First Night Raleigh

There may be 120 days left until this year’s First Night, but we are already feeling the excitement! Enjoy strolling down memory lane with us via these photos from past First Night celebrations.

As a reminder, we are still accepting vendor applications for First Night 2024 - you can access the link to apply in our bio. All applicants will be notified via email no later than Friday, October 18 regarding their application status.

Stay tuned for more First Night announcements!

Artsplosure is currently seeking vendors for First Night Raleigh! ✨ 🎆 🪩

On Tuesday, December 31, 2024, downtown Raleigh will come alive as over 80,000 people celebrate the New Year as part of the 33rd edition WRAL First Night Raleigh Celebration presented by Artsplosure.

The link to the vendor application can be found at the link below - https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfku8XIjcq1PBKEChMq14WMY1CXos1PMuPl2JCUP5juYv2Yog/viewform

All applicants will be notified via email no later than Friday, October 18 regarding their application status to First Night Raleigh 2025.

A HUGE SHOUTOUT TO OUR AMAZING FOOD VENDORS AT WRAL FIRST NIGHT RALEIGH 2024!

As we’re still riding the wave of excitement from this year’s WRAL First Night Raleigh, we can’t help but express our deepest gratitude to all the incredible food vendors who fueled our festivities and kept us going between performances and activities!

From tantalizing Korean corn dogs to mouthwatering kettle corn and an array of culinary wonders, we had over 20 different vendors creating a flavorful feast that satisfied every craving and added to the vibrancy of our celebration.

A special thank you to the talented chefs, cooks, and food enthusiasts who brought their delicious touch to WRAL First Night Raleigh. Your creations made the entire experience even more unforgettable!

We are accepting food vendor applications for Artsplosure - The Raleigh Arts Festival (May 18th & 19th), from now until March 21st. Follow the link in our bio to apply!

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THANK YOU TO THE AMAZING PERFORMERS OF WRAL FIRST NIGHT RALEIGH 2023!

As the echoes of laughter and applause from WRAL First Night Raleigh still linger, we want to extend a heartfelt THANK YOU to the incredible performers who made this New Year’s Eve unforgettable!

With over 30 diverse acts across 9 unique venues, our downtown was alive with talent! From the hilarious comedians and gravity-defying break dancers to the bands that helped set the night ablaze - YOU brought the magic!

A huge shout-out to all the hardworking artists and programming sponsors who lit up the night. Your passion and dedication made WRAL First Night Raleigh 2024 truly special.

Let’s give these performers the standing ovation they deserve!

Swipe left to catch glimpses of the phenomenal talents that graced our stages.

Slides 1-6 📸:
Slides 7-9📸:

THANK YOU TO THE AMAZING PERFORMERS OF WRAL FIRST NIGHT RALEIGH 2023!

As the echoes of laughter and applause from WRAL First Night Raleigh still linger, we want to extend a heartfelt THANK YOU to the incredible performers who made this New Year’s Eve unforgettable!

With over 30 diverse acts across 9 unique venues, our downtown was alive with talent! From the hilarious comedians and gravity-defying break dancers to the bands that helped set the night ablaze - YOU brought the magic!

A huge shout-out to all the hardworking artists and programming sponsors who lit up the night. Your passion and dedication made WRAL First Night Raleigh 2024 truly special.

Let’s give these performers the standing ovation they deserve!

Swipe left to catch glimpses of the phenomenal talents that graced our stages.

A heartfelt thank you to all of our incredible sponsors!

Without your generous support, WRAL First Night Raleigh wouldn’t have been possible. From the bottom of our hearts, we extend our deepest gratitude for making this New Year’s Eve a resounding success. Your commitment to the arts and our community has made a lasting impact, and we’re immensely grateful for your partnership.

Let’s give a round of applause to our amazing sponsors! 👏👏👏

New Year's Eve Icon: David Benson's Great Raleigh Acorn Commissioned by the City of Raleigh to celebration the City of Oaks' bicentennial celebration in 1992, David Benson's Great Raleigh Acorn has become one of Raleigh's most recognizable pieces of art (and a beloved New Year's Eve icon).

Today is Giving Tuesday, an international day of giving for nonprofits— and Artsplosure invites you to join us! This year we have a few board members who are going to share their experiences with WRAL First Night Raleigh and Artsplosure so stay tuned. Join us on any of our social media channels and don’t forget to follow the link in our bio to make a donation to help further our mission of Art For All.

*Photo from the Artsplosure archives circa 1980s.

We've got 2023 vision, baby!

It feels like yesterday that we were ringing in 2023 with our team, but we're already counting down the days til the next acorn drop with a few thousand of our closest friends! Happy New Year from the whole crew to you!

📣Children’s Celebration has been moved from Bicentennial Plaza to the top block in front of the Capitol 📣

📍NEW location is Fayetteville St between Morgan & Hargett

Additionally, these activities will be covered under three-sided tents, so no worries about the weather ☔️

We’re excited to welcome back & DJ Ranasaurus Rex (Rickey Smith) to the Children’s Celebration 🥳

Looking for new female friends to explore First Night Raleigh with?! Grab a ticket to The Crowded Table Club’s pre-party, with drinks, games and a FNR ticket!

Crowded Table Club: New Year's Eve Downtown! Come make new friends at a New Year's Eve party before enjoying First Night Raleigh together in Downtown Raleigh, ending at a Silent Disco!

Don’t even fret about the weather because we have these amazing indoor venues this year! 😇

is going to be epic this Saturday for First Night Raleigh!

8PM - Christian James
9PM -
11PM -

Head to FirstNightRaleigh.com for more info and tickets!

We love partnering with unique venues across downtown Raleigh for the NYE festivities, and this year is no different! 🥳

will be hosting these great performances this year 🥂

Tickets are only $12 in advance and are on sale now at FirstNightRaleigh.com 🎟️

Don’t miss the beloved African American Dance Ensemble at First Night Raleigh 🎆

Tickets to the NYE arts and music extravaganza are on sale now at FirstNightRaleigh.com 🎟️

We’re so excited to announce that will be a part of our New Year’s Eve celebration!

You can catch them at Church of the Good Shepherd for two sets: one at 7pm & one at 9pm 🪕

Make sure to get your tickets now on FirstNightRaleigh.com 🎟️

raleigh

Come enjoy some improv comedy with at WRAL First Night Raleigh! 😆

They’ll be at at 7, 8 & 9pm on New Year’s Eve 👏

Ticket link in bio or at FirstNightRaleigh.com 🥳

First Night® Raleigh, NC Join us for the 29th Annual WRAL First Night Raleigh! With 20+ blocks of programming throughout downtown, First Night Raleigh is the way to ring in the New Year!

These two will be joining us again as Main Stage as emcees!!! 🥳

Love these behind the scenes snaps of & .neptune from last year — vibes off the charts 🪩

Tickets are on sale now, just tap the link in our bio!

Just a lil preview of the interactive art installation that will be accessible for ticket holders at PNC Plaza on New Year’s Eve from 8pm-11pm ✨

Tickets on sale now at the link in bio!

Thanks to our Creative Director .unsuitablepet for snagging this incredible behind the scenes picture 👏

🪩The Silent Disco comes to Artspace 🪩

Join us as we get our groove on with amazing DJs the following DJ’s:
🎧 Luxe Posh
🎧 JOB
🎧 DJ Rhymic 🎧 Tapioca Red

Everyone will pick up a set of headphones, and tune into a live DJ channel of their choosing 💃

You’ll be able to spot other attendees listening to the same tunes based on the color of the headphone lights 👏 (SWIPE)

So grab a ticket and meet us on New Year’s Eve from 8-11pm 🕺

Tickets are only $12 (in advance!) and are on sale now via FirstNightRaleigh.com 🎟️

Tickets also include entry to other activities and performances ✨

Make sure to get your First Night Raleigh ticket to ride the Ferris wheel 🎡

Swipe to see the priceless views from the top 👀✨

Pics by