First Night Springfield at ALPLM

The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum joins the Springfield Area Arts Council to ring in the New Year during the 39th annual First Night Springfield celebration!

Get ready for an unforgettable New Year’s Eve as First Night Springfield lights up downtown with dazzling fireworks, captivating performances, and nonstop fun for all ages! We’re ringing in the New Year with style by kicking off the Route 66 Centennial Anniversary.

Join us New Year’s Eve afternoon from Noon-5:00 p.m. in the museum plaza for family-friendly entertainment, crafts, games, and activities, including…

• Magician Richard Landry and Snowball the Bunny present their special magic show that celebrates the love of reading from 1:00 p.m.-1:30 p.m.
• Hoogland Dreamers, Believers, Creators, and Achievers from 1:30 p.m.-2:15 p.m. - Discover the talent of young performers as they light up the stage with scenes and songs from their theatre education program.
• Sunshyne the Clown and Tim the Twister’s magic show happens from 2:30 p.m.-3:00 p.m. They’ll also do fun face painting and create cool balloon animals for the kids from 3:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m.
• Cowboy Randy will dazzle young and old with his amazing roping tricks and yodel a song or two from out on the range from 3:20 p.m.-3:50 p.m.
• DJ Dino-Mite will be playing all the groovy songs throughout the afternoon to keep you movin’ and boppin’ into the New Year!

And don’t miss the ALPLM’s special family-friendly New Year’s Countdown at 4:00 p.m. (so the kids don’t have to stay up late), complete with confetti cannons to welcome 2025!

Plus, enjoy free skating with family and friends in Union Square Park from 1:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m. Donations are appreciated to help defray the cost of skate maintenance.

Admission for kids 15 and younger is FREE between Noon-5:00 p.m. at the ALPLM on New Year's Eve. All guests 16 and older will need to purchase an admission button for $25 - good for admission at ALL First Night Springfield event locations. These unique, collectible buttons serve as your ticket to the festivities. Youth (15 and under) will receive wristbands for free admission to all event locations. Wrist bands or buttons will be available at the ALPLM main entrance or purchase in advance by clicking HERE.