‘Twas the Weekend Before Christmas
There are only five shopping days before Christmas and Hanukkah begins this Sunday. If you need a break from shopping or wrapping presents, there are plenty of holiday activities including light displays, concerts and plays to get you in the mood. The weather is going to be clear this weekend with temperatures in the 40s. Check out our Holiday Happenings Guide for ongoing holiday activities and our Outdoor Ice Skating Guide for a list of local rinks.
Red Line trains will single track between Friendship Heights and Medical Center with trains running every 16 minutes. Additional trains will run every 8 minutes between Van Ness-UDC and Glenmont from 9 a.m.-9 p.m. All other lines will operate on normal weekend schedules.
Holiday Illussions at Mount Vernon feature fireworks set to holiday music on Friday and Saturday. (Photo: Mount Vernon)
Christmas Illuminations at Mount Vernon
George Washington’s estate showcases its holiday grandeur to the fullest during Christmas Illuminations this Friday and Saturday. Fireworks choreographed to holiday music begin around 8 p.m. Before that, enjoy serenading from local choirs, visit re-enactors from the First Virginia Regiment, learn 18th-century dance moves, meet with George and Martha Washington, watch colonial artisans demonstrate the 18th-century process of chocolate making, visit with Aladdin the camel on the 12-acre field and hang out by a bonfire with hot chocolate.
Dec. 20 and 21 from 5:30-8:30 p.m. at George Washington’s Mount Vernon, 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway, Mount Vernon, Va. Tickets are $36 for adults and $26 for youth with a mansion tour, and $30 for adults and $20 for youth without a tour.
My Fair Lady
My Fair Lady is now playing at the Kennedy Center.
(Photo: Johan Persson)
This timeless tale from Lerner & Loewe makes for one of the most exciting plays of the season. My Fair Lady comes to the Kennedy Center stage courtesy of Lincoln Theater Center. A young Cockney flower seller named Eliza Doolittle meets linguistics professor Henry Higgins, the latter determined to turn the city girl into a “proper lady” … except she just may change him more than he changes her. Don’t miss unforgettable songs like I Could Have Danced All Night, The Rain in Spain and Wouldn’t It Be Loverly during this lavish production.
Dec. 14 through Jan. 19 at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday except Dec. 24 and 25, as well as Dec. 23 and 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Sunday, Dec. 26 and Jan. 15 at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, 2700 F St. NW. Tickets are $39-$159.
Cirque Dreams Holidaze
Cirque Dreams Holidaze is now playing at MGM National Harbor. (Photo: Cirque Dreams)
Gingerbread men and sugar plum fairies soar through the air in Cirque Dreams Holidaze, an annual touring production that dresses up aerialists and circus performers in elaborate holiday-themed costumes. This Yuletide circus will be in town for a run of family-friendly shows at the Theater at MGM National Harbor around Christmas. Cirque Dreams features musical numbers and stunts that will have kids enthralled, such as jump-roping reindeer, tightrope-walking nutcrackers or balancing penguin acrobats.
Dec. 20 at 7:30 p.m., Dec. 21 at 2 p.m., and Dec. 22 and 23 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. at MGM National Harbor,101 MGM National Ave., Oxen Hill. Tickets are $32.50-$99.
Handel’s Messiah
The National Symphony Orchestra performs Handel’s Messiah this weekend at the Kennedy Center.
(Photo: National Symphony Orchestra)
Handel’s Messiah, which explores the story of Jesus Christ as the Messiah, is performed at the Kennedy Center each year. The National Symphony Orchestra will be joined by standout singers and the Washington Chorus and conducted by Sir Andrew Davis at the beautifully decorated Concert Hall to tell Handel’s riveting tale through song.
Dec. 20 and 21 at 8 p.m. and Dec. 22 at 1 p.m. at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, 2700 F St. NW. Tickets are $15-$119.
Jersey Boys
Jersey Boys is now playing at the National Theatre.
(Photo: Joan Marcus)
Winner of multiple Tony and Grammy Awards, Jersey Boys is the action-packed tale of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons, who rose from blue-collar backgrounds to become one of the greatest pop music groups ever. Featuring an unforgettable score and magnificent choreography, this show should be on everyone’s bucket list.
Dec. 19 through Jan 5 at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 2 p.m. Saturday, Sunday and Dec. 26, 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Thursday and Dec. 23, and 6 pm. Dec. 31 at the National Theatre, 1321 Pennsylvania Ave. NW. Tickets are $39-$114.
Songs of the Season
The Choral Arts Chorus and Youth Choir perform their Christmas concert at the Kennedy Center this weekend.Mbr />(Photo: Choral Arts Society)
The Choral Arts Chorus and Youth Choir come to the Kennedy Center’s Concert Hall for the performance of classic holiday carols and seasonal favorites including O Come, O Come, Emmanuel, A Child Is Born in Bethlehem, O Holy Night, The First Noel, Silent Night, Hark! The Herald Angels Sing and the Hallelujah Chorus in Songs of the Season. The entire family is invited to enjoy this festive celebration of the winter holidays. Hear soprano soloist Kristina Lewis as well.
Dec. 21 at 1 p.m. and Dec. 24 at 2 p.m at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, 2700 F St. NW. Tickets are $15-$72.
‘Twas the Night Before Christmas
The National Theatre presents two free performances of ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas on Saturday morning. (Photo: Virginia Repertory Theatre)
Before the children nestle all snug in their beds while visions of sugar-plums dance in their heads, take them to a free show at National Theatre inspired by the famous poem “A Visit from St. Nicholas.” The Virginia Repertory Theatre’s ’Twas the Night Before Christmas, geared toward kids ages 4 to 10, imagines the story behind Clement Moore’s verses, with appearances from Kris Kringle and dancing mice. Part of Saturday Morning Live! At the National programming.
Dec. 21 at 9:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. at the National Theatre, 1321 Pennsylvania Ave. NW. Free tickets for the two showings have been spoken for online, but a few same-day, walk-up tickets also will be available.
The Joy of Christmas
The National Cathedral Choral Society performs it annual Christmas concert this weekend. (Photo: National Cathedral)
The Washington National Cathedral is a beautiful place to celebrate Christmas, as it becomes adorned with themed-lights and elaborate decorations each year. The Joy of Christmas is the Cathedral’s marquee event, featuring renditions of Christmas classics and a carol sing-along. This year’s event also boasts a new carol from composer Alex Levine.
Dec. 21 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. and Dec. 22 at 5 p.m. at Washington National Cathedral, 3101 Wisconsin Ave. NW. Tickets are $25-$82.50.
National Menorah Lighting
The National Menorah will be lit Sunday afternoon.
(Photo: Destination D.C.)
Hanukkah kicks off with the National Menorah Lighting — the world’s largest menorah on the White House Ellipse — which greets all with latkes, doughnuts, menorah kits and dreidels. Music from Dreidelman & the Macabees and the United States Air Force Band will add a soundtrack to the scene. As is the custom, a new candle is illuminated on each of the eight days of Hanukkah.
Dec. 22 at 4 p.m. (gates at 3 p.m.) at the White House Ellipse, 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. NW. Adimission is FREE, but tickets are required.
Ongoing events
All Work, No Pay from 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. through February at the National Museum of American History, 1300 Constitution Ave. NW. Admission is FREE!
Alonso Berruguete: First Sculpture of Renaissance Spain from 10 a.m.-5 p.m Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday through Feb. 17 at the National Gallery of Art, Fourth Street and Constitution Avenue NW. Admission is FREE!
LAST CHANCE! Amadeus at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, and 7 p.m. Sunday through Dec. 22 at Folger Theatre, 201 East Capitol St. SE. Tickets are $27-$85.
CLOSED UNTIL MARCH! Animals, Collected from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m.6 p.m. Sunday through Spring 2020 at the National Building Museum, 401 F St. NW. Tickets are $7-$10.
Americans from 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. daily through 2022 at the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian, Fourth Street and Independence Avenue SW. Admission is FREE!
American’s First Veterans from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and noon-4 p.m. Sunday through Apr. 5 at Anderson House, 2118 Massachusetts Ave. NW. Admission is FREE!
Becoming Jane from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. daily through summer 2020 at the National Geographic Museum, 1145 17th St. NW. Tickets are $10-$15.
Bonnard to Vuillard: The Intimate Poetry of Everyday Life from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and noon-6:30 p.m. Sunday through Jan. 26 at The Phillips Collection, 1600 21st St. NW. Tickets are $12 for adults, $10 for students and seniors 62+, and children 18 and younger are FREE!
By the Light of the Silvery Moon: A Century of Lunar Photographs from the 1850s to Apollo 11 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Saturday and 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday through Jan. 5 at the National Gallery of Art, Fourth Street and Constitution Avenue NW. Admission is FREE!
A Christmas Carol at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday and 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday through Jan. 1 as well as Dec. 23, 26 and Jan. 1 at Ford’s Theatre, 511 10th St. NW. Tickets are $32-$124.
LAST CHANCE! Downtown Holiday Market from noon-8 p.m. daily through Dec. 23 along F Street between Seventh and Ninth Streets NW. Admission is FREE!
Elephants and Us: Considering Extinction from 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. daily through Sept. 13 at the National Museum of American History, 1300 Constitution Ave. NW. Admission is FREE!
Enchant from 4:30-11:30 p.m. through Dec. 30 at Nationals Park, 1500 South Capitol Street SE. Tickets are $14.99-$33.99.
Encountering the Buddha: Art and Practice across Asia from 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. daily through Nov. 29 at the Freer|Sackler Galleries, 1050 Independence Ave. SW. Admission is FREE!
The End: A Mediation on Death and Extinction from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon-5 p.m. Sunday through Jan. 20 at the National Museum of Women in the Arts, 1250 New York Ave. NW. Tickets are $10 for adults, $8 for seniors 65 and older and students older than 18, and FREE for children 18 and younger.
Eureka Day at 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday through Dec. 31 and Dec. 23 and 30, 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 29 at the Atlas Performing Arts Center, 1333 H St. NE. Tickets are $20-$65.
Feel the Sun in Your Mouth: Recent Acquisitions from 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. daily through February at the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, Independence Avenue and Seventh Street NW. Admission is FREE!
Game Change: Elephants from Prey to Preservation from 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. daily through Feb. 1, at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, 10th Street and Constitution Avenue NW. Admission is FREE!
Ginny Ruffner: Reforestation of the Imagination from 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. daily through Jan. 5 at the Renwick Gallery, Pennsylvania Avenue at 17th Street NW. Admission is FREE!
Heroes: Principles of African Greatness, from 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. daily through Dec. 31, 2020 at the National Museum of African Art, 950 Independence Ave. SW. Admission is FREE!
Hokusai: Mad About Paintting from 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. daily through Nov. 8 at the Freer Gallery, 1050 Independence Ave. SW. Admission is FREE!
I Am . . . Contemporary Women Artists of Africa from 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. daily through July 5 at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African Art, 950 Independence Ave. SW. Admission is FREE!
In Mid-Sentence from 11:30 a.m.-7 p.m. daily through Mar. 8 at the National Portrait Gallery, Eighth and F Streets NW. Admission is FREE!
Intersections: Los Carpinteros from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and noon-6:30 p.m. Sunday through Jan. 12 at the Phillips Collection, 1600 21st St. NW. Tickets are $12 for adults and $10 for students and seniors 62 and older. Children 18 and younger are FREE!
An Irish Carol at 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday through Dec. 31 and Dec. 23, 7 p.m. Sunday and 3 p.m. Dec. 22 at Keegan Theatre, 1742 Church St. NW. Tickets are $51-$65.
Live Dangerously from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon-5 p.m. Sunday through Jan. 20 at the National Museum of Women in the Arts, 1250 New York Ave. NW. Tickets are $10 for adults, $8 for seniors 65 and older and students older than 18, and FREE for children 18 and younger.
Magical Musical Holiday Step Show at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 2 p.m. Saturday and 4:30 p.m. Sunday at the Atlas Performing Arts Center, 1333 H St. NE. Tickets are $45 for adults and $25 for children. Call the box office at 202-399-7993 ext. 2 for availability.
Manifesto: Art x Agency from 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. through Jan. 5 at the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, Independence Avenue and Seventh Street SW. Admission is FREE!
Marcel Duchamp: The Barbara and Aaron Levine Collection from 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. through Oct. 12 at the Hirshhorn Museum & Sculpture Garden, Seventh Street and Independence Avenue SW. Admission is FREE!
Michael Sherrill Retrospective from 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. daily through Jan. 5 at the Renwick Gallery, Pennsylvania Avenue at 17th Street NW. Admission is FREE!
Mid-Century Master: The Photography of Alfred Eisentaedt from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Sunday through Jan. 12 at Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens, 4155 Linnean Ave. NW. Tickets are $18 for adults, $15 for senior citizens, $10 for college students, $5 for children ages 6-18 and children younger than 6 are FREE!
LAST CHANCE! Mount Vernon by Candlelight from 5-9 p.m. Dec. 22 at George Washington’s Mount Vernon, 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway, Mount Vernon, Va. Tickets are $26 for adults 12 and older, $18 for youth ages 6-11 and kids 5 and younger are FREE!
Newsies at 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday and 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Tuesday and Wednesday through Dec. 29 at Arena Stage,1101 Sixth St. SW. Tickets are $66-$102.
One Life: Marian Anderson from 11:30 a.m.-7 p.m. through May 17 at the National Portrait Gallery, Eighth and F Streets NW. Admission is FREE!
Outbreak from 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. daily through 2021 at the National Museum of Natural History, 10th Street and Constitution Avenue NW. Admission is FREE!
The Outwin 2019: American Portraiture Today from 11:30 a.m.-7 p.m. daily through Aug. 30 at the National Portrait Gallery, Eighth and F Streets NW. Admission is FREE!
Pat Steir: Color Wheel from 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. daily through Sept. 7 at the Hirshhorn Museum & Sculpture Garden, Seventh Street and Independence Avenue SW. Admission is FREE!
Picture Books of the Past: Reading an Old Master Painting from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily through Sept. 30 at the Museum of the Bible, 400 Fourth St. SW. Advance tickets are $19.99 for adults, $9.99 for children 7-17 and children and younger are FREE. Tickets at the door at $24.99 for adults, $19.99 for seniors, military, first responders and students, $14.99 for children 7-17 and children 6 and younger are FREE!
Picturing the American Buffalo: George Catlin and Modern Native American Artists from 11:30 a.m.-7 p.m. daily through Apr. 12 at the Smithsonian American Art Museum, Eighth and F Streets NW. Admission is FREE!
Recent Acquisitions from 11:30 a.m.-7 p.m. daily through Aug. 30 at the National Portrait Gallery, Eighth and F Streets NW. Admission is FREE!
Rightfully Hers: American Women and the Vote from 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. through Jan. 3, 2021, at the National Archives, 701 Constitution Ave. NW. Admission is FREE!
CLOSES DEC. 31! Rise Up: Stonewall and the LGBTQ Rights Movement from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday through Dec. 31 at the Newseum, 555 Pennsylvania Ave. NW. Tickets are $12.71-$21.21 online or $14.95-$24.95 at the door.
Sacred Dedication: A Korean Buddhist Masterpiece from 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. daily through Mar. 22 at the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, 1050 Independence Ave. SW. Admission is FREE!
Sculpture Down to Scale: Models for Public Art at Federal Buildings, 1974-1985 from 11:30 a.m.-7 p.m. through June 6 at the Smithsonian American Art Museum, Eighth and F Streets NW. Admission is FREE!
Sea Monsters Unearthed, Life in Angola’s Ancient Seas from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily through 2020 at the National Museum of Natural History, 10th Street and Constitution Avenue NW. Admission is FREE!
Section 14: The Other Palm Springs, California from 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. daily through January at the National Museum of the American Indian, Fourth Street and Independence Ave. SW. Admission is FREE!
CLOSES Dec. 31! Seriously Funny: From the Desk of The Daily Show with Jon Stewart from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Saturday and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday through Dec. 31 at the Newseum, 555 Pennsylvania Ave. NW. Admission is $12.71-$21.21 in online or $14.95-$24.95 at the door.
Shall Not Be Denied: Women Fight for the Vote from 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday through September at the Library of Congress’ Thomas Jefferson Building, 10 First St. SE. Admission is FREE!
Subodh Gupta: Terminal from 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. daily through 2020 at the Freer|Sackler Galleries, 1050 Independence Ave. SW. Admission is FREE!
The Touch of Color: Pastels at the National Gallery of Art from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday through Jan. 26 at the National Gallery of Art, Fourth Street and Constitution Avenue NW. Admission is FREE!
Verrocchio: Sculptor and Painter of Renaissance Florence from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday through Jan. 12 at the National Gallery of Art, Fourth Street and Constitution Avenue NW. Admission is FREE!
What Absence Is Made Of from 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. daily through March at the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, Seventh Street and Independence Avenue SW. Admission is FREE!
Women Artists of the Dutch Golden Age from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon-5 p.m. Sunday through Jan. 5 at the National Museum of Women in the Arts, 1250 New York Ave. NW. Tickets are $10 for adults, and $8 for seniors 65 and older and students. Children 18 and younger are FREE!
Women of Progress: Early Camera Portraits from 11:30 a.m.-7 p.m. daily through May 31 at the National Portrait Gallery, Eighth and F Streets NW. Admission is FREE!
