Weekend Plans Thanksgiving Edition: What's open, closed, happening

Happy Thanksgiving weekend! We're taking a bit of a break over here at Go Ask Mom headquarters, but never fear! If you're looking for activities this holiday weekend, we had an earlier post this week that lists a dozen possible activities that should keep families busy, including details about shows like "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer," holiday light shows, ice skating and more.

Chapel Hill will host a downtown tree lighting ceremony at 6 p.m., Sunday, in the Memorial Garden of University Baptist Church, 100 S. Columbia St. The evening includes carols and a chance to meet Santa and Mrs. Claus.

And downtown Fayetteville will host the annual A Dickens Holiday from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m., Friday. The afternoon and evening includes horse-drawn carriages, Victorian holiday decorations, a visit with Father Christmas and, of course, Ebenezer Scrooge. At 5 p.m., there's a candlelight procession to the Market House, followed by fireworks.

Marbles Kids Museum is closed on Thursday for Thanksgiving. It's open Friday, Saturday and Sunday, as usual. Marbles' IMAX theater will be open for afternoon and evening showings of "The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2" on Thursday and then offer regular hours for the rest of the weekend (and include screenings of "The Polar Express!").

The N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences and the N.C. Museum of History are closed Thursday and open the rest of the weekend.

The N.C. Museum of Art is closed Thursday, but open the rest of the weekend. It has a new exhibit on M.C. Escher.

Morehead Planetarium and Science Center will be open this Friday through Sunday for the holiday weekend.

Kidzu Children's Museum in Chapel Hill is closed Thursday.

And the N.C. Zoo in Asheboro is open all week, including Thursday. Hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.