WRAL First Night Raleigh
The City’s Go-To Destination on New Year’s Eve
A Popular Tradition For Thousands Of NC Residents
Festivities begin with the early afternoon City Plaza outdoor musical performances and the Children’s Celebration at 2pm. Performances and activities will continue throughout the evening across multiple indoor venues throughout Downtown Raleigh. The night is capped off with music on the outdoor Main Stage, the famous Raleigh Acorn Drop, and a spectacular fireworks show.
Tickets On Sale Now!
Etix voucher redeemable on-site for an admission button at ticket sales tents
The New Year’s Eve festivities fill Fayetteville Street in Downtown Raleigh on December 31, offering entertainment for all ages.
Festivities begin with the early afternoon City Plaza outdoor musical performances and the Children’s Celebration at 2pm. The night is capped off with music on the outdoor Main Stage, the famous Raleigh Acorn Drop, and a spectacular fireworks show.
Ticket Price: Tickets are $13.00 when purchased before 12/25. After 12/25, prices increase to $16.00 per person. Admission is free for children under the age of 5.
Event Hours: 2 PM to 12 Midnight
Location: Fayetteville Street and other locations in downtown Raleigh
Proof of ticket required for First Night Raleigh entry. Proof of ticket can either be in the form of a printed ticket OR digital ticket purchase confirmation on smartphone. The aforementioned printed or digital tickets will then be exchanged at any of the onsite ticket booth locations for a First Night Raleigh festival button that will serve as proof of payment throughout the event.
Performances
Enjoy live music from a diverse group of artists at City Plaza’s stage and multiple indoor & outdoor venues throughout downtown.
Christian James
Triangle Youth Jazz
Debbie The ARtist
Del Ward
Paperhand Puppet Intervention
Magic Al
Gregg Gelb Quintet
Emily Musolino
Sam Fribush Organ Trio
NCSU Pipes & Drums
Fancy Gap
Jo Gore
Ali Alrabeah
African American Dance Ensemble
HElping Hand Mission Band
Byron Jennings
Elora Dash
Kayla King
CJ Monet
Larry & Joe
DJ Rickey Smith
Cuqui Gorman
Dante High
Halle wood
3AM Sound
Sammy Osmond & The No-Hellers
Dari Satterwhite
Indoor Venues & Activations
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Sponsored by WRAL
Main Stage hosted by Nick Neptune, Chelley Godwin & Janet Cowell
Christian James | 6:00
Media Sponsor - Que Pasa
Early Countdown & Fireworks | 7:00
Sponsored by Capital Investment Companies
Magic Al | 7:15
Fancy Gap | 8:00
Media Sponsor - Raleigh Magazine
Magic Al | 9:00
Elora Dash | 9:30
Media Sponsor - Carolina Woman
Magic Al | 10:30
Dante High | 11:00
Media Sponsor - WHUP FM
Countdown To Midnight & Fireworks
Sponsored by The Glenwood Agency
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Sponsored by RGA Investments
The Triangle Youth Jazz Ensemble | 7:00
The Gregg Quintet feat. Stephen Anderson, Matt Booth, Micheal Ode, Kathy Montgomery Gelb, Gregg Gelb | 8:00
The Triangle Youth Jazz Ensemble | 9:00
Community Jam Session | 10:00
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Sponsored by Morehead Title Company
Kayla King | 7:00
Halle Wood | 8:30
Jo Gore | 10:00
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Sponsored by North State Bank
CJ Monet | 7:10
Ali Alrabeah | 8:05
Emily Musolino | 9:00
Debbie the artist | 9:55
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Sponsored by York Properties
Del Ward | 7:00
Sam Fribush Organ Trio | 8:05
3AM Sound | 9:20
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Sponsored by Capital Associates
Silent Disco | 8:00 - 11:00
Media Sponsor - Coastal Tourism & Marketing
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Sponsored by Guild Mortgage
African American Dance Ensemble
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Sponsored by First Citizens Bank
Comedy Worx Improv | 7:00, 8:00, 9:00
Stand Up Comics | 10:00
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Sponsored by Tharrington Smith
Sammy Osmond & The No-Hellers | 7:00, 9:00
Larry and Joe | 8:00, 10:00
Follow First Night Raleigh On Socials To Keep Up With Our Event!
Event Information
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Food & Novelty Vendors
Funnel Cakes by Pam
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Apply to volunteer at the button below!
We need over 150 dedicated volunteers to help make WRAL First Night Raleigh possible every year! Read the volunteer job descriptions listed below. We need assistance all day and all night on New Year’s Eve to make First Night happen.
We would love your help in ringing in the new year! To inquire about volunteer opportunities, please reach out by filling out the form below.
Volunteer Opportunities
Kids Activity Supervisors
Students 15+ are asked to help participants create crafts or play games. Children’s parents will be present during the event. Volunteers are asked to serve 2.5 hour shifts and can choose to work more than one shift. This volunteer activity qualifies for highschool service hours and can be signed off on at the event.
Venue Hosts
Volunteers 18+ OR 15+ WITH a parent or guardian are asked to host various venues for performing artists on New Year’s Eve. Venue hosts will check placement of signage, announce the talent (script provided), offer water to the performers, usher guests to their seats and clean up between shows.
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Q: Is First Night a rain or shine event?
Yes, we are on regardless of Mother Nature’s plans! So make sure to dress appropriately so that you can comfortably explore all that WRAL First Night Raleigh has to offer.
Q: Will there be food or drinks for sale at First Night?
Yes! There will be 10+ food/beverage vendors ranging from gyros and hot dogs to hot cocoa and beer/prosecco. Food vendors have separate costs, and food/drinks are not included in the ticket price. See the Exhibit section for a full list of vendors.
Q: What activities are included with the purchase of a ticket?
Outdoor rides and activities including:
Ferris Wheel
Main stage live music at City Plaza
Fireworks and Acorn Drop at Midnight
Access to large scale outdoor art installations
Indoor live music at any of our indoor venues
Children’s Celebration (including early Countdown at 7:00pm)
Q: What are some hotel recommendations near the event in Downtown Raleigh?
The Sheraton Raleigh: 421 S Salisbury St, Raleigh, NC 27601 (919) 834-9900
Origin Hotel: 603 W Morgan St, Raleigh, NC 27603 (984) 275-2220
Heights House Hotel: 308 S Boylan Ave, Raleigh, NC 27603 (919) 594-1881
Longleaf Hotel: 300 N Dawson St, Raleigh, NC 27603 (919) 867-5770
Marriott: 500 Fayetteville St, Raleigh, NC 27601 (919) 833-1120Q: How much are tickets?
Tickets will be $13 in advance, and $16 after 12/25. Admission is free for children under the age of 5.
Q: How can I purchase tickets?
You can purchase tickets online at Etix.com. You will also be able to purchase tickets at your local Harris Teeter.
Q: Do I have to have a ticket to FNR to walk around Fayetteville Street?
A: No! You can still walk around downtown as it is still public property. You will need a ticket though if you want to participate in any of the activities or attend any of the indoor performances throughout the festival footprint.
Q: Do I have to have a ticket to enjoy food/drinks?
A: No you do not! You can come to Fayetteville Street and purchase food and beverages as you wish.
Q: Where should I park?
A: From parking decks to parking lots, there are over 70 places to park in Downtown Raleigh. Learn more
Vendor Application
Volunteer Application
Festival Map
Activities
Join us from 2:00-6:00pm on New Year’s Eve for the new Children’s Celebration! Learn a new hobby for the new year with our hands-on workshops and watch performances with rising stars from the Triangle. There is fun for everyone at the Children’s Celebration!
All activities are included with your ticket price!
Daytime Activities
2:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Performances and activities are on Fayetteville Street between Martin St and Morgan St. Scroll down to learn more!
People’s Procession
Sponsored by Captive Aire
6:00 PM
This year our People’s Procession will be led by Paperhand Puppet Intervention, NCSU Pipes & Drums, Helping Hand Mission Band & you!
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Sponsored by Captive Aire
6:00
Paperhand Puppet Intervention
Media Sponsor - Get 2 Know Raleigh
NCSU Pipes & Drums
Media Sponsor - WCPE 87.9 - The Classical Station
Helping Hand Mission Band
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Sponsored by The Glenwood Agency & Capital Investment Companies
7:00, 12:00 AM
The famous Acorn drop & countdown to midnight tradition will be back in full swing this year! At 7pm, there will be an early countdown for children (anyone can attend regardless of your age though!) at City Plaza. Then at 11:59pm, we will start the countdown and drop the Acorn once more to ring in the New Year at midnight! And of course, fireworks.
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Sponsored by Kane Realty
Ferris Wheel
Media Sponsor - Experience Raleigh
Down Draft
2:00 - 11:00 PM
Enjoy the bird’s eye view of Downtown Raleigh with your loved ones on this year’s brand new ferris wheel, or take an exciting ride on the Down Draft. Amusement rides will be open on December 31st from 2pm-11pm and will be located on Fayetteville Street at West Hargett.
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Dance your way into the New Year at the Children’s Celebration!
Sponsored by First Horizon Bank & North State Bank
NYE Dance Party! DJ Rickey Smith | 2:00 - 8:00
Dari Satterwhite | 5:00
Byron Jennings | 6:00
Cuqui Gorman | 7:00
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Sponsored by Ragland Foundation
2:00 - 8:00 (while supplies last)
Come create a variety of fun crafts at our creative stations located on Fayetteville Street between Morgan & Hargett!
Glow Bubble Paint Prints
Participants will blow glowing bubbles onto cardstock. When they pop, they leave a print.
Glow New Year’s Bracelets
Participants will build friendship style bracelets to wear to the evening celebrations and give to friends and family.
Glow Build
Participants will build sculptures with slotted, glowing cardboard pieces.
Glow Parade Lanterns
Participants will decorate lanterns to carry in the People’s Procession.
Glow Parade Celebration Wands
Participants will make and decorate wands to carry in the People’s Procession.
Glow Parade Masks
Participants will decorate masks to wear in the People’s Procession.
Glow New Year’s Buttons
Participants will create a personalized 2025 button to wear to the celebrations.
NYE Photobooth
Media Sponsor - Raleigh Family Adventure
Participants can dress up in costumes and use props to take a fun New Year’s Eve Photo.
New Year’s Wishes and Firework Rings
Participants will decorate New Year’s Wish Star and create firework rings out of chenille stems.
Glow Cotton Candy
Media Sponsor - Fun4Raleigh Kids
Participants will decorate cotton candy cones and volunteers will spin a cone of candy for them.
Contact
DOnate
Artsplosure is a 501c3 nonprofit organization. Make a tax deductible donation to support the mission of Artsplosure online, or by mailing a donation to 19 W Hargett St Suite 310, Raleigh, NC 27601.
