Ok, you’ve been asking us via messages and emails about 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.
This year, our Raleigh New Year’s Eve event will be a firepit house party with friends. I know a lot of people – especially with kids – are like us. They want to do something but end up staying home through default of not much happening, or it’s just too cold to go out. So, if you’re game, I’d say open up your house as a gathering spot for all your friends. Make it a potluck BYO!
I do find NYE a little overrated, but if you like the party atmosphere and celebration that comes with ringing in a New Year, the list below will help you find the best party in town!
Through past experiences and doing research to find the coolest NYE events happening across the Triangle area, we’ve chosen a list of events that we feel cater to diverse interests. There is something for everyone on this list of things to do in Raleigh for New Year’s Eve.
I suggest you also check with your favorite local Raleigh restaurants, bars or breweries to see what they are doing as well. Most places will have some kind of NYE party, but bear in mind, they are usually ticketed events.
Some bars may have a high-ticket price AND a cash bar on top of that. There are a few all-inclusive events that may be more affordable.
We hope you’ve had time to reflect on the year that was 2023 and have your intentions set for an awesome 2024. We wish you all the best. Alright, let’s ring in 2024!
1. First Night Raleigh, Dec 31, 2023
- Where: Fayetteville St
- Website: FirstNightRaleigh.com
- Time: 2pm – midnight
- Tickets: $16, $12 for children ages 6-12; Children 5 and under are free.
First Night Raleigh is North Carolina’s largest 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 Bicentennial Plaza, and inside the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences.
As part of First Night, there will be a popup skatepark in Moore Square on New Year’s Eve! Skate Moore Square (hosted by Skate Raleigh} will have ramps, boxes, and rails from 2pm to sunset for skateboarders, rollerbladers, scooters, and spectators.
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.
2. The Avett Brothers’ New Year’s Eve Party
- Where: PNC Arena
- Time: 8pm
- Cost: $64.50+
- Tickets
It wouldn’t be a Raleigh New Year’s without the Avett Brothers playing at the PNC Arena. Fans of one of the state’s most celebrated homegrown bands will be stoked to hear their annual New Year’s Eve party is back! This will be their 20th annual New Year’s Eve celebration and the third time they’ve rang in the new year at PNC Arena.
This year they have special guest singer-songwriter Marcus King playing.
3. New Years Eve At City Club Raleigh
- Where: City Club Raleigh,150 Fayetteville Street #Suite 2800
- When: Dec 31
Dust off your dancing shoes and prepare to strut your stuff on the dance floor because City Club is throwing the ultimate Disco Fever New Year’s Eve Party! Go back to the glamorous era of disco, glitter, and funky beats for a night of glitz and grooves to welcome the new year in style.
4. New Years Eve at the Willard Rooftop
- Where: 9 Glenwood Ave., AC Hotel Raleigh Downtown Rooftop, Raleigh, NC 27603
- Time: Dec 31; 8pm – 1am
- Tickets: $155
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 2023 NYE, this would be my pick of the parties just for the views.
There’ll be a buffet, cash bars, live music with Peter Lamb & The Wolves, 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!
5. NYE Gala 2024
- Where: NC Museum of Natural Sciences
- Time: 8pm
- Cost: $175
- Tickets:
An all-inclusive throwback to the 80s is happening at the NC Musuem of Natural Sciences in downtown Raleigh. Expect delicious food and late-night snacks, high-end open bars, craft cocktails, two dance floors, and Live entertainment featuring DJ RANG, DJ Randal “360Elite” Calloway and DJ Harlem
6. Masquerade Murder 9: A New Year’s Eve Murder Mystery
- Where: Raleigh Little Theatre
- Time: 9pm – midnight
- Tickets $195
Take a different approach to New Year’s Eve in Raleigh by using your sleuth skills under the cover of masquerade (or perhaps you’re the murderer) and immerse yourself in a real-life version of clue!
Murder, mystery, and mayhem is what it’s all about as you count down to midnight with the Triangle Game Night. Includes access to the complimentary dessert bar and a Champagne toast at Midnight.
7. NYE Comedy Night at Goodnight’s (with Chris Porter)
- Where: Goodnight’s Popup Club in the Village District, 511 Woodburn Road
- Time: 8pm & 10:30pm
- Cost: $39+
- 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. Chris Porter is best known as a finalist on season 4 of NBC’s “Last Comic Standing” and for his one-hour special, “Ugly & Angry,” which is one of Netflix’s top-rated specials for three years.
The 10:30 PM Show includes party favors and a champagne toast at midnight and all customers who purchase tickets to NYE will receive complimentary passes to a future show!
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.
8. The Green Light Cocktail Experience (NYE 2023)
- Where: The Green Light Bar, Downtown Raleigh
- Time: 7pm – 2am
- Cost: $108
- Tickets:
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
9. New Year’s Eve Masquerade 2023
- Where: Little City Brewing, 400 West North Street Suite 120 Raleigh
- Time: 9pm – 2am
- Cost: $150
- Tickets:
This masquerade NYE celebration is an all-inclusive New Year’s Eve party in Raleigh giving you more bang for your buck. Includes craft cocktails, craft beer, all other beverages, champagne toast, DJ, photo booth and food all night.
10. Family Skate Party at United Skates Raleigh
- Where: United Skates of America, Inc. 2901 Trawick Road Raleigh, NC 27604
- Time:11am-1:30pm
- Cost: $20
- Tickets:
Another of the Raleigh events for families who can’t make midnight. Admission includes skate rental, party favors, mock countdown to the New Year at noon, dancing with characters and more!!
11. 2024 New Year’s Eve at Union Station
- Where: Union Station
- Time: 9am – 2am
- Cost: $30 – $299
- Tickets
The “Official” Downtown Raleigh 2022 New Year’s Eve Celebration will feature a few DJs and live musical guests over two levels at Raleigh’s Union Station. Includes open bar VIP option and a spectacular view of downtown’s skyline. Featuring DJ Bro Rabb, better known as the Tour DJ for Kid N Play, surrounded by some of the best DJs in the area. More DJs and Hosts to be named later.
There you have it. A list of events to celebrate New Year’s Eve in Raleigh for 2023 ringing in the 2024 New Year. Let us know which of these NYE events in Raleigh you will by attending? Or, if you know of others, please share below.
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.