There are plenty of holiday happenings around town this weekend: Celebrate Hanukkah at the Ellipse, or carol at The Wharf.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 20

SEA CHANGE: Take a break from all the holiday cheer with a dose of despair at Gallery Experience: Artists + Climate Change. Artist Katie Kehoe, who teaches at Virginia Commonwealth University and George Mason University, discusses her performance Harbinger, which took place at the Tidal Basin in October. (Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, 4 p.m.-5 p.m., FREE)

LIGHT IT UP: Warm up by the bonfire and watch the skies with George and Martha Washington at Christmas Illuminations at Mount Vernon. Fireworks choreographed to holiday music begin at 8 p.m.; the site shops will be open until 9:30 p.m. for your last-minute shopping needs. (George Washington’s Mount Vernon, 5:30-8:30 p.m., $20-$26 youth/$30-$36 adults)

OH WHAT A NIGHT: Spend a pre-holiday day with Frankie Valli and Jersey Boys, the long running jukebox musical that’s been awarded both Tony and Grammy Awards. Sing along to all the Four Seasons’ greatest hits, this weekend through Jan. 5. (National Theatre, 8 p.m., $39-$99)

MORE:Open Studio Fridays (National Portrait Gallery, 1 p.m.-5 p.m., FREE), Enchant DC (Nationals Park, 4:30 p.m.-10:30 p.m., $14.99+ child/$16.99+ youth/$19.99+ adult/$16.99+ senior), Sippin’ Santa’s Surf Shack (Archipelago, 5 p.m.-12 a.m., free entry), Holiday Blends & Chocolate Tasting (A Baked Joint, 6 p..m.-7 p.m., $10), Lightmare, Lotion Princess and Born Dad (Black Cat, 8 p.m. doors, $15), Punkhouse Comedy (Songbyrd upstairs, 8:30 p.m. doors, 9 p.m. show, FREE/$5 suggested donation)

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 21

THE RAIN IN SPAIN: One of Broadway’s longest running plays, My Fair Lady follows the story of Eliza Doolittle and Henry Higgins and features some of the Great White Way’s most indelible songs, including “I Could Have Danced All Night.” The Lincoln Center Theater production runs through Jan. 19. (The Kennedy Center Opera House, 1:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., $39-$159)

SHOPPING SPOTLIGHT: You’ve only got a few days left to find the perfect gift. Take in tunes while you scramble to find something good enough for the tough ones on your list at Rock-N-Shop: A Rock’n’Roll Garage Sale. The market features music from Punk Soul Sisters Les the DJ, Sally Go Round, and DJ Laura Lopez. (Black Cat, 4 p.m., free entry)

SING OUT: Study up on holiday songs before you head to The Wharf for a night of Christmas caroling; if you’re on your best behavior, rumor has it Santa will pay a visit. While you’re there, cruise on the ice of The Wharf’s rink, or warm up with s’mores at Camp Wharf. (The Wharf, 5 p.m.-7 p.m., FREE)

MUSIC MOMENT: The annual Joy of Christmas program presented by the Cathedral Choral Society has become an area tradition. Come for the holiday classic sing-along, stay for a newly-commissioned carol from composer Alexander Levine. There’s also a Sunday 5 p.m. performance. (Washington National Cathedral, 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., $25-$82.50)

MORE: Brunch with Mrs. Claus (Le Diplomate, 11 a.m.-5 p.m., reservations recommended), La Horchata Holiday Mercado (The Line hotel, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., free entry), Rewild & No Kisses Holiday Ceramics Market (No Kisses, 12 p.m.-5 p.m., free entry) NW DC Really Really Free Market (St. Stephen & the Incarnation Episcopal Church, 3 p.m.-7 p.m., free entry), Elf (National Museum of American History, 3:50 p.m., $8.50-$10), Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Washington Capitals (Capital One Arena, 7 p.m., $70+) Winter Solstice Blue Lotus Portal (EWBA Store, 8 p.m.-12 a.m., $20-$35)

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 22

BARK CHEESE: Give your good boy (or girl) the photoshoot he (or she) deserves with a professional portrait shot by Elias Friedman, founder of The Dogist. Photos will be shot in front of a Christmas tree at Framebridge on 14th St NW; you’ll get the digital file with your framed photo purchase. (Framebridge, 12:00 p.m.-2 p.m., $39 frame purchase required)

MOVIE MOMENT: Be careful with that Red Ryder air rifle. You definitely don’t want to shoot your eye out, especially not before Sunday’s screening of A Christmas Story, the holiday classic saga of Ralphie Parker. (National Museum of American History, 3:50 p.m., $8.50-$10)

LIGHT THE MENORAH: Celebrate the beginning of the Festival of Lights at the National Menorah grand lighting ceremony. The festivities also feature a performance from the U.S. Marine Band, free dreidels and menorah kits and latkes and doughnuts. (The Ellipse, 4 p.m., FREE with ticket)

MORE: Sunday Flow (lululemon Georgetown, 9 a.m., FREE), National Symphony Orchestra: Handel’s Messiah (The Kennedy Center Concert Hall, 1 p.m., $15-$119), Profs & Pints Matinee: Nightmares Before Christmas (The Bier Baron Tavern, 3 p.m., $12 advance/$15 door), 2nd Annual GZ Latke Popup (The Green Zone, 5 p.m.-1 a.m., free entry), Boozy Bee (Capitol Cider House, 6 p.m.-7 p.m., FREE)