Button-Free for First Night Chatham 2026-27 (12/31/2026)
Preliminary Schedule subject to change
Bubble Wrap Stomp
Photo: John Markus
Bubble Wrap Stomp
Noisier Than the Noise Parade
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.
From 1PM until there's no more bubble wrap to stomp.
Community Center Aerobics Room at 1:00 to 3:00 PM (Button-free)
Max Calderbank & Avila Rudd
Max Calderbank & Avila Rudd
American Songbook
Max Calderbank and Avila Rudd bring to life the iconic music of the American Songbook, made famous by singers such as Frank Sinatra and Billie Holiday.
Max Calderbank and Avila Rudd bring to life the iconic music of the American Songbook, made famous by singers such as Frank Sinatra and Billie Holiday. Famous songs such as Something Stupid and Blue Skies will be heard as never before. Along with excellent vocals, you can expect to learn tidbits of history about classic American Music, Jazz, and famous vocalists along your listening journey. They will be excited to see you in the audience!
Monomoy Middle School Cafeteria at 3:00 PM (Button-free)
Cape Cod & Chatham Trivia
Cape Cod & Chatham Trivia
With Bill & Tilda Bystrom and Peter Gaines
Trivia featuring knowledge about Cape Cod, Chatham, the holiday season, and some 'Name That Tune' extras.
Hosted by Bill and Tilda Bystrom with musical assistance from Peter Gaines, this event will give Cape Codders and Cape & Chatham want-to-be's an opportunity to show off their knowledge of Cape Cod and Chatham, with the focus on the local community and Cape Cod in general.. It will also include trivia about the holiday season, and feature Peter Gaines doing “name that tune “on the piano.
This trivia event will consist of two 1/2 hour trivia sessions,with different questions for each session. People may participate in both sessions or only one depending on upon their preference. Prizes will be given out randomly so everyone has a chance to win. This is a family-friendly event, popular at Chatham Bars Inn, South Chatham Library, and Stage Harbor Yacht Club, as well as First Night Chatham; newly featuring surprise Chatham all star holiday fun helpers. Join the fun!
This trivia event will consist of two 1/2 hour trivia sessions,with different questions for each session. People may participate in both sessions or only one depending on upon their preference. Prizes will be given out randomly so everyone has a chance to win. This is a family-friendly event, popular at Chatham Bars Inn, South Chatham Library, and Stage Harbor Yacht Club, as well as First Night Chatham; newly featuring surprise Chatham all star holiday fun helpers. Join the fun!
Community Center 2nd Floor at 7:00 PM (Button-free)
Carnival Caper
Photo: Ron Snider
Carnival Caper
Costumed Road Race
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; registration fee charged. 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 T-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)
Catfish
Catfish
Teen Band
Catfish are the Cape's freshest take on the teen hard rock band. Playing various rock and grunge tunes with a heavy emphasis on getting a crowd going.
Catfish are the Cape's freshest take on the teen hard rock band. Playing various rock and grunge tunes with a heavy emphasis on getting a crowd going. Catfish also has a selection of original music, including: “Mattress in the River”, and “The Deficit”.
Catfish band members are: Ellie Wester, vocals; Caidon Vasquez, guitar; Liam Barker, bass; and Brady Smith, drums.
Catfish band members are: Ellie Wester, vocals; Caidon Vasquez, guitar; Liam Barker, bass; and Brady Smith, drums.
Monomoy Middle School Cafeteria at 5:00 PM (Button-free)
Chatham Railroad Museum
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.
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)
Curly & Rich
Curly & Rich
Blues, Folk, Bluegrass & More,
Curly and Rich draw broadly from the range of acoustic music: blues, folk, bluegrass, some nuggets from the 1970's and 80's, a few recent popular songs, and one or two original compositions.
Curly and Rich draw broadly from the range of acoustic music: blues, folk, bluegrass, some nuggets from the 1970's and 80's, a few recent popular songs, and one or two original compositions. Our set list includes songs originally performed Bob Dylan, Reverend Gary Davis, the Grateful Dead, Bill Monroe, Leo Kottke, Led Zeppelin (an instrumental version of “Goin' to California”), Graham Nash, and many others. Curly plays mandolin, tenor guitar and harmonica, and he sings. Rich plays guitar and sings. Join us for an enlivening musical experience!
Elementary School Cafeteria at 5:00 PM (Button-free)
Fireworks
Photo: Stanlee Wetzel
Fireworks
Spectacular Displays!
Spectacular fireworks after the Noise Parade will be presented for the whole family. New location this year: Oyster Pond.
Spectacular fireworks after the Noise Parade will be presented for the whole family. New location this year: Oyster Pond.
Oyster Pond at 6:30 PM (Button-free)
Larry & Vic
Larry & Vic
Vocals & Guitars
With their unique blend of vocal harmonies and guitar work, Larry & Vic cover hit songs by popular light rock and new country artists.
Larry Goodrich and Vic Roberts look forward to entertaining you during their fifth appearance at First Night Chatham. Covering hit songs by popular light rock and new country artists, Larry & Vic have delighted audiences around the Cape with their unique blend of vocal harmonies and guitar work. Stop by the elementary school cafeteria and get ready to tap your toes. As an added bonus, you can also satisfy your hunger or quench your thirst while you enjoy the music!
Elementary School Cafeteria at 3:00 PM (Button-free)
Elementary School Cafeteria at 4:00 PM (Button-free)
Elementary School Cafeteria at 4:00 PM (Button-free)
Noise Parade
Photo: Ron Snider
Noise Parade
Kids of all ages making lots of noise!
Make noise any way you want, wear silly hats, flash some lights. Walk to see the fireworks at Oyster Pond.
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 Oyster Pond to see the fireworks!
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 Oyster Pond to see the fireworks!
Town Hall Corner (Main & Cross Streets) at 6:00 PM (Button-free)
Old Exit 11
Old Exit 11
A Foot-Tapping Good Time!
Performing great, lively American Music, Old Exit 11 brings the rich traditions of American music to life, blending folk, blues, rock and roll, and country into a foot-tapping good time.
Performing great, lively American Music, Old Exit 11 brings the rich traditions of American music to life, blending folk, blues, rock and roll, and country into a foot-tapping good time. Old Exit 11 is a Chatham based trio with Douglas Fields, Larry Palmerton, Marvin Dolinger and Nico.
Elementary School Cafeteria at 1:00 PM (Button-free)
Elementary School Cafeteria at 2:00 PM (Button-free)
Elementary School Cafeteria at 2:00 PM (Button-free)
Organic Chemistry
Organic Chemistry
Teen Band
Organic Chemistry creates a jammy sound based in funk, rock, and a sprinkle of jazz! Featuring Zoe Simmons on groovy guitar, Mason Ellsasser on beautiful bass and Brady Smith on dynamic drums.
Meet Organic Chemistry! They create a jammy sound based in funk, rock, and a sprinkle of jazz! Featuring Zoe Simmons on groovy guitar, Mason Ellsasser on beautiful bass and Brady Smith on dynamic drums. This trio of seniors from Nauset High School has been playing together on Cape Cod for four years!
Monomoy Middle School Cafeteria at 4:00 PM (Button-free)
Snowmen Scavenger Hunt
Snowmen Scavenger Hunt
Hiding in Plain Sight on Main St
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 at 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.
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)
Town Photo
Photo: Spencer Kennard
Town Photo
Where It All Starts
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)