Weekend picks: Mardi Gras, Canes Fan Fest, Undie Run and more

Our list of best picks for this weekend.

Durham Mardi Gras 2023 - Enjoy this free daytime Mardi Gras celebration in Durham Central Park on Feb 18 from 1:30 to 7 p.m. There will be music from Bulltown Strutters brass band, Cajun music from the Cajammers, on-site parading, Glass Jug beer tent and food trucks. There will be crafting and costuming booths including one for kids to make shoe-box floats. Join a second line parade at 3:15 whether fancied up or not, and let the booths help you bling up for Durham's usual Fat Tuesday night events.

Mardi Gras Live! at Fenton Cary - Sports and Social Cary will be hosting Mardi Gras Live! - an immersive Bourbon Street experience right in the heart of the Triangle. Enjoy jazz music, live entertainment, custom hurricane cocktails and all the beads! Event is FREE to enter, but a VIP ticket is available and includes private access into PBR Cowboy Bar for all of the Mardi Gras swag, beignets, and access to a Hurricane drink special.

Mecca Wine and Gourmet Popcorn Tasting - On Saturday, Feb. 18, at Mecca, sample seven incredible wines and discover how their different flavors and aromas are perfectly complemented by seven delectable gourmet popcorn flavors. There will also be charcuterie boards and a tasty dessert.

Cupid's Undie Run Durham - Cupid's Undie Run kicks off with drinking and dancing, then people jog a mile, then have an epic dance party. The event is Feb. 18 starting at noon at Motorco in Durham. Tickets are $40.

New immersive light festival moves into Pullen Park - Billed as a "light festival that aims to blur the lines between reality and virtuality through original storytelling and larger than life light art sculptures," LuminoCity also includes moving dinosaur sculptures and blooming Cherry Blossoms.

Confection Convention - Head to Fayetteville on Saturday for the Confection Convention: a sprinkle-covered event where visiting vendors is a cakewalk! Explore a world of treats where you'll find unique takes on your favorite desserts. You’ll find something for you and your loved ones, or you may even find a caterer for your next get-together!

Navy Federal Credit Union NHL Stadium Series: Hurricanes vs. Capitals - The Carolina Hurricanes, in conjunction with the NHL, will host an outdoor game at N.C. State's Carter-Finley Stadium against the Washington Capitals on Feb. 18, 2023. The event will mark the first time the Hurricanes have participated in an outdoor game.

Carolina Hurricanes Fan Fest - Taking over downtown Raleigh, Carolina Hurricanes Fan Fest celebrates the organization's 25 years in North Carolina the same weekend that Raleigh hosts 2023's NHL Stadium Series game. Come meet Hurricanes alumni, get your picture with the Stanley Cup, play some street hockey, take a ride on the Ferris wheel and enjoy two stages of live music, food trucks, beer garden and entertainment all day long, ending with drone light show and a firework-show finale. The event will run on Fayetteville Street from City Plaza to the State Capitol. Two stages will be set up for 12 musical acts from North Carolina that include Adam Lee Decker, Into the Fog, Paige King Johnson, James Dunn, Touabab Krewe, Jason Adamo, Mega Colossus, Kooley High, Rosali and Superchunk. Event goes from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and admission is free.

Truly Hard Seltzer NHL PreGame - This free hockey festival will be open on Saturday from 2 to 7:30 p.m. at PNC Arena East 1000 Parking Lot. The PreGame will offer fans of all ages, family friendly hockey interactive games and attractions, live music, special appearances, and other dynamic activities like taking a picture with the most iconic trophy in sports, the Stanley Cup.

Hootie & The Blowfish with Susto - Diamond-certified and two-time GRAMMY Award-winning band Hootie & the Blowfish return to their Carolina roots with a one-night-only headlining show at PNC Arena Friday, Feb. 17.

The Book of Mormon at DPAC - The Book of Mormon, which The New York Times calls "the best musical of this century," runs Feb. 15 through Feb. 19 at DPAC.

Shana Tucker, ChamberSoul Cello & Songs - Lyrical storyteller. Soulful cellist. Dynamic singer-songwriter. Fun teaching artist. That's Shana Tucker! Her unique genre of ChamberSoul™ weaves together jazz, roots folk, acoustic pop, and a touch of R&B into melodies that echo in your head for days. See her on stage at Carolina Theatre of Durham on Feb. 18.

Marlon Wayans - Marlon Wayans is an actor, producer, comedian, writer and film director. His films have grossed more than $736-million in domestic box office and $1-billion in global box office. See him on stage at Raleigh Improv Feb. 17 to 19.

Lua Flora with Taylor Winchester, Clint Roberts and The Holler Choir, and Wilfred - The Transfer Co. Ballroom hosts a night full of inspired folk music from artists across North Carolina. Tickets start at $12.

Emma Willmann - Emma Willmann is a Maine native and a Comedy Cellar regular, as well as being one of the top comedians in New York City. See her on stage at Goodnights from Feb. 17 to 19.

Downtown Raleigh Home Show - Feb. 17 through Feb. 19 at the Raleigh Convention Center, enjoy three days of home improvement inspiration! Tickets are $12 for everyone 13 and older, but special events are available.

Durty Bull's Local Maker + Vintage Market - Every third Saturday at Durty Bull brings our monthly market! On Feb. 18 from noon to 4 p.m., shop work from local artists, artisans, makers, and vintage sellers. This month's market will feature a live performance from Taxicab Preacher plus food from RoHo Sandwich Company. There's no better way to spend your third Saturday than supporting local vendors with a cold beverage in hand so come by!

21c Durham Wedding Showcase - Join the team at 21c Museum Hotel Durham on Sunday, Feb. 19 at the 21c Weddings Showcase, hosting some of the Triangle area's favorite vendors. Mix and mingle with florists, photographers, DJs, and more in the historic Main Gallery space to start making your ultimate wedding vision come to life.

Find more events in the month of February

Feb. 18: Shana Tucker, ChamberSoul™ Cello & Songs - This special performance is part of the Carolina Theatre's Family Saturday Series. It is a family-based curated program for all ages at the affordable price of just $5 a ticket. This month's program features Shana Tucker! Her unique genre of ChamberSoul™ weaves together jazz, roots folk, acoustic pop, and a touch of R&B into melodies that echo in your head for days.

Feb. 18-April 9 - LuminoCity Light Festival: - Experience the world-famous LuminoCity immersive wonderland of lights at Pullen Park. This colorful light diplay is an immersive experience for families to enjoy and opens this weekend! From light art displays, motion dinosaur world, historical carousel ride, and cherry blossom festival at night, you will be amazed by the unprecedented beauty and experience under the illumination of night and lights. Tickets are $25 for adults and $18 for kids.

Feb. 18: Downtown Raleigh Valentine's Day Treasure Hunt - Walking Team Scavenger Hunt - Guests will meet at the Sir Walter Raleigh statue at the Raleigh Convention Center and then depart with their treasure map on a Valentine's Day themed walking team scavenger hunt where they will use their minds and feet to follow clues, solve puzzles, and crack codes to find and unlock the treasure chest for a grand prize! Adult tickets are $20, children ages 10 to 18 can participate for $12. Children under 10 years old are welcome to participate for free with the purchase of an adult ticket.

Feb. 18: The Joys of Jayden: A community celebration - Enjoy crafts, activities and entertainment featuring DJ Ed Luva & Moonfaces Face Painting. Jayden Henderson lost her life in 2021 after a deadly dog attack. She loved going to the Southeast Regional Library in Garner. Her family is sponsoring this event in her memory.

Feb. 18: Come See The Trains: Attention train lovers! Visit Fascinate-U the 1st & 3rd Saturday of the month from 12-4 p.m. and enjoy the only miniature trains exhibit in the Cape Fear Region! For kids of all ages, and free admission unless you stay to play in the museum.

Feb. 18: Celebrating Our Heroes: This is a free family event in Cary. Join Applause! Cary Youth Theatre for an intergenerational Black History Month Celebration along with Cardio Drum Circle! Applause kid and teen performers will show you how to rock out to the beat of the African drum and show off some fun dance moves. Then, settle in for some fantastic stories that take us all the way to Africa and back as we celebrate the African American experience through folktales and student-created plays.

Feb. 18: Celebrating Black History Month: Youth Movie Matinee - Head to the Holly Springs Cultural Arts center for a showing of the Disney movie Soul. This is a free, public event sponsored by the Holly Springs MLK Jr. Committee.