If you’re not feeling the holiday spirit yet, this weekend’s events might get you there: There are markets, performances, festivals, and plenty of other ways to make merry.
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 30
ON POINT(E): The Washington Ballet celebrates 15 years of The Nutcracker. The D.C. production takes places in historic Georgetown with General Washington as the Nutcracker. Performances continue through Dec. 28 (The Warner Theatre, 7:00 p.m., $36-$200)
MERRY AND BRIGHT: From Friday to Sunday all month long, NoMa’s Wunder Garten becomes a winter wonderland with Winterfest. The pop-up features visits from Santa and a holiday market, plus pours of German-style beers, naturally. Certain dates come with holiday-appropriate special events, like the ugly sweater party on Dec. 8 or the mysterious “adult costume dance party” Night of 1,000 Santas on Dec. 15. (Wunder Garten, 5:00 p.m., free entry)
FRÖHLICHE WEIHNACHTEN: The 6th annual Christkindlmarkt in Dupont Circle’s Heurich House Museum opens Friday with a spotlight on products made in D.C. and continues throughout the weekend with products from across the region. Early access tickets include a tote bag, and refreshments are available for purchase. (Heurich House Museum, 4 p.m.-9 p.m., $15-$25 adults, $3 children)
TALK IT OUT: The Kennedy Center is hosting a day of arts and discussion in Anacostia as part of its Arts Across America initiative. The action is spread all over the neighborhood, including at Anacostia Playhouse, where local arts leaders will discuss building community through local theater from 3-5 p.m., and Anacostia Arts Center, where bassist Esperanza Spalding will perform, and Yo-Yo Ma will lead a Q&A with artists in the gallery. (Various locations, see full schedule here)
MORE: Washington Capitals vs. New Jersey Devils (Capital One Arena, 7:00 p.m., $38+), Thom Yorke (The Kennedy Center Concert Hall, 7:30 p.m., $63), Cults with Munya (DC9, 7:30 p.m. doors, 8:00 p.m. show, $20), Flasher with Public Practice (Black Cat, 8:00 p.m. doors, $15)
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 1
BATTER UP: If spring training still feels too far away, spend your weekend at the Nationals Winterfest, a holiday-themed celebration. New this year: Race the Racing Presidents, hit in the Nats’ batting cages, and try your hand at curling. Bring a new, unwrapped toy for a chance to score a meet and greet with a player. (Nationals Park, 11:30 a.m.-4 p.m. through Sunday, $23-$39 per day)
IT’S LIT: Get to Georgetown for the 5th annual GLOW outdoor light experience. Sixteen artists illuminate the area with 10 installations nightly for five weeks through January 6. The Washington, DC History & Culture Meetup has organized a free Instagram photo walk that begins at the Foggy Bottom-GWU Metro stop by 4:15 p.m. (Georgetown Waterfront Park, 5:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m., FREE)
SHE’S A PLAYER: Earlier this year, Nashville singer-songwriter-guitarist Soccer Mommy—aka Sophie Allison—released her outstanding studio debut, Clean, toured with Paramore, and released stellar covers of Bruce Springsteen’s “I’m on Fire” and Dixie Chicks’ “Wide Open Spaces.” Ratboys and Tosser open. (Black Cat, 8:00 p.m. doors, $15 advance, $17 day of show)
MORE: 2018 Walk & 5K to End HIV (Freedom Plaza, 9:15 a.m., $15-$24), Petworth Art & Craft Fair (800 block of Upshur St & 9th St NW, 11:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m., FREE), Holiday Ballet Family Day (Smithsonian American Art Museum Kogod Courtyard, 11:30 a.m.-3:00 p.m., FREE) “Chai-vy and Cohen-y” Hanukkah Bar (Ivy and Coney, 12:00 p.m., free entry), GRUMP Rosslyn 2018 (1101 Wilson Blvd, 12:00 p.m., FREE), 7th Annual Krampuslauf DC 2018 (Gallery O on H, 5:00 p.m., $15), Alexandria Holiday Boat Parade of Lights (Old Town Alexandria Waterfront, 5:30 p.m., FREE), The District’s Holiday Boat Parade (The Wharf, 6:00 p.m., FREE), Esperanza Spalding (Lincoln Theatre, 6:30 p.m. doors, $45), Washington Wizards vs. Brooklyn Nets (Capital One Arena, 7:00 p.m., $10+), Kurt Vile and the Violators with Jessica Pratt (9:30 Club, 8:00 p.m. doors, $31)
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 2
LIGHT ‘EM UP: Honor the beginning of Hanukkah with the lighting of the National Menorah on the Ellipse just south of the White House. The program includes free dreidels and menorah kits, hot latkes, and performances. Tickets are free, but require registration. (President’s Park, 4:00 p.m., FREE)
GALLERY PARTY: This weekend’s Smithsonian Holiday Festival includes a chocolate history lesson, dreidel making, showings of A Christmas Story and Elf and a program of music, including Howard University’s Afro Blue, Airmen of Note and singer Arianne Brown. There’s also a gift wrapping station and live cooking demonstrations. (National Museum of American History, 12:00 p.m., FREE)
SHOPPING TRIP: La Colombe, Tiger Fork, and Lost & Found team up for the Blagden Holiday Market featuring food and drink specials and handmade gifts. (Blagden Alley, 12:00 p.m., free entry)
MORE: Washington Capitals vs. Anaheim Ducks (Capital One Arena, 3:00 p.m., $29+), Native Art Market in DC (National Museum of the American Indian, 10:00 a.m., free entry), Swazz Bazaar 2018 (Asmara, 12:00 p.m., $7 advance, $10 day of event), Pentatonix Christmas Is Here! Tour (The Anthem, 5:30 p.m. doors, 7:00 p.m. show, $59.50-$149.50)
