Weekend best bets: Parade, Tir na Nog farewell

RALEIGH, N.C. — Lots to do this weekend, and one goodbye.

Tir na Nog farewell - Help the downtown Raleigh pub say goodbye with a day of live music and memories. Sunday the doors open at 11 a.m. and the fun continues until the doors close for good.

WRAL Raleigh Christmas Parade - The WRAL Raleigh Christmas parade is the largest Christmas parade between Washington, D.C. and Atlanta. Watch it live on WRAL or come see it roll through the streets of downtown Raleigh in person. The parade starts at 9:30 a.m. Saturday.

Waverly Place tree lighting - Waverly Place in Cary holds its tree lighting celebration Friday night. Live music and Santa help make this a great family pick for the evening. Admission is free.

North Hills tree lighting - Sledding, a bounce house obstacle course and holiday crafts are just part of the festivities happening Saturday evening at North Hills' annual tree lighting event. The fun is from 4 to 8 p.m.

Lafayette Village tree lighting - This north Raleigh shopping center will celebrate its tree lighting Saturday from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. There will be live music and a visit from Santa.

Nutcracker - Carolina Youth Ballet will present this holiday classic Saturday at noon at Fletcher Opera Theatre in Raleigh. Tickets start at $12.

Holiday Bazaar - City Market will host this event Saturday 11 a.m .to 5 p.m. featuring live music, holiday treats and Santa. Free admission

Holiday Sip and Shop - North Hills will host this event Saturday 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. to help get you in the spirit for Saturday night's tree lighting.

Winterfest - The skating rink in downtown Raleigh's City Plaza opens Saturday at noon. It will remain open through the holiday season. Admission is $10 and includes skate rental.

Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons - The group plays DPAC Friday night. Tickets start at $65.

Branford Marsalis - The famous jazz musician will play Carolina Theatre of Durham Sunday evening. the show will also feature the NCCU Jazz and Vocal Jazz ensembles. Tickets start at $50.

Jeanne Jolly - The Raleigh singer-songwriter plays Lincoln Theatre Saturday night. Tickets are $15.

Country for the Kids - Big and Rich, Maddie and Tae and more will headline this concert Saturday night at DPAC.

Cooder-White-Skaggs - Guitarist Ry Cooder, country music songbird Sharon White, and country and bluegrass musician Ricky Skaggs will take the stage Friday night at UNC-Chapel Hill's Memorial Hall. Tickets start at $29.

Brewer's Ball - Local beer and barbecue highlight the first Brewer's Ball at the American Institute of Architects in Raleigh. Brewers include G2B, Natty Greene's, Nickel Point Brewing, Carolina Brewing Company, Foothills and Sierra Nevada. Whole hog barbecue from PICNIC, challah buns from La Farm Bakery, shucked oysters from Locals Seafood, sides from Posh Nosh Catering and Midtown Grille and desserts from Catering Works will be served alongside beer (and wine). The event celebrates Cystic Fibrosis advocates. Tickets are $75.

Raleigh Beer Garden - The folks from Guinness World Records will be on hand Saturday night to count the taps at this Glenwood Avenue hotspot to see if it has the most in the world.

American Indian Heritage Celebration - Experience this exciting festival Saturday at the North Carolina Museum of History. There will be musicians, dancers, artists, storytellers and authors from the eight state-recognized tribes. Activities will include craft demonstrations, hands-on activities, games, food and much more. Admission is free.

Aries Spears - The comic plays Goodnights Comedy Club Thursday through Sunday.

Peter and the Starcatcher - The Playmakers production runs at the Paul Green Theater for Dramatic Art in Chapel Hill through Dec. 12. Tickets start at $15.

Repticon - This reptile event features vendors offering reptile pets, supplies, feeders, cages, and merchandise as well as live animal seminars and frequent free raffles for prizes. The show is at the N.C. State Fairgrounds Saturday and Sunday.