12 family-friendly weekend activities for Jan. 26-28 in Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, Cary
No plans this weekend? Here’s what’s happening on the weekend family fun front. As always, check WRAL.com’s Out & About calendar for more activities during the weekend of Jan. 26 to Jan. 28
Raleigh
Marvel Universe Live! Age of Heroes hits the PNC Arena for multiple shows from Thursday to Sunday. On stage will be Spider-Man, the Avengers, Guardians of the Galaxy and more. They'll be "racing against time," according to the show's description, to recover the Wand of Watoomb before it falls into Loki's hands. Tickets start at $18.
The N.C. Museum of History and the N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences, which sit next to each other in downtown Raleigh, each have free events this weekend.
The 17th annual African American Cultural Celebration, with activities for all ages, is 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Saturday, at the history museum. The festival features more than 75 musicians, storytellers, dancers, chefs, historians, playwrights, authors, artists and re-enactors.
And the natural sciences museum hosts Astronomy Days. From 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, and noon to 5 p.m., Sunday, the annual event will offer up everything from telescope crafts and solar observing to rocket launches and special presentations for space enthusiasts of all ages.
The Triangle's largest Chinese New Year Celebration is 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, at the N.C. State Fairgrounds in Raleigh. Celebrate the Year of the Rooster with Chinese and Asian cultural performances, exhibits, food, vendors, crafts and more. Tickets are $5 in advance and $8 at the door. Kids 6 and under are admitted free. It’s organized by the Triangle Area Chinese American Society.
Read With Me, the children’s bookstore in downtown Raleigh, will host a book drive and special storytime starting at 10 a.m., Saturday.
And Quail Ridge Books and Music in Raleigh will host a conversation between to young adult authors. Scott Reintgen, author of "Nyxia," will talk with Nic Stone about her debut book, “Dear Martin.” The book explores race relations through the words of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and the young black teenager who writes letters to him. The book is best for ages 14 and way up. The program is at 4 p.m., Sunday.
Cary
Just 4 Kids Consignment Sale in Cary will launch the region's 2018 spring/summer children's consignment sale season when it opens its doors on Thursday. The sale will run 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Thursday, Friday and Saturday, at Cary Towne Center, 1105 Walnut St., Cary. Many items will be half off on Saturday.
Durham
The Relative Pitch Youth Open Mic is 4 p.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, at The Blue Note Cafe, 709 Washington St., Durham. This is a great opportunity for kids and teens to perform on stage in front of an audience - or to watch kids like them perform.
The Museum of Life and Science’s Frozen Over pop-up space continues through Sunday inside the Durham museum's main building. It features a variety of "winter fun," including an icicle forest made of pool noodles, an "icy" shelter, a synthetic ice rink and twice daily indoor snowball fights. This one is great for young children. It's free with admission.
Chapel Hill
Reminder: Acclaimed picture book author Linda Ashman, who lives right here in the Triangle in Chapel Hill, will read from her sweet winter-themed picture book "William's Winter Nap" during a special event at Kidzu Children's Museum next week. The event, which was rescheduled from last week, is from 11 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., Friday, at the Chapel Hill museum. It's free with admission.
Lego-palooza returns to Morehead Planetarium and Science Center this weekend. The free event, launched in 2005 by the North Carolina LEGO Users Group, features intricate Lego exhibits with scenes of outer space, trains, amusement parks, city landmarks and more. The event is best for ages 6 and older (there may be brief waits to enter to see the exhibits), but younger children are welcome. Hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Jan. 27, and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., Jan. 28, at the Chapel Hill center at 250 E. Franklin St.
And Sunday is Friends and Family Sunday from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Ackland Art Museum. It’s free. Visitors can conduct an art interview with a friend or family member; play art games; and make their own version of Ackland’s Artwork of the Month.
