Now that Halloween is over, the holiday season is officially underway. What better way to celebrate than supporting local Raleigh artists, listening to Christmas music, and never leaving the comfort of your car?
This year, the City of Raleigh is teaming up with WRAL and Artsplosure to create a COVID-safe holiday light show at Dorothea Dix Park. Attendees will be able to circle the 1.3-mile-long loop that surrounds the park in their cars to view art installations and light displays created by local artists. The beautiful oak trees that make Dix Park so special will also be adorned with holiday cheer.
Vortex Pro Wash, a local Raleigh business, will be responsible for the majority of the light displays. Their designers, Nick and Melissa Rhodes, will be putting up over 400 light arrangements around the park, totaling over 500 strands of lights!
As apart of the experience, the creators of First Night Raleigh will have a special edition installation available to view on December 30 and 31 to commemorate the beginning of 2021. The iconic Raleigh Acorn statue, which is traditionally dropped on New Year’s Eve, will take on a new role this year as it’s combined with the holiday light displays at Dix Park. Mix 101.5, another local radio station, will be putting together a Christmas-themed set to play at the Nights of Lights as well!
Artsplosure Director, Michael Lowder said about the holiday experience, “The board and staff of Artsplosure are grateful to WRAL and the City of Raleigh for the opportunity to enhance the inaugural Nights of Lights festival with elements of First Night Raleigh. The primary focus of First Night has always been to gather our community together in celebration of the arts and a common purpose. In the age of COVID, this platform gives us a unique setting to continue this tradition.”
If you’re interested in attending, here’s some more information:
Where: Dorothea Dix Park in Raleigh, NC
When: Wednesday, December 16 – Thursday, December 31
Tickets: $10 per person, online purchases only
For ticket purchases, route maps, and other information, visit this link!
– DJ Butter
