City of Oaks Fast Becoming City of Arts

The festivals, which will include cutting-edge art, puppetry, holiday celebrations and visual arts, will take place at Lichtin Plaza over the next 18 to 24 months.

"These new events will showcase this beautiful plaza and performing arts center and all of the wonderful development that are happening in downtown Raleigh," said Helen White, president of Artsplosure.

"It's great to have this kind of private support. These festivals will be a lot of fun not just for citizens of Raleigh, but people across the Triangle who come down here," Meeker said.

The festivals will either be free or charge a small admission fee. Nine corporations in the Raleigh area are contributing $30,000 each to bring the festivals to the capital city.