Photo by D©Bloom.FRIDAY
FOOD & DRINK: The Black Squirrel (2427 18th Street NW) is throwing a Great Lakes Christmas Party tonight, complete with Christmas Ale and cookies. Chef Gene Sohn is also incorporating the Christmas Ale into two desserts: a bread pudding and eggnog custard. 6:30 p.m.
LIGHTS: The National Zoo’s (3001 Connecticut Avenue NW) light show of animal shapes, Zoolights, opens tonight, runs through December 12th and is free this year! There will also be keeper talks, train rides for kids and a gingerbread habitat showcase. 6-8:30 p.m. Free (though parking is $8 for FONZ members, $15 for others).
TALK: It’s Ben Folds‘ turn to speak as a musician and photographer, at National Geographic Live! (1600 M Street NW) as part of the Music on Photography series. 7:30 p.m. $20.
PARTY: Brightest Young Things is throwing a massive holiday party at the Newseum (555 Pennsylvania Avenue NW). They’re promising cocktails (cash bar), music, mistletoe, a photo show and access to all of the Newseum’s exhibits. 8-11 p.m. $20.
>> The Smithsonian Young Benefactors are throwing a Jolly Holiday party tonight in the Smithsonian Castle (1000 Jefferson Drive SW). Price of admission includes an open bar, hors d’oeuvres, a dessert buffet, music and dancing and face time with Santa (in case you want to ask for an iPad). 8 p.m.-midnight. $70 for SI members, $95 for non-members.
ART: The Art League’s (105 N. Union Street, Alexandria) ArtFest features exhibits, live music, art demos, food and drink and a ceramic and jewlery sale. 6-9 p.m. Free admission.
SHOPPING: The sixth-annual Downtown Holiday Market (8th and F Streets NW) opens tonight and kicks off three weeks (every day till December 23) of exhibitors selling jewlery, clothing and other unique gifts. There will also be live performances and food from local vendors. Noon-8 p.m. Free.
>> Stop by the opening reception for Icebox (2023 Massachusetts Avenue NW), a holiday gift shop offering jewlery, art, cards, bags and more, from the Washington Project for the Arts. 6-8 p.m.
MOVIE: Watch the comedy Linda Linda Linda tonight at the Freer Gallery (1050 Independence Avenue SW). This film is part of the Foreign Exchange: Two Views of Japan film festival hosted by the Japan Exchange and Teaching Alumni Association. 7 p.m. Free.
MUSIC: Comet Ping Pong (5037 Connecticut Avenue NW) hosts Girls Rock DC, a benefit show featuring Downbeat: Beatdown, Hey Arbore, and The Blackberry Belles. 10:30 p.m. $10 admission goes to support the Girls Rock Camp Alliance.
>> Hear a host of voices perform Handel’s Messiah at the Washington National Cathedral (3101 Wisconsin Avenue NW) tonight. 7:30 p.m. Tickets: $25-85.
TOUR: The Heurich House Museum (1307 New Hampshire Avenue NW), which we’ve featured in past posts on DCist, is opening its doors for candlelight tours tonight and tomorrow. Along with house tours, Washington Sängerbund German singers will perform and light refreshments will be served. 6-9 p.m. $10.
