Weekend best bets: Winter lights, Christmas Carol

RALEIGH, N.C. — Lots of holiday-themed events going on this weekend. Here are our picks:

Raleigh Santa Hat Pub Crawl - This pub crawl is Saturday night in downtown Raleigh. It will visit four bars and include prizes. Tickets are $35 in advance and $40 the day of.

Park West Village - Head to Park West Village in Morrisville this weekend for Magical Winter Lights. Shows are Friday through Sunday and begin at 6 p.m. in front of Stone Theatre. These outdoor shows will have real falling snow, carolers, a free train to ride on and free story time with Santa.

Historic Oakwood Candlelight Tour - A dozen properties in Historic Oakwood will be open to the public this weekend. Tours are 1-7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Advance tickets are $25. Those ticket prices go up to $30 the day of.

Wake Forest Christmas Parade - The annual parade will roll through the streets of downtown Wake Forest Saturday starting at 1 p.m.

Chapel Hill Carrboro Holiday Parade - The parade starts at 10 a.m. Saturday in front of Morehead Planetarium. It wraps up around noon.

Cary Jaycees Christmas Parade - This parade starts at 2 p.m. in downtown Cary Saturday.

Theatre in the Park's A Christmas Carol - Ira David Wood III's beloved musical comedy, A Christmas Carol, celebrates its 41st Anniversary this year. See it through Sunday. Tickets start at $30.

Carolina Ballet presents "The Nutcracker" - It's time for the holiday classic to hit the stage. You can see it Saturday and Sunday at Durham Performing Arts Center.

Cinderella - Raleigh Little Theatre's musical comedy continues its run. Shows are presented through Dec. 20. Tickets are $33.

Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer The Musical - See the holiday classic come to live at Fletcher Opera Theater this weekend. Shows run through December 30. Tickets start at $22.

The Santaland Diaries - Theatre in the Park presents this tale of Crumpet the Elf reliving his brief stint working at Macy's "Santaland" attraction in New York City. Tickets start at $18 and the show runs this weekend and next.

The Wiz - Burning Coal Theatre presents this production of "The Wiz," a retelling of L. Frank Baum’s "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz" in the context of African-American culture. Shows are Thursday and Saturday.

Nuncrackers: The Nunsense Christmas Musical - See this comedy that follows the first "TV Special" taped by the sisters in their convent basement studio for Cable Access. See it at North Raleigh Arts and Creative Theatre this weekend and next weekend.

Disney on Ice - Grab your Mickey ears and get ready for the ultimate Disney experience at Disney On Ice celebrates 100 Years of Magic. The show runs through Sunday at PNC Arena.

7th Annual German Christmas Market - Head to Guglhupf in Durham Saturday for the annual Weihnachtsmarkt. There will be local artisans, live music and delicious German street food grilled out on the patio. Admission is free.

Rudolph Holiday Rodeo - RDU Mobile Food Association holds its first holiday food truck rodeo Sunday noon to 4 p.m. at Knightdale Station Park. There will be 15 of your favorite trucks. Admission is free.

Southern Culture on the Skids - The Southern-fried rock band plays Cats Cradle Saturday night. Tickets start at $13.

Steep Canyon Rangers - The bluegrass band plays UNC-Chapel Hill's Memorial Hall Saturday evening. Tickets start at $29.

Raleigh Ringers - The Raleigh Ringers will perform their annual holiday concert Sunday and Monday at Meymandi Concert Hall. Tickets start at $17.