Weekend best bets: Hip Hop Nutcracker, Chinese Lantern Festival

RALEIGH, N.C. — Despite the Black Friday craziness, there is plenty to do in the Triangle this weekend -- we found some unique holiday markets for shoppers and some incredible shows for those who just want to relax.

NC Black Friday Cask Festival - This annual event moves to Lynnwood Brewing Concern this year. Only N.C. breweries will be featured. Tickets are $25 in advance and are likely to sell out. If tickets are left, you can get them at the door for $35.

Abbey Underground Day - This release party for the collaboration brew from Carolina Brewing Company and Beer Army Foundation is Saturday starting at 2 p.m. Abbey Underground 2016 is an 11 percent Belgian Style Quadrupel Ale. Only a small batch will be available by draft and for sale. Chirba Chirba food truck, hot dogs, an ice cream truck and live music all help make this event a great weekend pick.

Black Friday at Fullsteam - Head to the Durham brewery starting at noon Friday for a special Black Friday flight featuring dark beers. There will be music, chair massages, aromatherapy, ice cream and beer floats.

NC Symphony presents Holiday Pops - The North Carolina Symphony's Holiday Pops is a musical tradition that will fill your heart with cheer. Enjoy all you holiday favorites and a popular sing-a-long Friday and Saturday at Meymandi Concert Hall. Special guests this year include Triangle Youth Ballet and the Raleigh Boychoir.

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical - The beloved TV classic soars off the screen and onto the stage this holiday season. Shows start Friday. See it through Dec. 24 at Fletcher Opera Theater.

Hip Hop Nutcracker - The Hip Hop Nutcracker, a contemporary dance spectacle set to Tchaikovsky’s timeless music, is a holiday mash-up for the entire family. See it at DPAC Saturday night.

Christmas Carousel Holiday Gift Market - Going strong for 29 years, this market is one of the largest collections of arts, crafts and holiday gifts assembled in one location. Head to the N.C. State Fairgrounds Friday through Sunday to check out more than 250 exhibitors from all across the Southeast.

A Dickens Holiday - Historic Downtown Fayetteville will again be transformed into a Victorian-era experience on Friday. Horse-drawn carriages will ride down Hay Street, and children can pose with Father Christmas for pictures and enjoy a candlelight procession to the Market House. It all concludes with fireworks.

City Market Christmas - This family-friendly event will feature horse drawn carriage rides, live music, photos with Santa, crafts and face painting. More than 30 vendors will be selling goods inside Market Hall. Things kick off at noon on Sunday and run through 7 p.m. Admission is free.

Chinese Lantern Festival - This year's festival features more than 20 new displays, each one comprised of hundreds of parts and thousands of LED lights. See it at Booth Amphitheater through Jan. 15.

Ice Rink - The outdoor ice rink in downtown Raleigh's City Plaza is open Thanksgiving and throughout the weekend.

Garner Pop-Up Market - The final pop-up craft and farmer's market of the year is Saturday at the Garner Recreational Park.

The May Queen - Whatever happened to your high school "queen?" Everyone wonders what happened to Jen Nash, Kingston High’s beautiful May Queen of 1997. When she suddenly resurfaces back in town as a temp, things are a far cry from what anyone imagined. It’s a mixed up mash-up when an unexpected high school reunion meets the hilarity of "The Office." See it at PlayMakers through Dec.11.

Ralphie May - One of the most popular comedians in the country, May will hit the stage at Goodnights Comedy Club Friday through Sunday.

Los Acosta - The Mexican balada and cumbia band from San Luis Potosí plays The Ritz Friday.

Joe Bonamassa - The Grammy-nominated blues-rock guitar icon plays DPAC Friday night.

Capital City Reggae Festival - This festival features Ras Medy, Crucial Fiya, Africa King and more Friday night at Lincoln Theatre in downtown Raleigh.