December 18th-January 12th
A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum
- Time: Varies, see event link
- Location: Signature Theatre, 4200 Campbell Ave., Arlington, Va.
It’s a comedic night in Sondheim’s zany, hilarious musical romp perfect for ages 8+. Featuring mistaken identities, madcap chases, a love story and a happy ending (of course) there is something for everyone. Free parking and 16 area restaurants.
December 18th–January 5th
- Time: Varies, see event link
- Location: 2001 Olney-Sandy Spring Rd., Olney, Md.
Disney has asked a select few regional theaters to take a shot at their own productions of Frozen: The Broadway Musical, and it’s no surprise that Olney Theatre Center got the call! Just as they’ve done with other Disney favorites like Mary Poppins and Beauty and the Beast, their production will deliver everything families love about the adventures of Elsa, Anna Olaf and Kristoff, along with a unique production you won’t experience anywhere else.
December 18th–29th
Washington Ballet’s The Nutcracker
- Time: Varies, see event link.
- Location: The Warner Theatre, 513 13th St. NW, Washington, D.C.
Give your family a magical holiday experience with The Washington Ballet’s The Nutcracker! This unique production at the Warner Theatre features dancing cherry blossoms, cardinals and local heroes like George Washington, set against the backdrop of historic Georgetown.
December 19th
NMAAHC Kids Connect: Joyous Kwanzaa!
- Time: 11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
- Location: National Museum of African American History and Culture, 1400 Constitution Ave. NW, Washington, D.C.
Designed for children ages 3-8. Come connect with history and culture through art and play at the National Museum of African American History and Culture! Celebrate Kwanzaa, learn about the 7 principles of the holiday and create art inspired by African and African American stories.
December 19th
- Time: 5:30–7:30 p.m.
- Location: Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library, 5005 Duke St., Alexandria, Va.
Watch Free Guy at the Library! Ryan Reynolds plays a trivial background character inside an online game. His role is bank teller, and his functions are to (a) pick up coffee on the way to work and (b) drop to the floor when the bank is robbed, which happens multiple times each day. Thanks to a glitch, this ordinarily irrelevant character – known in the game only as Blue Shirt Guy – is able to step out of the background and engage in the mayhem like a player. Rated PG-13.
December 20th
- Time: 12:00–4:00 p.m.
- Location: 12207 Tulip Grove Dr., Bowie, Md.
Calling all Elf Hunters! The elves are missing from the North Pole and Santa believes they are hiding at Belair Mansion…again! Are you a certified elf hunter? Come to Belair Mansion and prove your skills and earn your official elf-hunting badge. Help return those naughty elves to the North Pole in time for Christmas. Free. No reservations are needed.
December 20th-21st
- Time: Varies, see event link
- Location: Long Branch Nature Center, 625 S Carlin Springs Rd., Arlington, Va.
Ages 3-5 and their caretakers are invited to the nature center to explore the fascinating world of turtles in the local area!
December 21st
- Time: 7:00–8:00 p.m.
- Location: The Alden Theatre, 1234 Ingleside Ave., McLean, Va.
$30/$25 students and seniors/$20 MCC district residents. “Spectacular.” “Amazing.” “Even better than expected.” With comments like this about last year’s “Jazzy Christmas,” not bringing it back would be like finding a lump of coal in your stocking. Saxophonist Lil’ Maceo, gospel violinist Eric Taylor and the rest of the gang join the stellar house band for an evening that will hit your holidays out of the park.
December 21st-22nd
The Nutcracker with the Fairfax Symphony & Fairfax Ballet
- Time: 4:00 p.m.
- Location: George Mason University Center for the Arts, 4373 Mason Pond Dr., Fairfax, Va.
This special production features LIVE music by the Fairfax Symphony together with the magical dance of the Fairfax Ballet, plus guest soloists from New York City Ballet! Experience a winter wonderland of dancing Snowflakes, Candy Canes, and Gingerbread House, with epic battles between heroic Toy Soldiers and Mischievous Mice…plus the Sugar Plum Fairy and Nutcracker Prince. It’s the perfect holiday treat for the entire family! Tickets start at $39. Enjoy your 20% discount with code: WP20
December 22nd
H.A.M. (Holiday Animal Meetup)
- Time: 12:00–1:00 p.m.
- Location: Long Branch Nature Center, 625 S Carlin Springs Rd., Arlington, Va.
Free and designed for families. Take a break from the holiday rush to just sit down and enjoy meeting some of our local nature center animals. A naturalist will share stories, tales and offer direct encounters with 2 different live or preserved animal friends. No registration required. Just show up in the classroom and enjoy learning about local wildlife. Please, no drop-offs. Registration Not Required.
December 22nd
Transformations Open Style Urban Dance Battle
- Time: 1:00–7:00 p.m.
- Location: Westfield Wheaton Mall, 11160 Veirs Mill Rd., Wheaton, Md.
Prepare to be transformed by your experience- See dancers show off their range of motion, demonstrate their knowledge and more in head to head battles in front of the T-Mobile. Spectating is free!
December 23rd
- Time: 11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
- Location: Sherwood Regional Library, 2501 Sherwood Hall Ln., Alexandria, Va.
Watch the 1966 movie “How The Grinch Stole Christmas” and make a Seuss-inspired toy! All ages welcome. No registration required. Movie run time: 26 minutes.
December 24th
- Time: 11:00 a.m.
- Location: The Kennedy Center Concert Hall, 2700 F St. NW, Washington, D.C.
Bring the kids for an unforgettable holiday experience as the Choral Arts Chorus fills the concert hall with holiday classics just for them! We’ll take you on a merry tour of Christmas favorites that will have your family singing all the way home. Expect a visit from Santa, Frosty, and Rudolph! This one-hour concert is perfect for children ages 5 and up.
December 24th
- Time: 2:00 p.m.
- Location: The Kennedy Center Concert Hall, 2700 F St. NW, Washington, D.C.
Choral Arts’ musical tour of the holiday season returns to the Kennedy Center Concert Hall. Celebrate the holiday sprit with timeless Christmas carols, new awe-inspiring compositions, and sing-along numbers sure to get your entire family into the holiday spirit.
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