MONDAY, DECEMBER 21
WINTER WONDERLAND: Take an evening stroll to honor the start of winter and the shortest day of the year. The Winter Solstice Evening Walk takes place at Huntley Meadows Park in Alexandria. Enjoy the forest and wetlands as the sun sets, and listen for nocturnal wildlife. (Huntley Meadows Park, 4:30 p.m., $8)
STAR LIGHT, STAR BRIGHT: Celebrate the winter solstice with this virtual Zoom event from the GMU Observatory. Gaze upon the conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn during an evening Under the Stars, and get ready to welcome brighter days ahead. (5 p.m., FREE)
LISTEN UP: Enjoy the sounds of the holiday season by streaming this concert from the Folger Shakespeare Library. Christmas with the Folger Consort features a host of Yuletide favorites, including J.S. Bach’s Wachet auf (Sleepers Wake) and festive carols from American choral composer William Billings. (Until January 5, $25-$50)
MORE: You Sleuth Augmented Reality Detective Experience (Cyber Activities, 10 a.m., $25), Behind the Scenes Virtual Tour of the Smithsonian Greenhouse (Smithsonian, Ongoing, FREE)
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 22
SKATE IT OUT: Take a twirl on the ice by reserving a spot at Pentagon Row’s outdoor ice skating rink. It’s the largest outdoor rink in Northern Virginia. Arrive up to 10 minutes before your allotted time and be advised that social distancing rules are in effect. Skate rentals and private lessons are available as well. (Pentagon Row, 10 a.m., $10 for adults)
YOU’RE A MEAN ONE, 2020: If 2020 has been a mean one, here’s a chance to confab with the Grinch rather than the big guy in a red suit this holiday season. Reserve a spot ahead of time at Grinch’s Grotto Tysons Corner for a private meet and greet with the not-so-jolly green guy. Group size is limited to five, and plan to arrive 15 minutes ahead of time. (Tysons Corner, 10 a.m.-7 p.m., $50)
MORE: Online Concert: Seasonal Music Chris Urquiaga (U.S. Botanic Garden, 5:30 p.m., FREE), 2Hype Tuesday Virtual Holiday Party: Ugly Sweater Edition! (National Society of Black Engineers Washington Metro Professionals Chapter, 8 p.m., FREE)
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23
JINGLE BELLS: Hear the behind-the-scenes scoop on Netflix’s new holiday offering Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey during this virtual event from the D.C. Public Library. Creators David E. Talbert and Lyn Sisson-Talbert chats with the library’s Ryan Williams about writing and producing the movie, starring Forest Whitaker and Keegan-Michael Key. (7 p.m., FREE)
IT’S REVOLUTIONARY: Commemorate the 244th anniversary of George Washington’s crossing of the Delaware, a moment that changed America history, with this program from the Washington, D.C. History & Culture organization. The virtual event will separate fact from fiction and dissect the legendary crossing that inspired a famed painting. (8 p.m., FREE)
FOR THE REST OF US: Celebrate Seinfeldian holiday Festivus with this virtual party and charity mixer from Things to Do. Air your grievances, perform feats of strength, and answer trivia questions while gazing upon an unadorned metal pole. A portion of proceeds will go to the American Cancer Society. (8:30 p.m., $10)
MORE: Virtual Tour of the Holiday Lights Experiences Throughout the World (Things to Do, 7:30 p.m., $15), Airing of the Grievances (Coffee Break, 9 p.m., FREE)
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24
FILM FEST FUN: The Capitol Hill Film Festival is virtual this year, which means you can enjoy 70-plus films from the District, Maryland, and Virginia. Grab a month-long pass to watch movies like Ballin’: A Kickball Story, featuring one of the District’s favorite pastimes, and One Fall, which takes a look at D.C.’s world of indie pro wrestling. (Ongoing, $7.99)
IRISH EYES ARE SMILING: Celebrate Christmas Eve at home by streaming the Keegan Theatre’s annual An Irish Carol, a modern-day, Dublin pub-set take on the Dickens classic. In honor of the tenth anniversary of the production, the original cast is returning for the virtual event. (December 24-31, $30)
LIGHT THE WAY: Enjoy picturesque Old Town Alexandria and appreciate some outdoor art during the neighborhood’s Holiday Lamp Post Art Walk. Follow this map and stroll along King Street and side streets to take in some holiday art in socially distanced fashion. (Old Town Alexandria, until January 8, FREE)
MORE: Live|Virtual Christmas Carol (Street Art Museum Tours, 5 p.m., $15), Erev Christmas Cook Along (J2Food, 6:30 p.m., FREE)
