Support Us Button Widget

Where is Raleigh’s giant acorn going?

The iconic acorn is on the move — it’s pretty nuts.

Raleigh's acorn moving on a truck.

I polish up real nice.

Acorn crossing. Yesterday morning, Raleigh’s very own 1,250-pound copper and steel acorn was moved from Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts to local artist David Benson’s studio. Why? It’s being polished to prepare for its big moment during First Night Raleigh, Artsplosure’s New Year’s Eve celebration in downtown.

Raleighites have gathered in City Plaza every year on New Year’s Eve (since 1992) to watch the acorn drop to ring in the new year. This year, the acorn will drop twice on Saturday, Dec. 31 — once at 7 p.m. and again at 12 a.m.

Stay tuned for the full lineup of First Night performances and activities. Want free tickets? Sign up to volunteer.

More from RALtoday
If you’re looking for plans to bring in the new year, Raleigh is bustling with events. Explore each event and plan where you’ll bring in 2025.
Sponsored
Raleigh restaurants, cafes, and diners serving up all the eggs, pancakes, mimosas, and other brunch favorites you want to eat.
For the first time since 1990, you can back the Pack in the NCAA men’s soccer finals — and it’s all happening in Cary.
If you’re a fan of real trees over artificial, this list is for you. We’re highlighting 10 local spots to pick up Christmas trees in Raleigh, including home delivery options, pre-flocked trees, and NC-famous Fraser firs.
Our readers have spoken — here are the best local spots our city has to offer, from the best coffee shop to the best apartment complex to the best dentist.
Hi Raleighite. It’s that time of year again — Spotify Wrapped is out, and so is ours. Ready to see how our year stacked up?
A grassroots effort is helping central NC properties become part of a nationwide habitat network.
Bookmark this guide for a curated list of events taking place each month that we’re most looking forward to.
All-you-can-eat restaurants are trending right now, and for good reason. Explore some of Raleigh’s best restaurants where you can enjoy as much as you’d like without the extra markup.