Greenwich + Docklands First Night® takes it name from an event that started in Boston Massachusetts in 1976. Such was the success of this community celebration of New Year through the arts, that since then over 200 First Night cities have been established across the USA and Canada. Greenwich + Docklands First Night® is, however, the only First Night® in Europe.

Whilst different forms of New Year's Eve traditions have spread around the globe, First Night® redefines New Year's Eve, and the days leading up to it, as a celebration targeted at a wider audience, appealing to families as well as the party crowd. It is an alcohol free, public festival that marks the passage from the old year to the new with art and festivity. At a traditional time of renewal and new beginnings, First Night® is an opportunity for people to celebrate in a spirit of hope and optimism and the name 'First Night' symbolises this look forward, rather than the technically correct words, 'Last Night'.

Greenwich + Docklands First Night® has been organised by Greenwich + Docklands Festivals in 1998, 2000, 2001 and on a much smaller scale in 2002. The first celebration in 1998, building up to the midnight moment and fireworks, took place in the grounds of the Old Royal Naval College, Greenwich, attended by 6,000 people. The 2000 event was enjoyed by 42,500 people and featured at its heart the Meridian Clock, a giant celebratory sculpture created through workshops in schools across London. In 2001 this atmospheric winter warming festival included artworks created through participatory processes alongside festive gatherings centred in four East London sites, whilst in 2002 pupils at Newham schools helped create a piece of public art for Stratford Station. Greenwich + Docklands First Night® has always been well received by the local and national media and was extensively covered by BBC TV in 2000.

GDF is currently planning for First Night 2004, to take place in the final week of December 2003, it will be an occasion to celebrate the diversity of East London and its residents - with London moving East, Greenwich + Docklands First Night® is certainly the place to be to celebrate new beginnings.