Weekend Plans New Year's Eve edition: What's open, closed, happening

It's a slow weekend as we all regroup from the holidays and get ready to get back into a routine, but there's plenty to keep families busy.

Posted 1:55 a.m. Dec 31, 2015 — Updated 5:32 p.m. Dec 31, 2015

Sarah Lindenfeld Hall

It's a slow long weekend as we all regroup from the holidays and get ready to get back into a routine!

For weekend ideas, check our Winter Break Guide and WRAL.com's Out & About calendar.

If First Night Raleigh is part of your New Year's Eve plans, get your bearings with our post that focuses on the Children's Celebration and family-friendly activities.

Marbles Kids Museum will offer special hours, activities and a deal this week.

The beautiful Chinese Lantern Festival at Booth Amphitheatre in Cary was supposed to close this weekend, but it's been extended to Jan. 17!

Friday is filled with First Day Hikes at parks across the region and state. Most don't require pre-registration. You can just show up!

If you love cats, the First in Flight Cat Club Championship and Pet Cat Show is Friday and Saturday at the N.C. State Fairgrounds. You'll see 250 cats in competition and meet vendors and local cat groups. Tickets are $5 for adults and $4 for kids ages 2 to 12.

Here are the holiday hours for popular destinations this weekend:

Marbles Kids Museum will be open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Thursday, and noon to 7 p.m., Friday. Its IMAX theater has shows both days, starting at 10 a.m., Thursday, and 1 p.m., Friday.

The N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences and the N.C. Museum of History are open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Thursday, and closed Friday.

The N.C. Museum of Art is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Thursday; and 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday. It has the great M.C. Escher exhibit.

The Museum of Life and Science in Durham is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Thursday, and closed Friday.

Morehead Planetarium and Science Center has its Night Lights event on Thursday for New Year's Eve; is closed Friday; and reopens Saturday and Sunday with shows. UPDATE: The Night Lights event is sold out!

Kidzu Children's Museum in Chapel Hill is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Thursday, and closed Friday.

And the N.C. Zoo in Asheboro is open all week.

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