North Carolina New Year’s events include acorn drop, hockey – and pickles

By WNCN staff   –   WNCN

Acorns will drop, as will pucks and pickles, as North Carolinians ring in the New Year Thursday night.In Raleigh, the popular First Night sprawls across downtown with a wide variety of acts and music. There’s everything from a Johnny Cash cover band to an Andy Griffith film festival in an event designed to fit all ages.

The children’s celebration is from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., with first fireworks are at 7 p.m.

The performances on the main stage are from 5 p.m. until midnight, when the acorn drops (City of Oaks – get it?) and there are more fireworks.

For hockey fans, the Carolina Hurricanes are playing Thursday night at the PNC Arena against the Washington Capitals. The Canes often play on New Year’s, and the puck drops Thursday at 6 p.m.

In Durham, the city will have its first New Year’s Eve celebration at the Durham Convention Center.

Tickets are $60 per person, and the headline act is the Bull City Syndicate. The event begins at 8 p.m. and rolls on to 2 a.m.

If you’re in Eastern North Carolina and yearning for a small-town feel, consider heading to Mt. Olive for the annual Pickle Drop. The event celebrates the city’s favorite food group – the Mt. Olive Pickle Company, after all, has been in business since 1926.

The event celebrates the city’s favorite food group – the Mt. Olive Pickle Company, after all, has been in business since 1926. The event is held at the corner of Cucumber and Vine in Mount Olive.

The event often draws thousands of people for a family-friendly event. It also includes a canned food drive for the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina.

The three-foot lighted pickle drops at 7 p.m. and the event, which often draws a thousands of people, includes music and free refreshments.