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.
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Event Information
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Food & Novelty Vendors
Vendor List Coming Soon!
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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
Performances
First Night Raleigh Scheule
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2025 Schedule Coming Soon!
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2025 Schedule Coming Soon!
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 - 6:00 PM
Performances and activities are on Fayetteville Street between Martin St and Morgan St. Scroll down to learn more!
People’s Procession & Early Countdown
6:00 PM
What a perfect way to end our daytime Children’s Celebration! Don’t worry about keeping the kids out too late to ring in the new year – they can enjoy all of the excitement early in the evening. Join us as we drop the famous acorn and set off fireworks at 7:00 pm.
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12:00 AM
Sponsored by Glenwood Agency
The famous acorn drop 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 2024 at midnight! And of course, fireworks.
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2:00 - 11:00 PM
Media Sponsor: Experience Raleigh
Enjoy the bird’s eye view of Downtown Raleigh with your loved ones on this year’s brand new ferris wheel. The ferris wheel will be open on December 31st from 2pm-11pm and will be located on Fayetteville Street at West Hargett.
Powers Great American Midways takes pride in being one of the finest traveling carnival midways in America.
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6:00 PM
Media Sponsor: Triangle Families Explore
Join thousands of your friends and neighbors in the annual People’s Procession. Paperhand Puppet Intervention, Helping Hand Mission Band, and NCSU Pipe & Drum team lead the way! The procession begins at Bicentennial Plaza, makes its way down Salisbury Street, and culminates at the intersection of Davie and Fayetteville Street!
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2:00 - 6:00 PM
Make a unique paper-cut, lighted lantern to carry in The People’s Procession at 6PM.
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2:00 - 6:00 PM
Create your own fireworks a little early!
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2:00 - 6:00 PM
Celebrate and get ready for The People’s Procession with glow tattoos!
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2:00 - 6:00PM
Get your 2024 bracelet to ring in the new year!
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2:00 - 6:00 PM
Get a glow in the dark bookmark!
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2:00 - 6:00 PM
Create your own glow in the dark mask!
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2:00 - 6:00 PM
Create your own glow in the dark memories
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.
Sponsored by:
Presenting Sponsors
Major Sponsors
Featured Program Sponsors
Foundation Supporters
Exhibitor Sponsors
Special Partners
Beer Sponsor
Major All-Day Pass Outlets
Activity & General Sponsors
Capital Associates
Capital Investment Companies
Jimmy’s Minis
Tradewinds Financial
York Properties
Media Sponsors
@ExperienceRaleigh on Instagram
The Beltline Buzz
Fun4Raleigh Kids
Raleigh Convergence
RalToday
Triangle Style Magazine
Triangle Families Explore
Friends Of First Night
North State Bank
Chip Anderson
Woody Biggs
Mark Bromley & David Salie
Lisa Brown
Lorna Burke
Amy Bush
Jeff & Ann Calamos
Ai-Ling Chang
Sandra Davidson
Michael & Terry Davis
Terri & Clark Dollar
Shannon Ennis
Lucy & David Fountain
Anne Franklin
Frank & Carole Gailor
Greg & Samantha Hatem
Mark Steward & Freddie Lee Heath
Ruth Bromer & Joe Huberman
Laura & Ken Jacobs
Amy Johnson
Jonathan & Lisa Kadis
Leah Kelly
Linda Kornberg
Roberta Lang
Vicky Langley
Stewart Levin & Sondra Panico
Christina & Tom Ludwig
Larry & Clare Mandrino
Howard Margulies
Betsy Buford & Donald Matthews
Connie & James Maynard
Tom McEvoy
Dr. Neil McLeod
Press & Siobhan Millen
Coretta Miller
John Miller
Captive Aire
Ed & Cathy Morris
Jennifer Nusbaum
Carlos O’Neal
Charles Pittman III
Camille Patterson
Phillip Poe
Sharlene Provilus
Kim Przybyl
Jim Rothschild
Caroline & Vann Russell
Crystal Sadler
Joe Sagula
Elaine Sandman
Sabrina Schell
C. Miller Sigmon
Cara Smelter
Phyllis Smith
Wade & Ann Smith
Ruth Stephenson
Cathy & James Stuart
Mark Tulbert
Michael Ulrich
Howard Upchurch & John Hoeman
Bernie Williams
Lee Winters
Jana Woehrle
Julie Wood & Matthew Busch
Barbara Woods
Jessica Wood & Alisha Woodroof
Tom Hester & Carter Worthy
Patricia Yancey
George & Parker York
LiChun & Henry Young
Carrie Weber
Carl Willis