Crowds gather in Raleigh, Fayetteville to ring in new year
RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) -- Across the state and in the Triangle and Sandhills, celebrations were underway Wednesday night to ring in the new year.
The Raleigh New Year's celebration started well before the clock struck midnight. With fanfare and fireworks, they did an early bird 7 p.m. acorn drop on Fayetteville Street ahead of the main event at midnight.
Roller coasters and food trucks were just some of the fun things that dotted Fayetteville Street in Raleigh.
WATCH: Acorn drop, fireworks in Raleigh at midnight
One family from Fayetteville gathered family all the way from California to spend quality time with and share lessons learned in 2025.
"You never know when, tomorrow's not promised, so take your family, love on them, care on them, and always let them know what they mean to you," said Barbara Washington, of Fayetteville.
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Others shared their wishes for 2026.
"New blessings and happiness, better job and stuff like that," said Jamaree Daniel, of Durham.
Ryan Menendez, of Fayetteville, also had a grateful outlook for the new year.
"Whatever blessings come our way, so, as long as our family is happy, the kids are happy, I'm happy, whatever blessings come our way," Menendez said.
FAYETTEVILLE
As the countdown to midnight began, excitement filled downtown Fayetteville as residents and visitors gathered for the city's annual New Year's Eve Spectacular, marking both the arrival of the new year and a celebration of community.
The fifth annual Fayetteville and Cool Spring District New Year's Eve Spectacular drew large crowds to the city center, where music, fireworks and family-friendly activities kept festivities going late into the night. The celebration officially rang in the new year with a countdown and cheers of "Happy New Year" from children at 9 p.m.
This year's event featured a lineup of nationally known performers, including Bubba Sparxxx, Yung Joc and R&B group 702. In addition to the headlining acts, several local bands and performers took the stage throughout the evening. Food trucks, children's activities and interactive attractions added to the festive atmosphere.
Centonia Morrison, a Fayetteville native, said the event brought together people from all walks of life.
"It's great, there are plenty of people you've never seen before, even celebrities," Morrison said. "That's the most exciting part."
The event attracted visitors from across the country, including first-time attendee Andrea Dawson, who traveled from South Carolina to take part in the celebration.
"I'm actually from South Carolina, and I decided to come up with my friend's godmother," Dawson said. "We saw the event and decided to come."
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For longtime residents like Morrison, the celebration also offered a nostalgic touch, with performances that included popular music from the 1990s.
"It's something fun to do with the community," she said.
The night's festivities concluded with the raising of a multicolored star, a symbol of the city of Fayetteville, signaling the official start of the new year.
City leaders and organizers said the event continues to grow each year, serving as both a cultural highlight and a unifying moment for the community as it welcomes the year ahead.
ABC11 is a proud sponsor of the event.
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