First Night in Fullerton

First Night in Fullerton is a great option for families and those who are seeking a more lowkey/​less crowded option on NYE. There are multiple stages with live bands and a number of food stands. I didn’t see too many games like they advertised on their website though.
The event is alcohol-​free, but it’s in downtown Fullerton and the blocked area contains a number of dtf’s bars. I would probably take the kids home early though because the drunkards start to come out the later it gets.
There’s also ample free parking in the structures, and you can find a map on their website!

Amazing firework show! Can’t comment about the parking because my boyfriend and I took UBER. Ah! One more thing, the bars are awesome! Great ambiance!

I have not been in many years, but wow has it changed! It is a very nice atmosphere for families or if you just want something a little less crazy to do on New Years Eve. It is free to get in, they advertise alcohol free environment, and while no alcohol is sold on the street it is after all downtown Fullerton, so step in anywhere! they had a live band, food carts, food booths, an area of games for kids of all ages.
W had no problem with parking, and it’s free. You will find that it is safe, and relaxing I may go again next year.

The greatest things about this event:
1. Plenty of free parking. I went a bit early and there were only a handful of cars.
2. Pedestrian heaven. They closed off the streets to make it completely walk-​friendly. It was great to see folks walking in and out of places. It didn’t feel like car-​dependent LA, but more like party scene in Tokyo during a festival.
3. Bar hopping. The area is known for having plentiful bars so it was great jumping from one bar to another. The experience is especially enhanced since the streets are closed off, making the hopping part of «bar hopping» particularly enticing. There were plenty of people just walking around and walking in and out of places.
4. Family event. Despite the plentiful bars, there were plenty of rides, games, face-​painting, music stages, performances for the whole family. There was even a karaōke stage and taiko performances.
5. Fireworks. Pretty impressive display of fireworks, especially since everyone was standing so close to the launching point. I have never been so close.
6. Late openings of venues. The Fullerton Museum Center was also open late and for free.
7. No admission costs.
Down sides:
1. Lighting was plentiful but if you’re walking towards one, you’ll be blinded temporarily for about 5 minutes.
2. Bathrooms. Porta potties were… well, your usual porta potties. The Fullerton Museum Center closed their bathrooms 30 minutes prior to the fireworks stating that it was a fire hazard to leave it open and available during the show. This is something I didn’t understand as the free-​standing porta potties about 10 meters away were open for business. Later, during the show, one girl actually got hit by a firework casing that didn’t go off properly. She was escorted out by a fireman and reports state that smoke was rising out from her. She would have been safer had they let her go into the bathroom and stay there.
I thought about giving the event 4 start, but reduced it to 3 because the reason I had so much fun was because of the bars, which are open regardless of the NYE celebration or not.

We arrived here at around 9:30 PM and there was a lot of competition in the parking structures but we got lucky.
Major roads are closed off so that people can walk freely and safely to enjoy the food vendors, various arts and crafts, live music, and the ice skating rink.
It’s fairly small but overall enjoyable experience if you partake in funnel cake + choc covered strawberries while waiting for the main event which is the fireworks at midnight.
At 11:30 PM, we started gathering in the main plaza to wait for the fireworks as they were going to be shot off the highest level of a parking structure (which isn’t very high)
The energy level was high and fun as we all waited for the fireworks and when the lamp lights went out to darken the area more, the crowd went wild. When the fireworks signaled the midnight mark, modest sized flowers shot up in the air but there was a lot! The fireworks show lasted 10 mins, waaay longer than I expected and it was cool to feel the «boom» so close.
Leaving the area wasn’t too crazy either, as people were still partying around in the bars to leave at that time :)
Happy New Year, First Night!

We went early at 5:30 just to stretch our legs and check out the setup, but didn’t stay for all the festivities. So this is not a complete review for this evening’s event. (I just wanted to get the pix up.)
We have attended this event to conclusion before, however, and it is definitely a family/​community event. Lots of bounce houses for the kids, carnival games, food and vendor booths, and more. It takes place on Harbor Blvd, Fullerton’s main drag, between Chapman and Commonwealth.
They also have multiple stages for bands, and fireworks when the weather is right. Many of the local stores stay open late to take advantage of the crowds.
It’s better than most cities put on, but it’s definitely a small community event compared to Disneyland or the large party events put on by big presenters.
Fun!