Get the Cannoli: Treat yourself to hand-rolled cannoli in flavors like black sesame, pistachio, Nutella, pumpkin-chai and triple-chocolate—plus amaretti, pizzelle, lemon-ricotta cookies, tiramisu and other Italian sweets by Bisnonna Bakeshop, an artisan home bakery whose family recipes have been passed down for generations. Owners Nicole and Dom Liberatore have a pop-up counter at Tysons Corner Center through Christmas. // Through Dec. 24, Thursday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. (or until sell out); Sunday 11 a.m.-5 p.m. (or until sell out), 7861 Tysons Corner Center, Tysons
Light It Up: Join Chabad Lubavitch of Alexandria-Arlington for the lighting of a 9-foot menorah in Clarendon, complete with holiday treats, gelt, dreidels and Hanukkah tunes. It’s just one of several festive Hanukkah events around town this week and next. // Nov. 30, 6 p.m., 1307 N. Highland St., Arlington
It’s a (Holi)date: Feel like your dating skills got a little rusty during our year of quarantine? DC Fray is teaming up with Ballston Quarter to offer two nights of Speed Dating at Quarter Market, complete with ice-breakers and cocktails to take the edge off. So give those sweatpants a rest, don ye now some head-turning apparel and give it a go. Tickets ($19.50) include 6+ rapid-fire dates and a complimentary drink upon arrival. Register online to reserve a spot. // Dec. 1 and 8, 6-9 p.m., Ballston Quarter, 4238 Wilson Blvd., Suite 1200, Arlington (Ballston)
Help a Neighbor: On Giving Tuesday (or any day, for that matter), consider making a donation to one of the many local nonprofits helping area residents overcome homelessness, domestic abuse, food insecurity and other forms of trauma or crisis. See our Guide to Giving for details on more than 35 local organizations, what they need right now and how you can help. Read our story about homelessness during the pandemic for a closer look at how Arlington nonprofits are responding to the current crisis.
It’s the Little Things: Proving that good things come in small packages, Gallery Underground presents Small Works of Great Importance, an all-member show of artworks (each measuring no larger than 8 x 10 inches) in various media. Find works rendered in oil, acrylic, pastel, watercolor, glass, ceramics, wood and metal. Gallery hours are Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.- 6 p.m.// Dec. 1-31, with an Opening reception Dec. 3, 5-7 p.m., Focus Gallery, 2100 Crystal Drive, Suite 2120-A, Arlington (Crystal City)
A Joyful Sound: Multi-genre recording artist and instrumentalist Damien Sneed takes the stage at The Alden to perform “Joy to the World: A Christmas Musical Journey,” a soulful mix of Christmas tunes, including gospel, jazz and classical holiday favorites. Tickets $30 ($20 for McLean Community Center district residents). // Dec. 1, 7 p.m., The Alden, 1234 Ingleside Ave, McLean
Artsy Gifts: Shop works by 37 local artists at the 19th annual Artful Weekend, an Arlington Artists Alliance holiday show staged inside the historic Hendry House at Fort C.F. Smith Park. Items for sale will include paintings, ceramics, jewelry, sculpture, glasswork, artist’s cards, unframed works and more. Admission is free. // Dec. 3-5; Friday, 3-8 p.m. (opening reception 6-8 p.m.); Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Hendry House at Fort C.F. Smith Park, 2411 24th St. N., Arlington
So Many Holiday Markets! This weekend brings a bonanza of holiday pop-up markets, including The McLean Holiday Arts & Crafts Festival, Six Days of Made In Arlington, the Del Ray Artisan’s annual holiday market, the Falls Church Holiday Craft Show and a pop-up holiday market at The Crossing in Clarendon. Support local artists, makers and small businesses while finding something for everyone on your list. See our story on holiday markets for dates, times, locations and other specifics.
Go Brogue: Founded by Scottish merchants in 1749, the City of Alexandria will be decked out in colorful tartans during its annual Scottish Christmas Walk Weekend. Bring your appetite to the Taste of Scotland (Friday at 6:30 p.m.), and then come back the next morning for the annual Scottish parade (Saturday at 11 a.m.) when dozens of clans, pipe and drum bands, terriers and hounds will take to the streets. On Saturday evening starting at 5:30 p.m., the Alexandria Boat Parade of Lights will cruise the Potomac. Admission to both parades is free. // Dec. 3-4, multiple locations in Old Town Alexandria
Whole Lotta Love: Feeling the need to rock out? All-girl tribute band Lez Zeppelin takes the stage at the State Theater with an electrifying, gender-bending show of classics such as Good Times, Bad Times and Stairway to Heaven. Tickets $27 in advance; $30 day of show; $52 VIP. // Dec. 3, 9 p.m. (doors open at 7 p.m.), State Theatre, 220 N. Washington St., Falls Church
Jingle All the Way: Lace up those running shoes and burn off a few holiday calories during the Arthritis Foundation’s 2021 Jingle Bell 5K Run/Walk for Arthritis in National Landing. The race course begins at Westpost (formerly Pentagon Row) and then runs along Army-Navy Drive. Registration is $35. // Dec. 4, 8 a.m., 1101 S. Joyce St. Arlington (National Landing)
A Sort of Fairytale: Synetic Theater is celebrating the holiday season with a reimagined take on the Cinderella story. Led by an all-female team of creators and inspired by Afro-Latino music and dance, it’s a fit for audiences of all ages. // Through Dec. 26, with weekend matinees at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. (plus 11 a.m. on Christmas Eve), Synetic Theater, 1800 S. Bell St., Arlington (Crystal City)
Snow Day: No need to hit the slopes. Bundle up and head over to The Boro in Tysons for an apres-ski themed party featuring a giant, lighted snow globe with real snow (step inside it for a picture-perfect photo opp), holiday crafts, specialty cocktails and a toy drive benefiting Toys for Tots. Attendance is free. Register on Eventbrite. // Dec. 4, 4-6 p.m., The Boro Park, 8350 Broad St., Tysons.
Sing Along: You can belt out your favorite holiday tunes from the warmth and safety of your living room during Wolf Trap’s virtual holiday sing-a-long. The first of two pre-recorded concerts airs Dec. 4 with special performances by the Pat McGee Band, classical musicians David Finckel and Wu Han, Broadway star Laura Benanti and the United States Marine Band. // Dec. 4 and 18, online