New this year, First Night Alexandria will celebrate New Year’s Eve with “A Night of Nostalgia," a drive-in and virtual concert experience.
Residents and visitors can load up their cars and celebrate the arrival of 2021 on Dec. 31 at 5001 Eisenhower Ave. in the West End of Alexandria with a drive-in concert experience of pre-recorded music and comedy projected on the big screen.
Sing along, dance and enjoy a night filled with classic hits, local food truck favorites and exciting giveaways.
Or let First Night Alexandria be the soundtrack for your at-home celebration, featuring the same great music as the live event, streamed to you virtually.
Here's a look at the entertainment lineup:
- Earth Wind & Fire Tribute Band – Covering the hits of this iconic group and more
- Rock-A-Sonics – Vintage Rock & Roll and Rockabilly favorites
- JukeBoxx – High energy dance band covering top 40s favorites
- JWX: The Jarreau Williams experience – A breakout hometown favorite brings the hits of rock, pop and R&B
- Clean AF Comedy – Comedy troupe that is clean and funny for the entire family to relate to
Two shows are planned, one for 6:30 p.m. and the second at 9:30 p.m. Each show will culminate with an exciting on-screen fireworks display set to music. Unfortunately, there will not be a live fireworks display over the Potomac River in an effort to ensure public safety and prevent excessive crowds. Attendees will tune into an FM radio station to hear the concert.
Gates will open an hour before the event, which will go on rain or shine.
Here are a few things to keep in mind if you decide to go:
- Pets are welcome, but must remain in your vehicle unless it needs a bathroom break. Organizers ask that you put your pet on a leash and clean up after it.
- Tickets will not be sold at the gate.
- Dress warmly! Be aware of the law to reduce vehicle emissions. With a few exceptions, motor vehicles powered by gasoline or diesel are not allowed to idle for more than three minutes while the vehicle is parked, stopped or standing. Please be mindful during the show and do not idle your engine.
- No more than five people per sedan and no more than seven people per SUV with third-row seating will be allowed.
- No alcohol is allowed in cars or on the premises.
- Fireworks of any kind, as well as laser pointers and drones are not allowed.
- Food and beverages will be sold by local area food trucks. Attendees may purchase food and beverages online through Goodfynd in advance or onsite. You will be notified by text message when your order is ready for pick up. While organizers encourage you to support local food trucks, you may also bring your own snacks. (But cooking your own food on the premises is not allowed.)
- The venue is smoke-free.
- Portable toilets will be available onsite with strict guidelines to ensure safety and cleanliness for all attendees. Restrooms will be fully sanitized and disinfectant products will be available, along with multiple hand sanitizing stations.
- When outside of your vehicle within your parking space, organizers require the use of face masks. During travel to and from the restrooms and food trucks, guests are required to wear face masks and maintain a social distance of no less than six feet in every direction while in line. Restroom facilities will maintain social distance protocols.
- A VIP ticket will get you early access to a premium parking space, additional surprise goodies in a swag bag and an encore performance with a link to the virtual on-demand showing.
- Admission is $60 per car (general) or $75 per car for the VIP experience; price per virtual link is $20.
For more information, call 703-963-3755 or visit FirstNightAlexandria.org
