Jingle Ball Dads

Ciaran McGuinness attended the concert Thursday night with his daughter, Molly. It was Molly’s first-ever concert. “The last concert I saw here was U2,’’ McGuinness said. “So this is a little different.’’

Tom Gram attended Jingle Ball with his wife and 13-year-old daughter, Nicole. He said he’s not especially familiar with the artists that played last night. “Ah, no–Devito. Devito. The girl. Demi Lovato. I know that one,’’ he said. The last time Gram was at the Garden was for a Bruins game, but he was excited to be at the concert. “I get to hang out with two really cool girls,’’ he said.

Ross Eberhart was there with his son, who is 15, and his daughter and step-daughter, both of whom are 13. Eberhart had tried to learn about some of the artists prior to Thursday night’s show. “One is called Weeknd, they are excited about Weeknd,’’ he said. “About the face song.’’

Anthony, far right, went to Jingle Ball with his 10-year-old daughter, Natalie, middle right, Mike Mazzei, left, and Mazzei’s 11-year-old daughter, Grace, middle left. Anthony had seen Calvin Harris before and was excited to see 5 Seconds of Summer and The Weeknd. Mike went to Jingle Ball last year, as well.

Nick Cincotti went to the Garden Thursday night with his daughters, both of whom are first-year high school students. “I love Nick Jonas, ‘Jealous.’ That’s probably my favorite song out of everything going on tonight,’’ Cincotti said. If he hadn’t been at Jingle Ball, he would have been at home in Billerica, “making somebody dinner and breaking up girl fights.’’

Jackie Stevens, of Little Rock, Arkansas, attended the concert with his 19-year-old daughter, Cassidy. The Stevenses stopped in town for Kiss 108’s Jingle Ball before heading to New York on vacation. Stevens is a fan of Demi Lovato, 5SOS, and Nick Jonas. “I’ve seen Nick Jonas before,’’ he said. And not as a part of the Jonas Brothers, either: “Straight Jonas. Straight Nick. It was at a football game.’’

Jim Callinan was there with his daughter, Mary Kate. What would Callinan have been doing Thursday night if he hadn’t been at Jingle Ball? “I’d be in bed shortly,’’ he said. “I’m supposed to be working very early.’’

Joe D’Amelio of East Boston is actually a Jingle Ball uncle. He attended the concert with his niece, Alexia, as a Christmas present. On a typical Thursday night, D’Amelio works in his restaurant in Revere, D’Amelio’s. “[I] took the night off to be with my niece,’’ he said.

Joe Dowick was at Kiss 108’s Jingle Ball with his son, Parker, and Parker’s friend Evan, both 16. They drove all the way from Mashpee to see the artists, who Dowick was able to easily name. But he doesn’t have any favorite songs. “I’m not that good,’’ he laughed.

Steven Kwong attended the concert with his daughters, Alyson and Kaytlin. The three of them have been to four concerts together so far, having already seen Thursday night’s opening act, 5 Seconds of Summer (who Steven correctly referred to by their nickname, 5SOS).

Dana Linn, from Danvers, took his 11-year-old son, Dylan, and Dylan’s friend Julianna to the Jingle Ball. Linn is a fan of Demi Lovato’s “Cool for the Summer.’’ “If we weren’t here, we’d be at hockey,’’ he said. “[Dylan] has actually skated here [before] the Bruins game.’’

Steven Brooks took his daughter, Isabella, who turns 12 this week, to the Jingle Ball as a birthday present.

Steve Zukowski, of Newbury, was there with his daughter, Paige, and her friends Audrey, Kelly, and Sarah, all 15. If he hadn’t been at Jingle Ball on Thursday night, Steve said he would have been watching football.

Steve Brook was at the Garden with his daughter, Lily, who just turned 11. If he hadn’t been at Jingle Ball on Thursday night, Brook would have been “at the gym, or at dinner, or working,’’ he said.