City officials are gearing up for their 36th annual First Night celebration, reminding revelers to play it safe and take advantage of the free T service instead of driving into town for the party.“I strongly encourage everyone to take advantage of all the city has to offer,” Mayor Thomas M. Menino said of the 32 event locations throughout downtown and city neighborhoods, which are expected to draw a million celebrants. Officials are pushing the public to use mass transit.“When you bring a million people into the city, there will be numerous parking restrictions, and there will be road closures, especially around the grand procession,” said city Transportation Commissioner Thomas Timlin. “You will need to pay attention to the parking restrictions and really avoid ringing in the new year and counting it down in the city of Boston tow lot.” MBTA service will be free to patrons starting at 8 p.m.“We will also be offering later service out of both North Station and South Station on the commuter rail — up to 2 a.m. out of North Station and a little earlier out of South Station,” said MBTA General Manager Jonathan Davis.“We encourage people to take public transportation. It will get them there conveniently, safely and reliably,” he said.Specific train and bus schedules are available at mbta.com.