First Night Pittsburgh hasn't always gone off without a hitch.

In the inaugural version, back in 1994, it rained, and the fog was so thick people couldn't even see the Bayer clock from the Point during the midnight countdown.

"So we made [the countdown] up," says First Night founder Jamee Todd, who got the idea from former Mayor Tom Murphy after he learned of Boston's New Year's Eve bash.

Over the years, the weather has continued to be a wild card. But the Downtown landscape has changed for the better, with more venues to embrace the events.

"New Year's Eve is a night that sometimes doesn't line up to people's expectations, and First Night does," Todd says. "It just gets bigger and better every year."

The 15th annual First Night commences tonight with more than 100 activities saluting the city's diverse arts community at nearly 50 Cultural District hot spots -- including four new locations.

"It's fun for the whole family," First Night director Kathryn Heidemann says. The alcohol-free event is anticipated to bring about 25,000 people Downtown.

First Night has "really become Pittsburgh's event," she says.

Aside causing the relocation of one stage, Downtown construction has not scaled back this year's celebration, Heidemann says. Participants can expect "a lot of new programs and old favorites."

New venues include the August Wilson Center for African American Culture, ToonSeum and the Cultural Trust's new Arts Education Center, all on Liberty Avenue; and Pittsburgh CAPA School's new cabaret theater on Ninth Street.

"We're very excited to participate in the first of many First Nights," says Shay Wafer, the August Wilson Center's vice president of programs. The center will host performances by the Balafon African Drum and Dance Ensemble and a percussion petting zoo where visitors can try out instruments. The center's "Pittsburgh: Reclaim, Renew, Remix" exhibit also will be open.

Some returning traditions are the midnight countdown, the raising of "The Future of Pittsburgh" ball at Penn Avenue Place and fireworks to cap off the festivities.

The merriment kicks off at 6 p.m. on Seventh Street and Penn Avenue with a family tent, a children's fireworks display and performances by Wizdom Band and Maddie Georgi on the Dollar Bank Stage.

Other highlights include swing dance lessons, a parade, a magic show, face painting and poetry readings. Johnny Angel and the Halos, Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, Pittsburgh Gospel Choir, Balmoral Highlanders Bagpipe Band and Average White Band are a handful of groups slated to perform. Ninety percent of the events will take place indoors.

All official First Night events will be designated by a Cultural District stop sidewalk sign. Visitors can access a free self-guided tour of the Cultural District on their cell phones by visiting m.pgharts.org or picking up a cell phone audio tour map at kiosks around Katz Plaza at Seventh Street and Penn Avenue. Text FIRSTNIGHT to SMASH (76274) for special offers and First Night updates.

All-access buttons are available at participating Giant Eagle locations and the Theater Square box office for $8. Buttons also can be purchased by calling 412-456-6666. Admission is free for children 5 and under.

Due to limited seating at some theaters, button-holders also must have vouchers to attend certain performances. Vouchers are free at the Theater Square box office with presentation of a First Night button. Visit www.firstnightpgh.org for a list of events that require vouchers.

Go to the Web site also to find a complete event schedule and a list of traffic detours.

Doug Oster writes a blog, "Growing With Doug," exclusively at PG+, a members-only web site of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Our introduction to PG+ gives you all the details.