The question on everyone’s lips as we gear up to the holiday season is what are the best things to do on New Year’s Eve in Raleigh? So, we’re answering! Typically, we’re cozied up inside together with a few drinks at home watching the dreadful NYE shows on television until 12:05am where I drag my droopy eyes to bed with relief.
I do find NYE a little overrated, but that’s just me, and I know that if you’re wondering how to spend NYE in Raleigh, you might be looking for more of a party atmosphere or somewhere there’s a celebration of ringing in a New Year. So, we’re listing all the events, parties, and happenings in the City of Oaks for ringing in 2026 on New Years Eve!
From my experience, and extensive research, these are the coolest NYE events for 2025 happening across the Triangle area, and we’ve chosen parties we feel cater to diverse interests and ages. There is something for everyone.
I suggest you also reserve well in advance for your favorite local Raleigh restaurants, bars, or breweries, and check their individual websites to see what they are doing as well (and if they have any promotions). Most places will have some kind of NYE party, but keep in mind, they are usually ticketed events, and some bars have high-ticket prices, AND a cash bar on top of that.
We hope you’ve had time to reflect on the year that was 2025 and have your intentions set for an awesome 2026. We wish you all the best. Alright, let’s ring in 2026!
- 1. First Night Raleigh, Artsplosure
- 2. Gatsby-themed New Years Eve at the Willard Rooftop
- 3. NYE Comedy Night at Goodnight's (with Alonzo Bodden)
- 4. NYE at The Westin
- 5. The Green Light Cocktail Experience (sold out)
- 6. Family Skate Party at United Skates Raleigh
- 7. NYE at Sports and Social, Cary
- 8. New Years Extravaganza at the Hilton North Raleigh
- 9. New Years Eve Party at Loafers
- 10. Dark Skies: Dark Alternative New Year's Eve at Terrace Raleigh
- 11. NYE Party & Sippin Santa Farewell at Wye Hill
- 12. Peak City Band at O'Malleys Pub
- 13. Stray Volts at Tap Yard
- Visiting Raleigh and need accommodation?
1. First Night Raleigh, Artsplosure
- Where: Fayetteville St
- Website: artsplosure.org/events#firstnightraleigh
- Time: 2pm – midnight
- Tickets: 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.
First Night Raleigh is North Carolina’s largest annual New Year’s Eve celebration! Festivities begin with the early afternoon City Plaza outdoor musical performances and the Children’s Celebration at 2pm. Performances and activities are on City Plaza, and across multiple indoor venues in Downtown Raleigh.
At 7pm, there is a kid’s version of the acorn drop and fireworks so families can head home. We usually depart then as it gets too cold for us Aussies to wait until midnight. The night is capped off with music on the outdoor Main Stage, the famous Raleigh Acorn Drop, and spectacular fireworks show. This year there is also a silent disco, events and various performances including comedy shows and live music at various venues in Downtown Raleigh. And of course, amuseument rides!
2. Gatsby-themed New Years Eve at the Willard Rooftop
- Where: 9 Glenwood Ave., AC Hotel Raleigh Downtown Rooftop, Raleigh, NC 27603
- Time: 8pm – 1am
- Tickets: $150 per person + tax
Why not ring in the Raleigh New Year at one of our best rooftop bars and views? Those views will be like a front row seat for the downtown Raleigh fireworks. If I was going out this NYE to ring in 2026, this would be my pick of the parties just for the views. Enjoy a Hollywood-inspired event with sophistication and elegance, featuring a world cuisines-inspired buffet, 2 full cash bars, live music with Helena Redman Quartet, a dance floor, a photobooth and caricature artists, party favors, and a champagne toast at midnight.
If you’re going to be splurging anyway, why not splurge extra on a room at the AC Hotel so you can just walk a few steps to your bed and not have to worry about an Uber that may never come or be in the midst of a huge price surge!
3. NYE Comedy Night at Goodnight’s (with Alonzo Bodden)
- Where: Goodnight’s Popup Club in the Village District, 511 Woodburn Road
- Time: 7pm & 9:30pm
- Cost: $47.99+
- .Website
If you need a little pick-me-up this New Year’s, a night at Goodnights Popup Comedy Club might be the giggling elixir you need. This year will have a performance by NBC’s Last Comic Standing winner, Alonzo Bodden. There will be a Cocktail Hour from 5:00pm to 7:00pm as well as hors d’oeuvres, party favors, and special drink promotions. The 10:30 PM Show includes an invitation to the After Party in the lounge and includes party favors and a champagne toast at midnight.
The earlier show may be a great option for those who want to do something, but not have a wild or late night. We’ve been to this comedy club on a date night in the Village District before and it’s been great.
4. NYE at The Westin
- Where: The Westin, RDU airport | 3931 Macaw St, Raleigh 27690
- Time: 8pm – 2am
- Cost: $48.40+
- Tickets
Back again for another year, The Westin near RDU is offering a night of enchantment with its inaugural bash! Join for an unforgettable evening filled with elegance, excitement, and celebration with a dinner buffet served in the Main Ballroom 6pm-8pm. There’ll also be an open bar, live DJ and more. No need to drink and drive!
Book a hotel room at the gorgeous Westin RDU. Then you can indulge as much as you like! (we’ve seen this after filming at the Keaton Apartments across the road. It’s such a nice hotel!)
5. The Green Light Cocktail Experience (sold out)
- Where: The Green Light Bar, Downtown Raleigh
- Time: 5pm – 2am
- Cost: sold out
- Tickets
Already sold out for 2025-2026 due to being so popular last year, is The Green Light bars cocktail event. Definitely consider this for next year and book well in advance. This event is perfect for those looking for a more secluded and sophisticated New Year’s Eve event in Raleigh. You can’t go past P4 Course Cocktail, Dessert, and Charcuterie pairing in a dark, yet classy, room hidden behind a bookshelf. Green Light is one of our favorite speakeasies in Raleigh.
6. Family Skate Party at United Skates Raleigh
- Where: United Skates of America, Inc. 2901 Trawick Road Raleigh, NC 27604
- Time: 8:30am-12:30am
- Cost: $25 online, $30 on the door
- Tickets
Back for another year, this is a NYE event for families who can’t make midnight (or can, but want to head home pretty soon after). Admission includes party favors and access to the rollerskate rink, where there will be a countdown to the New Year and Balloon Drop!!! For younger kids, they also have a noon-eve’s skate with characters, which includes regular skate rental, a glow stick, party favors, a visit from some of our favorite characters, a mock countdown and balloon drop.
7. NYE at Sports and Social, Cary
- Where: Sports & Social, Cary
- Time: 8:00pm-late
- Cost: $51.97 +
- Tickets
This is a big NYE celebration in Cary for those who like to celebrate with a large crowd. The Sports and Social is hosting a NYE bash, featuring themed specialty drinks, live entertainment, a midnight champagne toast in front of a Times Square-inspired Ball Drop on the 40-foot LED screen. Ages 21+.
8. New Years Extravaganza at the Hilton North Raleigh
- Where: North Raleigh Hilton, 3415 Wake Forest Road
- Time: 9.30pm – late
- Cost: from $17.85+
- Tickets
An affordable NYE party with lots of dancing and good tunes, check out the extravaganza at Hilton North Raleigh. Head to the Grand Ballroom of the Hilton North Raleigh for an evening of Hip Hop and R&B music plus a special DJ set from DJ Shykey. In the Oaks 88 Bar, there will be Soca and Afro Beats, plus special guest appearances from BigKat Sounds.
With your ticket, you get free hors d’oeurves, and there will be cash bars onsite. If you’re want to stay the night at the Hilton, you can get a discounted room rate of just $179 with your ticket.
9. New Years Eve Party at Loafers
- Where: Loafers Beach Club, 605 Creekside Dr, Raleigh
- Time: 7pm – late
- Cost: $25 before 12/30, $35 thereafter
- Tickets
Back for another yearly party, Loafers will be hosting an evening of food and fun. Tickets include heavy Hors ‘ doeurves, party favors, a Champagne Toast at midnight, plus coffee and breakfast snacks around midnight. There will be two DJs, Gary Gibson and Rodney Holmes, and lots and lots of dancing!
10. Dark Skies: Dark Alternative New Year’s Eve at Terrace Raleigh
- Where: Terrace Raleigh, Downtown Raleigh
- Time: 9pm – late
- Cost: $39.01 in November, but prices increase December 1st
- Tickets
For all those alternative folk in Raleigh, consider celebrating NYE in dark style – literally. At Terrace Raleigh on Wilmington St, there will be a unique Dark Skies event which will be an alternative dance party, featuring music by DJ Steve (Fallout Shelter) and 20th Century Boy (Wicked Witch). They’ll be playing everything from dance to club classics from the darkwave, industrial, ebm, and goth genres. Your ticket also includes a champagne toast at midnight. This is a 21+ event.
11. NYE Party & Sippin Santa Farewell at Wye Hill
- Where: Wye Hill Kitchen and Brewing
- Time: TBC
- Cost: TBC
- Tickets
Wye Hill are bringing Sippin’ Sata back for another year, where they transform their tiki bar into a Holiday wonderland. In 2024-2025, there was a NYE event which coincided with Sippin’ Santa, and featured a holiday cocktail list, buffet with a difference, a special beer release and dance floor. This year’s details haven’t been announced, so stay tuned on their socials and website. Here are other Christmas bars in Raleigh that will be festive still for New Years Eve.
12. Peak City Band at O’Malleys Pub
- Where: O’Malleys, 5228 Hollyridge Dr, Raleigh
- Time: 9:00pm – 1:00am
- Cost: Free
Looking for something FREE to do on NYE? There’s a first! Then head over to O’Malleys in Hollyridge to watch Peak City Band, a blues/rock band from Apex, North Carolina.
13. Stray Volts at Tap Yard
- Where: Tap Yard, 1610 Automotive Way, Raleigh, NC 27604
- Time: 9:30pm – 12:30am
- Cost: Free
Another free event you can go to for NYE in Raleigh is to watch the Stray Volts perform at Tap Yard. Stray Volts are a high energy band from Raleigh, who have a classic hard rock sound. They also do mashups so even if you’re not familiar with the band, you may hear a cover or two!
Visiting Raleigh and need accommodation?
If you visit Raleigh from out of town for any weekly events, here are our recommendations for accommodation in downtown Raleigh.
- Residence inn Downtown Raleigh – fantastic location and big suites
- StateView Hotel – hidden away in a forest on NC State’s Campus
- Casso Hotel Raleigh – a unique boutique hotel stay in Downtown RAleigh
- Sheraton Raleigh – ideal location downtown.
- Check out 10 of our short-term rental favorites
If you are visiting from out of town and have a few extra days, here are some itinerary guides to help you plan out your days exploring Raleigh:
- Why visit Raleigh NC
- 24 hour itinerary guide for Raleigh
- 48 hour itinerary for Raleigh
- Getting around Raleigh
- A sophisticated 2 day itinerary of Raleigh and Cary
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“Your weekly newsletter is a lifesaver for me. Yesterday we didn’t know what to do, I just check your list of events for the weekend, and we ended up in Cary at the Carolina Circus Festival. We had a great time so thanks a lot for all your good work 😊 we really appreciate you” Subscriber
I loved your blog-site.. What’s a good place to celebrate NYE in Raleigh with family (including children 9yrs+)? Thanks
Unfortunately, there aren’t a lot of things to do for families on NYE. Most events I could find are typically adult parties. The best would be the First Night celebration in downtown Raleigh – that’s great for all ages. They do have lots of kid related activities and fireworks at 7pm if you don’t want to stay out too late. Otherwise you could look at any local family friendly places like Urban Air or Defy Gravity, bowling lanes, or family friendly restaurants and breweries to see if they have anything. Usually they’ll cater to an adult crowd as they’ll make more money on NYE with them.