Hosting family and friends this holiday season? Here are some creative and celebratory things to do in addition to visiting the usual D.C. landmarks.
Winter Lantern Festival in Tysons
This dazzling illuminated installation 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 include a bounce house, sugar paintings, dino ride, interactive light swings, seesaws, tunnels and many majestic creatures. Tickets are $16.99-$26.99. Looking for more holiday lights displays? We’ve got a whole roundup of those. // 8025 Galleria Drive, Tysons
Joy on the Avenue in Del Ray
Del Ray’s festive pop-up bar returns for its fourth year, serving up 10 different on-theme “Gettin’ Lit” cocktails through Jan. 4. 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. Thirsty for more? Find more festively boozy holiday pop-up bars here. // 2312 Mount Vernon Ave., Alexandria
Christmas Illuminations at Mount Vernon
Take the whole gang to George Washington’s estate Dec. 20, 21 or 22 at 5:30 p.m. for 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
Lego Discovery Center’s Holiday Bricktacular
Make memories that click at this kid-oriented building event now through Dec. 30 at the Lego Discovery Center inside the Springfield Town Center. The fun 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 can also 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. // 6563 Springfield Mall, Springfield
Santa’s Critters Scavenger Hunt at Potomac Overlook
Have kiddos with energy to burn? Stop by Potomac Overlook Regional Park Dec. 23, 27, 28 and 29 between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. and set them loose to look for Santa’s animal friends, who are lost in the park. A $5 ticket, available at the nature center from 11 a.m.-3 p.m., gets you a scavenger hunt sheet. No reservations are required, and adults must accompany children at all times. // 2845 Marcey Road, Arlington
Handel’s Messiah at Capital One Hall
The National Philharmonic takes the stage with the Baltimore Choral Arts Society on Dec. 23 at 6:30 p.m. for a performance of Handel’s triumphant holiday oratorio from the 18th century. Tickets to the two-and-a-quarter-hour show led by guest conductor Anthony Blake Clark start at $29. If you haven’t yet been to a show at Capital One Hall in Tysons, the acoustics in the beautifully designed main theater are superb. // 7750 Capital One Tower Road, Tysons
39th Annual Waterskiing Santa Show
While Rudolph rests up for his big night, Santa and a few select reindeer are preparing to cruise the Potomac on water skis on Dec. 24 at 1 p.m.. Head to the waterfront in Old Town Alexandria to see the show, which starts at Barca Pier and heads north to Founders Park then south to Ford’s Landing. // Barca Pier, 2 Pioneer Mill Way, Alexandria
A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum
Can’t stop thinking about the Roman empire? Catch a performance of Stephen Sondheim’s Tony Award-winning musical comedy now through Jan. 12 at Signature Theatre. The zany tale follows three neighboring households in ancient Rome and the exploits of a slave, a braggart soldier, a beautiful courtesan and a lovesick young man, among others. Recommended for ages 10 and up. Ticket prices vary by showtime. // 4200 Campbell Ave., Arlington (Shirlington)
The Nutcracker at GMU
Fairfax Symphony and the Fairfax Ballet present this quintessential holiday tale at George Mason University’s Center for the Arts, with performances Dec. 21 and 22 at 4 p.m. Backed by a full orchestra, the production includes original choreography and features guests soloists from the New York City Ballet as the Sugarplum Fairy and Nutcracker Prince. Get tickets here. // 4373 Mason Pond Drive, Fairfax
Live Music at The State Theatre
Tucked inside a vintage theater, this Falls Church live music venue has a tribute show for every kind of music fan. Relive the decade (or genre) of your choice with Strangelove: Tribute to Depeche Mode on Dec. 20, The Rush Experience on Dec. 28, or an all-out 80s dance party with The Legwarmers on New Year’s Eve. (For more New Year’s Eve bashes, see our roundup.) Check the website for ticket prices. // 220 N. Washington St., Falls Church
Little Comedies at Synetic Theater
Get your giggles on watching The Music Box, a 45-minute, all-ages performance with body and facial masks, pantomime and choreography telling the story without spoken dialog. Watch as a janitor and businessman discover a magical mask that transforms their lives, and two cowboys in the Wild West hilariously attempt to tame a loose bull. The show runs through Jan. 4, and tickets cost $30 apiece. // 1800 S. Bell St., Arlington (National Landing)
National Menorah Lighting
Come light the menorah on the first night of Hanukkah (Dec. 25) on the National Ellipse in view of the White House. Doors open at 2:30 p.m. to this 46th annual event, sponsored by American Friends of Lubavitch (Chabad), which in past years has welcomed presidents, cabinet members and members of Congress. The National Menorah Orchestra will perform at 3:30 p.m., accompanying The Three Cantors. The celebration also promises traditional Hanukkah foods—latkes (fried potato pancakes) and sufganiyot (jelly-filled doughnuts)—plus dreidels and menorah kits. Watch it live here or request free tickets here. // South of the White House and north of Constitution Avenue, N.W.
Alamo Drafthouse Cinema
Step out for the newest movie releases, from the much-anticipated film version of the Broadway hit Wicked to a Christmas Day kick-off of Robert Eggers’ Gothic vampire horror flick Nosferatu. Alamo allows you to experience the full dinner-and-a-movie concept in one place, with full meals, beer, handcrafted cocktails and over-the-top milkshakes delivered right to your seat. // 1660 Crystal Drive, Arlington (National Landing)
Military Women’s Memorial
If you’re paying a visit to Arlington National Cemetery, include a stop at this small museum honoring the 3 million women, past and present, who have served in the U.S. armed forces since the American Revolution. Established in 1997 by U.S. Air Force Brigadier General Wilma L. Vaught, the neoclassical structure houses exhibits chronicling the lesser-known stories of women who served in the Civil War, the theaters of World War II, Vietnam and beyond. Looking for more museum options and exhibits on the Virginia side of the Potomac? Click here for a list of other fascinating local museums and walking tours in Arlington. // Memorial Ave & Schley Drive, Arlington
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 through 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)