Ring in 2027 near Wake Forest: Raleigh's acorn drop and fireworks, town closures Dec. 24-28 and Jan. 1, holiday trash shifts and Christmas tree pickup.
Last checked Oct. 12, 2026. This page is updated each year at the same address. Town closures and trash rules come from the Town of Wake Forest’s holiday schedule and its 2025 Christmas and New Year’s notice; Raleigh’s plans come from WRAL First Night Raleigh.
The Town of Wake Forest had not announced a New Year’s Eve event or fireworks for Thursday, Dec. 31, when we checked. The nearest big public celebration is WRAL First Night Raleigh, about 12 miles south, with its acorn drop and fireworks on Fayetteville Street. Town Hall closes for Christmas from Dec. 24 to 28 and again on New Year’s Day, Friday, Jan. 1, 2027.
Who to call
- Trash, yard waste and tree pickup: Public Works, 919-435-9570
- Leaf Collection Hotline: 919-435-9582
- Police non-emergency: 919-554-6150
- GoTriangle bus schedules: 919-485-7433
Ringing in 2027
WRAL First Night Raleigh is the Triangle’s big New Year’s Eve party in downtown Raleigh. On its event site, the current lineup starts with outdoor music in City Plaza and a Children’s Celebration at 2 p.m., moves indoors to venues across downtown in the evening and ends with an outdoor main stage. The site lists:
- An early acorn drop and fireworks at 7 p.m. for families.
- The midnight acorn drop and fireworks, seen from Fayetteville Street and City Plaza, 400 Fayetteville St.
- No ticket is needed to watch the acorn drops and fireworks. Tickets cover the rides, indoor shows and the Children’s Celebration and are sold online and at several Raleigh Harris Teeter stores.
Check the site in December for the 2026 performers and times.
In Wake Forest, no restaurant, brewery or venue had posted New Year’s Eve plans when we checked. We will list each one here, with times, once the venue announces it on its own website. Run a Wake Forest venue? Send us the link. Ideas for a night out are on our date night and live music and nightlife guides.
Town closures
From the town’s 2026 holiday schedule:
| Holiday | Town Hall and offices |
|---|---|
| Christmas | Closed Thursday to Monday, Dec. 24-28 |
| New Year’s Eve | Open Thursday, Dec. 31 |
| New Year’s Day | Closed Friday, Jan. 1, 2027 |
Police service is not affected on any holiday. Go Wake Forest buses do not run on Christmas Day or New Year’s Day, and the Wake Forest-Raleigh Express does not run on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day or New Year’s Day, according to the same page.
Trash, recycling and Christmas trees
Republic Services does not collect on Christmas Day or New Year’s Day. When a holiday falls on a weekday, that day’s route runs the next day and the rest of the week shifts into Saturday, the town’s holiday schedule says. In 2026-27 both holidays fall on a Friday, so:
| Week | Monday to Thursday routes | Friday route |
|---|---|---|
| Christmas week | No change | Saturday, Dec. 26 |
| New Year’s week | No change | Saturday, Jan. 2 |
The town posts its detailed notice about a week ahead; last year’s also paused yard waste and loose leaf collection for the whole of Christmas week. Sign up for Holiday Operations E-Notifier emails to get it.
Christmas trees: last season, crews began collecting live trees at the curb with yard waste on the Monday after Christmas and ground them into mulch that residents can have for free, according to the town’s 2025 notice. Take off all decorations, tinsel, nails, stands and bags and set the tree behind the curb.
Wake County’s convenience centers, open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily, closed on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day last year. Our trash and recycling guide has the full routine.
New Year’s Day
Start 2027 outside: our walking and biking trails guide covers the Smith Creek and Neuse River greenways. Back indoors, the Renaissance Centre’s Stars of the Forest Showcase of Talent, with local singers, dancers and comedians, is at 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 9; tickets start at $10 on the Renaissance Centre’s page.
Related: holiday lights and Christmas events, Christmas parade and tree lighting and Valentine’s Day in Wake Forest.
Frequently asked questions
Are there New Year’s Eve fireworks in Wake Forest?
The Town of Wake Forest had not announced a New Year’s Eve event or fireworks when we checked. The nearest big show is WRAL First Night Raleigh, which has held an early acorn drop and fireworks at 7 p.m. and a midnight drop and fireworks on Fayetteville Street.
Is trash picked up on New Year’s Day in Wake Forest?
No. Republic Services does not collect on New Year’s Day. In 2027, New Year’s Day is a Friday, so under the town’s holiday rule Friday’s route is collected Saturday, Jan. 2.
Is Wake Forest Town Hall open between Christmas and New Year’s?
Town Hall and administrative offices close Thursday through Monday, Dec. 24-28, for Christmas and Friday, Jan. 1, 2027, for New Year’s Day, on the town’s holiday schedule. They are open Dec. 29-31.
Does Wake Forest pick up Christmas trees?
Yes. Last season the town collected live Christmas trees at the curb with yard waste from the Monday after Christmas and ground them into free mulch. Remove all decorations, nails, stands and bags first.
Have your say