Your information to the acorn drop :: WRAL.com

Downtown Raleigh’s New Year’s Eve celebration – WRAL First Night Raleigh – is nearly right here.

The annual occasion kicks off at 2 p.m. on Wednesday and options two acorn drops and plenty of family-friendly enjoyable. 

Do I want a ticket to attend WRAL First Night Raleigh? 

You can stroll round downtown free of charge however if you wish to do the next stuff you might want to purchase a First Night button: 

• Ride the Ferris wheel and amusement rides

• Attend indoor actions, together with musical performances and comedy units

• Attend the Children’s Celebration together with crafts and actions

• Attend the People’s Procession and Parade

You don’t have to buy a ticket to look at the acorn drop and fireworks present.

Where to get tickets

Tickets are $16 plus charges for these ages 6 years and older. Children 5 years and youthful are admitted free of charge.  

You can get tickets online or at any of those Harris Teeter places: 

• 500 Oberlin Road, Raleigh, NC 27605

• 9600 Falls of Neuse Rd, Raleigh, NC 27615

• 3201 Edwards Mill Rd, Raleigh, NC 27612

• 13210 Strickland Road, Raleigh, NC 27613

• 120 St Albans Dr, Raleigh, NC 27609

• 4221 Corners Parkway, Raleigh, NC 27617

When is the Children’s Celebration at WRAL First Night Raleigh?

The annual New Year’s Eve occasion kicks off at 2 p.m. with the Children’s Celebration. 

The celebration runs from 2 to six p.m. at 107 Fayetteville Street in Raleigh, and contains artwork stations the place youngsters could make glow bracelets, keychains, buttons, slime and crowns. 

Children’s Celebration Performances

• 5 p.m. – Dari Satterwhite

The People’s Procession and Parade begins at 6 p.m. on the intersection of Fayetteville and Morgan streets. The Paperhand Puppet Intervention, NCSU Pipes & Drums and Helping Hands Mission Band will take part on this parade that can journey up Fayetteville Street to City Plaza. 

When does the acorn drop throughout WRAL First Night Raleigh?

The early acorn drop is at 7 p.m. in City Plaza. It is adopted by fireworks.

The acorn will drop once more for a second time at midnight to sign the start of 2026. 

You can watch each acorn drops stay in all places you stream WRAL. 

More New Year’s Eve occasions

What actions and performances are occurring at WRAL First Night Raleigh?

The amusement park rides, together with the Ferris wheel, will begin at 2 p.m. in downtown. 

Other highlights embrace a Silent Disco from 7:30 to 11 p.m. at 107 Fayetteville St. Put on some headphones and tune into three completely different DJ units that includes DJ Ricky, DJ Mikey Sharks and DJ Señor Bennett.

The primary stage in City Plaza can have performances beginning at 6 p.m. adopted by the early acorn drop at 7 p.m. The primary stage occasions might be hosted by Nick Neptune, Jessie Williams and Mayor Janet Cowell.

Main stage schedule

• 7 p.m. – Early acorn drop and fireworks

• 7:15 – 7:50 p.m. – African American Dance Ensemble

• 8:25-9:15 p.m. – Raleigh Rockers

• 11 p.m. – midnight – Jason Scott and The High Heat 

• Midnight – Acorn drop and fireworks 

Indoor venues

There are additionally indoor actions all through town. 

Transfer Co. Ballroom, 500 E Davie St, Raleigh

• Comedy Worx Improv at 7, 8 and 9 p.m.
• Comedy Worx Standup units at 10 p.m. together with Nik Narain, Michael Pratt, Kristen Cushman and Jalen Montanez

Church of the Good Shepherd, 125 Hillsborough St, Raleigh

• Mason Via at 7 and 9 p.m.

• Dom Flemons at 8 and 10 p.m.

First Baptist Church, 99 N Salisbury St, Raleigh

• Triangle Youth Jazz Ensemble at 7 and 9 p.m.

• Gregg Gelb Quintet that includes Kathy Montgomery Gelb and Rayah Thomas at 8 p.m. 

House of Rebellion, 206 S Wilmington St, Raleigh

• Lavae Hylton – 8:15 – 8:45 p.m.

• Rebecca Kleinmann – 9-9:40 p.m.

• Jack The Songman – 9:55 – 10:35 p.m.

Self Care Marketplace, 12 W Martin St, Raleigh

• Kylah Leshon – 7:45 – 8:30 p.m.

• Pynk Mo$cato – 8:45 – 9:30 p.m.

• DL Zene – 9:45 – 10:45 p.m.

High Tide Salon, 309 W. Martin Street, Raleigh

• The Deacon Board – 10 -11 p.m.