Best Music 1. National Philharmonic Chorale: Choral artistic Director Stan Engebretson conducts the National Philharmonic in Handel’s “Messiah” with the Chorale and four guest vocalists.
Where: Music Center at Strathmore
When: 8 p.m. Saturday & 3 p.m. Sunday
Info: $32 to $79, kids 7-17 free; 301-581-5100; nationalphilharmonic.org
2. George Winston: The imaginative pianist presents “The Winter Show,” a program of his compositions inspired by his upbringing in rural Montana, together with a touch of spice from his jazzy New Orleans style catalog and loving mementos of the “Peanuts” family by excerpts from composer Vince Guaraldi’s TV scores.
Where: George Mason University Center for the Arts
When: 8 p.m. Saturday
Info: $24 to $48; 888-945-2468; cfa.gmu.edu
3. Ramsey Lewis: The Grammy Award winner reimagines the greatest hits from his 1974 crossover hit, “Sun Goddess,” as performed in his latest release, “Ramsey: Taking Another Look.”
Where: Music Center at Strathmore
When: 8 p.m. Friday
Info: $28 to $68; 301-581-5100; strathmore.org
4. Soldier’s Stories: String band music with vocals and harmonies featuring stories and letters from soldiers and their loved ones from the Revolutionary War to the present.
Where: Kennedy Center Millennium Stage
When: 6 p.m. Sunday
Info: Free
5. NPR’s A Jazz Piano Christmas: Outstanding jazz pianists perform in this annual NPR tradition, a concert to be recorded for later broadcast.
Where: Kennedy Center Terrace Theater
When: 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. Saturday
Info: $45; 202-467-4600, 800-444-1324; kennedy-center.org
Best Galleries
1. Claire Healy and Sean Cordeiro: Are We There Yet?: Australian artists Claire Healy and Sean Cordeiro’s Corcoran-commissioned, site-specific gallery installation on the gallery’s second floor takes on America’s history and aspirational culture. Several pieces made from Legos and mounted on walls explore the notion of building from “readymade” materials.
Where: Corcoran Gallery of Art, 500 17th St. NW
When: Through March 11
Info: $10, $8 students/seniors (62+), free for age 12 and under; corcoran.org
2. From Impressionism to Modernism: The Chester Dale Collection: Wall Street Banker Chester Dale and his wife Maud donated their astonishing collection of French and American paintings circa 1920-1950 to the Gallery in 1962. This smartly curated exhibit boasts late 19th and early 20th century masterworks from Renoir, Modigliani, Cezanne and Matisse, among others.
Where: National Gallery of Art, West Building, 4th Street and Constitution Avenue Northwest
When: Through Jan. 2
Info: Free; 202-737-4215; nga.gov
3. Luba Sterlikova: Innergism: The Russian-born painter Luba Sterlikova combines an Eastern color palette with a Western sense of form and scale.
Where: Parish Gallery, 1054 31st St. NW
When: Through Jan. 17
Info: 202-944-2310; parishgallery.com
4. Transitions: Father and son sculptors Guy and Marco Rando make wall-mounted inlays and free-standing kinetics, respectively, but their materials, tools, workspace, and processes are the same, and there’s a shared sense of whimsy, too. Call it a familial resemblance.
Where: The Art League Gallery, The Torpedo Factory, 105 N. Union St., Alexandria
When: Through Jan. 2
Info: Free; 703-683-1780; theartleague.org
5. Into the Light: Photographer Esther Meena Yi and ceramic sculptor Victoria Shaheen are two of the Corcoran College of Art + Design’s most promising recent graduates. Here they collaborate on a large ceramic installation piece that uses light bulbs to manipulate shadows and a series of photos that appropriate iconic images from art history.
Where: The Anthenaeum, 201 Prince St., Alexandria
When: To Jan. 22
Info: 202-628-2787; mortonfineart.com
Best Brainfood
1. Searching for the Real Messiah: Yvonne Caruthersoffers a comprehensivehistory of more than 260 years ofMessiahperformances in this lecture filled withsome unusualfacts and many comic tales.
Where: The Kennedy Center, 2700 F St. NW, Israeli Lounge
When: 2 p.m. Saturday
Info: $15; 202-467-4600; kennedy-center.org
2. PEN/Faulkner: Gish Jen & Helen Simonson: Jen’s first book was a finalist for the National Book Critics Circle Award. Simonson’s debut novel was named a New York times Best-seller. Reception and book signing to follow.
Where: The Folger Shakespeare Library, 201 E. Capitol St. SE
When: 7:30 p.m. Monday
Info: $15; 202-544-7077; folger.edu
3. “Black Nativity”: Theater Alliance presents Langston Hughes’ vibrant retelling of the Christmas story from an Afro-American perspective.
Where: H Street Playhouse, 1365 H St. NE
When: Through Dec. 31
Info: $35; 202-241-2539; theateralliance.com
4. Nature Lover’s Book and Essay Club: Plan to enjoy a friendly discussion about The Golden Spruce by John Vaillant. Reading matter will be mailed in advance of program. Info: 703-228-3403.
Where: Meet at Gulf Branch Nature Center, 3608 Military Rd., Arlington
When: 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. Dec. 15
Info: Free; registration required; 703-228-4747; program No. 622842-D
Best Family
1.”Dr. Dolittle”: A heartwarming musical full of talking animals and the man who can talk to them and teach them to stop fighting one another.
Where: Imagination Stage, 4908 Auburn Ave., Bethesda
When: Through Jan. 8
Info: $10 to $22; 301-280-1660; imaginationstage.org
2. Codes and Signals: During the Civil War both armies used flags and codes to send secret messages. You’ll make and learn how to use a cipher disc and then use signal flags to send messages your “allies” across the park. Info: 703-243-4342.
Where: Meet at Fort C. F. Smith, 2411 N. 24th St. NW
When: 2 to 3 p.m. Saturday
Info: $5; registration required; 703-228-4747; program No. 622722-A
3. “Christmas Dreams from The Nutcracker”: Snowflakes and Sugar Plum Sweets are in the air as the Virginia Ballet Company and School present selections from their magical, glittering Nutcracker set to Tchaikovsky’s classic music.
Where: The National Theater, 1321 Pennsylvania Ave. NW
When: 9:30 and 11:30 a.m. Saturday
Info: Free; 202-628-6161; nationaltheater.org
4. Winter Waterfalls Walk: Families ages 6 and over. See two creeks and one river on this chance to stretch your legs before holiday madness sets in. You’ll hike about 2 miles in
sometimes rough terrain. Info: 703-228-3403.
Where: Meet at Gulf Branch Nature Center, 3608 Military Road, Arlington
When: 10 a.m. to noon Sunday
Info: $3; registration required; 703-228-4747; program No. 622852-G
5. Holiday Nature Crafts for Kids: Ages 6 to 11. Relax and have some holiday fun. Bring the kids to this special craft workshop where they can make natural-themed gifts and decorations. The Rec Center supplies all materials. Parents welcome but not required to be there.
Where: Gulf Branch Nature Center, 3608 Military Road, Arlington
When: 3:30 to 5 p.m. Dec. 14
Info: $5; registration required; 703-228-4747; program No. 622822-M
Best Gatherings
1. “The Nutcracker”: Washington Ballet’s classic ballet set in 1882 Georgetown, choreographed by Septime Webre. The unique production stars George Washington and King George III.
Where: The Warner Theatre, 13th and E streets Northwest
When: Through Dec. 24
Info: $31 and up; 202-362-3606 ext. 605; washingtonballet.org
2. John Lewis Gaddis: George F. Kennan: In this magisterial biography begun some 30 years ago, Gaddis, the great historian of the Cold War era, draws on Kennan’s diaries and on interviews conducted late in the diplomat’s life to give the fullest account to date of the man who formulated the containment policy.
Where: Politics and Prose Bookstore, 5015 Connecticut Ave. NW
When: 7 p.m. Thursday
Info: Free; 202-364-1919; politics-prose.com
3. Multicultural Children’s Book Fair: “Magical Mirrors.” Authors scheduled to appear include Janice Curtis Greene, author of the Ghana-set tale “Thema and the Wonderful Black Gourd,” illustrated by Karlea Jones (Saturday, 2 p.m.). There will also be storytelling sessions, workshops and a special holiday bazaar to wrap up the event.
Where: Sankofa Video & Books, 2714 Georgia Ave. NW
When: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily through Sunday; holiday bazaar, 2 p.m. Sunday
Info: Free; 202-234-4755; sankofa.com
4. Visit with Santa: Tired of the shopping mall scene? Come visit Santa in the old log house at Gulf Branch, stop by the nature center, make a card, watch the toy trains run. After registering, each family will be assigned a specific time to visit with Santa. Info: 703-228-3403.
Where: Gulf Branch Nature Center, 3608 Military Road, Arlington
When: 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday
Info: $7; registration required; 703-228-4747; programs No. 622852-E and No. 622852-F
5. “La Vida En Los Esclavos Unidos”: With biting humor, Colombian comedian Saulo Garcia shares the stories of immigrants dealing with the financial crisis, health care in the United States, their jobs and the trauma of visa interviews. (In Spanish)
Where: GALA Hispanic Theater, 3333 14th St. NW
When: 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday
Info: $20, discounts available; 202-234-7174; galatheatre.org
Best Outdoors
1. Zoolights: Enjoy a winter wonderland of lights and activities at the Zoo. Skate on the iceless skating rink, take a train ride, hear a concert, see the animals, watch two Washington Capitals stars skate on Sunday.
Where: The National Zoo, 3001 Connecticut Ave. NW
When: 5 to 9 p.m. through Sunday, and Dec. 16 to Jan. 1 (except Dec. 24, 25, 31)
Info: Entrance free, skating $5, train ride $3; nationalzoo.si.edu
2. Bull Run Festival of Lights is a 2.5-mile drive-through holiday light show with more than 40,000 animated lights featuring penguins, snowmen, candy canes, jumping deer, Santa’s workshop, and more. After viewing the lights you can visit the Winter Wonderland Holiday Village that includes amusement rides, an ice skating rink, entertainment, shopping and more.
Where: Bull Run Regional Park, 7700 Bull Run Drive, Centreville
When: Through Jan. 8
Info: Cars/vans: $15 to $20, buses: $50 to $55; 703-359-4633; nvrpa.org/park/bull_run_festival_of_lights
3. Skate at the National Gallery and enjoy extraordinary works of art.
Where: National Gallery, 7th and Constitution Avenue Northwest
When: See website for dates and times
Info: $7 to $8; 202-737-4215; nga.gov
4. Wassail!: In the dead of winter the apple trees need encouragement to bear well during the coming year. Gather in the Claude Moore Colonial Farm’s orchard to wassail the trees with singing, dancing and chants to ensure a “howling crop.” Enjoy hot spiced cider, sugar cakes, a bonfire and 18th century games.
Where: Claude Moore Colonial Farm, 6310 Georgetown Pike, McLean
When: 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday
Info: Free to $3; 703-442-7557; 1771.org
5. Birding Piscataway National Park: Adults: Join an excursion to Piscataway’s boardwalk through the marshes on the Maryland side of the Potomac where you will find great waterfowl viewing opportunities. Dress for the weather and bring binoculars, a drink, bag lunch and snacks for the day. Info: 703-228-6535.
Where: Meet at Lubber Run Recreation Center, 300 N. Park Drive, Arlington
When: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 13
Info: $25; registration required; program No. 622942-D
Best Theater
1.”Spoiler Alert: Everybody Dies”: This season, Woolly artists fly to Chicago to work with The Second City’s classic comedy wizards in an unprecedented collaboration. Their mission? Bring back to Washington the most gleeful anti-holiday celebration ever.
Where: Woolly Mammoth Theatre, 641 D St. NW
When: Through Jan. 8
Info: $35 and up; 202-393-3939; woollymammoth.net
2. “Billy Elliot the Musical”: The hit Broadway musical about a young boy in England who grows up with only one dream: to dance.
Where: The Kennedy Center, 2700 F St. NW
When: Dec. 14 to Jan. 15
Info: $25 to $150; 202-467-4600; kennedy-center.org
3. “Bust”: Written and directed by Lauren Weedman, this is an autobiographical play based on her experience working as a volunteer advocate in a Southern California prison for women.
Where: Studio Theatre, 1501 14th St. NW
When: Through Dec. 18
Info: $35 to $60; 202-588-5262; studio-theatre.org
4. “Much Ado About Nothing”: Shakespeare’s ultimate battle of the sexes, in which young lovers woo and old enemies fight. This production is set in 1920s Cuba where passions and temperatures soar.
Where: Sidney Harman Hall, 610 F St. NW
When: Through Jan. 1
Info: $20 to $100; 202-547-1122; shakespearetheatre.org
5. “Golden Dragon”: In the cramped kitchen of The Golden Dragon, a pan-Asian restaurant, the orders keep flying as individuals in and around the restaurant are connected in odd ways.
Where: Studio Theatre, 1501 14th St. NW
When: Through Sunday
Info: $35 to $69; 202-332-3300; studiotheatre.org
