First Night Raleigh returns! All events are outside this year. Start with the children's celebration in early afternoon, and then check out festivities along Fayetteville Street and City Plaza. Then, greet 2022 with the Acorn Drop and fireworks. There will be daytime activities from 2 to 6 p.m. at Bicentennial Plaza, NC Museum of Natural Sciences, and NC Museum of History, and then the People's Procession and early countdown, before the evening festivities begin, which include live music, the acorn drop and more. There will be a roller rink, a ferris wheel and carriage rides. An all-access ticket is $12 in advance, and $16 the day of the event.

Raleigh Beer Garden is holding a New Year's Eve party starting at 10 p.m. General admission is $10.

Celebrate New Year's Eve at 10th & Terrace, the rooftop bar at Residence Inn in Downtown Raleigh. There will be a DJ, festive drinks, and a great view. It will stay open until 1 a.m., and there's non charge to attend.

Glass Jug Beer Lab, at 545 Foster Street, Durham, is getting the party started with a pre-party from 12 p.m. to 9 p.m. on December 31st. It's free to attend, and they'll be offering $4 champagne and $6 beer or wine cocktails all day.

Fortnight Brewing in Cary is hosting two New Year's Eve parties. A free family event starting at 6 p.m. will feature a countdown at 7 p.m. (UK time.) And the main event, starting at 8 p.m., will feature music, comedy, karoake and more, with tickets $12 in advance, $15 at the door, and $30 for VIP tickets.

Bond Brothers Eastside, on 602 East Chatham Street, Cary, is hosting a New Year's Eve party featuring jazz by Peter Lamb and the Wolves. Tickets are $15, and include complimentary snacks. There will be outside heaters, fire pits and extended food truck hours. The party goes from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m.

Celebrate New Year's Eve at the Chatham Beverage District at The Plant in Pittsboro. There will be fires around the campus, and drinks available at Fair Game Beverage Company, BMC, and more. At midnight there will be an apple drop and a champagne toast.

Farmhouse Cafe is hosting a New Year's Eve Soirée on December 31st, from 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. Dress to impress! A DJ and photographer will be on hand to make the evening special, and there will be a countdown and toast at midnight. Hors d'oeuvres and drinks will be available for purchase. Admission is free.

PourWorks Beer & Wine Shop in Raleigh is hosting a New Year's Eve party, and admission is free. There will be drink specials, a champagne toast at midnight, hors d'oeuvres, late night snacks and more. Music Bingo is from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m.

This free party includes live music by Rusted Rails, and food for purchase from Walking Crab Truck.

Skate in the new year at United Skates of America. They'll be hosting a family New Year's Eve party with an early countdown and party favors, a New Year's Eve party to celebrate the first minutes of 2022, and a New Year's Day Pajama Skate Party.

Durty Bull Brewing Company's weekly comedy open-mid will be taking place on New Year's Eve at 8 p.m. It's free to attend.

The RINK will be open for ice skating on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day from 12 p.m. to 10 p.m. The cost is only $11, including skate rental, or $6 for spectators.

North Carolina Chinese Lantern Festival, at Koka Booth Amphitheatre, takes place both New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. Tickets range from $15 to $25.

Our list of Triangle light displays is so extensive that there are almost certainly amazing festive displays that you haven't experienced yet. Many, but not all, are still operating through New Year's Day. We include an interactive map to help you plan your journey.

This drive-through light extravaganza does not take place on New Year's Eve, but does take place place on New Year's Day. The cost is $32 per car.