Skip to Main Content

North Carolina’s Main Street Lights

Rendering of North Carolina's Main Street Lights

As part of the ongoing transformation of downtown's Fayetteville Street, all 88 trees lining the corridor will be fitted with lights along their trunks and major limbs to enhance the aesthetic appeal and vibrancy of our city’s main street.

North Carolina’s Main Street Lights, sponsored by Duke Energy, is part of the DRA’s Downtown Raleigh Economic Development Strategy unveiled in 2024. The five-year plan called for bold, new investment in better public spaces and a new spirit of celebration and activation to support downtown’s storefront economy, and to enhance the downtown experience for all.

Starting June 2nd, the trees will be upfitted with lights gradually as the installation progresses between W. Morgan St. at the State Capitol to Lenoir St. at Memorial Auditorium.

This initiative is entirely funded by private donations to Raleigh Civic Ventures, a 501c3 nonprofit affiliated with Downtown Raleigh Alliance. Duke Energy provided the lead gift and title sponsorship for this initiative with additional support from First Citizens Bank, Highwoods Properties, and others.