in Copley Square at midnight
  • Fireworks over Boston Harbor at Midnight (good viewing from Christopher Columbus Park and Fan Pier Park )
• New Year’s Day – Tuesday, Jan 1st
  • First Day Hike at Walden Pond – Noon-2pm
    GPS: 915 Walden St, Concord
• School Vacation Activities at the Boston Museum of Fine Arts