Weekend best bets: Elf, First Friday

Get ready for some holiday fun this weekend in the Triangle.

Performances

Nov. 29-Dec. 3: Elf the Musical - ELF The Musical is the hilarious tale of Buddy, a young orphan child who mistakenly crawls into Santa’s bag of gifts and is transported back to the North Pole. See this show on stage at DPAC through Dec. 3.

Dec. 2-5: Cary Players present A Christmas Story - Based on the classic movie, humorist Jean Shepherd’s memoir of growing up in the Midwest of the 1940s follows young Ralphie Parker in his quest to get a genuine Red Ryder BB gun under the tree for Christmas. Thge show runs at Cary Arts Center Dec. 2 -5.

Dec. 2-18: Raleigh Little Theatre's Cinderella- RLT’s holiday tradition returns for the 38th year! This musical comedy is a holiday sugarplum for the whole family. Just the right mixture of comedy and romance can add the sparkle of magic to your holiday season. This visually stunning musical combines elegant costumes and scenery with singing, dancing, conniving step-relatives, and resourceful fairy folk.

Dec. 4: DanceArt - Nutcracker with a Twist - "Nutcracker with a Twist" is a holiday performance presented by DanceArt Studio at Memorial Auditorium on Dec. 4 at 2 p.m.

Dec. 4: Scott Bradlee's Postmodern Jukebox - A Very Postmodern Christmas - One part celebration of vintage music and culture, one part “’Saturday Night Live’ for singers”, a Postmodern Jukebox show is an unforgettable trip back in time that makes Pop Music History — in your own hometown. See them on stage at Meymandi Concert Hall on Dec. 4.

Shopping

Dec. 2: First Friday Markets and Movie Night at Moore Square - There is live entertainment and games for families plus a free outdoor movie at sundown presented by the City of Raleigh. This month's movie is "Muppet Christmas Carol."

Dec. 2: The Bull City Holiday Night Market - Featuring over 25 vendors bringing quality products/goods and services, this market will be held on Dec. 2 at Durham Bottling Company.

Dec. 3: Scandinavian Christmas Fair - The Scandinavian Christmas Fair in Raleigh, NC, is a celebration of the rich traditions of the Nordic countries: Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland and Iceland. This old-world celebration is certain to get you into the spirit of the season!

Dec. 3: Downtown Durham Holiday - Downtown Durham is kicking off the holiday season on Saturday, December 3 with a day of shopping specials, music, live performances and the holiday tree lighting! This is also the first weekend that the Bullpen – downtown's social district – will be in effect, so enjoy a beverage while you shop, stroll, watch and listen. Join us for a full day of holiday festivities!

Holiday tree lightings and parades

Friday, Dec. 2:

• Benson tree lighting and parade - The town's Christmas on Main starts at 5 p.m., Dec. 2, and includes both a tree lighting and a parade
• Knightdale tree lighting - The town's tree lighting will be on Dec. 2 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Knightdale Station Park.
• Morrisville tree lighting - The town's annual tree lighting is 6 p.m. to 7 p.m., Dec. 2, at 101 Town Hall Dr.
• Wake Forest tree lighting - The Lighting of Wake Forest is 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., Dec. 2. The festivities take place in Centennial Plaza, 301 S. Brooks St., the gateway to Wake Forest Town Hall. This year's ceremony will feature the lighting of the Christmas tree and Santa's exciting arrival in a Wake Forest fire truck.
• Four Oaks tree lighting - The Town of Four Oaks Christmas Tree lighting will be held Dec. 2 at 6 p.m. at Barbour's Grove Park.

Saturday, Dec. 3:

• Fayttetteville Rotary Christmas Parade - The Rotary Christmas Parade is 10 a.m., Dec. 3.
• Zebulon Christmas Parade - The parade is happening at 2 p.m.
• Apex's Rotary Christmas Parade - This will be held Dec. 3 starting at 5 p.m. at the intersection of Ambergate Station and The Peakway. It will head down Salem Street and end at the Apex Public Works buildings on Upchurch Street. There will be a Winter Wonderland area with vendors and child-centered activities at The Depot parking lot from noon to 8 p.m. There will also be food vendors located throughout the parade route.
• Angier Christmas Parade - The annual parade will start at 10 a.m.
• Anger Vendor Fair - From 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., get some shopping done outside of the Angier Depot. There will be 56 vendors and eight food trucks.
• Cary tree lighting - The tree lighting ceremony is 6 p.m. on Dec. 3. It is part of the town's Heart of the Holidays celebration.
• Garner Christmas Parade - The Garner Christmas Parade will be held Dec. 3 at 4:15 p.m. The event will also include the annual Holiday Block Party at Garner Recreation Center and the tree lighting. Events start at 2 p.m. that day.
• Durham tree lighting - The downtown annual tree lighting is 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., Dec. 3, at CCB Plaza, 201 Corcoran St.. Featuring performances by G Yamazawa, House of Coxx and an NCCU step show.

Sunday, Dec. 4:

• Fuquay-Varina town parade - The town's parade is 4 p.m. on Dec. 4.
• Hillsborough tree lighting - The town's Light Up the Night Parade & Tree Lighting starts at 4 p.m., Dec. 4. A tree lighting immediately follows the end of the parade.
• Rolesville holiday parade - The town's parade is from 2 to 3 p.m., Dec. 4.

Holiday lights

Until Dec. 24: WRAL Nights of Lights - Brighten your holiday season with WRAL Nights of Lights Drive-Thru Light Show at Dorothea Dix Park, brought to you by WRAL/Capitol Broadcasting Company in partnership with the City of Raleigh.

Dec.. 2-3: Winterfest & Tree Trail - In Holly Springs, head to Ting Stadium for festive entertainment, an artisan market, Santa Visits and the lighted Tree Trail.

Now until Jan. 8: North Carolina Chinese Lantern Festival - This annual event is back at Koka Booth Amphitheatre starting Friday, Nov. 18. It features more than 40 all new displays, each one comprised of hundreds of parts, and thousands of LED lights.