Saratoga Springs for New Years Eve 2010

Saratoga Springs, NY hosts a large First Night celebration every New Year's Eve. The theme for this year's event is Starry Starry Night. This event is based around the arts so it is perfect for all members of the family. About 14,000 people come to Saratoga Springs to celebrate New Years Eve each year. There are around 400 artists and 30 different venues to explore.

A $15 button will grant you access to all of the venues. These buttons can be purchased online or at many other locations such as the YMCA, Boscov's, the Marriott, Stewart's Shops, and Price Chopper.

The First Night Saratoga headline acts include the USO Liberty Bells, The Joey Thomas Big Band, Saratoga Savoy, and The Union Fire Company #2 Marching Band. All of these performances can be seen at the City Center. The Albany Academy Cadet Corps will host the opening ceremonies at 5:30PM. There will also be window performances throughout the night in the windows of the shops along Broadway, the main road in the city.

There is a wide variety of acts scheduled for the evening so there will be something to please everyone. There will be several musical acts. The Saratoga City Ballet will dance Act II of the Nutcracker. Magicians, orchestras, comedians, ghost story tellers and belly dancers will round out the evening.

At 5:30PM, 1,000 runners will take part in the 5k race that starts and ends on the Skidmore College Campus. Registration is already closed since the race is full, but it will surely be a fun event to watch.

Many children's activities are available throughout the night. The GE Kidsworld will have juggling, comedy, and magician acts for kids at the Lake Avenue School. A storyteller will be at the Children's museum. A reptile demonstration and the Dazzle Dogs show will be at the YMCA.

A fireworks display will take place in Congress Park at midnight which can be best viewed from the parking lot across the street from the carousel.

Free hot chocolate and free glow sticks will be available outside of the Adirondack Trust Company from 5-8PM. Food will be available at many sites throughout the city for an additional charge.