TOP 10
Holiday Events
for the Family
The weather is cold, but opportunities for
holiday celebrations are heating up. No matter
what holiday you celebrate this month, there
are plenty of local options to make merry or
bring cheer. Check out our picks for
December family-friendly events
in the D.C. area
1 BY SASHA ROGELBERG
DEC. 3, 4-8 P.M.

TREE LIGHTING FESTIVAL
THROUGHOUT THE
MONTH Kick off the holiday season by visiting City Ridge
for its tree-lighting festival. Before the ceremony
at 7 p.m., check out the host of kids activities,
such as face painting and train rides, and grab
a bite to eat at King Street Oyster Bar or Tatte
Bakery & Cafe, which will be serving
hot chocolate all evening.

14 Ridge Square NW,
Washington, D.C.

LETTERS TO SANTA
Don’t miss your chance to send
your letters to the man in the
North Pole. From Dec. 1 until
Christmas Eve, visit the Dulles
Town Center super-regional mall
and drop off your notes in the
mailbox stationed at the center’s
lower level.

21100 Dulles Town Circle,
Sterling, Virginia;
shopdullestowncenter.com/directory DEC. 6, 12-8 P.M.

2 3
DOWNTOWN HOLIDAY MARKET
Forget the stress of last-minute holiday shopping
with a visit to the 18th Annual Downtown Holiday
Market in downtown Penn Quarter. Two blocks of
the open-air market offer goods from 75 exhibitors,
highlighting minority-owned businesses in the
area, as well as live performances and food from
Alexa’s Empanadas and Churrow, A Taste of
Germany and more.

8th and F streets, NW, Washington, D.C.;
downtownholidaymarket.com KURNIA009 / ADOBESTOCK
CALENDAR



4
DEC. 8, 7:30-9:30 P.M.

A CHRISTMAS CAROL
You can’t beat the classics, and the Ford’s Theatre’s performance of
“A Christmas Carol” promises a “music-infused production” of the
Michael Baron script, adapted from the classic Charles Dickens novel.

The two-hour show, recommended for ages 5 and older, brings to life
the story of Ebenezer Scrooge and his journey to find holiday joy, as
he is joined by the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future.

511 10th St. NW, Washington, D.C.;
fords.org/performances/current-and-upcoming/a-christmas-carol-2022 5
DEC 12, 11 A.M.-6 P.M.

“ART OF GIVING” ART SHOW
HorseSpirit Arts Gallery presents its
“Art of Giving” holiday show for the
second year running, featuring original
art from 45 local artists. Along with a
visit to the gallery, consider a donation
of food, clothing or money to the Art of
Giving Tree. Donations will go toward the
Grassroots Day Resource Center. The art
show runs until Dec. 31.

8600 Foundry St., Suite 2063, Savage,
Maryland; horsespiritartsgallery.com
WASHINGTON BALLET’S
NUTCRACKER More than 100 dancers from Washington
Ballet will perform the “Nutcracker,”
the dazzling ballet set to Pyotr Ilyich
Tchaikovsky’s compositions. The show, set
in 1882 Georgetown, uses original period-
era costumes and ornate sets. Tickets for
the family-friendly show start at $48.

513 13th St. NW, Washington, D.C;.

washingtonballet.org FAMILY HOLIDAY CONCERT
From highlights from the “Nutcracker” to Chanukah
classics, join the Columbia Orchestra for its Family
Holiday Concert, featuring guest dancers from Dance
Connections. Tickets for the event are
$10 for kids and $15 for adults.

5460 Trumpeter Road, Columbia, Maryland;
columbiaorchestra.org/season/events/ family-holiday-concert-22
8 THROUGHOUT THE
MONTH DEC. 18, 11:30 A.M.-12:30 P.M. AND 1-2 P.M.

9 10
HERSHEL AND THE HANUKKAH GOBLINS
The Pupput Co. Playhouse presents its version of “Hershel and the
Hanukkah Goblins,” the story of Hershel and his quest to save the
days after the king and queen of the goblins forbid the lighting of the
Chanukah candles. During the festival of lights, beginning Dec. 18,
audience members will take home a special gift.

7300 Macarthur Blvd., Glen Echo, Maryland;
thepuppetco.showare.com DEC. 16-31, 1:30 P.M.

9. MOST WONDERFUL TIME
Celebrate the diversity of the December
holiday season with Olney Theatre Co.

During the second half of the month, the
company will present a 90-minute, four-
performer performance sharing memories,
songs and warmth with holiday classics
such as “Let It Snow!” and more.

2001 Olney Sandy Spring Road, Olney,
Maryland; olneytheatre.org/whats-playing/
wonderful-time-year MONTGOMERYPARKS.ORG
TERI / SDOBESTOCK
7 6
DEC. 17, 10:30-11:30 A.M.

AND 1-2 P.M.

DEC. 30, 12 A.M.

GARDEN OF LIGHTS
For those more interested in spending time
outdoors for the holidays, visit Brookside
Gardens’ Garden of Lights, a half-mile
walkthrough light display that brings true
meaning to decking the halls. Tickets are $5
per person for ages 5 or older.

1800 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton, Maryland;
montgomeryparks.org/parks-and-trails/ brookside-gardens/garden-of-lights
WashingtonFAMILY.com 7