FRIDAY, DEC. 15
CHRISTMAS ILLUMINATIONS: Sprinkle some sparkle into your weekend with Christmas Illuminations, a holiday fireworks show at Mount Vernon. Holiday classics will play as you explore the grounds, which will be decked out in wintry lights before the display. You can also visit a winter market featuring 18th century-style crafts. (Mount Vernon; 5:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m.; $58+)
DEEP DIVE LIVE: If you’re in a music rut, you might discover something new at Deep Dive Live. Taking place at The Atlantis this Friday, this new recurring event will showcase emerging local talent. Up first are Philadelphia’s Sadurn alongside D.C.’s Glom and BRASSIE. (The Atlantis; 6:30 p.m.; $10)
THE CHRISTMAS REVELS: Calling all fans of medieval literature and/or A24’s The Green Knight: The Christmas Revels comes to George Washington’s Lisner Auditorium this weekend, transporting its audience to Camelot to tell the story of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. If you can’t make it in person, you can catch it on demand until Jan. 5. (George Washington University; Friday-Sunday; $28+)
A BAROQUE CHRISTMAS STORY: A Baroque Christmas Story is a nativity scene like you’ve never seen it before. Folger Consort’s annual holiday concert is an interpretation of Heinrich Schütz’s Weihnachtshistorie, a rarely-performed musical telling of the nativity story, taking the stage just in time for Christmas. (St. Mark’s Church; through Dec. 22; $20)
MORE: Long Lunch: Pizza + Flatbreads Workshop (Hill Center at Old Naval Hospital; 11 a.m.-1 p.m.; $55), Christmas With The King’s Singers (Washington National Cathedral; 7 p.m.; $25+), DC Casineros: Cuban Social (Dance Place; 7 p.m.-1 a.m.; $20), A Candlelight Christmas (Music Center at Strathmore; 8 p.m.; $44), A Diva Christmas Drag Show (The Hamilton Live; 8 p.m.; $20+), Vanessa Estaniel (The Pocket; 8 p.m.; $15+), Animania: The Anime Club Night (Union Stage; 10:30 p.m.; $20)
SATURDAY, DEC. 16
UMOJA MARKET: Umoja, the Swahili word for unity, is one of the seven principles of Kwanzaa. Anacostia Arts Center invites you to practice unity and community at the Umoja Market, an all-day holiday celebration featuring an art market, live music, Kwanzaa demonstrations and an appearance from Santa Claus. (Anacostia Arts Center; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; FREE)
PROCRASTINATOR’S HOLIDAY MARKET: If you feel called out by the name, it’s probably a sign that you need to pay a visit to the Procrastinator’s Holiday Market, taking place at Kraken Kourts & Skates on Rhode Island Avenue NE. A wide array of gifts, crafts, and goodies should help you find something for everyone on your list. (Kraken Kourts & Skates; 11 a.m.-5 p.m.; FREE)
APRICITY ART SALE: Apricity is defined as “the warmth of the sun in winter.” It’s also the name of the upcoming exhibition of artworks depicting wintry scenes from Transformer’s FlatFile program. Check out the exhibition this Saturday, when it opens alongside a holiday pop-up sale. (Transformer; 1 p.m.-4 p.m.; FREE)
COCOA CRAWL AND BOOK FAIR: Cozy up with a cup of cocoa this Saturday at the Takoma Cocoa Crawl, which features nine businesses offering deals on classic, spicy and spiked hot chocolates. One of those stops is the Takoma Busboys and Poets which, in addition to offering $3 hot cocoa, is hosting the Takoma Park Book Fair. (Takoma Park; 1 p.m.-4 p.m.; $3+)
12 BEERS OF CHRISTMAS: Christmas cheer and Christmas beer go hand in hand this weekend at 12 Beers of Christmas, a seasonal beer tasting event featuring 12 local brews. Your ticket includes 3-ounce pours of each of the featured beers, alongside conversation with representatives from each of the breweries. (metrobar DC; 2 p.m.-5 p.m.; $22)
ROCK’N’SHOP: Shopping for the indie darling in your life? Look no further than Rock’n’Shop, Black Cat’s annual holiday shopping extravaganza. You’ll find locally-made crafts, used records, junk sellers, band t-shirts and more, all while local DJs provide an eclectic soundtrack. (Black Cat; 4 p.m.; FREE)
UNSILENT NIGHT: In 1992, composer Phil Kline had the idea for an electronic holiday caroling party. Thus was born Unsilent Night, a long-standing tradition in which participants are assigned one of four tracks of music to amplify on a speaker. Played at the same time together, the four tracks create Unsilent Night, which the crowd then parades around on city streets. (Sherman Circle; 6 p.m.; FREE)
MORE: Luangisa African Arts Show & Tour (The Mansion on O Street; Saturday and Sunday; $33), Race into the Holidays (Middleburg; through Dec. 25; FREE), Hill Family Biking: Tiny Streets Ride (Maury Elementary Parking Lot; 10:30 a.m.; FREE), Indigo & Shibori 101 (Rhizome DC; 1 p.m.; $15+), District of Punk Walking Tour (Gallery Place Metro; 2 p.m.; $25), The Film Poems of Maryam Tafakory (National Gallery of Art; 2 p.m.; FREE), Joy of Christmas (Washington National Cathedral; Saturday 2 p.m. and 6 p.m.; Sunday 4 p.m.; $25), A Candlelight Christmas (The Kennedy Center; 3 p.m.; $49), Kwanzaa Celebration (Creative Suitland; 4 p.m-9 p.m.; FREE+), “The Sunroom” Reception (Anacostia Arts Center; 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m.; FREE), Glade Dance Collective and Friends (Atlas Performing Arts Center; 7 p.m.; $15), Keng Siong Sim: Peace for Ukraine (Atlas Performing Arts Center; 7 p.m.; $22), Earth, Wind & Fire Tribute Band (The Hamilton Live; 8 p.m.; $20+)
SUNDAY, DEC. 17
YULETIDE MARKET: Celebrate Christmas the German way at Wunder Garten’s Yuletide Market & Celebration, which will feature a visit from Krampus, a figure of European folklore who scares children who have misbehaved during Advent season. Stock up on holiday presents at Wunder Garten’s witchy artisan market. (Wunder Garten; 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.; FREE)
IN THE SPIRIT OF KWANZAA: The seven principles of Kwanzaa will take the stage this Saturday and Sunday at Dance Place, where Coyaba Dance Theater will present In the Spirit of Kwanzaa: Every Girl Has a Story. The drumming and dance performance is a celebration of the Black experience through the eyes of young women. (Dance Place; Saturday 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.; Sunday 4 p.m.; $30)
PETE DAVIDSON: Did you miss Pete Davidson’s stop at Lincoln Theatre last month? You’ve got another chance to see him this Sunday at the Fillmore. On the heels of his semi-autobiographical series Bupkis, the edgy comedian and heartthrob is bringing his stand-up to venues across the country. (Fillmore Silver Spring; 7 p.m.; $117)
MORE: Skip the Mall, Shop Small (Union Market; Saturday and Sunday; 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; $12+), Mt. Pleasant Holiday Market (Lamont Plaza; 11 a.m.-5 p.m.; FREE), Planet Wine Holiday Beer Tasting (Planet Wine Shop; 1 p.m.-4 p.m.; FREE), PRJC Monthly Trad Jazz Jam (Alfio’s La Trattoria; 2:30 p.m.-5 p.m.; $15), Handel’s Messiah (Music Center at Strathmore; Saturday 7 p.m.; Sunday 3 p.m.; $19+), Sleigh Ride! Annual Holiday Concert and Sing Along (Atlas Performing Arts Center; 3 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.; $35), “Give n Giggle” Comedy Toy Drive (The Comedy Loft of DC; 7:30 p.m.; FREE), Step Afrika!’s Magical Musical Holiday Step Show (Arena Stage; through Sunday; $39+)
