6:00 Line-Up on the Bicentennial Plaza and the North End of the State Capitol Grounds, Edenton Street. Larger-Than-Life Puppets lead the march, followed by Trigon the Dragon, the NCSU Pipes & Drums, the Helping Hand Mission Band and a lot of your friends. Destination: the Lichtin Plaza outside of the BTI Center for Performing Arts in time for a 7:00 Fireworks Show featuring the Raleigh Acorn.

Early Countdown 6:00-7:00

An early musical toast to the New Year with a beverage of irresistible pop-rock. (Fireworks and Descent of the Raleigh Acorn at 7:00.)

Then, study the program. Choose 2 or 3 indoor evening performances to see. (Don’t try to get to everything.) Allow ample time to travel from one location to the next and arrive early. Admission to performance sites is on a first-come, first-serve basis and programs start at the scheduled times. Programs draw full houses and late admission is rare. Plan back-up choices in case a show is filled.

Admission buttons are available on the Bicentennial Plaza, the Raleigh Convention and Conference Center Box Office, at the Sleigh Rides south of the State Capitol Building, in the First Presbyterian Church and other locations.

Back on the Lichtin Plaza

Before there was Hootie, before there was R.E.M., there was Arrogance. The "original little band from the South that could" re-ignites the music to kindle new memories.

Watch the First Night Resolution Oak Tree grow foliage over the course of the Night. Write down your own resolution on a metalic paper oak leaf and tack it to a branch. Sculpted out of steel by North Carolina State University’s School of Design Senior student Jennifer Van Orden, this 12 feet tall metal creation stands in front of the BTI Center for the Performing Arts.

Across the street …

In the transformed parking lot between the BTI Center and the Raleigh Convention & Conference Center. Have your fortune predicted, dodge the hoops of fire and enjoy performances by Rythmicity, The Hanks and Paperhand Puppet Intervention. (The First Night admission button is required for entry.)

7:00   Rhythmicity is a percussion ensemble that taps the vibrant and dynamic rhythms of multiple cultures to celebrate, connect and unify. Rhythmicity's members: Tom Everly, Lynn Fitzgerald, Scott Kucera, Erica Lineberry, David McDowell and Ronnie Pulley; each bring their love of music and a unique background to the mix as they spread the joys of rhythm and invite the audience along for the ride.

8:00   Dance with a White Heron whose wings span 30 feet.

9:00   Rock with the Triangle’s original alt-country band — “Liverpool and Nashville all rolled into one.”

Operating between venues 7:00-11:00pm See map for tram stop locations.

First Night Raleigh is a weatherproof event! Dress in layers for inside and outside activities.

Hitch a ride on John Wesley Smith’s horse-drawn sleigh on the south of the State Capitol Grounds First Night Raleigh admission button is required.