Holiday events, festivals highlight weekend best bets

We're already halfway through November, and the Triangle is kicking the holiday season into gear. There are plenty of seasonal events this weekend, including the Raleigh Christmas Parade, along with fundraisers and a heritage festival.

The last Midtown Farmer's Market of the season is this Saturday. Head out to North Hills for your produce and support local North Carolina farmers this Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon. 

The seventeenth annual American Indian Heritage Celebration is this Saturday at the North Carolina Museum of History from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Contemporary artists will be exhibiting their work, musicians will be performing traditional music and there will be plenty of hands-on activities for kids, including crafts, workshops and storytelling. This educational event is free.

Dozens of local homebrewers and craft breweries will be exhibiting their creations at Homebrew for Hunger in Chapel Hill this Saturday afternoon. Advance tickets are $20, and all of the proceeds benefit PORCH in its efforts to provide relief from hunger. Along with the chance to sample many unique beers, there will also be a raffle with great prizes. There are two sessions: noon to 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at West End Public.

The SPCA's Santa Paws 5K raises money for homeless pets and offers a 5K race for runners with canine participants this Sunday at Cameron Village. WRAL-TV anchor Gerald Owens will be there as a celebrity Santa Claus, and there is a recreational run/walk in addition to the competitive race. Registration is $25 and the event starts at 8 a.m.

This Sunday is the last performance of The Best Christmas Pageant Ever at the Raleigh Little Theatre. This classic story of the horrible Herdman children and their invitation to join the annual Christmas pageant is a family favorite. The matinee showing starts at 1 p.m. and tickets are $13 for adults, $9 for children 12 and under.