This week, celebrate the solstice with holiday tunes—both the traditional and arena rock kind—or take a nighttime tour of the Mall with a park ranger.
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21
I FEEL IT IN MY FINGERS: We can’t confirm that love actually is all around, but why not see for yourself at the Love Actually happy hour and screening, complete with holiday music and craft cocktails. Your ticket includes your movie ticket, one drink, and a souvenir cup. (National Museum of American History, 6 p.m., $35)
FOLLOW THE LEADER: Last year, hip-hop duo Eric B. & Rakim reunited after 17 years on hiatus for a set of shows, coinciding with the 30th anniversary of their debut album, Paid in Full. Their show this weekend is a chance to see the pair run through a set of modern-day classics. (The Howard Theatre, 8 p.m., $42.50+)
JOLT OF JOE: Fuel up for a long winter with some coffee. A Baked Joint will host a coffee cupping of Winter Bloom, a holiday blend from Colorado-based roaster Sweet Bloom. Taste the parts and flavors that make up the blend, and learn more about the basics of blends in coffee. (A Baked Joint, 6 p.m.-7 p.m., FREE)
MORE: Winter Solstice 108 Sun Salutations (CorePower Yoga CityCenter DC, noon, $27), Bell’s Dark Night Darker Beer Tap Takeover (The Midlands, 5 p.m., FREE), The Bah Humbug Krampus Ball (Black Cat, 7 p.m. doors, $15), Winter Solstice Ceremony (Dragon’s Breath Yoga, 7 p.m.-8:30 p.m., $20), Holiday Game Night (The DC Center for the LGBT Community, 7 p.m., FREE), Washington Capitals vs. Buffalo Sabres (Capital One Arena, 7 p.m., $58+), Winter Solstice Gong Sound Meditation (Bhakti Yoga DC, 8 p.m.-9 p.m., $25), Winter Wonderland Drag Metal Bingo (Slash Run, 8 p.m., FREE), H Street Ugly Holiday Sweater Party (Rock & Roll Hotel, 9 p.m., FREE)
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 22
LAUGH IT UP: The Second City celebrates 10 years of visits to Woolly Mammoth with She the People, a timely comedy of sketches created and performed by women. Check out our review here. (Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company, 3 p.m. and 8 p.m., $20-$84)
DO YOU HEAR WHAT I HEAR? Santa himself stops by the Wharf’s evening of Christmas caroling. S’mores will be available for purchase at the fire pit, the Christmas tree will be lit, and the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington performs at 6 p.m. (The Wharf, 5 p.m.-7 p.m., FREE)
NIGHTTIME SIGHTS: Entertaining out-of-towners? Bundle up for a nighttime tour of the Mall that focuses on memorials to service members with a National Parks Service ranger, no reservation required. (World War II Memorial, 7 p.m., FREE)
MORE: Brunch with Mrs. Claus (Le Diplomate, 9:30 a.m.), Saturday Introductory Road Ride (The Bike Rack, 10 a.m., FREE), Georgian, Hungarian and Tunisian Wine Tasting (The Mediterranean Way Gourmet Market, 1 p.m.-4 p.m., FREE), The Washington Chorus Presents A Candlelight Christmas (The Kennedy Center Concert Hall, 2 p.m., $18-$75), Die Hard (National Museum of American History, 3 p.m., $10), Yindulge Yourself: A Yin Yoga Workshop (Yoga District Bloomingdale, 4 p.m.-6 p.m., $22.69), Washington Wizards vs. Phoenix Suns (Capital One Arena, 7 p.m., $9+), Robyn vs. Gaga Dance Party (Black Cat, 9:30 p.m. doors, $10)
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 23
HARK! THE HERALD ROCK BAND PLAYS: Have yourself a maximalist, bombastic Christmas as Trans-Siberian Orchestra rolls in to D.C. for two shows. The elaborate arena rock performance includes an intense light show. (Capital One Arena, 3 p.m. and 8 p.m., $45+)
RACE TIME: Get in a run before the holidays hit with the 2018 Reindeer Romp 4 Miler and 13k along the Potomac. The race benefits Operation Enduring Warrior, which aids wounded military service members. Take note: There’s no registration available on the day of the race, so make the decision to lace up or not before Sunday. (Boathouse at Fletcher’s Cove, 8:00 a.m., $30-$50)
HALLELUJAH: A tradition since 1971, the Kennedy Center’s Messiah sing-along features the Opera House Orchestra and a chorus of 200. Everyone in the audience is invited to add vocals, too—just get the “hallelujah” part down and you’re all set. Up to two general admission tickets will be available, first come, first distributed, beginning at 4:30 p.m. Since this is one of the Kennedy Center’s most popular annual events, tickets will likely go fast. (The Kennedy Center Concert Hall, 6 p.m., FREE)
HOMETOWN HEADLINERS: The Messthetics, featuring Fugazi’s Brendan Canty and Joe Lally, joined by Anthony Pirog on guitar, make complex instrumental music that’s textured and nuanced. At the band’s Black Cat concert, Anna Connolly and Blacks’ Myths open. (Black Cat, 7:30 p.m. doors, $13-$15)
MORE: Holiday De-Stress Yoga and Brunch (The Watergate Hotel, 10 a.m., $55), The Nightmare Before Christmas (National Museum of American History, 2:00 p.m., $10), Home Alone (National Museum of American History, 3:30 p.m., $10), Garbage Barge Pop-Up (DC9, 5 p.m., FREE)
