Weekend best bets: WRAL First Night, Shen Yun and more fun

RALEIGH, N.C. — We are ready to say goodbye to 2021! Here are your picks for fun in the Triangle for New Year's Eve and the first weekend of 2022.

WRAL First Night Raleigh (Fayetteville Street Mall, Fayetteville St, Raleigh) - WRAL First Night Raleigh is happening in downtown Raleigh on Friday night. There will be more than 20 blocks of live music, vendors, performances and more fun. This year, there will be a Ferris wheel and roller rink to enjoy. The early countdown and acorn drop at 7 p.m. is also back, as well as the WRAL Countdown to Midnight. Tickets are on sale now. All events are going to be outdoors this year and all attendees (ages 6+) will need to provide proof of full vaccination against Covid-19 or a negative COVID-19 test from an official Wake County testing site within 48 hours. Masks are highly recommended but not required outdoors.

NC Chinese Lantern Festival (Koka Booth Amphitheatre, 8003 Regency Parkway, Cary) - Enjoy this annual celebration at Booth Amphitheatre in Cary from Nov. 19 through Jan. 9. There will be new displays and more ticket options.

Shen Yun Performing Arts (Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts - Raleigh Memorial Auditorium, 2 E. South St., Raleigh) - Shen Yun Performing Arts is the world's premier classical Chinese dance and music company, established in New York in 2006. The company performs classical Chinese dance, ethnic and folk dance, and story-based dance. See them on stage at Raleigh Memorial Auditorium Friday and Saturday. Face masks are required.

A Christmas Story: The Musical (Durham Performing Arts Center, 123 Vivian St., Durham) - Ring in 2022 with Ralphie and his beloved Red Ryder Air Rifle. See the musical version of this classic Christmas movie on stage at DPAC through Sunday.

Downtown Raleigh Illuminate Art Walk (Downtown Raleigh, 300-400 Block of Fayetteville St., Raleigh) - Downtown Raleigh comes to light with Illuminate, a light-based art walk. This five-week activation takes place in Downtown Raleigh's Fayetteville Street and Glenwood South districts. Illuminate will transform plazas and underutilized spaces with a large-scale interactive installation, light-based sculptures, and projection art. Installations will shine nightly through Jan. 7.

New Year's Eve Gala (North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences - Nature Research Center, 121 W. Jones St., Raleigh) - Rocky Top Catering will host this annual NYE celebration at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences' Nature Research Center Friday night. There will be four floors of food and fun. Tickets are $175 (plus tax and service fees) per person. Tickets are limited and proof of vaccination or a negative Covid test within 48 hours is required.

NYE at Young Hearts Distilling! (Young Hearts Distilling Co, 225 S Wilmington St, Raleigh) - This new distillery and restaurant is holding a New Year's Eve celebration from 7 p.m. until 1 a.m. Tickets include food, live entertainment and an open bar. Proof of vaccination or negative Covid test result within 48 hours required.