Christmas and Hanukkah are less than 10 days away, which means there’s still plenty of time to see holiday light displays, sip boozy beverages at seasonal pop-up bars and enjoy general winter festivities. Here’s what’s on tap Dec. 16-22.
Holiday Cheer Class at Cheesetique
Dec. 19, 7 p.m.
Spend an hour with “Cheese Lady” Jill Eber learning about and tasting five cheeses and accompaniments available just for the class. Each kit serves two to four people and includes Hornbacher, Ciao Angelo, Sagittarius, Balyhoo Brie and Morbier. Add a bottle of Sofia Blanc de Blancs sparkling wine from Coppola Winery (yes, Coppola as in Sir Francis Ford and Sofia). Pick up your kit Dec. 18 or 19 and then join through the Zoom link provided with the kit. // 2411 Mt. Vernon Ave., Alexandria
Lindor Layover at Reagan National Airport
Dec. 19 & 20
Sweeten your holiday travel experience by stopping by this limited-time immersive experience in Concourse C at DCA. (It’s free to check out, but you must have a boarding pass for a flight leaving from that concourse.) Just look for the larger-than-life glittering gift box. Go in and get Lindt Lindor chocolate and the chance to win prizes. // 2401 Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport Access Road, Arlington
Holiday Movies at Arlington Drafthouse
Dec. 19-23
See Bruce Willis in Die Hard, a 1998 R-rated film in which a police officer tries to save hostages from terrorists at a Christmas party on Dec. 19 at 7 p.m. or Dec. 23 at 9:30 p.m. For a more traditional holiday classic, there’s It’s a Wonderful Life, the James Steward/Donna Reed flick in which an angel tries to help a businessman see what life would be like without him. Catch it Dec. 20, 22 and 23 at 7 p.m. Other movies include matinees of classic Christmas cartoons, plus kid favorites Elf and Harry Potter. Ticket prices vary. Check the schedule for details. // 2903 Columbia Pike, Arlington
Met Park Winter Movie Nights
Dec. 20, 7-9 p.m.
Bundle up, bring a lawn chair and blanket and get comfy for an outdoor showing of Abominable, a 2019 animated film about kids working to reunite a Yeti with its family. // 1330 S. Fair St., Arlington (National Landing)
Christmas Illuminations at Mount Vernon
Dec. 20, 21 & 22, 5:30 p.m.
This party at George Washington’s estate is a family-friendly event complete with a fireworks show. Attendees can time-travel back to the 18th century to chat with soldiers at an encampment, dance in the greenhouse and shop for gifts at the winter market. Artisans include mapmaker Columbus Cartography, history-inspired jeweler K. Walters at the Sign of the Gray Horse and the husband-and-wife artists behind White Historic Art. At 7:30 p.m., head into the Interpretive Center for a story time reading of Gingerbread for Liberty. Tickets are $45-$60 for adults and $23-$38 for children ages 6-11, and they’re good for free admission to the grounds through February. // 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway, Mount Vernon
Kids Brunch & Ornament Decorating
Dec. 21, 9 a.m.-12 p.m.
Copperwood Tavern will help kids 12 and younger get crafty at this Shirlington holiday event. The $15 ticket includes brunch, a drink and art supplies. // 4021 Campbell Ave., Arlington (Shirlington)
The Nutcracker
Dec. 21 & 22, 4 p.m.
Fairfax Symphony & Fairfax Ballet present this quintessential holiday performance at George Mason University’s Center for the Arts in Fairfax. A full orchestra will accompany the dancers, who will perform original choreography and feature guests soloists from New York City Ballet as the Sugarplum Fairy and Nutcracker Prince. Get tickets here. // 4373 Mason Pond Drive, Fairfax
Holiday Breakfast with Cookology
Dec. 22, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
Add festive flavor to the season by learning to make gingerbread pancakes with ginger, cinnamon and molasses; smoked sausage hash; apple cranberry walnut salad; and a veggie and goat cheese omelet. The class at the culinary school at Ballston Quarter also includes a how-to for making cranberry orange mimosa Bellinis. Vegetarian, non-dairy and gluten-free substitutions are available. Tickets are $110. // 4238 Wilson Blvd., Arlington (Ballston)
Santa at Jake’s Ice Cream
Dec. 22, 12-2 p.m.
Make your list, check it twice and then hand it over during a visit with Santa at this Falls Church scoop shop. Check out Hanukkah offerings and holiday flavors like eggnog and pumpkin pie and hot cocoa bombs while you’re there, too. // 6353 Columbia Pike, Falls Church (Barcroft Plaza)
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Lego Discovery Center’s Holiday Bricktacular
Through Dec. 30
Make memories that click at this kid-oriented event, which includes a Mini World Winter Wonderland featuring iconic holiday scenes on wintry city streets and the chance to build a Lego heart as part of the company’s Build to Give program. For every heart built, the company will donate a Lego set to a child in need through Lego’s charity partners. Visitors also can build an ornament to hang on the center’s tree, write letters to the master builder to inspire his creativity and take photos with the Lego Gingerbread character. Tickets start at $28.99. Note that the center is inside Springfield Town Center. // 6563 Springfield Mall, SpringfieldÂ