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Full Line-Up & DIY Festival Announced For First Night Raleigh 2018

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Raleigh, NC – Artsplosure, the presenter of First Night Raleigh, has announced the festival’s line-up of visual and performing artists and special programs. Taking place in downtown Raleigh on Dec. 31, patrons will experience a New Year’s Eve full music, performances, a daytime DIY Festival, interactive opportunities, and other festivities.

Admission for First Night Raleigh 2018 is now on sale at:

  • com | Etix.com
  • Area Harris Teeter & CVS Health Stores
  • Local store outlets which can be found here

This year’s celebration kicks off at 2 pm with the return of the DIY (Do-It-Yourself) Festival at the N.C. Museum of History, N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences and outdoors on the Bicentennial Plaza. The DIY Festival will feature a multitude of workshops and demonstrations from professional artists and performers. Adults and children alike can try out something new, from creating time capsules to hand lettering and making rhythm instruments!

Art Putt, a miniature golf course and interactive art installation, will be aglow on Fayetteville Street beginning at 2 pm with illuminated art by local neon artist Nate Sheaffer. After an afternoon of putt putt and crafting, at 6 pm attendees can walk in the annual People’s Procession, which culminates at the City Plaza Early Countdown at 7 pm.

Performances on the City Plaza Main Stage begin at 5:30 pm with music from Cane Mill Road and the Triangle Youth Jazz Ensemble. Later into the night, the streets of Raleigh come alive with performances in 30+ indoor and outdoor venues over 20 blocks of downtown Raleigh.

Starting at 10:30 pm, North Carolina favorites Holy Ghost Tent Revival will headline this year’s Main Stage leading up to the countdown to 2018. Joining them will be Raleigh’s own Ira David Wood III and his son, Ira David Wood IV, both of whom will return as the countdown master of ceremonies, with the famous acorn dropping at midnight while fireworks are shot off into the night sky.

Patrons will be thrilled as the Fantastical First Night Ferris Wheel returns to Fayetteville Street. And be sure not to miss our newest amusement ride addition as we debut “F-5” a giant swinging pendulum that will light up Fayetteville St. Both amusements will open to the public at 2 pm on the afternoon of Dec. 31.

In addition, other artists scheduled to appear include: Kate Rhudy, Amythyst Kiah, Steady Rollin’ Bob Margolin, William Weisser, the Jolly Raleigh Singing Trolley, LUMENS Virtual Reality experience, African American Dance Ensemble, Paperhand Puppet Intervention, North Carolina Opera singers, Shana Tucker, Comedy Worx, Transactors Improv Company, SEED Art Share, and many more!

A complete list of the full lineup can be found by downloading the First Night App on your iPhone or Android or by visiting FirstNightRaleigh.com, with admission on sale now. The VIP Pass is $50 and the All Day Pass is $11** when purchased in advance (**plus local and state sales tax). On December 31, All Day Pass on-site sales will be $15* for adults and $12* for children (*including local and state sales tax).

Connect with First Night Raleigh 2018! www.FirstNightRaleigh.com

Use hashtag #FirstNightRaleigh

Facebook: Facebook.com/FirstNightRaleigh Twitter: @FNRaleigh

Instagram: @FirstNightRaleigh

About Artsplosure

Artsplosure is an independent nonprofit organization that presents arts festivals in Raleigh, including its namesake spring festival since 1980 and First Night Raleigh since 1991. Its mission is to produce quality events that make the works of the most imaginative and celebrated artists accessible to the public, all in an effort to enrich our community and inspire greater love for the visual and performing arts.

Artsplosure is funded in part by the City of Raleigh based on the recommendations of the Raleigh Arts Commission and is also supported by the N.C. Arts Council, a division of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.

For more information visit www.artsplosure.org.