ESCONDIDO -- Magic, music and movies will help ring in 2009 in Escondido as the city celebrates its 14th annual First Night.

The annual alcohol-free event will be held on 12 stages throughout Grape Day Park and the California Center for the Arts, Escondido, rain or shine, beginning at 6 p.m. Dec. 31.

This year's event will feature fireworks at midnight and, for the first time in two years, at 9 p.m.

The children's play zone also has been expanded this year to cut down on the waiting time at some activities, said First Night Executive Director Debi Stanley.

"People are amazed when we tell them that the entertainment, crafts, and kids zone are all included in the price of admission," Stanley said of the event, which costs $15 in advance or $20 at the door. "You can truly come to First Night and enjoy everything for a very affordable price."

Revelers will have their choice of music while counting down to midnight, and plenty of other activities will keep adults and children busy during the evening.

At the Main Stage outside, the Murrieta teenage band of 15 North opens the show at 6:45 p.m., followed by the country band the Doo-Wah Riders from 8 p.m. to 12:15 a.m.

At the World Beat Latino Stage under the City Hall dome, Luna Llena will perform three sets between 6:30 and 11:45 p.m., and Grupo Imagen Azteca will perform hourlong sets at 7:30 p.m. and 9:45 p.m.

Inside the Arts Center's Conference Center, the rock band Slowburn will play three sets between 7 and 11:45 p.m., offering a mix of music from the 1960s, Southern rock and contemporary hits. The band is known for audience participation and encouraging youngsters to come on stage to sing and play percussion instruments with them.

Also in the Conference Center, The Backwater Blues Band will play two 45-minute sets at 8 and 10 p.m. The local band is known for having special guests sit in to jam.

Onstage at the Arts Center's Concert Hall from 7 to 8:45 p.m., the Emmanuel Faith Choir will perform spiritual music and will be followed by Bluegrass Etc. from 9:30 p.m. to 11:45 p.m. The band tours 18 countries annually and performs traditional bluegrass music on mandolin, guitar, banjo, fiddle and bass.

Three bands will play the Center Theater in the Arts Center. Bill Watson and the International Silver String Submarine Band performs country rock from 8 to 10 p.m., the City Limits Band plays from 7 to 8:45 p.m. and the seven-piece Paradise L.S.R. performs Afro-Cuban rhythms with rock, jazz, funk and R&B from 10:30 to 11:45 p.m.

On the Food Court stage, guitarist Steve White plays at 6 p.m., the Kahuna Cowboys perform at 8 p.m. and the Moondawgs perform surf music and oldies from 10 p.m. to 11:45 p.m.

In the Arts Center's Rehearsal Room, the story-telling duo Patchwork Players will perform two shows at 6:45 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. Kathy Felker Puppet Productions performs in the room at 7:45 p.m. and again at 9:30 p.m.

At the Children's Circus Stage behind the Arts Center, the Lindley Lopez Circus will perform from 7:15 p.m. to 10:45 p.m.

At the Teens Stage near the train depot at Grape Day Park, Soundescape will perform from 8:35 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., followed by 15 North from 10:50 to 11:35 p.m.

At the Children's Storytelling Stage inside the Arts Center, magician Dick Dale performs at 6:45 p.m. and 8:20 p.m., and ventriloquist Joe Gandelman performs at 7:35 p.m. and 9:10 p.m.

A student film festival organized by Palomar College also will be held at the Arts Center.

Stanley said volunteers are needed for First Night, especially for the film festival. To volunteer for a two-hour shift, call (760) 715-4448.

Contact staff writer Gary Warth at (760) 740-5410 or gwarth@nctimes.com.