We share the best things to do every weekend in The Weekend Scene newsletter – it’s completely free to subscribe!
December is here and packed with holiday festivities.
Maybe you like it quirky and musical with Tuba Christmas (happening at The Kennedy Center and locations all around the country, including Leesburg on Sunday). If you're all about shopping, this weekend has seemingly endless options from the Native Art Market to the Fairfax Holiday Market to Smithsonian’s National Museum of African Art Holiday Marketplace.
It's also a big weekend for Christmas trees, with lightings planned at the U.S. Capitol and White House.
We've got the news you need to know to start your day. Sign up for the First & 4Most morning newsletter — delivered to your inbox daily. >Sign up here.
But never fear if all the holiday stuff is making you go a little Grinchy green. Try tango Classes, musicals and a Spanish-language film festival at the GALA Theatre. We'll also share our own Music Snob's concert picks in The Weekend Scene newsletter on Wednesday.
Here's what to do this week in the Washington, D.C. area.
What to do in Washington, D.C.
Merry Tubachristmas!: Mon., 6 p.m., The Kennedy Center’s Millennium Stage, free
U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree Lighting: Tues., 5 p.m., West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol, free
Tango Classes by the Argentine Embassy and Dupont Underground: Tues., 6:30 p.m., 19 Dupont Circle NW, $60
“A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond Musical”: Tues. to Sun., National Theatre, $69+
Light Yards Express kick-off party: Weds., 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., Yards Park in Southeast, free
NSO at The Anthem: Ugly Sweater Holiday Concert: Weds., show at 7:30 p.m., The Anthem, $25-$40
Off Book: The Improvised Musical: Weds., show at 8 p.m., Howard Theatre, $25
Kelly Bishop In Conversation with Dana Bash: Weds., 7 p.m., Sixth & I, $40 for a ticket with a book ($12 to attend the virtual event)
GALA Film Fest: Weds. to Sun., GALA Hispanic Theatre at 3333 14th Street NW, $10 per film
Tree lighting and Jingle Jubilee at Chevy Chase Lake: Thurs. 5:30-8 p.m., 8525 Chevy Chase Lake Terrace in Chevy Chase, free
Winternational Embassy Showcase: Thurs., 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Ronald Reagan Building at 1300 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, free
Army-Navy Block Party: Fri., 1-8 p.m., Yards Park in Southeast, free
Christmas Markt at Heurich House Museum: Fri., Dec. 6, to Fri., Dec. 13, admission costs $8-$12 if purchased online and in advance
Handel’s "Messiah" at the National Cathedral: Fri., Sat. and Sun., 3101 Wisconsin Ave. NW, $31+
Whitman-Walker’s 38th Annual Walk & 5K to End HIV: Sat., 8-11 a.m., Anacostia Park in Southeast D.C., various price points
Friends of the National Arboretum Christmas Tree Sale: Sat., 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., National Arboretum in Northeast D.C., free entry
Cleveland Park Winter Market (followed by Santa Bar Crawl): Sat., noon to 5 p.m., Cleveland Park Main Street (Connecticut Avenue NW), free entry
Smithsonian’s National Museum of African Art Holiday Marketplace: Sat., Dec. 7, 2-6 p.m., museum’s concourse level, free entry
Gay Men's Chorus of Washington, DC: "The Holiday Show": Sat., plus Dec. 14, The Lincoln Theatre
Holiday Boat Parade: Sat., 5-8 p.m. (boats expected about 7 p.m.), The Wharf, free
Georgetown Jingle live music performances: Sat., 1-4 p.m., throughout Georgetown (here's a map), free
Native Art Market: Sat. and Sun., 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., National Museum of the American Indian, free
Dupont Circle Holiday Pop-up Market: Sat. and Sun., noon to 5 p.m., Dupont Circle, free entry
Bridge District Holiday Tree Lot with free hot drinks: Sat. and Sun., Sandlot Anacostia, free entry
The Washington Ballet's "The Nutcracker" (with a D.C. spin): Through Dec. 29, Warner Theatre, $62.50+
National Christmas Tree on public display: Dec. 7 to Jan. 1, White House Ellipse, free
Rock'n'Shop holiday market: Sun., 2-6 p.m., Black Cat, free entry
Capitol Riverfront BID: Holiday Tree Lighting: Sun., 6-9 p.m., Canal Park in Southeast, free
"Season's Greenings" holiday exhibit: Thurs., Nov. 28 to Jan. 5, U.S. Botanic Garden, free
What to do in Maryland
A Swingin' Little Christmas! Starring Jane Lynch and Kate Flannery: Weds., The Music Center at Strathmore, $28-$88
25th Annual Gingerbread House Contest and Show: Noon to 5 p.m. on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays through Dec. 15, Darnall's Chance House Museum in Upper Marlboro, $2 per person (free for kids 4 and under)
Santa Fly-In and holiday celebration: Sat., 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., College Park Aviation Museum, $7 for residents or $9 for nonresidents (Santa arrives at 11 a.m. and departs at 3 p.m., weather permitting)
Hyattsville's Shop Small, Taste Big!: Sat., noon to 5 p.m., Route 1 corridor and Queens Chapel Town Center, free entry
Bethesda's Winter Wonderland & Holiday Market: Sat., noon to 4 p.m., Norfolk and Cordell avenues, free entry
Light Up the Lakefront at Rio: Sat., 5-7 p.m., Rio in Gaithersburg, free
Gaithersburg’s Jingle Jubilee: Sat., 6-8 p.m., City Hall Concert Pavilion in Olde Towne, free
Red & White Holiday Jam with RARE ESSENCE: Sun., 6 p.m., BlackRock Center for the Arts, $45
“The Nutcracker” at Prince George's Publick Playhouse: Sat., Hyattsville, $25 ($20 for seniors and students)
What to do in Virginia
Family Holiday Magic Show: Weds., Alexandria History Museum at The Lyceum, free but reservation recommended
Holiday Walk of Lights at Neabsco Regional Park: Dec. 6 to Dec. 27, 15125 Blackburn Rd in Woodbridge, Virginia, free
McLean Holiday Art & Crafts Festival: Fri. Sat and Sun., McLean Community Center, $5 entry (free for kids 12 and under)
- Happy hour with wine, beer and hors d'oeuvres on Fri., 4-7 p.m., $15
Alexandria Scottish Christmas Walk Parade: Sat., 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Old Town Alexandria, free
Holiday Boat Parade: Sat., 2-8 p.m. (boats expected about 5:30 p.m.), Old Town Alexandria Waterfront, free
Sing-A-Long with Santa: Sat., 11 a.m., River Mill Park in Occoquan, free
The Lodge, a ski-inspired winter festival: Sat., 1-7 p.m., Metropolitan Park in Arlington, free entry
Fairfax Holiday Market: Dec. 6-8 and Dec. 13-15, Old Town Square in Fairfax, free entry
PCRS WinterFest: Sat., 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Hal and Berni Hanson Regional Park, free
Holiday Gift & Craft Show, plus Children’s Holiday Shop: Sat., 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., and Sun., 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Community Center in Falls Church, free entry
Want to know what's up for your weekend? Sign up for The Weekend Scene, our newsletter about events, experiences and adventures for you and for your family around the DMV.
