Raleigh, North Carolina New Year's Eve Festivities

Visit Raleigh, North Carolina for Your 2009 New Years Eve Festivities - Every New Year's Eve Raleigh, North Carolina has their First Night Raleigh, which is presented by Artsplosure, the Raleigh Arts Festival, Inc., a local non-profit organization. This is a family friendly night with many activities going on; such as, music, dance, theater and comedy at some two dozen plus downtown locations.

This venue is both indoors and out so it is recommended that you dress appropriately for the weather. Starting the event this year for First Night Raleigh 2009 will be the Children's Celebration at 2:00 p.m. at NC's Museum of History and Natural Sciences and also outside on Bicentennial Plaza.

The schedule of events is not out yet, but once you get the schedule it is recommended that you go over the events listing and choose a few you would like to see. Plan to be at those sights early as entrance is based on a first-come first-served basis. Always have another venue in mind in case the one you chose is full. We do know that the Smithereens will be playing at the main outdoors stage starting at 10:30 p.m. Their performances will be the kick-off to Raleigh's annual acorn drop and midnight fireworks display.

There will be merchandising along with food and drink vendors throughout Bicentennial Plaza and along Fayetteville Street. Also with the revitalization of Fayetteville Street there are many wonderful restaurants and bars for you to pick from.

You can buy your buttons in advance at any of the following locations:

Rite Aide

Harris Teeter

Marbles Kid Museum

NC Museum of Art

NC Museum of History Shop

The Museum Store in the NC Museum of Natural Sciences

Borders Books & Music

Quail Ridge Bookstore

Royal Bean Coffeehouse

Ben & Jerry's

Sosta Café

Sales started December 1, 2009 and the buttons will be $9.00. If you wait until the night of December 31, admission will be $12.00 for adults and $10.00 for children.

A tram is provided for you to get around that evening, but you must have your button in order to gain access to the tram. The tram will do a circle around the events at the following locations - Edenton St. at Bicentennial Plaza, Salisbury St. at Hargett St., South St. at the Progressive Energy Center/Lichtin Plaza, and Wilmington Street at Davie St. beginning at 7:00 p.m. through 11:00 p.m.

A special promotion is running in concurrence with First Night Raleigh 2009 and the North Carolina Symphony. Button-holders can buy a ticket, priced between $40.00 and $60.00, and get one free for their 7:30 p.m. to the Symphony's New Year's Eve Concert. Featured performances by Time for Three string trio and the University of North Carolina School of the Arts School of Dance. This event will be held at Meymandi Concert Hall at the Progressive Energy Center for the Performing Arts. You can buy your ticket in advance by calling (919) 733-2750 or at the door, make sure to wear your button the night of the concert.