Jacksonville Today Arts and Culture Editor Matt Shaw shares his arts and culture picks for the weekend.

Friday
Beaches Fine Arts Series: The Queen’s Six
St. Paul’s by-the-Sea Episcopal Church | Jacksonville Beach
The UK-based Queen’s Six is not only a globally popular vocal group. The sextet is the royal’s choice – Based out of Windsor Castle, they perform often for private and state events hosted by the royal family. The group brings their catalog of Gregorian chant, jazz and pop arrangements to St. Paul’s by-the-Sea Episcopal Church as part of the Beaches Fine Arts Series. Show starts at 7:30 p.m. More info.

Friday, Saturday & Sunday
First Coast Nutcracker
Moran Theater | Downtown Jacksonville
A tradition that dates back more than four decades, the Jax Symphony’s production of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s famous two-act ballet, The Nutcracker, is, as always, the hottest ticket of our coldest season. The musicians of the Jax Symphony bring the wondrous world of the nutcracker to life for four performances at the Moran Theater, kicking things off on Friday (8 p.m.) and continuing with two shows on Saturday (2 p.m. and 8 p.m.) and another on Sunday (2 p.m.) Tickets here.

Saturday
Palms Holiday Market
Hotel Palms | Atlantic Beach
Locally made, art-inspired and artisan-crafted gifts abound at the Palms Market, the popular annual event curated by Atlantic Beach’s artsy Hotel Palms. Of note, Cleveland-born professional skateboarder-turned-visual-artist Terry Urban will be on hand with new works created while in residence at the hotel. Plus, browse locally flavored wall hangers from Shark Tooth Prints, wearables from Barbershop Press and Couture Gems, and tasties from Makenu Chocolate. The market is a great way to both check off your holiday shopping list and support local. Open to the public from 5 p.m.-9 p.m. More info.

Saturday & Sunday
Handel’s Messiah
Jacoby Symphony Hall | Downtown Jacksonville
A holiday tradition, led by musical director Courtney Lewis, the Jacksonville Symphony and the company’s full chorus present two performances of George Frideric Handel’s 1741 oratorio. Saturday’s performance starts at 7:30 p.m. Sunday’s begins at 3 p.m. Tickets and more info.

Sunday
Vagabond Flea
Edgewood Ave S. | Murray Hill
If you haven’t yet paid a visit to Murray Hill for the semi-regular Vagabond Flea, you’re missing one the region’s best gatherings of local makers, artists and artisans, and a truly unique shopping experience — think a smaller, more neighborhood-y version of Pasadena’s Rose Bowl Flea Market. The market has expanded its footprint to take up a portion of the neighborhood’s main thoroughfare, and Sunday’s event presents a fine opportunity to visit the flea, with more than 40 vendors to help with your last-minute (though thoughtful, still) holiday shopping. 4 p.m.- 9 p.m. More details on the event’s Facebook page.