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7. The National Christmas Tree Lighting
Ceremony Dec. 1
(check www.thenationaltree.org for events and times)
The White House Ellipse
Nationally known entertainers and a military
band perform and the President brings a
message of peace to the nation and the world.

Events and live entertainment continue at
the National Christmas Tree throughout the
holiday season.

8. Discovery Theater’s Seasons of Light
Nov. 30-Dec. 15
Ripley Center, Smithsonian & Rasmuson Theater,
American Indian Museum
This seasonal favorite at the Smithsonian’s
children’s theater celebrates the warmth of
many holidays filled with light. Learn the
history and customs of Devali, Ramadan,
Sankta Lucia, Chanukah, Kwanzaa, Las
Posadas, Christmas and the First Nations
tradition of the Winter Solstice.

9. Bethesda’s Annual Winter Wonderland
Dec. 3, 1-4 p.m.

Veterans Park, Woodmont and Norfolk Ave., Bethesda, MD
Blocks of ice will be transformed into wintery
works of art before your eyes during the live
ice sculpting presentation followed by choral
performances from local school groups.

Santa Claus will make a visit to the park that
afternoon, and holiday treats will be provided
for children.

10. Middleburg Hunt & Christmas Parade
Dec. 2, 11 a.m. (Hunt); 2 p.m. (Parade)
Main Street, Middleburg, VA
One hundred horses, their riders in red coats
and dozens of hounds take to the streets of
Middleburg for this annual event. The parade
features a unique assortment of floats, march-
ing bands, local community groups, Santa,
antique fire trucks and a variety of animals.

message are all part of this event, which
highlights the true meaning of the holiday
season. Attendees join in the program with a
moving candle lighting ceremony, filling the
courtyard with magnificent light.

12. McLean Winterfest Parade
Dec. 4, 3:30-5:30 p.m.

Downtown McLean, VA - along Chain Bridge Road from
Fleetwood Rd. to Elm St.

Let the kids come see Santa ride through the
WinterFest parade on the McLean Volunteer
Fire Department’s antique fire engine. Pre-
parade entertainment begins at 2:45 p.m., and
the parade starts at 3:30 p.m. in downtown
McLean on Chain Bridge Road.

13. Kwanzaa Celebration 2016
Dec. 17 at 7 p.m.; Dec. 18 at 4p.m.

Coyaba Dance Theater, 3225 8th St. NE, Washington, D.C.

Welcome the holiday season with Dance
Place’s annual Kwanzaa Celebration! Gather
family and friends to watch and celebrate the
seven principles of Kwanzaa.

14. Scottish Christmas Walk Weekend
Dec. 2-3, 11 a.m.

The Campagna Center, Alexandria, VA
Come to Old Town Alexandria to watch (and
hear) hundreds of Scottish clansmen with their
bagpipes at the Annual Scottish Walk Parade.

The weekend also features tours of historic
homes and a Christmas Marketplace and Café.

15. National Hanukkah Menorah Lighting
Ceremony Dec. 24, 4 p.m.

The White House Ellipse
(at the NW end, near Constitution Ave.)
Festivities at the lighting ceremony include
musical performances, hot latkes and donuts.

This year’s celebration will feature the
United States Army Band. The menorah
will be lit each night of Hanukkah.

16. The Christmas Revels
11. Frederick Festival of Lights
Dec. 16, 7 p.m.

City Hall Courtyard, Downtown Frederick, MD
Holiday greetings, carols and an inspirational
46 December 2016 washingtonFAMILY.com
Dec. 7-15 (check www.revelsdc.org for show times)
Lisner Auditorium, George Washington University
The annual show’s theme this year is
“Echoes of Thrace” — Music, Dance and



Drama of Bulgaria, Greece and Turkey.

17. The Water Skiing Santa
Dec. 24, 1 p.m.

Old Town Alexandria, VA (prime viewing along the
waterfront between King and Oronoco Sts to include
Founders Park and the Alexandria City Marina)
One of the most exciting events of the season
is back - The Water Skiing Santa! The annual
event features a water-skiing Santa, flying
elves, the Jet-skiing Grinch and Frosty the
Snowman performing sing-alongs on the
Potomac River.

18. Chanukah on Ice!
Dec. 21, 6-8 p.m.

Pentagon Row Ice Rink
1201 S. Joyce St., Arlington, VA
Event is hosted by Chabad Lubavitch of
Alexandria-Arlington. Tickets online for $10 per
person and includes skate rental. Features free
raffle, and the lighting of a six foot Menorah.

Enjoy hot latkes, kosher hot dogs and other
refreshments as well!
19. Chanukah Festival
Dec. 25, 5 p.m.

The Crowne Plaza Hotel
901 N Fairfax St., Alexandria, VA
Experience the festival of lights with the lighting
of a giant menorah, lively music, hot potato
latkes, chocolate gelt and dreidels.

just follow the magical glow. After viewing
the lights, bring your family and friends to the
holiday village to enjoy rides, refreshments and
of course, photos with Santa Claus.

22. The Nutcracker Puppet Show
Nov. 25-Dec. 30
(check www.thepuppetco.org for show times)
The Puppet Co. Playhouse, Glen Echo Park
7300 MacArthur Blvd., Glen Echo, MD
A Washington tradition for 28 years, “The
Nutcracker” is the story of Clara-Marie’s
favorite toy, and their adventures together
in the Land of the Sugarplum Fairy. Music
from Tchaikovsky’s famous ballet blends with
marionettes and costume characters to create
this unique production.

23. Holiday Sing-A-Long
Dec. 3, 4 p.m.

Wolf Trap, 1635 Trap Rd., Vienna, VA
Wolf Trap’s Holiday Sing-A-Long is an annual
musical celebration hosting a performance by
the United States Marine Band and a Sing-A-
Long of Christmas carols and Hanukkah songs
with choir and vocal groups from the area.

Bring along a candle to join the tradition of exit-
ing the Filene Center with a candlelight proces-
sional during the last verse of “Silent Night.”
24. Home Sweet Home Gingerbread Workshops
Dec. 3, 10 a.m.-noon and 2-4 p.m., Dec. 4, 1-3 p.m.

National Building Museum, 401 F St. NW, Washington, D.C.

20. ZooLights
Through Jan.1, 2017 (closed Dec. 24&25), 5-9 p.m.

National Zoo in Washington, D.C.

Join the thousands of visitors who make
ZooLights a part of their annual holiday
tradition. A free event, ZooLights includes live
music performances, tasty winter treats and
plenty of opportunities for holiday shopping.

More than 500,000 environmentally-friendly
LED lights transform the zoo into a winter
wonderland complete with a dazzling light
show set to music!
21. Bull Run Festival of Lights
Through Jan. 8, 2017
Bull Run Regional Park, Centreville, VA
Enjoy this 2.5 mile drive illuminated by holiday
light displays. Turn out your headlights and
Get in the holiday spirit and construct a
gingerbread house at the National Building
Museum.Participants will learn how to use
gingerbread walls and royal icing to build
a house. We’ll provide the supplies and
treats to make your gingerbread home as
sweet as can be.

25. Holly TrolleyFest
Dec. 3&4, 10&11 and 17&18, noon-5 p.m.

National Capital Trolley Museum, 1313 Bonifant Rd.

Colesville, MD
If your child loves trains, then they will surely
love getting in the holiday spirit at the Holly
TrolleyFest! Guests get to celebrate the season
with toy trains and Santa aboard the streetcars
all afternoon.

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