Believe it or not, the holidays are fully upon us. There’s no escaping, so why not embrace it? The D.C. area has plenty of happenings to help you get into the spirit. Here are a few highlights: Film
There are good holidays movies (“A Christmas Story”) and there are bad Christmas movies (“The Santa Clause 3”). Some of the best films of the season are screening locally this month. On December 11, the Arlington Cinema & Drafthouse presents its annual movie festival, which includes “Christmas Vacation” and “Elf” (noon, $8). Also, Dec. 16-17 at the Drafthouse is the yearly “It’s a Wonderful Life” screening and benefit for Children’s Hospital (7:15 p.m., $10). The National Theatre is screening free films on Mondays, including “White Christmas” on Dec. 12 (6:30 p.m., free). On Dec. 16-17, E Street Cinema presents Santa’s Cool Holiday Film Festival, complete with “Santa Claus Conquers the Martians” (midnight, $11). And as always, AFI in Silver Spring presents holiday classics from Dec. 16-22, including “A Christmas Carol” (multiple showings, $11).
AFI Silver: afi.com/silver
Arlington Cinema & Drafthouse: arlingtondrafthouse.com
E Street Cinema: landmarktheatres.com
National Theatre: nationaltheatre.org
Live
There’s something special about live entertainment during the holidays. There are a pair of Nutcrackers at the Warner Theater (through Dec. 24, $31-$90) and the Kennedy Center (Dec. 8-11; $45-$150). Already running at Ford’s Theatre is “A Christmas Carol” (through Dec. 31; $35-$70), and in Arlington check out the special cabaret “Holiday Follies” at Signature Theatre (Dec. 13-23; $40).
Ford’s Theatre: fordstheatre.org
Kennedy Center: kennedy-center.org
Signature Theatre: signature-theatre.org
Warner Theater: warnertheatre.com
Music
Holiday songs are ubiquitous during this time of year. Some are upbeat (“Last Christmas”), some are spiritual (“Holy Night”) and others are silly (“Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer”). There are a number of concerts this year in the area. The recently opened Fillmore in Silver Spring starts a new tradition with A Hero’s Christmas (Dec. 16, $15), benefiting military veterans and headlined by local act Lloyd Dobler Effect and including locals Big Paper Airplanes. Santa Jam 15 returns to the State Theater (Dec. 22, $10) featuring local acts benefiting an area homeless shelter, and Todd Wright performs two days for his annual Christmas gig at Jammin’ Java (Dec. 22-23, $15).
The Fillmore Silver Spring: fillmoresilverspring.com
Jammin’ Java: jamminjava.com
State Theatre: thestatetheatre.com
Comedy
If the commercialism of the holiday season gets you down, there’s nothing like a little comedy. The recently opened Riot Act is holding a Toys for Tots comedy show (Dec. 14, 7:30 p.m., $15), and the Washington Improv Theater has its annual Seasonal Disorder series Thursdays through Sundays all month. A little Jewish humor takes center stage this month as well, with Jewmongous at the Birchmere (Dec. 21, $25), Good for the Jews at Jammin’ Java (Dec. 24, $20) and the Kinsey Sicks present Oy Vey in a Manger at the Jewish Community Center (Dec. 24-26, $60-$65).
Birchmere: birchmere.com
Jammin’ Java: jamminjava.com
Jewish Community Center: washingtondcjcc.org
Riot Act: riotactcomedy.com
Washington Improv Theater: washingtonimprovtheater.com
Other Fun
National Harbor has become a destination for holiday festivities, with the annual interactive ICE (through Jan. 8) and Water Skiing Santa (Dec. 24) leading the way. The National Zoo has its annual free Zoo Lights (through Jan. 1), and the 6th in the City 20’s and 30’s group hosts a Hanukkah Happy Hour at the Pour House and Capitol Lounge (Dec. 20, 6 p.m., $5).
National Harbor: nationalharbor.com
National Zoo: nationalzoo.si.edu
Sixth & I: sixthandi.org
