New Year's Eve Boston: First Night Fireworks, Celebration

Thousands will say will say goodbye to 2019 and hello to 2020 during Boston's First Night celebration on New Year's Eve in Copley Square. The festivities, of course, begin on Tuesday, Dec. 31, and stretch into Wednesday, Jan. 1.

First Night is free to attend, whether it's the myriad activities at the Boston Public Library or the famed fireworks display over the Boston Harbor. There will be an early fireworks display at 7 p.m. at Boston Common for families who want to get their kids home. You can see the full schedule of events at First Night Boston 2020's website.

The website also says the best place to watch the main event fireworks are the North End's Christopher Columbus Park, East Boston's Harborwalk and the Seaport's Fan Pier.

It should be a good night for fireworks despite the icy, rainy conditions to start the week. Forecasters are looking cloudy skies and temperatures in the low 40s with no precipitation.

The festivities and fireworks will be televised on NBC10 Boston and NECN websites starting at 6 p.m.

Parking is never a good idea on New Year's Eve in the city, but the MBTA trains, commuter rail and buses, are free from 8 p.m. Tuesday to 2 a.m. Wednesday. The MBTA lines will run on a weekday schedule, ramping up to a rush-hour schedule at 3 p.m. You can use the Orange or Green Line to get to Copley, while the commuter rail and several buses stop there.

Paid parking is available garages at 100 Clarendon St., Copley Place, the Prudential Center and the Boston Common Garage.

There will be two moments of silence on Copley Square's main stage for a worker who was killed during First Night preparations. Brandon McSweeney, 34, of Sherborn, died Saturday when a ballast fell on him.

Related: Worker Dies In Boston During First Night Preparations