A merry time awaits in D.C., Maryland, and Virginia!
From enchanting light displays to festive shows for the whole family, take a peek at what's happening this weekend in the DMV. Here's your weekend roundup for Friday, December 17, to Sunday, December 19.
Events on Friday, December 17
A Christmas Carol | Weinberg Center for the Arts | Frederick, MD | Friday-Sunday
Frederick's historic performance venue presents the moving holiday tale, A Christmas Carol! This weekend only, the Maryland Ensemble Theatre's Fun Company brings Charles Dickens' yuletide classic to the stage as famous grump Ebenezer Scrooge faces the past, present, and future of his miserly actions on Christmas Eve. A family-friendly play, it's endured as a tradition for good reason! Standard admission is $24. To order your tickets, click here.
North Pole Lights Walk | Willow Oak Flower & Herb Farm | Severn, MD | Friday-Sunday
Along with running a plant nursery in Anne Arundel County, Willow Oak also hosts an enchanting holiday garden! Step into a magical landscape of lights, arctic critters, and other yuletide scenes in this sumptuous garden led by none other than the Christmas fairy. Don't miss a visit to Santa Claus at his cabin on weekends only! If you'd like to go, tickets are $8 for adults and $5 for kids. Check it out here.
Zoo Lights | The Maryland Zoo | Baltimore, MD | Friday-Sunday
Take a walk on the wild side this holiday season, courtesy of the Maryland Zoo! Between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m., trek through the zoo's grounds to view breathtaking light displays and enjoy wintery entertainment like hot chocolate, carousel rides, and a lot more. Over 100,000 LED lights will illuminate the night sky, making Zoo Lights one of Charm City's finest attractions! Walk-Thru tickets are $28 per person. You can purchase them here.
Christmas Illuminations | George Washington's Mount Vernon | Mount Vernon, VA | Friday-Saturday
This merry tradition at Mount Vernon combines the flair of July 4 with a yuletide twist! Guests can bask in the glow of sparkling lights throughout the estate, complete with authentic entertainment, mansion tours, and a dazzling fireworks show at the night's end. Still need to do some shopping? There'll be an artisanal winter market for all your gift-giving needs. Tickets are selling fast—Saturday has already sold out—so don't wait! Find out more here.
Events on Saturday, December 18
A Family Christmas | The Kennedy Center | Washington, DC | Saturday
Who's ready for a family sing-a-long? Join the Kennedy Center for a festive holiday show at 2 p.m. featuring the Choral Arts Chorus. The talented group will summon the season with Frosty the Snowman, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, and other tunes those young and old will recognize. Recommended for at least ages 5 and up, little ones are invited to come and sing along! Tickets start at just $20 per person. You can order them here.
2021 Reindeer Romp 5K & 10K | Fletcher's Boathouse | Washington, DC | Saturday
Want to do your part to help military veterans this season? Operation Enduring Warrior invites you to support its cause—and beat the cold—with a fun run! Meet at Fletcher's Cove in Georgetown at 8 a.m. to participate in a 5K or 10K distance, with attendees able to cross the finish line at their own pace or participate from home if they can't make it in person. Strollers are also allowed, making it a great family activity! You can register here.
Madonna-Gaga-Britney Dance Party | 9:30 Club | Washington, DC | Saturday
Pop music's holy trinity—Madonna, Lady Gaga, and Britney Spears—is receiving the musical tribute they deserve! Only at 9:30 Club. dance into the wee hours as DJ Craig Boarman spins the greatest hits of their careers, from "Toxic" and "Vogue" to "Bad Romance." After a night on the dance floor, listening to your iTunes mix at home won't be the same! Tickets are $15 each. Buy them here.
A Very Merry Drag Brunch | Rams Head on Stage | Annapolis, MD | Saturday
Rams Head on Stage's drag brunch is coming home for the holidays! Starting at 12:30 p.m., emcees Shawnna Alexander and Victoria Bohmore will delight you with festive shenanigans and a roster of very important guests. If this isn't the perfect accompaniment to bottomless Bloody Marys, we don't know what is! Tickets are $20 apiece. Check it out here.
Ugly Sweater Party | Barkhaus | Alexandria, VA | Saturday
FREE event! Hit up DC's first dog-friendly bar for an ugly holiday sweater contest, plus food and drink specials to help you make merry. MADabolic Alexandria will even whip up puppucinos for everyone's furry companions, so everyone gets a treat! Ready for a festive gathering humans and animals can both enjoy? The party starts at 3 p.m. Get the details here.
Greenberg's Train & Toy Show | Dulles Expo Center | Chantilly, VA | Saturday-Sunday
All aboard! Chugging along since 1976, Greenberg's Train & Toy Show is a holiday favorite! Scope out a variety of model trains from exhibitors across the country, plus live demos, contests, workshops, and more at the Dulles Expo Center's North Hall, this weekend only. Visitors can pay for their tickets at the door and enjoy complimentary parking. Interested? Read about it here.
Doing anything festive this weekend? Are any of these events on your holiday to-do list? Let us know in the comments!
