FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 6, 2008

HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS IN THE DISTRICT

The holiday season is just around the corner, and DC is putting together a lineup of festive, fun-filled and family-friendly events and happenings. Stay tuned for more information and updates, or contact us for long-lead story planning.

DECEMBER - Exact dates TBA
Lights On!
The first week of December brings a festive lineup of tree lighting ceremonies to some of DC's most famous locations: the White House Ellipse, the U.S. Capitol, Union Station and other high-profile sites throughout the city. On the first night of Hanukkah, the National Menorah's lights also appear on the grounds of the White House. Visit Washington.org for dates and additional information.

MID NOV. - MID MARCH
Ice Skating
National Gallery of Art & Sculpture Garden - View magnificent works of sculpture while gliding in the open air and enjoying music from a state-of-the-art sound system. The Pavilion Café on site offers warm food and drinks. (202) 737-4215; nga.gov

NOV. 21 - DEC. 7
DC Sales Tax Holiday
Citywide - The District of Columbia winter sales tax holiday grants an exemption from the 5.75 percent sales tax on school items, clothes, shoes and accessory items costing $100 or less. (202) 727-4TAX; dc.gov

BEGINNING NOV. 25
Holiday Celebration at Union Station
Union Station - DC's 100 year-old train station's annual Norwegian holiday celebration begins Nov. 25 as a model train display comes to life, traversing the fjords and landscape of the Norwegian countryside. The Ambassador of Norway lights DC's Official Christmas Tree in the station's grand foyer on Dec. 2. (202) 289-1908; unionstationdc.com

NOV. 28 - DEC. 14
Mount Vernon by Candlelight
George Washington's Mount Vernon Estate & Gardens - Visitors learn about the Washingtons' Christmas traditions as they tour the candlelit mansion, meet First Lady 'Martha Washington' and enjoy caroling and free cookies. New features this year include themed decorations, a gingerbread Mount Vernon by former White House pastry chef Roland Mesnier, historical chocolate-making demos and even a Christmas camel similar to the one Washington had on the grounds during Christmas of 1787. (703) 780-2000; mountvernon.org 

DEC. 2-28
Ford's Theatre's "A Christmas Carol"
Lansburgh Theatre- Dickens' holiday classic is a DC tradition, staged by historic Ford's Theatre. During Ford's landmark renovation, "A Christmas Carol" will take the stage at the Lansburgh Theatre. fordstheatre.org

DECEMBER - Exact date TBA
Pageant of Peace & National Tree Lighting Ceremony
White House Ellipse - The annual lighting of the National Christmas Tree kicks off DC's two-week Pageant of Peace, a holiday celebration of caroling, music, a burning Yule log and other events. Includes lighted trees representing every American state and territory. Nps.gov/whho/pageant

DEC. 4 - 6
38th Annual Scottish Christmas Walk
The Campagna Center - This annual tradition kicks off Alexandria's holiday season with the fresh scent of heather and the stirring melody of bagpipes throughout the quaint streets of Old Town. More than 100 Scottish clans dressed in traditional tartans participate in the event. (703) 549-0111; scottishchristmaswalk.com

DECEMBER - Various dates
NPR's A Jazz Piano Christmas
Kennedy Center - The holiday season brings a host of festive favorites to the Kennedy Center, including NPR's "A Jazz Piano Christmas" (Dec. 4), the National Symphony Orchestra Pops' "Happy Holidays!" (Dec. 11-14), Handel's Messiah (Dec. 18-21) and "A Jazz New Year's Eve: Freddy Cole & the Dizzy Gillespie All-Star Big Band (Dec. 31). (202) 416-8000; kennedy-center.org

DEC. 5 & 7
Handel's Messiah
The Washington National Cathedral - Each December, the Washington National Cathedral Choir presents this holiday classic. (202) 537-5527; nationalcathedral.org

DEC. 5 - 23
Downtown Holiday Market
7th and F Streets, NW across from the National Portrait Gallery - The popular holiday market features an outdoor showcase of jewelry, pottery, paintings, and textiles made by local artisans along with live music and homemade snacks. dhm.reiel.com/dhm

DEC. 11 - 28
The Washington Ballet's The Nutcracker
Warner Theatre - Septime Webre's The Nutcracker is an enchanting tribute to our nation's capital starring George Washington as the heroic Nutcracker and England's King George II as the villainous Rat King. Complete with dazzling costumes and sets sprinkled with cherry blossoms, this fresh take on a timeless classic is now a DC holiday tradition. (202) 362-3606; washingtonballet.org

DEC. 12 - 21
A Spanish Christmas: Festive Music from Spain's Golden Age
Folger Consort - The Consort captures a distinctively Spanish spirit this holiday season with choir, organ, winds, and strings. The Christmas repertoire of the 16th and 17th centuries, Spain's "Golden Age" of arts and literature, is particularly ravishing - with sonorous and radiant motets, lively and energetic villancicos (carols), and dazzling instrumental works. (202) 675-0375; folger.edu

DEC. 13-14
Russian Winter Festival
Hillwood Estate, Museum and Gardens - Hillwood celebrates Russian holiday traditions with folktales, cultural performances, music, hands-on arts projects for kids and self-guided family tours of the museum's Russian art collection. hillwoodmuseum.org

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About Destination DC: Destination DC, the lead destination marketing organization for the nation’s capital, is a private, non-profit membership organization of more than 1,000 businesses committed to marketing the area as a premier global convention, tourism and special events destination with a special emphasis on the arts, cultural and historic communities. Destinationdc.com.