NORTHAMPTON, Mass. (WWLP) - This year marks the 40th annual "First Night Northampton", consisting of 12 hours of non-stop music as people look forward to what's ahead in the new year. People here are counting down the hours until 2025 and looking forward to the iconic ball-dropping. Tuesday's party includes more than 100 live performances at 22 venues across the city, so stop by for great music if you have time, and you can gather right outside the Hotel Northampton to take part in all of the fun. New Year’s Eve 2024 nightlife events in western Mass. Free parking is being offered at Smith College, and street-parking is also free all day long. Remember if you are planning to have an adult beverage to designate a driver or take an Uber or Lyft. The fireworks will go off at 6:15 p.m. Local News Headlines Tips to stick with your New Year’s resolution State House Spotlight: The 193rd General Court in review End of year tips to maximize your 2024 tax return 122 bills on the Governor’s desk WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.