First Night Raleigh 2012 will feature comedy, dance, spoken word, interactive art installations, and live music from performers representing a wide variety of genres including rock, blues, jazz, gospel, opera, folk and more. The 21st annual New Year’s Eve arts festival will take place on Saturday, December 31, 2011, across a 20-block area of downtown Raleigh and will encompass two-dozen venues.

Festivities begin at 2:00 PM with the Children’s Celebration and conclude at Midnight with a performance by The Pimps of Joytime on City Plaza, the famous Raleigh Acorn drop, and fireworks to ring in 2012. Don’t miss the 90-foot Ferris wheel, which will be erected on Fayetteville Street. Admission passes go on sale December 1 for $9 and provide access to ALL First Night Raleigh 2012 venues, performances and activities. For more information, visit www.firstnightraleigh.com.