12 family-friendly picks for this weekend in the Triangle

RALEIGH, N.C. — We have some great ideas for family fun this weekend including some outdoor festivals.

BrickUniverse Raleigh LEGO fan expo (The Raleigh Convention Center, 500 S Salisbury St, Raleigh) - This seventh annual fan convention features professional LEGO artists, hundreds of LEGO creations and multiple vendors. It will be held Saturday and Sunday at the Raleigh Convention Center. Face masks will be required regardless of vaccination status. In addition, the building zones are being replaced with more hands-on and view-only LEGO displays. Capacity is also being limited with sessions being sold for specific times each day.

Raleigh Balloon Glow (Dorothea Dix Park, 101 Blair Drive, Raleigh) - This three-evening event features hot air balloons glowing at dusk, tethered balloon rides, food vendors, arts & craft vendors plus activities for the kids. It will take place at The Big Field at Dix Park at 101 Blair Drive. Admission to this event is charged per vehicle, and tickets must be booked in advance to gain entry to the event. There will be no tickets sold at the gates for this event. Tethered balloon rides sold separately from event entry tickets.

Farmers Fall Festival (Ivey Ellington House, 135 West Chatham Street, Cary) - Come celebrate the Fall Harvest with the farmers of the Cary Downtown Farmers Market on Saturday. There will be live music, vendors, food trucks and a pie-eating contest.

Festa Italiana (Glenwood South, Raleigh) - Celebrate Italian heritage on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Glenwood South in Raleigh. There will be food, music, vendors and children's games at this street festival. Admission is free. The festival will have sanitizing stations throughout the grounds, and social distancing for vendor tents and food truck lines. Guests are asked to wear masks when and where appropriate.

Oktoberfest (Lafayette Village, 8450 Honeycutt Rd, Raleigh) - Celebrate Oktoberfest at Lafayette Village in north Raleigh on Saturday from noon to 4 p.m. There will be food, music and shopping.

Family Health & Fitness Day (North Carolina Museum of Art Park, 2110 Blue Ridge Road, Raleigh) - The North Carolina Museum of Art will host this day of family friendly fun including a pop-up market, music from a family-friendly DJ and more fun from noon to 4 p.m.

Mindful Museum: Family Growga Live (North Carolina Museum of Art Park, 2110 Blue Ridge Road, Raleigh) - Experience movement and mindfulness in the North Carolina Museum of Art Park with this Growga class celebrating National Hispanic Heritage Month. The class, planned Saturday morning, incorporates yoga, art, and mindfulness techniques such as deep breathing and relaxation. The instructor teaches in both English and Spanish. Bring your own mat and come ready to move, play, and learn what makes National Hispanic Heritage Month special! Best for ages 6 and up. Tickets are $6 for museum members and $8 for nonmembers.

The Dude Perfect (PNC Arena, 1400 Edwards Mill Rd., Raleigh) - In their second live tour, the fans will experience the Dudes up close and personal when they bring the action right into the audience with crazy stunts, competitive battles and more. Masks are required upon entry, per the City of Raleigh. There are no vaccination or testing requirements for this event.

Durham Bulls' final home games of the season - The Durham Bulls will be closing out the season with their final home games of the year. There will be fireworks on Friday and Saturday nights, plus fan appreciation on Sunday.

Bark in the Park - NCFC vs. North Texas SC (WakeMed Soccer Park, 101 Soccer Park Dr, Cary) - WakeMed Soccer Park and the North Carolina Football Club will be hosting their first Bark in the Park event on Sunday starting at 2 p.m. Tickets must be purchased for your dog and yourself.

Benson Mule Days (Downtown Benson, Main St, Benson) - The Town of Benson will host its annual Mule Days event Thursday through Sunday. Activities include live music, mule competitions and a parade.

The Oak City Art Tour Aboard The Great Raleigh Trolley (The Great Raleigh Trolley, 1610 Automotive Way, Raleigh) - This colorful 1-hour tour is designed to show off the incredible works of public art in the City of Oaks. Enjoy the art from the comfort of The Great Raleigh Trolley on Saturday afternoon. This tour is perfect for all ages and features a short intermission at Sir Walter Coffee for drinks, snacks and bathroom breaks.​