’Twas the Weekend Before Christmas
This last weekend before Christmas doesn’t look very nice – temperatures in the 20s on Friday, warming to near 54 on Saturday with a wintry mix and rain, followed by rain on Sunday with temperatures in the mid-60s. So here is a list of indoor activities to fill your weekend. If you are brave enough to face Mother Nature, check out our list of free and nearly-free Holiday Happenings.
This weekend, SafeTrack Surge 11 continues between East Falls Church and West Falls Church or McLean with single tracking. Orange, Blue and Silver Line trains will operate every 24 minutes. Green line trains will single track between Fort Totten and College Park every 24 minutes, while Yellow Line trains will run every 24 mintues between Huntington and U Street/Cardozo ONLY. Red Line trains will single track between Dupont Circle and Van Ness/UDC, but run at regular weekend intervals.
The Grinch and Cindy Lou Who in How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical at the National Theatre this weekend.
(Photo: Grinch the Musical)
Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical
One of the most revered holiday stories in American history comes to musical life on stage throughout this month in Dr. Suess’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical. All the hit songs – You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch, Welcome Christmas, etc. – will be performed, as audiences are again entertained by Dr. Seuss’ classic tale of the mean and scheming Grinch, whose heart is “two sizes too small,” decides to steal Christmas from the Whos, an endlessly cheerful bunch bursting with holiday spirit. Eventually he discovers there’s more to Christmas than he bargained for. The play’s awesome costumes and scenery are dazzling.
Through Dec. 31 at 7 p.m. Friday through Sunday and matinees at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at The National Theatre, 1321 Pennsylvania Ave. NW. Tickets are $48-$203.
Interactive Hashtag Postcard Mailbox
Interactive Hashtage Mailboxes are back at CityCenterDC this weekend. (Photo: CityCenterDC)
This weekend, you can have fun with the interactive hashtag postcard mailbox, which lets you create real postcards out of your own social media photos using the designated CityCenterDC hashtag, including your own special message on the card. The mailbox can either print out the card for you to mail or print and mail it for you, including postage.There will also be a gift-wrapping station featuring paper designed by young artists from P.A.I.N.T.S. Institute, an arts-based non-profit in the District.
Dec. 16-18 at CityCenterDC, 825 10th St. NW. Mailboxes will be in the plaza and park from noon-6 p.m. Friday and 1-7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. The gift wrap station will be on the plaza (or P1 level concierge area in bad weather) from noon-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Admission is FREE!
It’s a Wonderful Life
Jimmy Stewart and Donna Reed star in the classic Christmas movie, Its a Wonderful Life, this weekend at The Miracle Theatre.
(Photo: Paramount)
One of the greatest Christmas movies ever comes to The Miracle Theatre for two screenings this weekend (and an additional one at 8:30 p.m. on Dec. 23). If you’ve seen http://themiracletheatre.com/calendar/its-a-wonderful-life It’s a Wonderful Life before (or 3,000 times), chances are, you’ve never seen it on a big screen. You have your chance at this charming, second-run theater that doubles as a church on weekends. If you’re not familiar with George Bailey’s saga, well, it’s time to get acquainted. The Frank Capra classic celebrates its 70th anniversary this year.
Dec. 16 at 6:30 p.m. and Dec. 18 at 4 p.m. at The Miracle Theatre, 535 Eighth St. SE. http://themiracletheatre.com/calendar/its-a-wonderful-life Tickets are $8 for adults and $6 for children 2-12, seniors 65 and older, students and military. On Sunday, all tickets are $6.
Wicked
Wicked is at the Kennedy Center through Jan. 8.
(Photo: Wicked the Musical)
Wicked, the Broadway smash that tells the tale of the Witches of Oz calls the Kennedy Center home throughout the holiday season. The prequel to Dorothy’s adventures in Oz follows a young woman born with emerald green skin who is smart, fiery and possesses great talents. Her friendship with a bubbly blonde goes well until the world decides to label one “good” and the other “wicked”. With outstanding and original music, expect to be wowed by this new classic that has captivated audiences everywhere.
Through Jan. 8, except Dec. 24 and Jan. 1 and 2, at 7:30 p.m. nightly and 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday and some Fridays at The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, 2700 F St. NW. Tickets are $39-$359.
Step Afrika!’s Magical Musical Holiday Step Show
Step Afrika!’s holiday step show is this weekend at the Atlas Center for Performing Arts. (Photo: Step Afrika!)
Step Afrika!, the first professional company dedicated to the tradition of stepping, is putting on its Magical Musical Holiday Step Show at the Atlas Performing Arts Center in the H Street neighborhood. The family-friendly show combines clapping, stomping and stepping for a dazzling array of percussive dance. Furry friends from the animal kingdom and a dance party hosted by DJ Frosty the Snowman are also on the docket.
Through Dec. 30 at 7:30 p.m. Friday, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday and 4 p.m. Sunday at the Atlas Performing Arts Center, 1333 H St. NE. Tickets are $18-$40.
Kwanzaa Celebration
Dance Place’s annual Kwanzaa celebration honors the seven principles of the holiday. (Photo: Enoch Chan)
Dance Place annually holds this celebratory event in honor of Kwanzaa. Each of the seven principles of the holiday are honored, as director Sylvia Soumah guides some of the area’s finest dancers, including Coyaba Dance Theater and Coyaba Academy. Expect pounding rhythms, incredible moves and an undeniably communal atmosphere across both performances.
Dec. 17 at 7 p.m. and Dec. 18 at 4 p.m. at Dance Place, 3225 Eight St. NE. Tickets are $25 for adults and $20 for seniors 55 and older in advance or $30 at the door. College students and children 17 and under are $15.
Handel’s Messiah
The National Symphony Orchestra performs Handel’s Messiah at the Kennedy Center. (Photo: Artshound)
The National Symphony Orchestra performs Handel’s Messiah, the holiday epic that explores the story of Jesus Christ as the Messiah, at the Kennedy Center each year, but each rendition has its own special flair. This year is no different, as Laurence Cummings conducts four singers and the University of Maryland Concert Choir.
Dec. 16 and 17 at 8 p.m. and Dec. 18 at 1 p.m. at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, 2700 F St. NW. Tickets are $39-$99.
Naughty and Nice
The Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington performs its Naughty or Nice holiday concert this weekend at the Lincoln Theatre.
(Photo: Michael Key/Washington Blade)
The Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington brings its holiday extravaganza Naughty and Nice to the Lincoln Theatre this weekend. The Chorus will ring in the season with holiday song mashups, drag queens, tap-dancers, leather reindeer, fake snow, the “Village People,” new Christmas songs and traditional classics. The song list includes Sleigh Ride, Text Me Merry Christmas, I’ll Be Home and many more.
Dec. 17 at 3 and 8 p.m. and Dec. 18 at 3 p.m. at the Lincoln Theatre, 1215 U St. NW. Tickets are $25-$65.
Mount Vernon by Candlelight
Tour Mount Vernon by candleight on Sunday as the Washingtons prepare for the holiday. (Photo: Mount Vernon)
Explore one of the area’s most historic and holiday-happy environs when you take a candlelit tour around George Washington’s Mount Vernon. The character-guided excursion will educate the entire family on holiday traditions in 18th-century Virginia and show how the Washingtons prepared for the holiday. Visitors will visit the mansion, slave quarters, blacksmith shop and greenhouse where they will be able to participate in 18th-century dancing. Aladdin the Christmas camel will also be there. From the lavish mansion to all aspects of the gorgeous estate, this tour will leave you flush with Christmas spirit. Tours start every 15 minutes.
Dec. 18 from 5-8 p.m. at George Washington’s Mount Vernon, 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway, Mount Vernon, Va. Admission is $24 for adults and $16 for children 2-12.
