Spending the holiday week in town? No need to have a blue Christmas when there’s plenty to keep you busy. Plus, if you happen to work for the federal government, there are shutdown specials for you.
MONDAY, DECEMBER 26
PASS, DRIBBLE, SHOOT: Kick off the holiday week with the legendary Harlem Globetrotters. The legendary squad takes its signature combination of comedy and athleticism to the Capital One Arena for two events. (Capital One Arena, 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., $26+)
HAVE A BALL: What started 30 years ago as an evening alternative for Jewish singles has become a national night out. DC’s Matzoball 2018 takes over Decades with live DJ sets. (Decades, 9 p.m.-2 a.m., $30+)
IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE: Spend Christmas Eve with George Bailey and Mary Hatch. The 1946 Christmas classic starring Frank Capra will be screened on 35mm film. (The National Museum of American History, 3 p.m., $6-$10)
MORE: Christmas Eve Dessert & Tour (The Mansion on O, 5 p.m.-9 p.m., $39), Falafel Frenzy 2018 (Hawthorne, 8:30 p.m., $30)
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 25
SPRINTING SPIRIT: Dash through the streets without a sleigh with Pacers 14th Street’s Christmas Day run. Choose from a 3 or 5 mile route and enjoy baked good at the store after you finish. (Pacers 14th Street, 9 a.m., FREE)
ICE CHRISTMAS: Can’t handle invasive relatives? Evade dinner table conversations and head to American Ice Company’s 10th Annual Reza Bros Christmas Party. (American Ice Company, 8 p.m., FREE)
TAPESTRY: Spend your Christmas with the songs of Carole King. Beautiful: The Carole King Musical continues its run at the National Theatre. (National Theatre, 7:30 p.m., $54+)
MORE: All-Star Christmas Day Jazz Jam (The Kennedy Center Millenium Stage, 6 p.m., FREE), ARTECHOUSE (10 a.m.-7 p.m., $8-$15)
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 26
KWANZAA: December 26 marks the beginning of Kwanzaa. The Washington Ethical Society and Family & Friends of Incarcerated People unite for a celebration of the holiday’s first night. (Washington Ethical Society, 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m., FREE)
CARRY THIS: In ExplorNATIONS: Baskets, Boxes, and Bags, learn about the materials and methods used for transport. See examples of porcupine quills, birch bark and bison horn objects, and uncover the connections to today’s tools. (Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian, 10 a.m.-12 p.m., FREE)
POST-CHRISTMAS FLOW: Entertaining can be tough. Forget the stress of post-Christmas exchanges and returns and unwind with Candlelight Yoga with the Urban Athletic Club. (The LINE DC, 8 p.m., FREE)
MORE: Volunteer with Miriam’s Kitchen (Miriam’s Kitchen, 6 a.m.-8:30 a.m., FREE), Manchester United vs. Huddersfield (Red Devils DC, 10 a.m., FREE), Young Planetarium (Rock Creek Park, 4 p.m., FREE), Carolina Hurricanes vs. Washington Capitals (Capital One Arena, 7 p.m., $69+)
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 27
MIDWEST FARMER’S DAUGHTER: In 2016, Nashville’s Margo Price released her debut to critical acclaim; her follow-up, 2017’s All American Made, takes on today’s political climate, packing lyrical punches, deepening her exploration of genre. Fellow Nashville singer-songwriter Lilly Hiatt opens. (9:30 Club, 7 p.m. doors, $25)
FRIENDLY CHRISTMAS COMPETITION: Need a post-holiday outlet for your energy? Serve and strike your way to success in a round robin-style squash tournament. (Squash on Fire, Matches begin at 4 p.m., $29)
IN ANOTHER LIFE: Born in Philadelphia, Bilal’s known for his singular vocal stylings and his genre-spanning collaborations, including work with Kendrick Lamar, Robert Glasper, and the Roots. He’s joined by Micah Robinson. (City Winery DC, 6 p.m. doors, 8 p.m. show, $35-$48)
MORE: Manor Hill Tasting (Craft Beer Cellar DC, 4:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m., FREE), Ladies in the Day (Union Stage, 6:30 p.m. doors, 8 p.m. show, $35), Songbyrd Karaoke Night (Songbyrd, 8 p.m., FREE), Zedd (Echostage, 9 p.m., $40-60)
