Best Gatherings 1. Beall-Dawson House: The Beall-Dawson House is decorated to showcase how a family may have celebrated the holidays during the early part of the 19th century.
Where: Beall-Dawson House, 103 W. Montgomery St., Rockville
When: noon-4 p.m. Wed.-Thurs. through Dec. 30
Info: $2/$3; 301-762-1492; montgomeryhistory.org
2. Botanic Garden Concerts: On Tuesday and Thursday evenings in December, the U.S. Botanic Garden will have extended hours featuring musical performances from 6 to 8 p.m.
Where: Garden Court, United States Botanic Garden, 100 Maryland Ave., S.W.
When: 6-8 p.m. Dec. 23: Project Natale (Jazz); Dec. 28: Harper’s Bizarre (Harp music)
Info: Free; 202-225-8333; usbg.gov
3. Christmas Celebration: Featuring carols and cocoa by candlelight. Sponsored by Evergreen Church.
Where: Loudoun County Courthouse, 18 E. Market St., Leesburg
When: 7 p.m. Dec. 24
Info: Free; 703-737-7700
4. Seasonal Disorder: Washington Improv Theater’s tribute to the holidays, where chaos and heightened emotions meet. “Seasonal Disorder” is a grab-bag of ho-ho-ho-inducing comedy! Each and every show is a different, brand-new performance, all unscripted.
Where: Source, 1835 14th St., N.W.
When: 8 p.m. Thurs. and Fri.; 9:30 and 11 p.m. Fri. and Sat. through Jan. 1
Info: 202-204-7770; washingtonimprovtheater.com
5. Nipirasait: Many Voices: A collection of Inuit prints displaying their life and culture.
Where: Canadian Embassy, 501 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W.
When: Through Dec. 30
Info: Free; 202-682-1740; canadainternational.gc.ca
Best Family
1.”The Nutcracker”: Lilia Slavova, director and set designer, uses grand costume masks, intricate puppets and innovative puppetry techniques developed by master puppet-maker Vanya Vasileva. The signature movement of Synetic Company members is on display in the magical choreography developed by Irakli Kavsadze. The enchanting musical score includes not only Tchaikovsky, but also Beethoven, along with other classical composers.
Where: Synetic Theatre, 1800 S. Bell St., Arlington
When: Through Jan. 16; see Web site for dates and times
Info: $15-$17.50; 800-494-8497; classika.org
2. “Annie”: America’s spunky, adorable Annie comes to the Olney Theatre Center for the holidays. A heartwarming story of one girl’s rise from rags to riches, the show is based on the Harold Gray comic strip, “Little Orphan Annie,” and won a Tony Award for Best Musical.
Where: Olney Theatre Center, 2001 Olney-Sandy Spring Rd., Olney
When: Through Jan. 16; see Web site for dates and times
Info: $26-$54; 301-924-3400; olneytheatre.org
3. “The Nutcracker”: Septime Webre directs the Washington Ballet’s production of the classic holiday tale, with its unique twist on a family favorite. Set in Washington, D.C. and filled with hints of Americana, this production features the heroic George Washington as the Nutcracker, King George III as the Rat King and cherry blossoms dancing on the Potomac.
Where: Warner Theatre, 513 13th St., N.W.
When: Through Dec. 26; see Web site for dates and times
Info: 800-397-7328; 877-598-8696; washingtonballet.org
4. “Flying Squirrels: Lore and More”: Ages 5 and older. Flying squirrels live throughout the woods of Arlington but are seldom seen. Gather for an indoor presentation, then tiptoe outside to see some squirrels glide in for an evening meal.
Where: Meet at Long Branch Nature Center, 625 S. Carlin Springs Rd., Arlington
When: 5-6:15 p.m. Dec. 28
Info: $5/person; Registration necessary: 703-228-4747; Program #622950-B
5. “See, Hear, Sketch: Deer Tracks and Racks”: Children 5-8. Come learn about natural history, listen to a story and make a craft. Info: 703-228-6535.
Where: Meet at long Branch Nature Center, 625 S. Carlin Springs Rd., Arlington
When: 3-4:15 p.m. Dec. 28
Info: $3; Registration necessary: 703-228-4747; Program #622920-G
Best Theater
1. “Oy Vey in a Manger”: America’s favorite Dragapella Beautyshop Quartet, The Kinsey Sicks, brings its irreverent humor to D.C. for the holidays, offering outrageous parodies of Christmas tunes, like “Tis the Season to Drink Stoli.”
Where: Theater J, 1529 16th St., N.W.
When: Through Jan. 2; see Web site for dates and times
Info: $15-$60; 800-494-8497; washingtondcjcc.org
2. “Mojo”: Underground rock and roll meets the London underworld in this hip new comedy by Jez Butterworth. With music reminiscent of the 1950s, “Mojo” has won England’s Olivier Award for Best New Comedy. Directed by Christopher Gallu.
Where: Studio Theatre, 1501 14th St., N.W.
When: Through Jan. 2
Info: $30-$35; 202-232-7267; studiotheatre.org
3. “Black Nativity”: Theater Alliance presents Langston Hughes’ play, which tells the story of the Nativity through gospel music, verse and dance.
Where: H St. Playhouse, 1365 H St., N.E.
When: Through Jan. 2
Info: $25-$35; 202-399-7993; theateralliance.com
4. “Walter Cronkite is Dead”: In a world that seems to be spinning beyond their control, two women find themselves sharing a table, stuck in an airport by a storm. Representing two sides of the culture wars — one red state, the other blue state — Margaret and Patty reluctantly strike up a conversation that encourages them to open up, challenge their preconceived notions, and find common ground.
Where: Signature Theatre, 4200 Campbell Ave., Arlington
When: Through Dec. 26
Info: $56-$83; 703-820-9771; signature-theatre.org
Best Outdoors
1.Waterskiing Santa: Come enjoy this family tradition, as Santa arrives on water skis, accompanied by knee-boarding reindeer, high-flying elves, Frosty, the Grinch and more. Rain or shine.
Where: The National Harbor, see website for details
When: 1 p.m. Friday
Info: Free; waterskiingsanta.com
2. Garden of Lights at Brookside Gardens: Pedestrians cannot be admitted due to safety regulations. Visitors must drive to the entrance gate, pay at the gate, drive into the parking lot, park their cars and walk through the light show display. This illuminated outdoor winter garden walk includes a whimsical monster, an enchanting persimmon tree, a walk through a kaleidoscope caterpillar, an animated flying cardinal, and swimming geese over sparkling water.
Where: Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallen Ave., Wheaton
When: 5:30-9 p.m. through Jan. 9; closed Dec. 24, 25, Jan. 3-6; last car admitted 8:30 p.m.
Info: $20-$25; 301-962-1453; montgomeryparks.org
3. “Crumland Farm Holiday Lights Spectacular”: New for 2010. The 550-acre farm is hosting a new drive-through Christmas light display. The event will include a Santa’s Workshop where the whole family can visit with Santa, shop for gift items and enjoy hot chocolate or holiday s’mores.
Where: 7612 Willow Rd., Frederick
When: 6-9 p.m. through Dec. 26
Info: $15-$20; 301-845-8099; crumland.com
4. “National Harbor Tree Lighting and Fireworks featuring Radio King Orchestra”: Hear the sounds of the season featuring the Radio King Orchestra. Then, Dr. Seuss’ “The Grinch” will join the crowd to light the tree, and the evening will finish with a spectacular fireworks show over the Potomac River.
Where: National Harbor; see Web site for directions
When: 8 p.m. tree lighting; 8:30 p.m. fireworks. Nightly through Jan. 2
Info: Free; nationalharbor.com
5. “National Christmas Tree and Pathway of Peace: The National Christmas Tree and 56 smaller trees — one for each state, five territories and the District of Columbia — serve as the event focal point. Seasonal displays include a Yule log, a large-scale model train, a Christmas manger and Santa’s Workshop, where children can visit with Santa. Musical performances by volunteer choirs and dancers will be held nightly on the Ellipse stage.
Where: The Ellipse, 17th and Constitution Ave., N.W.
When: 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Through Jan. 1; weeknight musical performances: 6-8:30 p.m.; weekend performances: 4-8:30 p.m.
Info: 202-208-1631; nps.gov/whho
Best Galleries
1. Byron Kim’s “Synecdoche”: In 1991, Byron Kim embarked upon this series of 8″ x 10″ portrait panels whereupon he recreates the skin tone of each sitter in a mix of oil paint and wax. It’s grown to more than 400 panels.
When: On view indefinitely
Where: National Gallery of Art, 4th Street and Constitution Avenue, N.W.
Info: Free, 202-737-4215 or nga.gov
2. “Palladio and His Legacy: A Transatlantic Journey”: Thirty-one masterpieces of architectural craft from the 16th century, with compelling evidence for the claim that Andrea Palladio is the most influential designer of buildings of the last half-millennia.
When: Through January 30, 2011
Where: National Building Museum, 401 F St., N.W.
Info: Free, 202-272-2448; nbm.org
3. “Vivat Rex!”: This collection of rare prints, manuscripts and handwritten letters marks the 500th anniversary of the Accession of Henry VIII.
When: Through Dec. 30, 2010
Where: Folger Shakespeare Library, 201 E. Capitol St., S.E.
Info: Free, 202-544-4600; folger.edu
4. “Shahnama: 1000 Years of the Persian Book of Kings”: Three centuries worth of illustrations made to accompany the Firdawsi’s 100,000-plus line epic poem Shahnama (Book of Kings), which recounts Iran’s history from the beginning of recorded time through the seventh-century conquest of Islam.
When: Through April 17, 2011
Where: Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, 1050 Independence Ave., S.W.
Info: Free, 202-633-1000; asia.si.edu
5. “Anish Kapoor: Prints”: Anish Kapoor’s aquatints with dry point etching seem to hail from another, more colorful, more richly textured world.
When: Through Jan. 15, 2010
Where: Marsha Mateyka Gallery, 2012 R St., N.W.
Info: Free, 202-328-0088; marshamateykagallery.com
Best Brainfood
1. “National Gallery of Art Holiday Decorations”: Hundreds of red poinsettias, white hydrangea, orchids and 12 trees sparkling with white lights fill the West Building’s Garden Court and the Rotunda in time for the season.
Where: National Gallery of Art, 4th St. and Constitution Avenue, N.W.
When: Through Dec. 31
Info: Free; 202-737-4215; nga.gov
2. “Christmas Doll and Train Exhibit”: Antique and character dolls, working trains and more
Where: St. Clement’s Island Potomac River Museum, 38370 Point Breeze Rd., Colton’s Point
When: Through Jan. 2, 2011
Info: Free-$3; 301-769-2222; somd.com/Detailed/1494.php
3.”Cityscapes Revealed: Highlights from the Collection”: The exhibition explores all aspects of 20th-century architecture and design with drawings, photographs and fragments from buildings, highlighting the materials, architectural styles, and construction practices that defined urban America from the end of the 19th through the first half of the 20th centuries.
Where: National Building Museum, 401 F St., N.W.
When: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Sat.; 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Ongoing
Info: Free; 202-272-2448; nbm.org
4. “Vantage Point: The Contemporary Native Art Collection”: “Vantage Point” highlights the National Museum of the American Indian’s vital collection of contemporary art, with significant works by 25 artists in media ranging from paintings, drawings, and photography to video projection and mixed-media installation.
Where: National Museum of the American Indian, Smithsonian Institution, Fourth Street and Independence Avenue, S.W.
When: Through August 7, 2011
Info: Free; 202-633-1000; nmai.si.edu
5. “Watch This!”: New Directions in the Art of the Moving Image: The Smithsonian American Art Museum has assembled a collection of video and time-based artwork that examines the history as well as latest developments in the art of the moving image. A newly installed permanent collection gallery is dedicated to media arts.
Where: 3rd floor North, Smithsonian American Art Museum, 8th and F Streets, N.W.
When: On view indefinitely
Info: Free; 202-633-1000; americanart.si.edu
Best Music
1. “Messiah” Sing-Along: Conductor Barry Hemphill conducts the Kennedy Center Opera House Orchestra, a 200-voice choir, professional soloists and an audience filled with eager singers for one of the season’s most popular events.
Where: Kennedy Center Concert Hall
When: Thursday at 7:30 p.m.
Info: Free, tickets required. Tickets will be given away, one per person, in line in front of the concert hall beginning at 6 p.m. on Thursday
2. All-Star Christmas Jazz Jam: A festive tradition in its 12th year features Washington favorites: vibraphonist Chuck Redd, pianist Robert Redd, drummer Lenny Robinson, trumpeter Tom Williams, bassist James King and vocalist Delores Williams.
Where: Kennedy Center Millennium Stage
When: Saturday at 6 p.m.
Info: Free
3. The Choral Arts Society of Washington: Norman Scribner conducts the Choral Arts Society Chorus and Orchestra in Christmas carols, masterpieces and favorite holiday sing-along numbers. The third and last of the CAS Christmas Music series.
Where: Kennedy Center Concert Hall
When: Friday at 1 p.m.
Info: Tickets: $15-$65 at 202-467-4600, 800-444-1324 or kennedy-center.org
4. Holiday Vaudeville: Cajun cellist Sean Grissom, the Alexandria Kleztet and comedian, juggler and yo-yo artist Mark Hayward.
Where: Kennedy Center Millennium Stage
When: Sunday at 6 p.m.
Info: Free
5. Chaise Lounge: Five top Washington jazz musicians with a smooth retro sound that harks back to the 60’s.
Where: Blues Alley, 1073 Wisconsin Ave., N.W.
When: Thursday at 8 and 10 p.m.
Info: Tickets $20 at 202-337-4141 or bluesalley.com
