Ice rinks are opening and holiday trees are illuminating. The season is near, but before celebrations begin, there’s cider to sample and shows to see this weekend.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 15

IT TAKES TIME: The Pacific Northwest project Chastity Belt released its fourth album, the self-titled Chastity Belt, in the wake of a brief hiatus; the result, created with help from Jay Som’s Melina Duterte, is a testament to the band’s ties and self-reflection. Montana-turned-Philadelphia band Strange Ranger also performs at U Street Music Hall. (U Street Music Hall, 7 p.m., $15)

COME SKATE AWAY: ‘Tis the season for ice skating. Load up on hot cocoa and hit the ice for the first time this season as the Washington Harbour and National Gallery of Art Sculpture Gardens rinks open on Friday. Sculpture Garden rink patrons score a coupon for hot chocolate with admission this weekend. (Washington Harbour, 12 p.m.-10 p.m., $9-$10 admission, $6 skate rental; Sculpture Garden, 10 a.m.-9 p.m., $8-$9 skating fee, $4 skate rental)

525,600 MINUTES TIMES 20: Inspired by both Giacomo Puccini’s opera La Bohème and New York in the late ‘80s-early 90s; RENT cemented a lasting legacy as a show with modern subject matter and rock-inspired music. A production of the Broadway-turned-movie musical stops by the National Theatre on its current 20th anniversary tour. (National Theatre, 8 p.m., $54-$114)

MORE:The Midlands 3-Year Anniversary (The Midlands, 4 p.m.-3 a.m., FREE), A Taste of Australia (A Baked Joint, 6 p.m.-7 p.m., $3), Learn to Build Websites (NuVegan Cafe, 6 p.m.-10 p.m., $100), Swim and Tacos (Wilson Aquatics Center, 6:30 p.m., FREE), Wild Nothing with Kate Bollinger (9:30 Club, 8 p.m., $25), Run for Cover Live (Solly’s, 10 p.m.-1 a.m., FREE)

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 16

GET COOKING: Get a headstart on your New Year’s resolution to get better in the kitchen, or get inspiration for the Thanksgiving table at the 14th annual MetroCooking DC: The Metropolitan Cooking & Entertaining Show. The weekend long foodie fete features kitchen demonstrations, book talks and appearances from Martha Stewart, Wolfgang Puck, Lidia Bastianich and more. (Walter E. Washington Convention Center, 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m., $21.50 adult general admission/$10 child general admission)

CIDER SIPPING: It feels downright frigid, but fall isn’t over just yet. Get a taste of autumn at ROOTSTOCK: A Celebration of Mid-Atlantic Cider & Music. Enjoy unlimited tastings from more than 50 regional ciders. The event also features performances from Two Ton Twig, Moose Jaw Bluegrass and the High & Wides. (Hook Hall, 12 p.m.-4 p.m., $20-$69)

O CHRISTMAS TREE: Who says the National Christmas Tree should have all the glory? Not Silver Spring, which is kicking off the celebrations a little early with a holiday tree lighting and block party this Saturday. Come for the 35-foot Colorbound Tree art installation from Karl Unnasch, stay for the cozy cocktails and grown up games. (Fountain Plaza, 6 p.m.-10 p.m., FREE)

SOUND OFF: The Silent Cinema showcase at AFI continues through the end of the month. Saturday’s programming includes Buster Keaton’s Sherlock, Jr. featuring musical accompaniment by the Peacherine Ragtime Society Orchestra and Metropolis with accompaniment from the Alloy Orchestra. (AFI Silver, 5 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., $13-$20)

MORE:Live Your Power November Yoga Series (lululemon 14 Street, 9 a.m., FREE), Hikers Club with Cierra Jade (Nature Center at Rock Creek Park, 10 a.m., FREE), Bikes and Brews (Hains Point, 11:30 a.m., FREE), Hellbender 5-Year Anniversary (Hellbender Brewing Company, 12 p.m.-7 p.m., $15), Anacostia Fall Family Field Day (Anacostia Park Roller Skating Pavilion, 1 p.m.-5 p.m., FREE), Evening with a Park Ranger (World War II Memorial, 8 p.m., FREE), Neon Indian with Sateen (9:30 Club, 8 p.m., $30), Allah-Las with Tim Hill (Black Cat, 8 p.m., $20)

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 17

FOR THE KIDS: Christmas creep is real, and signs of the season are popping up everywhere. If your kids are clamoring for all things Christmas, head to the Warner Theatre for the traveling Disney Junior Holiday Party! production. We take no responsibility if your little ones start addressing letters to Santa before Thanksgiving even arrives. (Warner Theatre, 12 p.m. and 3 p.m., $43+)

WORK IT: Get in a good sweat before Thanksgiving at CUT SEVEN’s SWEATgiving celebration on the turf rooftop of Union Market. The day begins with a HIIT workout with hip-hop yoga and games, coffee and food to follow. Donations will be accepted to support One Common Unity. (Dock5 at Union Market, 11:30 a.m., FREE)

BOTTOMS UP: It’s a beerversary as Bluejacket celebrates its 6th anniversary with rare kegs, $5 beers and an outdoor grill menu. Stay warm with the release of Double Mexican Radio, a 2019 imperial bourbon barrel-aged imperial stout. (Bluejacket, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., free entry)

BEI BEI, GOODBYE: D.C.’s most universally beloved celebrity is leaving, bound for China, where he’s set to participate in a panda breeding program. Until he bids us farewell on Tuesday, the National Zoo is hosting a slew of goodbye parties. Arrive at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday and snag free hot chocolate, provided by Airbnb (?) or make a friendship bracelet. At 1:30 p.m., you can watch as he gets a treat: sweet potato! Yum? (National Zoo, various dates and times, FREE)

MORE: Yoga at the Memorial (American Veterans Disabled for Live Memorial, 7 a.m., FREE), 2019 Turkey Tumble for Autism 5k, 10k, & 10M (Chesapeake & Ohio Canal Canal, 8 a.m., $30-$55), 2019 Fall Foliage Ride (Ted’s Bulletin Gaithersburg, 8:30 a.m., FREE), BRUNch (Union Market, 9:30 a.m., FREE), Yoga and Museum Tour (National Building Museum, 10 a.m., $20), Blackfeet National Tribal Festival (National Museum of the American Indian, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., FREE), Presidents: Transferring Power (FDR Memorial, 7:30 p.m., FREE)