2021 is Rockport New Year’s Eve’s 25th anniversary, and we were hoping to hold a big blowout celebration. But because of the ongoing struggles with COVID-19, this year’s event will instead be a somewhat scaled-back affair. There will be 14 venues instead of the usual 18 or so. Attendance will be restricted to prevent crowding. But fret not: there will still be plenty of great entertainment and fun things to do!
COVID precautions
RNYE has worked with the Rockport Board of Health to develop these precautions.
All attendees over the age of 2 will be required to wear face coverings while they are inside venues. The Shalin Liu Performance Center will also require proof that attendees are vaccinated or have had a negative test on December 29 or later. Click here to see more about Rockport Music’s COVID policy.
RNYE performers are not required to mask while performing, but they must be vaccinated or have had a negative test on December 29 or later.
People who are ill or who have been recently exposed to COVID should not attend. Refunds will be offered to anyone who does not attend because of illness or COVID exposure.
People will be counted as they enter and leave venues, and audiences will be limited to about 80% of each venue’s usual capacity. RNYE will distribute only 2,000 buttons this year. This includes both buttons that are sold and those that are given to volunteers and performers.
Free Events
Attendees must have buttons to enter performance venues. But some activities will not require a button.
The Rockport Central Railroad will run again! Roaming Railroad will operate a loop from the library down Broadway to Mt. Pleasant Street and back up Stone Barn Lane to School Street and the library.
The Serendipity Stilt Dancers will perform as attendees move between venues after the 6:00, 7:00, and 8:00 time slots.
Spiran Hall downstairs will be open for attendees to warm up and enjoy hot food and drink. Psychic readers will be present.
More free events may be added.
Food
Two food trucks will be parked on School Street outside Spiran Hall. Food can be taken into Spiran Hall to where there will be tables and chairs.
Parking and transportation
Parking will be free on the downtown streets. Two CATA trolleys will run lops past all of the venues, and the parking areas.