He’s a Good Man: If scraggly Christmas trees make your heart smile, this show’s for you. Capital One Hall stages a live performance of A Charlie Brown Christmas set to the unforgettable music of Vince Guaraldi. Get reacquainted with Snoopy, Lucy, Linus, Charlie Brown and the rest of the Peanuts gang in this kid-friendly classic that captures the true meaning of the season. Tickets start at $39.50. // Dec. 7, 7:30 p.m., 7750 Capital One Tower Road, TysonsOn Ice: Pull out that parka and enjoy a special holiday Sip & Skate at the outdoor rink at Westpost, featuring a live performance by the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington, D.C. and complimentary hot cocoa and cider from a pop-up vintage Airstream bar. Tickets are $10-11, plus $5 for skate rentals. Reservations required. // Dec. 8, 5-7 p.m., 1201 S. Joyce St., Arlington (National Landing)
Powerful Prose: From the celebrated author of the New York Times bestseller Behold the Dreamers comes a wrenching story about the collision of a small African village and an American oil company. Novelist Imbolo Mbue speaks about her latest book, How Beautiful We Were, in this free Arlington Reads online author talk with Arlington Public Library director Diane Kresh. For more riveting reads, see the library’s Best Books of 2021 list. // Dec. 9, 7-8 p.m., online
Han Solo: Opening this week at Whino in Ballston, The Four Winds is a solo show by comic book artist and concept designer Peter Han centering on the four cardinal directions as represented by mythological creatures in the Chinese constellation. Meet the artist at an opening reception Dec. 9, 7-9 p.m., or stop by the art-gallery-bar on Dec. 10 from 7-9 p.m. to watch Han in action during a live sketching demo. A ticketed event ($60) on Dec. 11 at 10 a.m. includes an artist lecture and Q&A, with limited edition prints available for purchase. // Dec. 9-11, 627 N. Glebe Road, Arlington (Ballston)
Spirit of Giving: Creative Cauldron’s latest production, The Christmas Angel, is the tale of an elderly spinster’s heartwarming transformation. Based on a little-known 1910 novel by Abbie Farwell Brown, this Bold New Works holiday musical by Matt Connor and Stephen Gregory Smith has echoes of Dickens and Ebenezer Scrooge. Tickets $35 for adults; $20 for students. // Dec. 9-19, 410 S. Maple Ave, Falls Church
Portrait of an Artist: Avant Bard Theatre returns to the live stage with How I Learned What I Learned, an autobiographical work by the late August Wilson (Fences, Jitney). Directed by DeMone Seraphin and starring William Newman Jr. as Wilson, the theatrical memoir charts one man’s journey of self-discovery through adversity, and what it means to be a Black artist in America. Tickets $40. // Dec. 9-19 (see website for showtimes), Gunston Theatre Two, 2700 S. Lang St., Arlington (Arlington Ridge)
To Market: The pop-up markets continue. Visit Rosslyn Cheer, an outdoor gift mart featuring goods from 12 local makers, including Our Culture is Love, BBirdwatcher, Alanna Rivera Studios and others, plus photo ops with Santa for kids and dogs, and holiday quaffs from Open Road Grill. On Saturday, the cheer also includes an elaborate hot chocolate bar and a special performance of Synetic Theater’s The Miraculous Magical Balloon. Looking for even more ways to shop local? This weekend also brings holiday markets to Old Town Alexandria and McLean High School (read more here). // Dec. 10-11; 5-8 p.m. Friday and 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Central Place Plaza, 1800 North Lynn St., Arlington (Rosslyn)
A Very Klezmer Hanukkah: Stretch out that Hanukkah celebration a few extra days with Klezmer music (and a few jazz tunes) by local clarinetist and Kleztet leader Seth Kibel. He performs at The Alden theater at the McLean Community Center on Saturday. Tickets $15-$20. // Dec. 11, 7 p.m., 1234 Ingleside Ave., McLean
Sweater Weather: Don ye now your most hideous holiday sweater and head to New District Brewing for an Ugly Christmas Sweater contest, with prizes awarded for the best (worst) dressed. Seasonal brews on tap this month at the Arlington brewery along Four Mile Run include a barrel-aged imperial stout and a festive cranberry sour. // Dec. 11, noon-4 p.m., 2709 S. Oakland St., Arlington (Shirlington)
Raise a Glass: Dress festive and day drink for a good cause during Del Ray’s 6th Annual Candy Cane Bar Crawl, a fundraiser for the nonprofit Neighborhood Health. Revelers can enjoy cocktails, raffles, swag bags, a costume contest (for best dressed individual and group) and trolley rides to the 15 participating restaurants and watering holes. Tickets $15 ($20 at the door). // Dec. 11, 1-6 p.m. Check-in starts at 12:30 p.m. at Lena’s Wood-Fired Pizza & Tap (401 E. Braddock Road) or Northside10 (10E. Glebe Road). Late check-in at Pork Barrel BBQ (2312 Mount Vernon Avenue) after 3 p.m.
See Stars: Turner Farm Park in Great Falls is hosting an Astronomy Festival with guided stargazing and the chance to view the night sky through a high-powered telescope. Dress warm and you can also enjoy games and stories about the constellations around a campfire with hot cocoa. Tickets $10. Register online to reserve a time slot. Read our story about other prime winter stargazing spots. // Dec. 11, 4:30-7 p.m., 925 Springvale Road, Great Falls
Made by You: Give the gift of something handmade; sign up for a crafty workshop at the Arlington Arts Center. Learn from local artist Melanie Kehoss how to create pretty votive candle holders out of cut paper and adhesives. Or join instructor Eliza Clifford for a tutorial on basic bookbinding. Kids ages 5-7 can sign up for the Gift Mania Holiday Workshop and make art works to give as gifts. Adult classes ($60) are 1-3 p.m. The kids’ workshop ($50) is 10:30 a.m.-noon. // Dec. 11, 3550 Wilson Blvd., Arlington (Virginia Square)
Sounds of the Season: Join the Arlington Chorale at Westover Baptist Church for an evening of joyful and festive holiday favorites such as “The First Noel” and “Fum, Fum, Fum” interwoven with Eric Whitacre’s “Sing Gently” and David Brunner’s “I Am in Need of Music.” Tickets $15. // Dec. 11, 5 p.m., 1125 Patrick Henry Drive, Arlington
More Sounds of the Season: The Washington Sinfonietta, led by musical director Joel Lazar, performs Christmas favorites such as Greensleeves, Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Suite, Sleigh Ride and choruses from Handel’s Messiah at this holiday concert inside The Falls Church Episcopal. The program features the Meridian High School Chamber Singers, a carols sing-along and a visit from Santa. Admission is free. // Dec. 12, 4 p.m., 115 E. Fairfax St., Falls Church
Mint Rendition: In the category of coffee beverages that double as desserts, PSL season has given way to a decidedly more wintry flavor profile. National Landing is hosting a Peppermint Mocha Latte Competition with baristas from Commonwealth Joe, The Freshman and Origin Coffee Lab & Kitchen facing off to win a trophy and bragging rights. Watch the foam fly to the tune of live DJ music, pick up some coffee swag, sip free samples, then vote for your favorite latte of the bunch. Register to attend here. // Dec. 12, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m., 2121 Crystal Drive, Arlington (National Landing)