There’s no limit to the fun that you can have in Greater Raleigh on New Year’s Eve, but what if you want your children to share in the fun, too? Before you start hunting down the elusive New Year’s babysitter, take a look at the family-friendly festivities of First Night Raleigh 2012.

Come rain or shine, downtown Raleigh’s City Plaza will be transformed into one of the best places in Raleigh to bring in the New Year with your entire family. Come as early as 2 p.m. for the Children’s Celebration and then enjoy the early countdown with them, or stay as late as midnight for the traditional giant acorn drop. Enjoy fireworks, live music, dance and “La Grande Roue de Raleigh,” a 90-foot Ferris wheel you’ll find in the middle of Fayetteville Street.

Within a 20-block area of downtown Raleigh, there will be 28 indoor and outdoor venues that will feature live performances, including the North Carolina Opera, Cirque de la Premiere Nuit, Comedy Worx, and The African American Dance Ensemble.

Admission to all First Night Raleigh venues, performances and activities is obtained by purchasing a First Night Raleigh 2012 All Day Pass, perfect for spending the day celebrating with the kids and then staying for the midnight countdown. Tickets are only $9, plus, if you volunteer for two to three hours at First Night, you’ll receive a free pass. Bring in the New Year at First Night Raleigh, where you can celebrate with your entire family.