FRIDAY, DEC. 23
BREAKFAST WITH SANTA: We hope you don’t mind Santa Claus crashing your breakfast. He’ll be at three Alexandria restaurants on Friday and Saturday — Theismann’s, Mia’s Italian Kitchen and Ada’s on the River. He’ll bring presents for any kids, and the restaurants will provide prosecco. (Alexandria; Friday and Saturday; 8 a.m.-10 a.m.; $53+)
WINTERFEST: Ring in the holiday weekend and Wunder Garten’s Winterfest, which ends on Friday. The city’s favorite beer garden has turned into a winter wonderland, where you can find hot cocktails, cozy fire pits, a hot chocolate bar and holiday crafts. (Wunder Garten; 3 p.m.-12:30 a.m.; FREE)
TIPSY TENNIS: Time to whip out the tennis racquets and get your game on — and your drink on. At Tipsy Tennis: LITMas Edition, you’re invited to play tennis with friends while drinking bottomless mimosas. A few local vendors will be present, so you can hit two balls with one racquet and get any last minute holiday shopping done. (Washington Tennis & Education Foundation East Campus; 6 p.m.-9 p.m.; $25+)
FESTIVUS MIRACLES: Happy Festivus to all who celebrate! The secular, Seinfeld-originated holiday takes place on Friday, and DC Improv Comedy Club is celebrating with Festivus Miracles!, a comedy showcase featuring five stand-up comedians. Come out to air your grievances and get some laughs in. (DC Improv Comedy Club; 7:30 p.m. and 9:45 p.m.; $20+)
MODERN NUTCRACKER: In Aru Dell’Arte Dance Company’s take on the Nutcracker, they’re prioritizing a diversity of characters, elevating female lead roles, and taking a gender-neutral approach to dancing. Come out and see the last show of the Modern Nutcracker, a holiday dance show with a contemporary twist. (CulturalDC’s Source Theatre; 7:30 p.m.; $33)
EL AÑO VIEJO: It’s not the new year yet, but we can still celebrate the old one. Adobo, the D.C. area’s Afro-Latin party planners, are bringing a celebration called El Año Viejo to Penn Social. Dos Flakos and Pedro Night will be spinning Afro-Latin music all night long. (Penn Social; 9 p.m. – a.m.; $25)
MORE: Christmas Listen Up (The Park at Fourteenth; 5 p.m.-3 a.m.; FREE), Wine & Watercolors (Shop Made in VA; 5 p.m.; $20), Juicebox & Cookie Decorating (Sole Girl Fashion Market; 5 p.m.-9 p.m.; FREE), Gospel Christmas: The Light Has Come (Washington National Cathedral; 6 p.m.; $7), The Great Holiday Debate (Moi Moi, 6 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.; $25), Ugly Sweater Party (Howl at the Moon; 6 p.m.-3 a.m.; FREE), Candle Making Workshop (FSC Workshop; 6:30 p.m.; $55), Another Ugly Sweater Party (Phantom Lounge; 10 p.m.-3 a.m.; $20)
SATURDAY, DEC. 24
POP-UP BEFORE CHRISTMAS: For all the ultra-procrastinators out there, this one’s for you. Sole Girl Fashion Market in Clinton, Maryland is hosting a Pop-Up Before Christmas. The pop-up will feature an array of local businesses providing fashion, beauty, home décor, food and more, with relatively inexpensive prices. (Sole Girl Fashion Market; 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; FREE)
INTO THE WOODS: It’s not a holiday show per se, but Into the Woods, featuring lyrics and music by Stephen Sondheim, is about fairy tales, and isn’t there something cozy about those? Either way, it’s something to do this weekend. Catch Signature Theatre’s production of the cherished musical on Friday and Saturday. (Signature Theatre; Friday 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.; Saturday 2 p.m.; $40+)
MENORAH LIGHTING: Hanukkah ends this weekend. Why not end it in company? Union Market has been hosting a Menorah Lighting every day this Festival of Lights. On Saturday, their lighting will be hosted by Jews United For Justice. (Union Market; through Dec. 25; 6:30 p.m.; FREE)
MORE: Christmas Eve Breakfast Tour (The Mansion on O Street; 9 a.m.-1 p.m.; $60+), The Night Before Christmas RED & WHITE DAY Party (The Consortium at 201; 3 p.m.-8 p.m.; $20+), The Nightmare Before Christmas Bachata Salsa Party (The Salsa Room Tysons; 8 p.m.-2 a.m.; $20), The Bagel Ball (Public Bar Dupont; 9 p.m.-1 a.m.; $25), Ugly Sweater Party (Zebbie’s Garden; 9 p.m.-3 a.m.; FREE), Matzoball (Decades DC; 9:30 p.m.-3 a.m.; $40)
SUNDAY, DEC. 25
HISTORY OF JEWISH WASHINGTON: While many families celebrate Christmas, tour guide Ami Greener is offering an alternative: A History of Jewish Washington walking tour. Two tours will be offered on Sunday, and they’ll highlight the history of Jewish-Americans who have left their mark on our city. (Gallery Place; 11 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.; $25)
STORY TRAIL AND GELT DROP: Another Hanukkah alternative to Christmas is Chabad East DC’s Chanukah Story Trail and Gelt Drop. Join them at Lincoln Park for a telling of the holiday story “If the Candles Could Speak” followed by a dropping of gelt from a firetruck. The program ends with a menorah lighting and Hanukkah songs. (Lincoln Park; 4 p.m.; FREE)
ALL-STAR CHRISTMAS DAY JAZZ JAM: End your holiday weekend on a festive note: The Kennedy Center’s All-Star Christmas Day Jazz Jam is back. Join host and vibraphonist Chuck Redd along with a lineup of talented jazz artists for a night of music and dancing. (Kennedy Center; 6 p.m.; FREE)
MORE: Pancakes & Pajamas with Santa (Fairmont Washington D.C. Georgetown; 11 a.m.-2 p.m.; $159.00), Grand Brunch (Salamander DC; 12 p.m.-3 p.m.; $149+)
