Come one, come all

For the first time, those in the crowd who spring for the $18 buttons will have access to performances at Symphony Hall, as well as the newly reopened Paramount Center and Modern Theatre. That’s because this year organizers decided to scale back the number of evening performances while offering more marquee events, said Geri Guardino, executive director of First Night Inc.

“We’ve refocused our dollars’’ on “anchor performances,’’ as a way to generate more attention, attendance and button sales, Guardino said, “and really just bring First Night to a new level.’’

Boston’s First Night will still be an all-day, all-ages affair emphasizing local performers and low-cost entertainment. But there will be fewer competing events at night, to accentuate what Guardino called “world class’’ performances, at some glittering venues. That includes a show at Symphony Hall headlined by the Detroit soul singer Bettye LaVette, who performed at President Obama’s inaugural celebration.

This year’s First Night is the 35th installment of an event that began in Boston as a way to mark the end of the 1976 bicentennial and grew into a global phenomenon. The festival almost fell victim to weather and finances two years ago, after heavy snow discouraged button buyers at the same time that the Wall Street crash and recession were putting a crimp on donations to nonprofit arts organizations.

To avoid cutting First Night events, the organization temporarily laid off three employees in early 2009 and imposed pay cuts for those who remained. That helped trim annual expenses by more than 10 percent.

At the same time, they worked on generating additional revenue to help them become less dependent on button sales. They expanded the programming they produce under contract at other times of the year, such as the Elma Lewis Playhouse in the Park series for the Franklin Park Coalition.

“They’re all in keeping with our mission,’’ Guardino said of the outside projects, which generated about $84,000 this year.

First Night Inc. has also assumed the duties of the former First Night International, providing consulting advice to the 75 other First Night events that will be held across the United States tonight. That work has generated $40,000 so far, Guardino said.

Together with in-kind donations, charitable contributions, and corporate sponsorships, those projects have helped the group move beyond its money woes and focus on its signature New Year;s Eve event, which this year features about 1,000 artists and performers at 40 locations.

Around Boston yesterday, performers put the finishing touches on costumes and worked in one last rehearsal before the live events begin today at noon, on what is expected to be an unusually warm New Year’s Eve. The schedule includes free outdoor attractions, a Mardi Gras-style processional and fireworks, as well as the indoor events that require buttons for access. Organizers expect to sell about 40,000 buttons this year, double each of the last two years.

“It’s so exciting,’’ said state Senator Patricia D. Jehlen, a Democrat from Somerville, who will dress up and take part in the Grand Procession with dozens of performers as part of the entry from OPENAIR Circus, a Somerville arts nonprofit. “Like one of my granddaughters, the 5-year-old who can Hula-Hoop around her neck, says: ‘I love to be in the parade because the people say wow!’’’

The evening parade, which in good weather draws a packed crowd along Boylston Street and the edge of the Common, has become a crowd favorite.

But amid traditions like these, there will also be some firsts at this year’s First Night.

When comic Jim Lauletta takes the stage in the Terrace Room of the Park Plaza Hotel tonight, it will be the first time he has performed in Boston’s New Year’s festival.

Lauletta, who lives in Roslindale, has taken his self-deprecating material to national comedy festivals and cable television specials, but never First Night.

“The great thing about working there is I get to do regional humor, like Dunkin’ Donuts and Revere, things that won’t go over in Vegas,’’ he said.

Lauletta, who said he has been sober for more than a year now, said that apart from the laughs, he is looking forward to the festival’s alcohol-free environment. Well, that and the ice sculptures, he said. “Weird things like that excite me.’’

Don Chapelle, an ice sculptor who has participated in First Night for 25 years, said this is the one time of year that he gets to let loose “and do a dream piece.’’

This year, he transformed 42,600 pounds of ice into three killer whales. His sculpture and others like it will be unveiled at 4 p.m. in front of the Brewer Fountain on the Common.

After two years when snow and sleet drove away visitors, the concern this year is whether it will be too balmy for frozen sculptures. Forecasters predict a daytime high in the upper 40s, dropping to the mid-30s at night.

But that’s fine with First Night organizers. “We’re having great weather,’’ Guardino said. “I’m thrilled. I couldn’t be happier.’’

Akilah Johnson can be reached at ajohnson@glone.com. Eric Moskowitz can be reached at emoscowitz@globe.com.