Weekend best bets: Tree lightings, Raleigh Christmas Parade
There are a lot of events coming up this weekend in the Triangle, including some tree lightings and the annual Raleigh Christmas Parade.
Holiday events
Nov. 17: Downtown Raleigh Tree Lighting - There will be food trucks, live music and dance performances, beer and wine, a local vendor market, Santa and Mrs. Claus and more.
Nov. 17: Tree Lighting at Waverly Place - There will be live music by The Embers, death-defying feats by our aerial artists, children’s activities and special appearances by Santa and Mrs. Claus.
Nov. 17-Jan. 14: North Carolina Chinese Lantern Festival - The beloved walk-through festival returns to Cary's Koka Booth Amphitheatre for eight weeks with more than 40 new displays with LED lights. Date-specific tickets are already available online.
Nov. 18: North Hills Tree Lighting - The event features snow slopes, trackless train rides, kids crafts and activities, a bounce house, and a vendor village.
Nov. 18: Light the Square at Fenton - Live music to ice skating to horse-drawn carriage rides and a special appearance by Anna and Elsa from Frozen.
Nov. 18: Raleigh Christmas Parade - The parade begins at 9:30 a.m. on Hillsborough Street at St. Mary’s Street.
Nov. 18: Post-parade Holiday Market - The market is from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Transfer Co. Food Hall.
Movies and performances
Nov. 16-19 - Vivaldi's Four Seasons: Carolina Ballet - See the show four nights at the Martin Marietta Center in Raleigh.
Nov. 17-19: Carrboro Film Festival - The festival showcases numerous independent films that challenge and expand our understanding of Southern culture.
Nov. 18: Jerry Seinfeld at DPAC - America's favorite comedian brings two shows to Durham.
Nov. 17-10: Moses Storm - The comedian comes to Raleigh Improv in Cary. Film credits include NBC's "This is Us" and "Arrested Development" on Netflix.
Nov. 19: Straight No Chaser - The group with millions of YouTube views comes to DPAC. If the phrase “male a cappella group” conjures up an image of students in blue blazers, ties, and khakis singing traditional college songs on ivied campuses ... think again.
More weekend fun
Nov. 16-18: Moonlight in the Garden - Stroll through the garden, listen to a live band, grab a bite to eat from a food truck, roast a marshmallow or two at the fire pits, and sip a cup of hot apple cider at JC Raulston Arboretum.
Nov. 18: Carolina Brewery Oyster Roast - The event includes free admission with steamed or raw oysters available for purchase by the half-dozen or dozen.
Nov. 18: American Indian Heritage Celebration - The N.C. Museum of History will have multiple demonstrations, presentations, and performances highlighting the traditional and contemporary artistic, scientific, historic, and cultural contributions of American Indians in North Carolina.
Nov. 17-19: Jurassic Quest - Observe a herd of life-size robotic dinosaurs at the Raleigh Convention Center. Tickets start at $22.
Nov. 18: Wizard Fest Raleigh - Kings in Raleigh will be hosting Wizard Fest with an evening full of wizard-themed drinks, a sosplay costume contest, wizard trivia, wizard games and more.
Nov. 18: Dix Park History Hike - This two-hour outdoor hike explores Dix Park's complex, layered past that reflects broader themes in our national history and in our society today. The tour is led by historian, author and City of Raleigh Museum Director Ernest Dollar.
Nov. 18: Pop-Up Raleigh Market - Every third Saturday (March through December) at Trophy on Maywood from noon to 5 p.m. there is an open air market with 40+ artisans, live music and food trucks, March through December.
Nov. 18: Geek and Grub Market - Dress up in your favorite steampunk attire, and enjoy fun themed competitions and activities at Mordecai Historic Park.
Nov. 19: Drag Story Hour at the Museum - The City of Raleigh Museum hosts Drag Story Hour from noon to 1 p.m.
