RECIPES
Sweet, Festive Fun
H oliday celebrations call for recipes of all kinds, but perhaps the most
popular dishes are the desserts. Add flavor to your holiday baking with a
festive treat like these Peppermint Shortbread Cookies, which call for the
seasonal taste of peppermint and the versatility of dairy for a sweet bite after a
holiday meal. Find more recipes for the holidays at milkmeansmore.org.

Peppermint Shortbread Cookies
Prep time: 15 minutes, plus 30 minutes freeze time
Cook time: 15 minutes
Servings: 40
2 sticks unsalted butter, softened
3/4 cup confectioners’ sugar
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 teaspoon salt
2 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup peppermint crunch
baking chips
In a stand mixer
fitted with the paddle
attachment, cream butter,
confectioners’ sugar,
vanilla extract and salt
until smooth.

Gradually add flour
and mix on low until
combined. Add baking
chips and continue
mixing on low speed
until fully combined.

On wax paper or
parchment paper, form
dough into a 12- to 14-inch log
and freeze at least 30 minutes
or until firm.

Heat oven to 350 degrees.

Cut shortbread dough into 1/4-inch slices;
bake 13 to 15 minutes on parchment-lined baking sheets.

10 Washington FAMILY DECEMBER 2020
United Dairy Industry of Michigan



Holiday
HAPPENINGS Compiled by Ceoli Jacoby and Sharmilee Rahman
Whether you celebrate Christmas, Kwanzaa or Chanukah—or are just looking for some festive family fun—
here are some local holiday happenings, a mix of virtual and in-person events, that you won’t want to miss.

Editor’s note: Our staff verified information to the best of our ability at press time. Please check with event organizers prior to
attending or participating in these activities to confirm dates, times, locations and other details.

LIGHT BRIGHT
WINTER LIGHTS FESTIVAL
Experience the wonder of
450 illuminated displays and
enchantingly lit trees from the
warmth of your car on a 3.5-
mile drive through Seneca Creek
State Park. Tickets required.

The Winter Lights Enchanted
Evenings will not be happening
this year due to the pandemic.

Seneca Creek State Park,
Gaithersburg, MD | Nov. 27 to
Dec. 31 (closed on Dec. 25) | $12+ |
gaithersburgmd.gov WINTER WALK OF LIGHTS
PAPRIKAA/ISTOCK /GETTY IMAGES PLUS
Enjoy a scenic half-mile walk
through a gorgeous lighting
display in the botanical gardens.

Tickets are required. Social
distancing guidelines apply
and capacity may be limited.

Meadowlark Botanical Gardens,
Vienna, VA | Nov. 11 to Jan. 3 |
$11.25-$20 | novaparks.com
to be entered into a weekly
raffle for a swag bag of goodies
from local retailers. The Boro,
Tysons, VA | Dec. 1-27 | Free |
theborotysons.com sure to support local businesses
along your way. Check the
website for a list of participating
neighborhoods. | Dec. 1-31 | Free
dcholidaylights.org ZOOLIGHTS EXPRESS
NIGHTLY HOLIDAY TREE LIGHT SHOW
The National Zoo’s dazzling
annual holiday event is going
mobile this year, visiting one D.C.

ward each Friday and Saturday
night from 6-8 p.m. It’ll be
hard to miss the 24-foot truck
decorated with festive lights
and featuring “Panda Claws.”
Washington, DC | Nov. 27 to
Dec.19 | Free | nationalzoo.si.edu
Bask in the glow of 2 million
twinkling lights in the National
Harbor Waterfront District. The
56-foot tree will light up every
half hour from sundown to 9
p.m., and snow will fall over the
tree during weekend light shows.

National Harbor, MD | Nov. 13 to
Jan. 3 | Free | nationalharbor.com
BULL RUN FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS
FESTIVE ART INSTALLATION
Follow the magical glow of
holiday lights on this 2.5-mile
drive through Bull Run Regional
Park. Santa will be waiting in
the holiday village on select
nights for family photos. Tickets
required. Bull Run Regional Park,
Centreville, VA | Nov. 6 to Jan. 10
| $20-$50 | novaparks.com
Snap the perfect holiday photo at
The Boro Park’s Instagrammable
art installation, featuring giant
interactive gift boxes wrapped
with bright bows and glowing
with holiday lights. Post a photo
of the installation on social
media and tag @theborotysons
Take in the dazzling lights of
Columbia Heights, Dupont
Circle and other commercial
corridors around D.C., then cast
a vote for your favorite festive
display. While you’re walking, be
DC HOLIDAY LIGHTS
NATIONAL CHRISTMAS
TREE LIGHTING
A live audience will not be
allowed on the Ellipse for the
98th annual lighting of the
National Christmas Tree and
holiday performances, but
families can watch the event
online and then stream it
on demand throughout the
season. Stop by President’s Park
during December to view the
illuminated National Christmas
tree and 56 student-decorated
trees representing every U.S.

state and territory. Streaming
and The Ellipse, Washington, DC |
Dec. 3-31 | Free |
thenationaltree.org CHANUKAH ON
THE ELLIPSE
The annual lighting of the
National Menorah includes
musical performances
from Dreidelman and the
Maccabees, delicious packaged
Chanukah treats and free
dreidels and menorah kits.

COVID-19 safety measures
will be in effect. Registration
required. The Ellipse,
Washington, DC | Dec. 10 | Free
| nationalmenorah.org
HOLIDAY STAGE
Holiday Sing-A-Long From Home
Join the Wolf Trap Foundation
for two virtual performances by
the U. S. Marine Band and a sing-
along of Christmas carols and
Chanukah songs with local choir
and vocal groups. Streaming
Dec. 5 and Dec. 19 | Free |
wolftrap.org WINTER SOLSTICE REVELS
Gather around the laptop
and get ready to sing at this
live virtual event hosted by
Washington Revels. Enjoy
performances by virtual
choruses, a special mummers’
play and a traditional horn
dance. Streaming | Dec. 20 |
$35 per device | revelsdc.org
WashingtonFAMILY.com 11