MONDAY, DEC. 26
LAFAYETTE SQUARE TOUR: Keep the holiday spirit going this week with this Special Christmas Tour of Lafayette Square, which will tell you all about the ghosts of St. John’s Church, the writing of Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech, where the term “big cheese” comes from, and more. (Organization of American States; 1 p.m. to 3:15 p.m.; $23)
TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA: What screams Christmas more than an allegorical rock opera? The Trans-Siberian Orchestra is bringing their show, Ghosts of Christmas Eve, to the Capital One Arena. It follows a runaway girl who turns her life around the night before Christmas. (Capital One Arena; 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.; $49.50+)
MORE:Garden of Lights (Brookside Gardens; 5 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.; $10), Winter Village (Cameron Run Regional Park; 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.; $8+), Encore Creativity for Older Adults (Kennedy Center; 6 p.m.; FREE), Monday Night Trivia (Wunder Garten; 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.; FREE)
TUESDAY, DEC. 27
DEVELOPING STORIES: It’s the winter break conundrum: Some of us have precious time off from work, but it’s hard to motivate ourselves to go anywhere or do anything when it’s so darn cold. The National Museum of the American Indian has a solution: Developing Stories, an exhibition of photographs of Native communities by three photojournalists, which is available to view at the museum’s New York location and for free online. (Virtual; through March 12; FREE)
LB199X: Born in D.C. and raised in Glenarden, rapper LB199X has been penning songs since he was a kid. This week, he’ll be bringing his prolific songs to his hometown, with a show at Union Stage that will also feature Big Cruz, Louie Bagz, and Shah Infinite. (Union Stage; 7 p.m.; $20)
MORE: Just Gelato (Italian Bar; 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.; $195.00+),Search for Santa’s Critters (NOVA Parks; Tuesday and Wednesday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.; $5), Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins(The Puppet Co. Playhouse; 4 p.m.; $15), Sunset Menu (Donahue; 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.; $40+), The Washington Ballet’s Nutcracker(Warner Theatre; 7 p.m.; $65+)
WEDNESDAY, DEC. 28
DRINK AND DRAW: Nothing like a drink, or a few, to bring out your creative side. At least that’s the idea behind A Time to Drink and Draw: 2022 Wrap Up, a social sketching meet-up taking place at Franklin Hall. Supplies are provided: All you need to bring are a bit of enthusiasm and creativity. (Franklin Hall; 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.; FREE)
LANGUAGE AND LINGUINI: Take your dinner date to the next level with Language and Linguini, an event that invites you to immerse yourself not only in Italian food, but also Italian language. As you enjoy an authentic pasta meal, native Italians will teach you the basics of their language — starting with, of course, how to order. (In Bocca al Lupo, 6:45 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.; $75+)
BEST MUSIC OF 2022: Beyoncé, Bad Bunny, Taylor Swift, Charli XCX, Harry Styles and Rosalía are just a sampling of the stars that put out new records this year. Celebrate all the music 2022 gave us at Songbyrd Music House’s Best of 2022 Party, which includes a music video power hour. (Songbyrd Music House; 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.; FREE)
BLACK WINES MATTER: Expand your palette with Black Wines Matter, a recurring wine class that puts the focus on Black creators in the wine industry. One ticket buys you a sampling of six wines with a chance to buy them to take home. A portion of proceeds is donated to the Veraison Project, which works to create a more equitable wine industry. (National Union Building; 7 p.m.; $49)
MORE: Free Bingo Series (as you are. DC; 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.; FREE), Ben Williams: A Holiday Musical Extravaganza (The Hamilton Live; 8 p.m.; $20+), Speakeasy Comedy Showcase (Room 808; 8:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.; $5+), KOAN Sound (Flash; 9 p.m. to 2 a.m.; $45)
THURSDAY, DEC. 29
DOORMAT PAINTING WORKSHOP: Welcome in the new year with a new doormat, courtesy of FSC Workshop’s Doormat Painting Workshop. Admission includes a doormat, stencils and paint. Attendees are invited to bring their own alcohol and transform this workshop into a paint and sip. (FSC Workshop; 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.; $55)
KOKEDAMA WORKSHOP: The Japanese kokedama is a ball of soil covered in moss, from which an ornamental plant grows. Intrigued? PlantHouse Alexandria invites you to make your own kokedama, which you can use to spruce up your home or office, in this Kokedama Workshop. (PlantHouse Alexandria; 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.; $25)
FAREWELL TO NUBIAN HUEMAN: Nubian Hueman is closing its doors at the Anacostia Arts Center, and while that’s bittersweet, make no mistake: Divine Timing, their farewell event, is a celebration. After nine years, the Black-owned boutique is departing from Anacostia, and they’re inviting the community to celebrate everything they’ve accomplished, and what’s still to come.(Anacostia Arts Center; 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.; $3+)
POETRY OPEN MIC: The arrival of a new year invites reflection. Why not turn that reflection into something you can share with others? At the Crystal Clear Poetry Open Mic, Crystal Café By Faith2Felicity invites your poems, as well as any singing, affirmations, rap or storytelling you want to divulge. (Crystal Café By Faith2Felicity; 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.; $10)
MORE: Meditation & Music Medicine Soundbath (Eaton DC; 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.; $30+), Nayan (Songbyrd Music House; 7 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.; $15+), Trivia Night Thursdays (metrobar DC; 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.; FREE),Adams Morgan Comedy Night (Town Tavern DC; 8 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.; donation based)
