December 28 - 30

13 Things To Do This Weekend

13 Things To Do This Weekend

By Megan Telles

CREATED Dec. 28, 2012

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  • 13 Things To Do This Weekend for Dec. 28-30 Video by ktnv.com

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  • New Year's Eve is a big deal in Las Vegas! People are visiting from all around the world. From events happening on the strip and all across the Valley, it's worth a few minutes to check out the list we've put together for you on KTNV.com. Visit that list here.

  • Recycle those Christmas trees this holiday season! Now thru January 15, it's your chance to take down the holiday tree decor and drop your tree off at one of the many drop sites around the Valley. Visit here to see a list of drop sites near you. This service is open daily from 8am - 6pm.

  • The Downtown 3rd Farmer's Market is getting a lot of buzz. Some say it may be the best farmers market in town -- but you be the judge! Take the 95 South and exit Casino Center this Friday from 9am - 2pm. Enjoy great produce from local farmers and more!

  • Join the three-day new year's eve celebration at The Fremont Street Experience with 19 bands on 3 stages for 3 nights. This weekend will be jam-packed with visitors from around the world, but this is your chance to party "off" the strip. Saturday and Sunday are FREE, then on Monday night (NYE) locals can get tickets for $30 with a valid Nevada I.D. Happy New Year!

  • UNLV men's basketball is on the road this weekend. This Saturday, they challenge the Tar Heels at 11am. This is a big game and will be televised on ESPN2 and watchESPN.com. Host a watch party and root the Rebels on to a victory!

  • It's a New Year's Eve eve party with two rappers from the 1980's and 90's -- MC Hammer and Tone LOC! They take the stage at The Riviera on Sunday for a little throw back to old-school rap. Doors open up at 7pm, concert starts at 8pm. Buy your tickets today, right here!

  • The Cosmopolitan Boulevard Pool is transformed into an ice rink this holiday season. Enjoy the winter wonderland from four floors about the strip. This event is a great local holiday spot on the Las Vegas Strip. All-day access for local is only $10. You can visit the rink now through January 20.

  • This Saturday and Sunday The Wayan's Brothers are in town and ready to entertain Las Vegas. Show starts at 8pm each night in the Orleans Showroom. Shawn and Marlon Wayans have been in the acting game for decades and bring wit, experience and whole lot of humor to the table. Get ready to laugh it out and enjoy yourselves this holiday weekend! Purchase your tickets today!

  • Now thru January 6, it's the most wonderful time of the year at Opportunity Village's "Magical Forrest." With hundreds of magical lights, colorful carousel, train rides, one-on-one time with Santa and more, you can truly enjoy this holiday season. Gates open Friday - Sunday at 5:30p and tickets start at $9 for kids and $11 for adults. Enjoy the season and get to the "Magical Forrest" while it lasts!

  • It's the LAST weekend of this great holiday tradition! Enjoy Ethel M. Chocolate Factory with the whole family and stroll through the cactus garden. This isn't just a normal garden full of cacti, it's cacti lit up for the season! Truly a beautiful sight to see here in Las Vegas, on display nightly, now thru January 1. Garden opens at 5:00p and admission is always free!

  • Dramatic free-flight presentations are what you can look forward to at the "Wings Over the Springs" exhibit at the Springs Preserve, on display now through February 24. Interact with hawk eagles, falcons, owls and more! If you're a bird-lover, than this is the place to be this weekend from 11am - 1pm. This event is FREE for members.

  • It's NYE weekend and the entertainment is at an all-time high across the Valley! Maroon 5 will perform at Mandalay Bay Saturday & Sunday. Show starts at 8pm. Get your tickets, today!

  • With the kids home this holiday break and this Saturday being the last of the year... take the family to the Las Vegas Natural History Museum! This Saturday, from 11am - 1pm and Sunday at 1pm, be a part of the Japanese Tradition by helping them make a Daruma doll to help fulfill their 2013 New Year's Resolution! This is an exciting time to encourage your kids to look forward to a new year... set new goals and fulfill them. Happy New Year!

Las Vegas, NV (KTNV) -- Drive with caution this weekend as 330,000 visitors are expected to roll into town for pre New Year's Eve celebrations.

Saturday and Sunday, head down to Fremont Street Experience for tribute bands galore, food and the full  "experience." This event is free both Saturday and Sunday, plus it's your chance to have a great time in Downtown, if you're looking to stay away from the crowds at The Strip.

Then how about them UNLV Rebels!  The men's-basketball team hits the road this weekend to take on the North Carolina Tar Heels at 11am on Saturday. The game will be televised on ESPN2 or you can log on to watchESPN.com.  UNLV has won the last nine games and all three games on the road this season. But the Tar Heels... they lead the series with UNLV, 3-1.  Host a UNLV watch party and  send the Rebels lots of luck as they battle it out for a 10th consective victory this season.

And it's that time of the year to recycle your Christmas trees. Now through January 15, strip your tree of holiday decor and drop it off at one of the 20 plus drop sites around the valley. This recycling program keeps trees out of landfills and into a more sustainable space. This service is free and available daily, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.  

For  the list of drop sites and more information on these events, visit the 13 Things Playlist here. Don't forget to send us your weekend photos to icontribute@ktnv.com or drop me a tweet -- my handle is @mtelles.

Have fun, be safe this weekend and have a happy, new year!