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 2022 and have your intentions set for an awesome 2023. We wish you all the best. Alright, let’s ring in 2023!
1. First Night Raleigh, Dec 31, 2022
- Where: Fayetteville St
- Website: FirstNightRaleigh.com
- Time: 2pm – midnight
- Tickets:
- Advanced tickets $12, Children 5 and under are free
- Day of Ticket Price: Children ages 6-12 at $12, and $16 for those ages 13+
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 a spectacular fireworks show.
2. New Years Eve At City Club Raleigh
- Where: City Club Raleigh,150 Fayetteville Street #Suite 2800
- When: Dec 31, 5:00pm – Sun, Jan 1, 2023, 1:00am
- Tickets: from $190
Celebrate your NYE on the 28th & 29th floor of the Wells Fargo building with the best view in Raleigh! Free-flowing prosecco, a four-course dinner and Bull City Syndicate, a ten-piece band to get the party and dancing started. There will be jello shots and a grand balloon drop to ring in 2023. Tickets here.
3. New Years Eve at the Willard Rooftop
- Where: 9 Glenwood Ave., AC Hotel Raleigh Downtown Rooftop, Raleigh, NC 27603
- Time: 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 2022 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!
4. NYE Gala 2023
- Where: NC Museum of Natural Sciences
- Time: 8pm
- Tickets: $202.59
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, a killer DJ, two dance floors, and The Breakfast Club, the longest running, most recognized ’80s tribute band in the US.
This sounds like a fun one, I’ve heard great things about the Breakfast Club.
5. Rainbow Gay-La New Year’s Eve Celebration 2022
- Where: The Stateview Hotel, Centennial Campus in Raleigh
- Time: 8pm – 1am
- Tickets: $150
Ready for a splash of color for this first annual Rainbow Gay-La NYE Party! You’ll have heavy hors d’oeuvres, Drag Queen Entertainment, a DJ, 2-hour prepaid bar until 10:30pm, and a champagne midnight toast.
This is another party you might want to book a room for so you can crawl to bed. We love the StateView Hotel!
6. Gatsby’s House New Year’s Eve Party
- Where: Sheraton Hotel, downtown
- Time: 8:30pm – 1:30am
- Cost: Starting at $109
- Tickets
Put on your sparkle as Gatsby’s House will be one of the standout fancy parties for 2022. Do your 1920s sparkle and liven it up with a 5-hour prepaid bar, Hors d’oeuvres, 4 top NC DJs in 2 rooms of music!
This is another NYE party in Raleigh where you can stay at the event!
7. Masquerade Murder 8: A New Year’s Eve Murder Mystery
- Where: City of Raleigh Museum, 220 Fayetteville Street
- Time: 9pm – middnight
- Tickets $100 – 175
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.
8. NYE Comedy Night at Goodnight’s (with Adam Cayton-Holland)
- 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. Adam Cayton-Holland is a national touring headliner who was named one of 25 “Comics to Watch” by “Esquire” magazine and one of “10 Comics to Watch” by “Variety”.
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.
9. The Green Light Cocktail Experience (NYE 2023)
- Where: The Green Light Bar, Downtown Raleigh
- Time: 7pm – 2am
- Tickets: $100
For those looking for a more secluded and sophisticated New Year’s Eve event in Raleigh, you can’t go past Pre-Fix Cocktail Menu (3 cocktails), Premium Champagne Toast, Charcuterie and Mini-Dessert Pairing in a dark, yet classy, room hidden behind a bookshelf.
Green Light is one of our favorite speakeasies in Raleigh
10. New Year’s Eve Masquerade 2023
- Where: Little City Brewing, 400 West North Street Suite 120 Raleigh
- Time: 9pm – 2am
- Tickets: $150
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.
11. Family Skate Party at United Skates Raleigh
- Where: United Skates of America, Inc. 2901 Trawick Road Raleigh, NC 27604
- Time: 10am – 12:30pm
- Tickets: $15-$20
Another of the Raleigh events for families who can’t make midnight. Includes a Slice of Pizza, Small Drink, New Year’s Eve Party Favors, Balloon Drop and Mock Countdown to 2023
12. New Year’s Eve at Union Station
- Where: Union Station
- Time: 9am – 2am
- Tickets: $100 for one person / $150 for two people
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 and a spectacular view of downtown’s skyline.
13. Olde Raleigh Distillery NYE celebration
This one’s for those with a mature flavor profile and don’t care to stay up for a midnight ring in. There will be a Fake ball drop and early champagne toast 10pm. Includes heavy hors d’oeuvres and the Ginger Thompson Band entertaining you. Full cash bar with cocktails, wine and beer.
14. Eddie 9V at Transfer Co. Ballroom
- Where: Transfer Co. Food Hall Ballroom
- Time: 7:00 p.m. – 12:30 a.m.
- Cost: Free
- Event website
Eddie 9V is hitting the Transfer Co. Ballroom stage on New Year’s Eve! With millions of streams on Spotify, this award-winning, old-soul artist has played everywhere from Atlanta to Colorado. Kick off 2023 with an artist Rock & Blues Muse acclaimed as “fresh and life-affirming.”
Food and beverage will be available for purchase throughout the entirety of the performance.
There you have it. A list of events to celebrate New Year’s Eve in Raleigh for 2022. Let us know which of these NYE events in Raleigh you will by ringing in the new year at? Or, if you know of others, please share below.
