First Night Raleigh is on despite record COVID-19 cases. Here's everything you need to know

The event is requiring those in attendance to show proof of vaccination or a recent negative COVID test. On-site testing will be provided by Mako Medical and will cost $30 per test.

Artsplosure, the City of Raleigh and WRAL are partners in the annual New Year's Eve celebration, which has historically drawn tens of thousands of people to multiple indoor and outdoor venues throughout the day on Dec. 31.

Friday will be the first time First Night is held completely outdoors. On Monday, Artsplosure announced new restrictions to keep the event safe.

"We will be able to gather with our community and celebrate, but we are changing the event a little bit," Cameron Laws, program director for Artsplosure and First Night Raleigh, told WRAL News.

Changes include:

Any part of First Night that requires a ticket – rides, the roller rink, concerts on City Plaza – will also require proof of vaccination or a negative test.

"In all of these entry points, we will have hired staff along with a combination of volunteers that are helping us manage those entry points and make sure that these vaccination requirements or negative COVID tests are checked and approved before folks enter these venues," Laws said.

Those who purchased First Night buttons at Harris Teeter will need to show proof of vaccination upon arrival. Those who purchase buttons on site will too. Buttons will get a star added to show the bearer has been vaccinated or provided a copy of a negative test.

Laws said that no decision had been made about refunds for those who bought buttons who decide not to come given the new rules.

Last week, Mayor Mary-Ann Baldwin told WRAL News she believes the City of Oaks can safely celebrate on New Years Eve.

“First Night is held primarily outdoors. That is where most of the activity is. That’s where most of the people will be gathering. Outdoor events are safe. I feel the show must go on,” Baldwin said.

Laws said concerts on the main stage at City Plaza will begin at 2 p.m. rather than at 6 p.m. to give people more hours to enjoy outdoors.

Celebrate New Year's Eve in the Triangle

Enjoy family-friendly performances and activities on Bicentennial Plaza beginning at 2 p.m. Children 5 years old and under are permitted free when accompanied by a pass-wearing adult.

Don’t worry about keeping the kids out too late to ring in the new year. They can enjoy all of the excitement early in the evening. Join Paperhand Puppet Intervention for the People's Procession beginning at 6 p.m. and watch the acorn drop and fireworks at 7 p.m.

Get ready to groove (or fall trying!) on roller skates this year! Bring your own skates or rent them at the Disco Roller Rink on Fayetteville Street at Morgan Street.

Enjoy a bird’s eye view of downtown Raleigh with your loved ones on this year’s brand new Ferris wheel. The Ferris wheel will be open on Dec. 31 from 2 to 11 p.m. on Fayetteville Street at West Hargett.

Creos’ interactive art piece, provided by The Downtown Raleigh Alliance, is located on Fayetteville Street at City Plaza. See it from 2 to 11 p.m.

Keep the holiday spirit going with a fun and picturesque horse-drawn sleigh ride, courtesy of Gold Leaf Carriages. Rides are from 8 to 11 p.m. on Morgan Street at Fayetteville Street.

New Year Eve’s celebrations have been scaled back or called off New York and in London because of the rapid spike in COVID cases, with omicron now the dominant variant in the U.S.

De Blasio said along with Thursday's announcement that the city is monitoring the COVID-19 situation and could impose additional precautions if needed.

Little more than a month ago, de Blasio gleefully announced that a fully vaccinated crowd of hundreds of thousands of people would be back at the iconic celebration — donning goofy 2022-themed glasses and watching a crystal-clad ball drop at midnight — after it was limited last year to small groups of essential workers.

But that was before omicron caught fire, forcing city officials and event organizers to rethink just how many people they wanted to squeeze into the bright, billboard-lined tourist haven known to some as the Crossroads of the World.

On Tuesday, the Fox network gave its verdict, pulling the plug on a planned live broadcast from the New Year's Eve event. Other networks plan to air the festivities, including Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve on ABC, the stalwart now hosted by Ryan Seacrest.

Infectious disease experts are urging caution for all.

Dr. David Montefiori at Duke University says the fast-spreading omicron variant is something we should all take very seriously. He also has a recommendation for those who are fully vaccinated.

“If you are unvaccinated, you should stay at home and get vaccinated as soon as you can,” said Montefiori. "My recommendation if you have been vaccinated and boosted, I would wear a mask and try to avoid being in close proximity of other people.”

"I would ask people to show some social responsibility," said Baldwin. "If they are in a group, wear a mask.”

Baldwin said she will be there to celebrate First Night, participating in some of the events including an outdoor parade.