Celebrate 31 Days during December 2011 in Washington, DC

Celebrate the December holidays with delightful days and enchanting nights in Washington, DC! Here are 31 ideas, one for each day of December, to fill the month with capital holiday memories.

CONCERTS AND SHOWS

1. “A Christmas Carol” at Ford’s Theatre (Nov. 18-Dec. 31): Charles Dickens’ classic tale of Christmases Past, Present and Future told in a musically-infused performance with elaborate Victorian sets and costumes in the most famous theatre in America. www.fordstheatre.org

2. The Washington Ballet stages “Septime Webre’s The Nutcracker” at the Warner Theatre (Dec. 1-24): The classic Christmas ballet updated for audiences in the nation’s capital. Set in the Lincoln White House where a heroic George Washington is the Nutcracker and cherry blossoms, not sugar plums, dance on the Potomac alongside touches of Americana, all to the accompaniment of a live orchestra. www.ticketmaster.com

3. The Washington Revels take over the Lisner Auditorium at George Washington University (Dec. 3-4 and Dec.9-11): A longtime DC tradition, the cross-cultural celebration of holiday traditions transports the audience to Spain in the time of the caliphs, when three cultures flourished — Moorish, Sephardic and Iberian. Expect exuberant music, dance and song. revelsdc.org

4. U.S. Army Band “Pershing’s Own” presents their popular “Holiday Festival” program (Dec. 9-12) at the DAR Constitution Hall: Free tickets are distributed at the DAR box office on November 5. www.usarmyband.com

5. “Billy Elliot the Musical” makes the leap to the Opera House at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts (Dec. 14-Jan. 15): Based on the British movie, this Broadway musical champions the rise of a boy who stumbles into ballet class, much to the disapproval of his boxing-mad family. The 2009 Tony Award-winner for “Best Musical” boasts a score by Elton John. There are performances on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. www.kennedy-center.org

6. Eric Felton’s Jazz Orchestra brings the seasonal classic by native Washingtonian, Edward “Duke” Ellington to life at Blues Alley for two evening shows (December 15): The Duke’s “Nutcracker Suite” includes “Peanut Brittle Brigade” and the “Sugar Rum Cherry.” www.bluesalley.com

7. The National Symphony Orchestra performs Handel’s “Messiah” at the John F. Kennedy Center for Performing Arts (Dec. 15-18): The Concert Hall fills with the sounds of hallelujahs at this popular annual show. www.kennedy-center.org

8. In a program called “Red and Greene,” the prestigious Gay Mens Chorus of Washington, 250 voices strong, spreads cheer for the naughty and the nice with special guest Ellen Greene, the original “Audrey” in “Little Shop of Horrors,” (Dec. 16 at 8pm; Dec. 17 at 3pm and 8pm and Dec. 18 at 3pm): Expect the choir to deliver perennial favorites and bold production numbers at Lisner Auditorium. www.gmcw.org

9. Always packed, the Washington Choral Arts Society’s Family Christmas Concert fills the Kennedy Center’s Terrace Theater (Dec. 17). An hour-long pageant of international carols, this event has sold out over the last seven years. www.choralarts.org

10. One of the most unusual, ear- and eye-popping seasonal concerts, Merry TubaChristmas takes over the Millennium Stage at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Tuba and euphonium players pump the Great Hall with holiday songs. Free; date TBD. www.kennedy-center.org

11. The Washington Choral Arts Society performs “Christmas Music – Holiday Treasures from Russia” at the Kennedy Center Concert Hall (Dec. 19, 21 and 24): The program includes crowd-pleasing mix of Russian carols, sing-along favorites and special guest artists from Russian. www.choralarts.org

12. The Washington Chorus presents “A Candlelight Christmas” (Dec. 21): With the splendor of brass, organ, percussion and the 200-voice chorus, this beloved holiday event features Christmas classics and breathtaking candlelight. thewashingtonchorus.org

13. “A Jazz New Year’s Eve”at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts: Ring in the New Year in style with a sizzling late-night jazz performance by Patti Austin and a six-piece band playing the works of Duke Ellington. After the performance, enjoy festive dancing, a countdown to 2012, and a balloon drop in the Grand Foyer, free with your concert ticket. www.kennedy-center.org

FREE FOR THE FAMILY

White House at Christmas in Washington, DC

14. Holiday Magic at the U.S. Botanic Gardens boasts model trains, lights and models of DC’s signature buildings crafted from plant products. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, starting November 24 through the end of the year, the conservatory will stay open late hosting musical performances between 6-8 pm. www.usbg.gov

15. Mazza Gallerie, the upscale shopping mall in the Friendship Heights neighborhood, hosts a splendid Santa from 1-5 pm on weekends, Nov. 26-Dec.24. There’s no charge to have tots to sit on Santa’s knee, test his real (!) beard and share their wishes. There is a fee to have their picture taken. www.mazzagallerie.com

16. On Thursday, Dec. 1 at 5 pm, the “First Family” will join with notable national entertainers on the White House Ellipse to light the National Christmas Tree. Tickets for the ceremony will be distributed by a national lottery; enrollment starts Nov. 3. The National Christmas Tree will be lit nightly at dusk through Jan. 1, 2012. www.thenationaltree.org

17. Holiday toy train display in Union Station runs through an imagined, miniature Scandinavian village, part of the annual Norwegian Christmas Market at Union Station, sponsored by the Embassy of Norway. The 3,000 lights on the 30-foot tall tree will be turned on at 6 pm on December 1. The decorations will stay up through Jan. 1, 2012. www.unionstationdc.com

18. ZooLights animate the grounds of the National Zoological (Dec. 2-11 and Dec. 16-Jan. 1) between 5-8 pm: Almost 50 LED-certified light sculptures dot the park along with activity stations and animal-focused information booths. Panda Claws visits nightly. New this year will be the addition of model trains and the Panda Express, a train that will take children on a ride around the Great Meadow. Tickets are not required. nationalzoo.si.edu

19. The Alexandria Holiday Boat Parade of Lights departs Old Town Alexandria Marina and sparkles across the Potomac River en route to Washington Harbor on December 3 at 4 pm. See dozens of festively decorated pleasure boats including the John Glenn, the District’s fireboat, light up the sky and water. The parade begins at Alexandria’s waterfront and culminates at Washington Channel at Water St. off of Maine Avenue, Washington, DC. visitalexandriava.com

20. Wolf Trap’s Holiday Sing-A-Long begins at 4 pm on Dec. 4 Sing Christmas carols and Hanukkah songs with the United States Marine Band vocal groups from the metropolitan Washington area. The audience is invited to bring candles to light during the last verse of “Silent Night,” the final song of the program. There is also a ‘Jing-A-Long’ during the singing of Jingle Bells, so bring bells and a candle. Admission is free. www.wolftrap.org

21. The U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree lighting takes place at 5 pm on December 6 on the West Lawn of the majestic seat of government. This year the Speaker of the House, John Boehner, will do the honors and light the 65-foot white fir selected from California. The U.S. Navy Band Washington DC Ceremonial Brass will play seasonal tunes. www.aoc.gov

22. The first candles on the National Menorah will be lit with ceremony at dusk on December 20 and each of the seven remaining evenings of Hanukkah. Hot latkes, donuts and cider will be served. Special guest performers will also be on hand and join Dreidelman and the Macabees on the stage on the Ellipse behind the White House to welcome the Festival of Lights. www.nationalmenorah.org

HISTORIC HOUSE TOURS

23. Hillwood Estates & Gardens, the former home of Marjorie Merriweather Post, the cereal heiress who brought many treasures back from Russia including Faberge eggs, celebrates the holidays in Old Russian style. Visitors will meet Grandfather Frost and the Snow Maidenand hear lively winter Russian folk music. A special art activity will allow visitors of all ages to create their own kokoshnik, a lady’s headdress, or traditional Russian gentleman’s hat. The family fun also includes festive dining and shopping. The annual Russian Festival runs 10 am-7 pm on Dec. 10 and 1-5p m on Dec. 11. www.hillwoodmuseum.org
24. Mount Vernon by Candlelight celebrates the season at the home of America’s first president with evening tours, a gingerbread replica of Mount Vernon, chocolate-making demos, fireside caroling and other holiday activities hosted by Martha Washington. The December holidays see the 18th century estate at its brightest between 5-8:30 pm, November 25-December 18. Hot cider and cookies round out each special evening. www.mountvernon.org

25. Tudor Place, the stately Georgetown property built for George Washington’s granddaughter, presents several hands-on holiday activities designed for families. In addition to wreath and chocolate-making workshops, there are gingerbread house workshops. The latter scheduled for December 20-29 aim to charm visitors ages 5 and up. Participants will tour the house in search of clues from holidays past and decorate a house to take home. tudorplace.org

HOLIDAY TEAS

26.Taking tea in Peacock Alley at the Willard InterContinental Hotel has been a tradition for more than a century. Throughout the year, the tables are spread with tea pots, classic finger sandwiches and decadent petit fours. During the December holidays, the halls are candlelit and beribboned and the harpist makes way for carolers. Holiday tea is offered daily throughout December between 1-4 pm. washington.intercontinental.com

27. Meet Mrs. Claus at a “Specialty Tea” for children ages 4 and up at Strathmore. Listen to special holiday music, enjoy a child-friendly menu and join the guest of honor, Mrs. Claus, for a holiday story time on December 3 at one of two seatings: 10 am and 12:30 pm. www.strathmore.org

28. Brunch with Santa at the Kennedy Center’s Rooftop Terrance Restaurant is a lavish affair with hand-shucked oysters and omelettes made-to-order. Skyline views, live jazz and a keepsake from Old St. Nick are added treats. Seating begins at 10 am on November 27, December 10, 11, 17, 18. www.kennedy-center.org

SHOPPING

29. Friday, November 25, the day after Thanksgiving also known as “Black Friday,”kicks off seasonal shopping with deep discounts. This commercial tradition makes for busy crowds at popular shopping stops like Friendship Heights in DC, Pentagon City and Tysons Corner malls in Virginia and discount meccas beyond the Beltway including Leesburg Corner Premium Outlets and Potomac Mills.

30. The Downtown Holiday Market celebrates seasonal shopping in a festive atmosphere akin to traditional European Christmas market. Independent merchants like jewelers, potters, fabric artists, toy makers and milliners show their wares in heated tents on F St. between 7th and 8th Streets NW. Dec. 2-23. Don’t miss the made-to-order mini doughnuts. www.downtownholidaymarket.com

31. Merriment in Georgetown is an afternoon street festival spotlighting the unique boutiques and restaurants of this charming neighborhood. The fun starts at 2 pm on December 3, and culminates at 5:30 pm with the lighting of the Georgetown tree in Francis Scott Key Park. Those in the know then walk down to the waterfront and catch the Boat Parade of Lights. www.merrimentingeorgetown.com

Enjoy December and the holiday season in Washington, DC!

SOURCE: Source: Destination DC. Published on November 15, 2011.