Hosting family and friends during the holiday season? Here are some creative and celebratory things to do in addition to shopping the plethora of local pop-up holiday markets and visiting the usual D.C. landmarks.
Arlington Turkey Trot and 5K Fun Run & Walk
Start your Thanksgiving by running or walking a 5K on Nov. 28 at 8 a.m. (turkey attire optional) to benefit a variety of local charities. Now entering its 19th year, this beloved event attracts more than 4,000 participants each Thanksgiving with the shared goal of helping neighbors in need. Bundle up and lace up for the starting line at the Lyon Park Community Center and earn those calories as you make your way toward the finish line at the Virginia Square Metro station. Proceeds support 18 local nonprofits, including The Clothesline for Arlington Kids, Borromeo Housing and Arlington Thrive, among others. Sign up now before the event sells out. Registration is $50 for adults or $25 for kids ages 6-17. // 414 N. Fillmore St., Arlington (Lyon Park)
Rosslyn Cheer
The holidays are coming, and this neighborhood is here for it. From Dec. 2-20, donate gently used adult winter wear to the 13th annual Holiday Clothing Drive, which benefits PathForward, an organization dedicated to ending homelessness in Arlington. (Find drop-off locations here.) From Dec. 3-19, keep an eye out for Cheerio, the Rosslyn BID’s winter mascot. Find it and you could win a $50 restaurant gift card and a Cheerio plushie. Meanwhile, Central Place Plaza will be bustling: The Rosslyn Trike will serve free hot chocolate on a stick Dec. 4 at noon, the Christmas tree lighting happens Dec. 5 from 5-8 p.m., and everything goes to the dogs Dec. 6 from 5-7 p.m., when your fur baby can take an Instagrammable pic with Santa at the Santa Paws Yappy Hour. // 1800 N. Lynn St., Arlington (Rosslyn)
Winter Lantern Festival
This sprawling display returns to light up Tysons every Thursday through Sunday from now through Jan. 12, with the addition of performances by the Zigong Acrobatic Troupe. This year’s festival theme is an homage to the giant pandas—Bao Li and Qing Bao—that recently took up residence at the Smithsonian National Zoological Park. Each lantern is made of hand-painted silk cloth draped over a frame filled with LED lights and inspired by Chinese myths, legends and zodiacs. Other attractions will include a bounce house, sugar paintings, dino ride, interactive light swings, seesaws, tunnels and many majestic creatures. Tickets are $16.99-$26.99. // 8025 Galleria Drive, Tysons
Joy on the Avenue
Del Ray’s festive pop-up bar returns for its fourth year at the end of November, serving up 10 different on-theme “Gettin’ Lit” cocktails. Toast the season with We Forgot Kevin! (Tito’s vodka, St. Germaine, cranberry juice, lemon, angostura butters, jalapeño honey syrup and ginger beer) or the Four Wisemen (Four Roses Small Batch Bourbon, smoked cinnamon simple syrup, orange bitters, orange peel and a smoked cinnamon stick). If you get noshy, nibble on Buddy the Elf Sliders, Nachos Navidad or Rudolph’s Bavarian pretzel. // 2312 Mount Vernon Ave., Alexandria
Winter Glow at George Washington’s Mount Vernon
The first president’s old stomping grounds are getting festive. Stroll the estate with a hot drink or a treat from the on-site food truck, play 18th-century tavern games and search for “General George Washington” hidden throughout the property. Aladdin, a camel that visits the mansion during the holiday season, will be on hand to greet guests. Tickets ($25-$54) are available for three evening entry times Nov. 29-Dec. 23. Note that this is an outdoor-only event. // 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway, Mount Vernon
Christmas in Old Town Alexandria
Celebrate the holiday season with bagpipes and brogue by lining the streets of Old Town Alexandria on Dec. 7 at 11 a.m. for the 53rd Annual Alexandria Scottish Christmas Walk Parade. Featuring more than 100 parade units, the procession commemorates Alexandria’s founding in 1749 by Scottish merchants (the city is named after Scotsman John Alexander, who owned the land that became Alexandria). Afterward, stick around for the 24th Annual Alexandria Holiday Boat Parade of Lights, a procession of more than 50 decorated watercraft along the Potomac River shoreline at 5:30 p.m. The day also includes dockside fun from 2-8 p.m., including a pop-up beer garden from Port City Brewing Co., food vendors and kids’ activities.
The Wharf Holiday Boat Parade and Party
Head across the Potomac to catch this colorful annual event on Dec. 7 from 6-8 p.m. Watch as more than 60 decorated boats sail along the Washington Channel and partake in land-based fun at the Wharf, such as performances from Yani the Band and The Experience Band & Show, holiday karaoke, s’mores roasting and photos with Santa. There’s also an over-water ice rink at Transit Pier. The festivities conclude with a fireworks show. The event is free, but some activities, such as ice skating, carry a fee. // 760 Maine Ave., S.W., Washington, D.C.
The Ritz-Carlton, Tysons Corner
The luxury hotel is planning loads of family-friendly holiday events. On Dec. 7 and 8 at 2 p.m., watch a performance of The Nutcracker while enjoying an afternoon tea ($160/adult, $59/child ages 4-12). On Dec. 7, 8, 14 and 15, youngsters can decorate a gingerbread house with the hotel’s pastry team ($125/person age 2 and older). Santa Claus is coming to town (for breakfast) on Dec. 15 from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. ($139/adult, $59/child ages 4-12). And you can ring in the new year with the hotel’s first New Year’s Eve Masquerade Révellion with live entertainment ($230/adult, $59/child ages 4-12). // 1700 Tysons Blvd., McLean
Museum of Contemporary Art Arlington
Don’t feel like braving the crowds on the National Mall? Occupying a circa 1910 school building in Virginia Square, MoCA Arlington is home to nine exhibition galleries, working studios for 12 artists and three classrooms. Check the website for upcoming programs, such as Yoga in the Galleries on Saturdays (11 a.m.-noon) and Mondays (6:30-7:30 p.m.), or just go browse the exhibits. Want to make your own table centerpieces or holiday cards? Sign up for workshops on floral design (Dec. 7), ink-and-brush pattern-making (Dec. 8) or printmaking (Dec. 14). // 3550 Wilson Blvd., Arlington (Virginia Square)
VRE Santa Train
All aboard for an event that’s sure to sleigh. On Dec. 14, Rudolph can take a break and let a train conductor do the work of toting the big man in red. This annual event, which promotes rail safety and Operation Lifesaver’s “Look, Listen and Live” campaign, gives kids a chance to meet Santa and his helpers, who will hand out candy canes and coloring books. Remember to bring an unwrapped toy to donate to Toys for Tots. Tickets go on sale Dec. 2 from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. at these locations and online on Dec. 3 at 10 a.m. Find the times and locations of the train departures here.
Capital One Hall
Home to two performing arts theaters, several restaurants and an 11-story-high sky park, Capital One Center offers plenty of fun for the whole family. Over Thanksgiving weekend, take the littles to Sesame Street Live! Say Hello on Nov. 30 at 2 or 6 p.m.. Then return Dec. 1 for Nutcracker! Magical Christmas Ballet. Tickets for both shows start at $35. // 7750 Capital One Tower Road, Tysons
Signature Theatre
Can’t stop thinking about the Roman empire? Catch a performance of A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum through Jan. 12 at this intimate Shirlington playhouse with a well-earned national reputation. Stephen Sondheim’s Tony Award-winning musical comedy tells the story of three neighboring households in ancient Rome and the activities of a Roman slave, a braggart soldier, a beautiful courtesan, a lovesick young man and others. The two-and-a-half-hour show is recommended for ages 10 and up. Ticket prices vary by showtime. // 4200 Campbell Ave., Arlington (Shirlington)
The State Theatre
Tucked inside a vintage theater, this Falls Church live music venue has plenty to keep everyone captivated. Laugh off those Thanksgiving calories at the $5 Comedy Night on Nov. 30 at 8:30 p.m. featuring local stand-ups. Then dance away the remainder of 2024 with all kinds of tribute concerts. Relive the decade of your choice with the Police Cars Tour (a nod to The Police and The Cars) on Dec. 7, Start Making Sense: Tribute to Talking Heads and David Byrne on Dec. 13, A Holiday Tribute to Elvis Presley on Dec. 14, Strangelove: Tribute to Depeche Mode on Dec. 20 and The Rush Experience on Dec. 28. Check the website for ticket prices. // 220 N. Washington St., Falls Church
Synetic Theater
Get your giggles on at a reinvention of The Music Box, a 45-minute, all-ages performance with body and facial masks, pantomime and choreography telling the story without spoken dialog. The show runs Dec. 21-Jan. 4, and tickets cost $30 apiece. // 1800 S. Bell St., Arlington (National Landing)
Alamo Drafthouse Cinema
Step out for the newest movie releases, from the much-anticipated film version of the Broadway hit Wicked (opening Nov. 21) to a holiday-themed action movie such as Red One in which characters played by Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and Chris Evans battle to save Santa from monster snowmen. Or go back in time on Terror Tuesday (Dec. 17), when the theater will show Black Christmas, a 1974 holiday slasher. Whatever flick you pick, enjoy full meals, beer, handcrafted cocktails and over-the-top milkshakes delivered right to your seat. // 1660 Crystal Drive, Arlington (National Landing)
Tingle Bells at Artechouse
Feeling stressed? Chill out during the holidays with an ASMR-inspired exhibit at this experiential art space. ASMR (autonomous sensory meridian response) describes the relaxation, neck and scalp tingling that about one in five people achieve when hearing quiet sounds and experiencing gentle movements. Dubbed Tingle Bells, the exhibit features “whispers, delicate sounds and entrancing visuals [that] take you on a journey of comfort and calm, creating an oasis amidst the hustle of the holidays,” according to the website. Check it out Nov. 22-Jan. 5. Tickets are $25-$36 for adults and $17-$23 for for kids ages 4-15. // 1238 Maryland Ave., S.W., Washington, DC
Westpost Outdoor Ice Skating
Now open for the season, this 7,200-square-foot rink in Westpost (the district formerly known as Pentagon Row) is the largest outdoor rink in Northern Virginia and the second largest in the state. In addition to offering open skate times for up to two hours of gliding, you can book a birthday party or sign up for youth and adult group lessons or private instruction. Tickets cost $10-$13 and skate rentals are $6. For an indoor ice rink option, check out Ballston’s MedStar Capitals Iceplex, where the Washington Capitals practice. It also offers free-skate sessions. // 1201 S. Joyce St., Arlington (National Landing)