Although First Night Worcester is the second oldest First Night celebration in the nation, there will be very little that is old during this year’s 20 celebration. With more than 1 million attendees since its 1982 debut, First Night Worcester is the must-attend celebration for the Worcester area. With its indoor venues and performances and outdoor fireworks display, it is sure to delight, regardless of the weather.

This year’s celebration will be headlined by nationally acclaimed Broadway artist Alison Fraser. Fraser is a two-time Tony Award nominee for her work in The Secret Garden and Romance/Romance, a Drama Desk Award nominee for The Secret Garden and a Carbonell Award-winner for Romance/Romance. She is also the first recipient of Philadelphia’s Barrymore Award for Best Actress for her performance as The Blonde in the film noir musical Gunmetal Blues. She has performed at a multitude of venues, including Carnegie Hall and The White House. Fraser’s career has also included a number of television and film appearances, and she is currently starring in the touring one-woman show, A Tennessee Williams Songbook. Fraser, who is originally from Natick, will return to the area to headline the event and visit local family.

First Night Worcester’s Executive Director Howard McGinn feels there is sure to be something for everyone at the celebration. New additions include a number of new musical performances, fortune tellers and pony rides. The event will feature magic, rock ’n’ roll, jesters and a multicultural festival. Also new to the event is the inclusion of a number of local food trucks, which those in attendance will be able to find in the area surrounding the Worcester Art Museum. “We try to respond to what people are telling us they want,” McGinn said.

Not to mention, with your First Night button, you have access to free admission to the EcoTarium, Joy of Music Program, Museum of Russian Icons, Old Sturbridge Village, Salisbury Mansion, the Worcester Art Museum and the Worcester Historical Museum, as well as all of the evening’s venues and performances.

McGinn said the celebration would still include local music, specifically local youth musicians. The performance by the local Burncoat High School Band has become a treasured event over the years, and McGinn said, “Youth music is something we are really dedicated to.”

McGinn urges families of the area to “look at the value, with over $200 worth of museum entrance costs” included in the purchase of the button. The buttons will go on sale earlier this year than they did for the 2013-14 celebration, and McGinn advises people to get their buttons early. McGinn said in addition to large events, there are a number of smaller venues and some events are repeated throughout the evening to allow for people to return if an event is too crowded or conflicts with another event they want to see.

With record crowds for last year’s First Night Worcester celebration, McGinn and his team are hoping for an even bigger turnout this year.

Buttons are $10 until Dec 25, $12 after Dec 25 and $15 at the door and free for children younger than 7.  Information on purchasing buttons and the schedule of events can be found at firstnightworcester.org.

By Brianna Duval