Put on your warmest hat and coziest sweater: our weekend roundup has arrived!

Need a winter warmer? Take a moment to bask in the glow of Zoo Lights, watch The Nutcracker, and visit the National Christmas Tree this weekend in the DMV. Here's your weekend roundup for Friday, December 3 to Sunday, December 5.

Events on Friday, December 3

Dorrance Dance | The Kennedy Center | Washington, DC | Friday-Saturday

The Kennedy Center invites you to see Dorrance Dance in action! Catch the debut of the tap-dancing troupe's latest piece Basses Loaded alongside the repertoire of joyful, rhythmic, choreography that's made them a household name. An infectiously energetic performance awaits! Tickets range from $29 to $99 each. To order them, click here.

The Washington Ballet's Nutcracker | Warner Theatre | Washington, DC | Friday-Sunday

Warner Theatre presents Tchaikovsky's masterpiece like never before! This spell-binding version of The Nutcracker takes place in DC and is performed by none other than The Washington Ballet. Featuring breathtaking sets, period attire, and that instantly recognizable score, it's a holiday classic for good reason--and a performance you won't find anywhere else! Tickets are selling fast, so don't wait! Buy them here.

Jolly Express Cruise | Annapolis City Dock | Annapolis, MD | Friday-Sunday

A Mid-Atlantic twist to the usual traditions, treat the family to a ride aboard the Jolly Express Cruise! Allow Captain Santa to be your guide as you soak in the sights of the Chesapeake, enjoying hot chocolate and Christmas carols along the way. Admission is $25 for adults and $13 for children under 11. Book your spot here.

Zoo Lights | The Maryland Zoo | Baltimore, MD | Friday-Sunday

Zoo Lights is returning to the Maryland Zoo for another year! Explore twinkling holiday scenes between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m., as well as hot chocolate and seasonal music to get you into the spirit. The zoo is illuminating additional areas of the park including the train station, Farm Yard, and Schaefer Plaza for even more festive flair! Walk-Thru tickets are $28 per person. To reserve yours, click here.

McLean Holiday Art & Crafts Festival | McLean Community Center | McLean, VA | Friday-Sunday

How does shopping for hand-crafted, one-of-a-kind goods sound? For three days, McLean Community Center will be hosting 80+ artisanal makers selling everything from ceramics and jewelry to soaps and candles. All of this, plus access to live music and a cafe, is just $5 a person and FREE for kids under 12. Even better, your ticket will be good for the entire festival, which means you can check off your holiday shopping list, easy-peasy! View the hours here.

Events on Saturday, December 4

Gay Men's Chorus of Washington, DC Presents: The Holiday Show | Lincoln Theatre | Washington, DC | Saturday

Do you hear that? Why it's the marvelous voices of the Gay Men's Chorus of Washington, DC, that's what! Join the choir for a night of holiday cheer at Lincoln Theatre where they'll serenade you with Christmas tunes and live entertainment to match (tap-dancing elves, anyone?) With ensembles and soloists alike performing, this variety show will have something for everybody! Doors open at 7 p.m. and tickets start at $25. Buy them here.

National Christmas Tree & Pathway of Peace | White House Ellipse | Washington, DC | Saturday-Sunday

Kick off the holidays right with one of the District's most famous attractions, the National Christmas Tree and Pathway of Peace! Venture to President's Park to see the towering tree in all its glory, plus 56 trees representing each U.S. state and territory. Open to the public daily through New Year's, you can find both lit up starting at 4 p.m. Read about it here.

2021 Jingle on the Runway | Dulles International Airport | Sterling, VA | Saturday

Put on your running shoes and participate in an unconventional race at Dulles International Airport! Sprint across the airport's runway in a 5K or 10K run and enjoy refreshments and custom swag upon crossing the finish line. The annual event benefits local charities, so it's a great way to have fun and support your community, too! Attendance is capped at 1,500 people total. You can register here.

Mosaic Holiday Village | Mosaic District | Fairfax, VA | Saturday-Sunday

The charming holiday village of your dreams can be found right here at Mosaic District! Between 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., the social hub will host an artisanal marketplace courtesy of URBNmarket, beer garden brews, live entertainment, and barbecue bites from Muggerz. Did we mention admission is free? Find out more here.

Events on Sunday, December 5

Silver Spring Christmas Market & Holiday Craft Show | Veteran's Plaza | Silver Spring, MD | Sunday

FREE event alert! Shopping for trinkets to put under the tree? Mark your calendar for the Silver Spring Christmas Market happening this Sunday! Shoppers can spend the afternoon at Veteran's Plaza browsing handmade textiles, jewelry, fragrance, baked goods, and so much more. The show runs from noon to 4 p.m. Read about it here.

What events are you checking out this weekend? Doing anything from our list? Let us know down in the comments!

Brianna Persons
Brianna is an Oregon native who made her home in the DMV over two years ago. She loves scouting out new restaurants and drooling over Van Gogh’s landscapes in the National Gallery’s East Building. When she isn’t writing for Our Community Now, she’s tackling short fiction and working her baking magic in the kitchen. She resides in Maryland with her husband Nick and their black cat Sable.
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