Ring in 2026 with First Night Ocean City or First Night Morris County
Two New Year’s Eve celebrations will each feature arts, culture, and fun for the whole family.
As 2025 comes to an end, Morris County and Ocean City will again be home to major celebrations on Dec. 31. Both promise alcohol-free and family-friendly fun.
Morris County
First Night Morris 2026 organizers promise more than 80 performances at more than 20 venues in Downtown Morristown, free parking, and free shuttles.
Legendary jazz guitarist Frank Vignola and jazz pianist Rio Clemente will perform together at the Mayo Performing Arts Center. Other musical performers will include the Baroque Orchestra of New Jersey, Random Test Reggae, Bozza Brasil, and the Harmonium Choral Society and Opera.
Three art galleries will feature visual arts displays, including “Visual Meditations: Line, Color & Form” at the County of Morris Administration Building.
Also on the schedule are performances by comedians, an illusionist, and a hypnotist; a chance dance to Cuban music and to Rat Pack tribute artist Eric DeLauro; a film festival; and a children’s fun festival.
Attendees will need to purchase a button for $30 or a four-pack for $95 for unlimited access to the seven-plus hour event. Many of the performances will also be available streaming and on-demand.
For more information, visit firstnightmorris.org.
Ocean City
From 4 p.m. until midnight, First Night Ocean City will host more than 70 events at more than 20 venues.
Performances will include tribute arts performing the music of Journey, Motown, Elton John, and Billy Joel; mentalist Dustin Dean; magician Chad Juros; illusionist Anthony Salazar; Jungle John’s reptile show; the Cape Shore Chorale; the Pennsport String Band; and the Harlem Wizards’ famous basketball show.
Families can also enjoy ice skating, swimming, country line dancing, an audience-participation game show, Quizzo trivia, Lego at the library, and a karaoke party.
Attendees over age 2 will need to purchase a button for $25.
On Jan. 1, the city will also host First Day at the Beach, featuring a 1 p.m. 5K run and a 2 p.m. polar bear plunge into the ocean near Music Pier.
For more information, visit firstnightocnj.com.
