Take a Shopping Break to Enjoy the Season
The Christmas rush is in full swing with trips to the malls, post office and markets. But why not take a break from all the holiday hub bub and take a few hours to enjoy all the many events the season has to offer? We’ve got a few ideas to help you relax among the hustle and bustle.
The Washington Ballet’s The Nutcracker
For years, generations of Washingtonians have grown up loving — and introducing loved ones to — The Washington Ballet’s The Nutcracker. This one-of-a-kind Nutcracker, set in 1882 Georgetown, stars George Washington as the heroic Nutcracker, King George III as the villainous Rat King, Anacostia Indians, frontiersmen and many other all-American delights. Set to the iconic music of Pytor Ilych Tchaikovsky, the vibrant performance features scenic designs by Peter Horne, costume designs by Judanna Lynn and lighting design by Tony Tucci. Discover, rediscover and celebrate this all-American Nutcracker production. A holiday must-see!
Now through Dec. 29 at the Warner Theatre, 513 13th St. NW. Tickets cost $32-$143 and are available here.
A Christmas Carol
Ford’s Theatre has delighted Washington audiences with A Christmas Carol for more than 30 seasons. Join the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future as they lead the miserly Ebenezer Scrooge on a journey of transformation and redemption. Originally conceived by Michael Baron, this music-infused production captures the magic and joy of Dickens’s Yuletide classic. Acclaimed Washington stage actor Edward Gero returns to play Scrooge.
Now through Jan. 1, 2014, at Ford’s Theatre, , at 7:30 p.m. on weeknights and 2 and 7:30 p.m. on weekends. Tickets are available here from $63.85-$103.70.
Gingerbread House Workshop
Children celebrate the holidays by becoming history detectives as they tour the Tudor Place Historic House and Gardens mansion in search of clues as to how holidays were celebrated in the past. After the tour, children design and build their own edible gingerbread house to take home.
Dec. 14, 19 and 20 at 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. at Tudor Place Historic House and Gardens, 1644 31st Street, NW, Georgetown . Admission: member children $10, non-member children $12, accompanying adults are free. Tickets are available here.
The Year Without a Santa Claus
In this 1974 animated classic, Santa wakes up with a bad cold and believing that everyone has forgotten the true meaning of Christmas, announces plans to take the year off. Loyal elves, Jingle and Jangle Bells make it their mission to prove Santa wrong. Saving Christmas is no easy task. In order to show Santa that the spirit of Christmas is alive and well, Jingle and Jangle will first have to settle a longstanding feud between Mother Nature’s tempestuous sons, Heat Miser and Snow Miser. With a little help from them, Jingle and Jangle may be able to lift Santa’s spirits in time to take his sleigh out by the end of Christmas.
Dec. 14 at 11 a.m. at The Montpelier Arts Center, 9652 Muirkirk Road, Laurel. Admission: FREE! and includes snacks and soft drinks.
8th Annual Upshur Street Handmade Arts & Crafts Fair
The Upshur Street Handmade Arts & Crafts Fair features 30 local artists, crafts people and food vendors for this annual neighborhood holiday event. You’ll find one-of-a-kind handmade gifts such as pottery, wooden jewelry, knitted scarves, small oil paintings, photo prints and tasty edible gifts, too, plus a whole lot more. The fair’s Tailgate Music Series features four local bands rocking anything from honky tonk to jazz on the back of a pick up truck. The musical line up includes The Delafields, Herb Scott Trio, Elena & Los Fulanos, and Paperhaus. Participating local businesses include Domku Bar & Cafe, Willow Boutique, Petworth Citizen, Nathan Hill Design, Annie’s Ace Hardware,and Fia’s Fabulous Finds. Check in for day-of specials on custom prints, clothes, delicious food and some kickin’ cocktails that’ll warm your toes.
Dec. 14 from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. on the 800 block of Upshur Street NW, Petworth.
In Santa, We Believe
Just when you thought everything was going great, Santa’s workshop grinds to a halt! Will Santa, Mrs. Claus and the elves do what it takes to make sure Christmas Day happens? Come find out, as this tune-filled story unfolds in the Workhouse Arts Center’s In Santa, We Believe. Running time 55 minutes with one intermission, appropriate for all ages. Concessions available before the performance and at intermission.
Dec. 14, 21 and 28 at 1 p.m. at the Workhouse Arts Center, W-3 Theatre, 9601 Ox Road, Lorton, Va. Admission: $12 for adults, $8 for children under 12. Tickets are available here.
Kwanzaa Celebration 2013
Light up the darkest nights of the year with dance, music, song and rhythm centered on the seven principles of Kwanzaa. In this performance for all ages, Coyaba Dance Theater welcomes the holiday season with its annual Kwanzaa Celebration. Live music, exuberant dancing and a true community of dancers will welcome you into their fold as you kick off the holiday season.
Dec. 14 at 8 p.m. at the GWU Dorothy Betts Marvin Theatre, 800 21st St. NW. Advance tickets cost $12 for children 17 and under and $25 for adults and can be purchased here. Tickets at the door are $15 and $30, respectively.
A Candlelight Christmas
Pure Joy! With the splendor of brass, organ, percussion and the 200-voice Washington Chorus, A Candlelight Chrismas is a beloved holiday event features Christmas classics, sing-alongs, and the magic of the candlelight processional. The Washington Chorus continues its long tradition of supporting and supplementing the music programs of area high schools by welcoming the Robinson Singers under the direction of Michael Horanski from the James R. Robinson >Secondary School in Fairfax, Va., for all five concerts.
Dec. 15, 21 and 22 at 5 p.m., 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. respectively at The Kennedy Center Concert Hall, 2700 F St. NW, and Dec. 19 and 23 at the Music Center at Strathmore, 5301 Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are available here and cost $15-$70.
Editor-in-Chief Mark Heckathorn is a journalist, movie buff and foodie. He oversees DC on Heels editorial operations as well as strategic planning and staff development. Reach him with story ideas or suggestions at dcoheditor (at) gmail (dot) com.