MONDAY, DEC. 18

OPEN MIC: It’s the third Monday of the month, which means there’s another fabulous open mic lined up at Busboys and Poets. Hosted by “curator of cultural awesomeness” Harvey Fitz, attendees will get to hear from both professional and novice performers. (Busboys and Poets Anacostia; 7 p.m.; $7.61)

JINGLE JAM: As part of their 12 Days of CapRiv celebrations, the Capitol Riverfront BID is hosting a free holiday concert at Canal Park. The renowned Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington will perform, and there will be a special appearance by Santa himself. (Canal Park; 5:30 p.m.; FREE)

ICE SKATING: It’s finally cold enough for ice skating, and luckily day time skating at Cameron Run opens this Monday! Admission to the Winter Village is separate. (Cameron Run; 12-5 p.m.; $12.50)

MADONNA: The Material Girl had to reschedule her tour earlier this summer, but she’s back and better than ever. She’ll be performing on both Monday and Tuesday, playing a mix of classics and some newer songs. (Capital One Arena; Dec. 18 and 9, 8:30 p.m.; $100+)

MORE: Profs and Pints: How Dickens “Invented” Christmas(Penn Social; 6 p.m.; $14.31), A Charlie Brown Christmas (Lincoln Theatre; 8 p.m.; $35+), A Very Cassie and Maggie Christmas (The Lyceum; 7 pm; $25), Spit Dat in Residence (Woolly Mammoth Theatre; 8 p.m.; FREE)

Storytelling Cocktail Hour is back this week. Adam Jaime / Unsplash

TUESDAY, DEC. 19

FROSTY: The Barter Players present Frosty. The family-friendly musical features the beloved Snowman, who helps an orphan find his real family for Christmas. (McLean Community Center; 4 p.m; $15)

DISH!: Louise Dettman is back to host another storytelling cocktail hour. This month, Vijai Nathan, Derek Hills, Chelsea Shorte, John Papageorgiou, and Diane Parker Mullens will be dishing about their lives. (The Hill Center; 7 p.m.; $15)

THE HIP HOP NUTCRACKER: Tis the season for reimagining the Nutcracker. This week, Strathmore returns with a contemporary version of the classic ballet that combines Tchaikovsky’s score and hip-hop dance. The performance will also feature rapper and hip-hop founding father Kurtis Blow. (The Music Center at Strathmore; 8 p.m.; $36)

MORE: Situation Comedy (Cloak and Dagger; 8 p.m.; $7), Die Hard 2 screening (Songbyrd; 6:30 p.m.; FREE), A Christmas Brass Spectacular! (Kennedy Center; 7:30 p.m.; $65+), Dyke the Halls (Dew Drop Inn; 7 p.m; FREE)

SPONSORED VOLUNTEER ON CHRISTMAS: Join hundreds of volunteers to prepare and serve meals, sing carols, make deliveries, and bring holiday cheer to homeless shelters, senior rehabilitation facilities, hospitals, and nursing homes around the D.C. metro area this Christmas Day. You might meet your soul mate like the original organizers of this project 37 years ago! (Times and locations vary, $20)

Artechouse is transforming into a holiday wonderland through the end of the year. Artechouse

WEDNESDAY, DEC. 20

FROZEN: The Disney animated film may have premiered a decade ago, but the magic of Frozen still lives on in Broadway form. The tour will stop in D.C. for just about a month, starting this Wednesday. (Kennedy Center; 7:30 p.m.; $49)

SPECTACULAR FACTORY: Artechouse’s space exhibit “Beyond the Light” is temporarily pausing to make way for a holiday-themed installation. Spectacular Factory immerses visitors in a toy factory, complete with Christmas bells, nutcrackers, trains, wreaths, and candy cane carousels. (Artechouse; various times; $21 for locals)

MAYDĀN: In November, Rose Previte (owner of Compass Rose, Maydān, and Kirby Club) published Maydān: Recipes from Lebanon and Beyond. This week she’ll host an official launch party for the new cookbook. (Solid State Books; 7 p.m.; FREE)

MORE: A Candlelight Christmas (Kennedy Center; 7 p.m.; $39),, Oscar Rodriguez/ seysaw (Rhizome DC; 7 p.m.; $10), Imitation of Life (Suns Cinema; 9:15 p.m; $12), Halloween Meets Nutcracker (Bowie Center for Performing Arts; 7 p.m.; $10)

Rachel Burns hosts the Nastiest Holiday Show Ever at DC9 this week. Rachel Burns

THURSDAY, DEC. 21

NASTIEST HOLIDAY SHOW EVER: Another day, another Christmas-themed musical performance. Rachel Burns and her band will be hosting the Nastiest Holiday Show Ever, performing songs from Marvin Gaye, Ray Charles, The Supremes, Brenda Lee, Eartha Kitt, Pointer Sisters and more. (DC9 Nightclub; 8 p.m.; $20)

WINTER SOLSTICE CELEBRATION: It’s almost the shortest day of the year, and Takoma Park Library is celebrating accordingly. On Thursday, there will be a performance by the Rock Creek Morris Women dancers, refreshments, storytelling, and campfire crafts. (Takoma Park Library; 6:30 p.m; FREE)

MORE: Candlelight Holiday Special (Howard Theatre; 6:30 p.m.; $46), Live! At the Library: Seán Heely (Library of Congress; 6:15 p.m.; FREE), Peter Collins Holiday Show (Pearl Street Warehouse; 8 p.m.; $25), Drag the Halls: A Holiday Cabaret Fundraiser (Creative Cauldron; 7:30 p.m.; $100)

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