Supporting the Arts on First Night Chatham

Button Free Events

Preliminary Schedule subject to change

CANCELLED Laura Barabe: Laura's Greatest Hits
 
CANCELLED Laura Barabe: Laura's Greatest Hits
23 -year-old vocalist Laura's “Greatest Hits” features genres such as Broadway, Pop, and Rock.
Laura 's performance at First Night Chatham is dubbed “Laura's Greatest Hits” and features genres such as Broadway, Pop, and Rock. Laura Barabe is a 23 year old Chatham native who has been singing all over Cape Cod for more than a decade. She is a member of the Chatham Chorale and has sung with the group since she was 11 years old. She will be accompanied by her grandmother, Susan Beckner, who is a gifted pianist and is very excited to play alongside her granddaughter!
 
Bubble Wrap Stomp
Photo: John Markus
 
Bubble Wrap Stomp
A favorite activity of many parents, too! Watch the kids show joy as they break the bubbles and make lots of noise!
A favorite activity of many parents, too! Watch the kids show joy as they break the bubbles and make lots of noise!

From 1PM until there's no more bubble wrap to stomp.
Community Center Aerobics Room at  1:00 to 3:00 PM  (Button-free)
 
Carnival Caper
Photo: Ron Snider
 
Carnival Caper
A costumed road race, sponsored by the Chatham Squire. Register, show off your costume, and race for fun!
A costumed road race, from the Chatham Squire to the Lighthouse and back, sponsored by the Chatham Squire. Register outside the Squire starting at 2 pm ($10); Costume judging at 2:30 pm; the race starts at 3 pm (a bit under 2 miles round-trip). You can't miss the gorilla in charge. Race registrants get a Tee shirt, and beef stew served at the Squire after the race! Spectators line Main Street to cheer on everyone parading down the road in costume - you can run, you can walk, you can hop, skip or jump!
Outside the Squire at  2:00 to 3:30 PM  (Button-free)
 
Chatham Poets Read
 
Chatham Poets Read
Local poets read their poetry,a 20 year old tradition. A booklet of the poems and bios will be given out. After those scheduled, audience members may read one of their own.
On New Year's Eve, poets will gather to read their poetry in the lovely, acoustically sound, St Christopher's Chapel. After a three year hiatus during the Covid pandemic, Poets will once again return and keep this 20 year old tradition going. A booklet of the poems and bios of each will be given out. Following those who have agreed in advance to read, the audience will have the opportunity to read one of their own Poems.
Anyone wishing to read and have their poem printed should email their poem and bio to John Poignand at pooh9137@gmail.com.
St. Christopher's Chapel at  5:00 PM  (Button-free)
 
Face Painting
Photo: Susan Karchmer
 
Face Painting
What child does not enjoy having something fabulous painted on their face?
What child does not enjoy having something fabulous painted on their face?
St. Christopher's Parish Hall at  2:00 to 5:00 PM  (Button-free)
Monomoy Middle School Small Gym at  12:30 to 3:30 PM  (Button-free)
 
Fireworks at Veterans Field
Photo: Stanlee Wetzel
 
Fireworks at Veterans Field
Spectacular fireworks at Veterans Field after the Noise Parade, as a special treat for the young and young-at-heart.
Spectacular fireworks after the Noise Parade will be presented for the whole family. March in the Noise Parade which ends at the Commuinty Center. The fireworks show is at Veterans Field and viewing is from the parking lot and fields behind the Chatham Community Center.

This amazing and special fireworks show is presented by Northstar Fireworks of Vermont; they've been doing the First Night Chatham fireworks for many years.
Veterans Field at  6:30 PM  (Button-free)
 
Ice Carvings by Chip Koser
 
Ice Carvings by Chip Koser
Watch Chip and his team carve multiple beautiful sculptures from large blocks of ice.
Ice sculptor Chip Koser will carve multiple beautiful sculptures from large blocks of ice. In 2011, Chip and his team took home a bronze medal at the World Ice Art Championship held in Fairbanks, Alaska.

Chip will be carving early in the afternoon, then all ice carvings will be on display and spotlit all afternoon and evening. Stroll by or drive by.
 
Haley Labdon: My Mosaic: Songs and Stories
 
Haley Labdon: My Mosaic: Songs and Stories
A musical journey diving deep into her personal love and connection to music both from the past and present.
“My Mosaic: Songs and Stories” by Haley Labdon, is a musical journey diving deep into her personal love and connection to music both from the past and present. Sharing a piece of her “mosaic” with the audience will enchant all listeners by incorporating a blend of her own originals with classic songs of the late 1900’s, underground gems, and musical masterpieces. Being a senior in high school, she is beginning to blossom into her identity as a performing artist as she anticipates a career as an artist through college and beyond. The people and world around her have inspired every ounce of her creative energy, and she considers all aspects of her life to be pieces of her own beautiful mosaic she looks forwards to sharing with an audience.
Monomoy Middle School Cafeteria at  3:00 PM  (Button-free)
Monomoy Middle School Cafeteria at  4:00 PM  (Button-free)
 
Thomas & Christopher Marchio
 
Thomas & Christopher Marchio
A guitar and piano duo of local teens.
A guitar and piano duo of local teens.
Thomas Marchio, guitar, an eleventh grade student at Monomoy High School. He is a member of both the school band and jazz ensemble. He studies with James Skinger and Celtic guitar with Scott MacMillan. In the past he has performed with the Chatham Chorale, Chatham Music Club, and the Chatham Fiddle Orchestra.
Christopher Marchio, piano, is a ninth grade student at Monomoy High School. He is a member of both the school band and jazz ensemble. He studies with Anne Franciose Perrault and jazz piano with Bert Seager. In the past he has performed with the Chatham Chorale, Chatham Music Club, and the Chatham Fiddle Orchestra.
Monomoy Middle School Cafeteria at  1:00 PM  (Button-free)
 
Monomoy Seven
Jeff Hughes of The Monomoy Seven
 
Monomoy Seven
Dixieland jazz - swinging improvisations on familiar and not so familiar tunes, and requests from the audience.
Dixieland Jazz – a perennial favorite! With Jeff Hughes on cornet leading the band, you'll hear lots of swinging improvisations on familiar and maybe not so familiar tunes, with each musician featured on specialty numbers, and on requested tunes from the audience. Lots of tunes in the tradition of Bix, Bobby Hackett, Ellington, Basie, and Armstrong. This is always a fun and exciting performance, so come and sit awhile, and prepare to enjoy some hot jazz to warm the chilly night!
The Monomoy Seven has been a favorite for 21 years at First Night Chatham celebrations. The players are drawn from around New England, and include some of the area's hottest improvisers in the classic jazz tradition: John Clark (reeds), Mike Persico (trombone and vocals), Ross Petot (piano), Bob Barta (banjo and vocals), Al Bernard (tuba), Steve Taddeo (drums), and Jeff Hughes on cornet leading the band.
St. Christopher's Parish Hall at  7:00 to 10:00 PM  (Button-free)
 
Noise Parade
Photo: Ron Snider
 
Noise Parade
Make noise any way you want, wear silly hats, flash some lights. Walk to see the fireworks at Veterans Field!
Join the raucous fray! Make noise any way you want.

A police escort leads the parade and no one will be cited for too much noise. Great fun for kids and adults, who often wear silly hats. Start at the corner of Cross and Main at 6 pm, walk to rotary, then continue on to the Chatham Community Center to see the fireworks at Veterans Field!
Town Hall Corner (Main & Cross Streets) at  6:00 PM  (Button-free)
 
Chatham Railroad Museum, with Special Displays
 
Chatham Railroad Museum, with Special Displays
A special opening of The Chatham Railroad Museum for First Night Chatham features two special displays
A special opening of The Chatham Railroad Museum for First Night Chatham features two special displays : museum volunteers are operating an "O" gauge train; and a special train themed exhibit of all First Night Chatham buttons, from the earliest to the present, are on display.

The Chatham Railroad Museum is located in the restored 1887 railroad depot that served Chatham for nearly fifty years. Enjoy the museum's many exhibits! Travel back to 1915 when the railroad was a hub of activity portrayed by the diorama of the railroad yard. Imagine riding the 1910 wood sided red caboose, located behind the Museum, which is also open.
Chatham Railroad Museum at  1:00 to 4:00 PM  (Button-free)
 
Snowmen Scavenger Hunt
 
Snowmen Scavenger Hunt
Find the snowmen around town and win a little prize!
Search for the First Night Chatham snowmen up and down Main Street, on Dec 31st, and win a little prize! Especially for the young ones and the young at heart! Start by getting an entry sheet First Night Chatham Headquarters.

Frosty the Snowman is looking for his six snowmen friends who are scattered along Main St. Each snowman is holding stickers. When you find one, take a sticker and attach it to your snowmen scavenger hunt card. When you have collected all six stickers, return with your sheet to First Night Chatham Headquarters for your prize!
The Snowmen Scavenger Hunt Card will be available for download and print from here, as of Dec 26th.
Main Street at  1:00 to 5:00 PM  (Button-free)
 
The Schtick Band
 
The Schtick Band
Pop and rock band from Chatham, composed of 4 high school students.
This is the Schtick!! We are a pop and rock band from right here in Chatham, MA, composed of 4 high school students. Jillian Stevenson (Guitar, Sophmore), Ben McGrath (Saxophone & Keys, Junior), Boden Mabile (Drums, Freshman), and Colin Lynch (Bass, Freshman). We are here to bring the Groove!
Monomoy Middle School Cafeteria at  5:00 PM  (Button-free)
 
Town Photo
Photo: Spencer Kennard
 
Town Photo
Come with family & friends. Buy the photo or see it online. A whole-town event!
Important! Please use front gate only !
Show up with your family and friends and pets to pose for the Town Photo. Start First Night Chatham with a wave at the camera and a smile on your face. The photo will be available at the Chatham CVS store for purchase. A panorama deep-zoom photo will also be posted on the First Night Chatham website. Have fun zooming in to see if you blinked, check out who was there, and just enjoy actually seeing your lovely smile up close.
Chatham Lighthouse Grounds at  Noon  (Button-free)
 
Mr. Vinny the Bubble Guy
 
Mr. Vinny the Bubble Guy
Kids and adults love Mr. Vinny 's huge bubble and bubble chasing games.
Using giant homemade bubble wands, a sound system full of music, and a lot of funny family entertainment experience, Mr. Vinny get kids and adults involved in bubble chasing games. The program is all about big beautiful bubbles, running-around, and . . . having FUN! Truly best for all ages.
Community Center Outdoors at  3:00 PM  (Button-free)
 
Kai Waynen
 
Kai Waynen
Join Kai for a concert of classical music from baroque to the modern era.
Join Kai for a concert of classical music from baroque to the modern era. Kai is currently a student of Peter Zazofsky at the New England Conservatory Prep in Boston, where he continues to enjoy being a part of Chamber music and orchestral programs. His full bio can be seen in the "Artist Bio" button.
Monomoy Middle School Cafeteria at  2:00 PM  (Button-free)