Old First Night

Tuesday, August 06 @ 6:00 PM
This event is FREE but a ticket is required
Old First Night is Chautauqua’s birthday party, and all are invited!
In the early years of Chautauqua, the season’s first night was not in late June but early August. Therefore, Old First Night (OFN) is a celebration of the original first night of the season at Chautauqua. This event begins with music from Thursday Morning Brass at 6 p.m., followed by vespers and a traditional Chautauqua salute called the Drooping of the Lilies, which honors Chautauquans who are no longer with us. The program continues with music and audience participation events, and all generations are involved, including Children’s School and Boys’ and Girls’ Club. The program concludes with a rousing rendition of “Happy Birthday” accompanied by the Massey Memorial Organ.

After the program, all are invited to share in birthday cupcakes just outside the Amphitheater.

This event is FREE but a ticket is required

Ticket includes grounds access from Noon - Midnight, and includes all Old First Night Programming:
  • 3:30 Heritage Lecture Series: Timothy Binkley (Hall of Philosophy)
  • 6:00 OFN "Happy Birthday" Program
  • 7:30 pm Squonk: Brouhaha (Amphitheater)
  • 9:00 pm 150th Celebration & Drone Show (Hotel lawn)


Old First Night

Tuesday, August 06 @ 6:00 PM
In the early years of Chautauqua, the season’s first night was not in late June but early August. Therefore, Old First Night (OFN) is a celebration of the original first night of the season at Chautauqua. This event begins with music from Thursday Morning Brass at 6 p.m., followed by vespers and a traditional Chautauqua salute called the Drooping of the Lilies, which honors Chautauquans who are no longer with us. The program continues with music and audience participation events, and all generations are involved, including Children’s School and Boys’ and Girls’ Club. The program concludes with a rousing rendition of “Happy Birthday” accompanied by the Massey Memorial Organ.

After the program, all are invited to share in birthday cupcakes just outside the Amphitheater.

This event is FREE but a ticket is required

Ticket includes grounds access from Noon - Midnight, and includes all Old First Night Programming:
  • 3:30 Heritage Lecture Series: Timothy Binkley (Hall of Philosophy)
  • 6:00 OFN "Happy Birthday" Program
  • 7:30 pm Squonk: Brouhaha (Amphitheater)
  • 9:00 pm 150th Celebration & Drone Show (Hotel lawn)


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