Shopping, holiday events highlight weekend best bets

If you aren't completely exhausted from Black Friday shopping, head out again for Small Business Saturday and support local businesses!

Shop for all your holiday decorations and gifts in one place at the Christmas Carousel Holiday Festival. Over 250 vendors from across the Southeast will be exhibiting their wares. Santa will also be making special appearances all weekend for photo opportunities. The three-day festival starts in the Jim Graham Building at the fairgrounds today from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., continues Saturday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Adult tickets are $8 and children 5 and under get in free.

Head down to Wrightsville Beach for one of the state's best holiday light displays. The NC Holiday Flotilla starts at 6 p.m. Saturday, followed by a fireworks show. The day starts off with Festival in the Park from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Wrightsville Beach Park. The festival will have inflatable slides and bounce houses, train rides, arts and crafts vendors and more. The events are free.

The Carolina Ballet will perform this holiday favorite at Raleigh Memorial Auditorium starting today. The Nutcracker has three matinee shows this weekend at 2 p.m. on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Tickets range from $20 to $80 and can be purchased online. After this weekend, the show runs from Dec. 14-23 at Memorial Auditorium before shows at the DPAC on Dec. 29 and 30.

The Carolina Designer Craftsmen Guild presents their 43rd Annual Fine Designer Craft Show this weekend at the State Fairgrounds' Exposition Center. The event showcases fine art for everyone on your gift list, and for prices that fit every budget. The show starts today at 6 p.m. Saturday's hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday's are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Day tickets are $7, and weekend passes are available for $11.