Revelers who turned out for early First Night celebrations in Boston say they are excited to see what’s to come in 2025 — their optimism matching the day’s bright skies and warmth.

“I hope we can help more of the homeless people and help a lot more people who need help,” a young boy named Jackson told the Herald at a festive City Hall Plaza.

“I know there’s a lot of people, like the homeless shelters,“ added Jackson, upbeat and reflective, “maybe they need food, maybe we can donate more food.”

Jackson’s family, from the North Shore, joined friends for the day’s adventure in Boston, checking out the sights and sounds of First Night before heading over to the TD Garden to catch the Celtics in their last game of the calendar year.

Marc Gigliotti said he’s looking forward to the Celtics potentially advancing to another NBA Finals and winning Banner 19 after the 2024 Banner Year.

The Gigliotti’s are also hoping for “More positivity across the country and world. There are signs of good things to come.”

From City Hall Plaza to Copley Square, joy and happiness were in abundance Tuesday, early and often: Old-timers creating animals out of balloons, families grabbing snacks at food trucks and taking pictures together at ice sculptures, and parents and their children taking in the Frog Pond Skating Spectacular Show at the Boston Common.

Charlestown resident Tom Quinn walked over from his home with his son Dan and daughter Nora to have lunch in the North End before heading over to City Hall Plaza to check out the ice sculptures.

He said his family is looking forward to “peace and health” in the new year.

Over by an ice sculpture outside Quincy Market, fellow Charlestown resident Brittany Coates took pictures with her husband and two daughters, ages two and four.

If they’re not away for the holiday, they often come to First Night

“It’s fun,” Coates said. ”It’s beautiful weather, sometimes it’s too cold.”

The family will be growing in 2025, she said, as her first son is due to be born in March.

“We’re very excited going into 2025,” she said.

Thomas Blackmon sports a a Happy New Year hat and big smile during First Night festivities at City Hall (Nancy Lane/Boston Herald)
Grace Nolasco, 8, gets her face painted during First Night festivities. (Nancy Lane/Boston Herald)
Hannah Randall, 5, and her brother Julian, 3, check out an ice sculpture in the Seaport on New Year’s Eve. (Nancy Lane/Boston Herald)