Weekend best bets: Friday, Dec. 20

Beverly D’Angelo said it best in National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation  — “I don’t know what to say, except, it’s Christmas, and we’re all in misery.” If family functions and holiday shopping have you death-gripping your eggnog while visions of a new year dance in your head, take a look at our top picks for stress relief this weekend:

Gunther Doug, Cats in the Basement, Teach Me Equals and Hail Dale —takes place at 9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 20, at Cock & Bull Pub. Catch local duo, Teach Me Equals, at its first Sarasota show in months. Formerly Bard and Mustache, the newly named band has been on tour since mid summer, but will make a holiday return with fellow locals Cats in the Basement and Hail Dale, along with Nashville-based Gunther Doug. Cost is $5 for ages 18 and older.

Nightmare Before Christmas Punk Rock Extravaganza — takes place at 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 20, at Jake’s Tavern. Rock out to the music of the Misfits, as performed by Last Caress, who return after a two-year hiatus and local punk rockers, Rational Anthem, who will open the show. Cost is $5.

Greet the Light: The Ringling's Winter Solstice Celebration — takes place at 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 21, at The Ringling Museum. Celebrate the winter solstice with live fire dancers and groove to the sounds of DJ Imminent. Enjoy some light food over cocktails and admire James Turrell's Skyspace, an art installation that combines technology, engineering and aesthetics. Cost is $15 for members and $10 for students.