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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 16, 2008 Holiday Happenings
Washington, DC lights up the holiday season with a variety of festivals and events to put even the grumpiest Scrooge into the holiday spirit. For family fun or a romantic holiday evening, there’s something for everyone in the District’s holiday lineup.
Ice-skating
Ice-skating, a winter holiday classic, is available at several nearby locations for those who want to show off their skills on the ice. Gracefully twirl, or fall, as you gander at the magnificent sculptures located around the rink at the National Gallery of Art & Sculpture Garden (www.nga.gov/ginfo/skating, 202-737-4215). This site also offers delicious delicacies and warm treats at their Pavilion Café. Or, just two blocks away from the White House, visit Pershing Park Ice Skating Rink (www.pershingparkicerink.com, 202-737-6938). This rink is open each day of the week and offers pricing specials for college students, families, seniors, and early birds. You can also visit Fort Dupont Ice Arena (www.fdia.org , 202-584-5007) on the southeast side of town for a good time on Fridays, Saturdays, or Sundays.
Lights
The first week of December brings a festive lineup of tree lighting ceremonies to some of DC's most famous locations, such as the The U.S. Capitol, Union Station (Dec. 2) and the White House Ellipse (Dec. 4), the lighting that kicks off a month of musical performances and events as part of the annual Pageant of Peace celebration. On the night of Dec. 21, the National Menorah's lights also appear on the grounds of the White House.
Music
Need some time to relax after all of your holiday shopping and baking? Washington, DC is full of world-renowned musical groups and stage performances that are sure to put you in the holiday frame of mind. The season brings a host of festive favorites to the Kennedy Center (202-416-8000, kennedy-center.org), including NPR's A Jazz Piano Christmas, the National Symphony Orchestra Pops' Happy Holidays!, and Handel's Messiah.
Winter Theatre and Family Friendly Classics
Many of the District’s greatest theatre’s present their most anticipated shows around the holiday season, and it’s the perfect opportunity to view classic holiday performances. In DC, the Washington Ballet’s (202-362-3606; washingtonballet.org) version of 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. The classic tale A Christmas Carol (Dec. 2 – 28), a DC tradition, will be performed at the Lansburgh Theatre this year while it’s usual home at Ford’s Theatre is undergoes renovations. Catch family-friendly theatre at venues throughout the city, including Wizard of Oz (Warner Theatre, Dec. 2-5), West Side Story (National Theatre, Dec. 15 – Jan. 17), Legally Blonde (The Kennedy Center, Dec. 16 – Jan. 11), and Les Miserables (Signature Theatre, Dec. 2 – Jan. 25).
Take a look at the additional holiday events that are right around the corner in Washington, DC:
Nov. 21 - Dec. 7: DC Sales Tax Holiday
The DC sales tax holiday grants a tax exemption on school items, clothes, shoes and accessory items costing $100 or less. (202) 727-4TAX; dc.gov
Nov. 25: Holiday Model Train Opening & Toys for Tots Kickoff
Union Station's Holiday Model Train winds its way through the mountains and fjords of Norway at this annual Norwegian celebration. At 9am, join the Marines, City Officials and the Ambassador of Norway as they kick off the Toys for Tots donation drive with the first toy donation of the holiday season. 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
Visitors to the famous estate learn about the Washingtons' Christmas traditions as they tour the candlelit Mansion, meet First Lady 'Martha Washington' and enjoy caroling and free cookies. Exciting additions this year include a dozen themed Christmas trees, a gingerbread Mount Vernon by former White House pastry chef Ronald Mesnier, historical chocolate-making demonstrations, and a Christmas camel like George Washington had on the grounds during Christmas 1787. (888)-878-9870, www.mountvernon.org
Nov. 29, 30 & Dec. 6, 7: Victorian Greeting Card Workshops
Learn the fine art of creating Victorian greeting cards at this workshop hosted by the National Park Service at the Clara Barton National Historic Site in Glen Echo, MD. Have your picture taken in Victorian costume then use the photo in your cards. Workshops are open to all ages and require advanced registration. (703) 289-2500; nps.gov
Dec. 1-25: Holiday Happenings at the Willard Intercontinental Hotel
Spend some holiday time at this historic hotel in the heart of the Nation’s Capital with their Nutcraker themed hotel packages, Christmas Eve dinner, Nutcraker Brunch, Holiday Teah, musical performances and much more. (202) 628-9100; http://www.washington.intercontinental.com/washa/index.shtml
Dec. 2: The United States Capitol Historical Society Holiday Sweets Reception
The Holiday Sweets Reception will immediately follow the Capitol Tree Lighting Ceremony. In addition to delectable desserts and festive holiday music, the reception will provide a viewing of the Society’s 2008 “Abraham Lincoln Commemorative Ornament” holiday ornament. The reception will be held at the Rayburn House Office Building. Admission to the reception is restricted to USCHS donors of $100 or more. (202) 543-8919; uschs.org
Dec. 5 - 23: Downtown Holiday Market
The popular holiday market held on 7th and F Streets, NW across from the Portrait Gallery.
Dec. 4 – 6: 38th Annual Scottish Christmas Walk
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. (703) 549-0111; scottishchristmaswalk.com
Dec. 5 & 7: Handel's Messiah
Each December the Washington National Cathedral Choir presents this holiday classic. (202) 537-5527; nationalcathedral.org
Dec. 6: Holiday Open House at Tudor Place
Stroll through the mansion built by Martha Washington's granddaughter almost 200 years ago and participate in early American dancing. (202) 965-0164, www.tudorplace.org
Dec. 6: Parade of Lights
Every year dozens of lighted and decorated boats parade through the waters of the Potomac River from Alexandria’s waterfront to Washington Harbor in Georgetown from 5:30 – 8:30pm. Additional festivities along the waterfronts include school choirs performing near the Torpedo factory (Alexandria) and Santa arriving by boat. View the parade from either of the waterfronts, Haines Point, or take part in the parade itself by purchasing tickets to ride on Capital Yacht Charter’s Celebrity. (202) 554-0677; captialyacht.com. Dec. 7: Logan Circle Holiday House Tour
This 30th annual event will feature East Logan, with special emphasis on the rich history of residential and commercial alley life in Logan's own Blagden Alley and Naylor Court. The tour will also feature the Blagden Alley studio of world-renowned master printmaker David Adamson. Logancircle.org
Dec. 12 – 21: A Spanish Christmas: Festive Music from Spain's Golden Age
The Folger Consort captures a distinctively Spanish spirit this holiday season with choir, organ, winds, and strings. (202) 675-0375; folger.edu Dec. 13: A Nation’s Capital Christmas Walking Tour
Get into the winter weather with Washington Walks. Their special Christmas walking tour passes through the Decatur House Museum Shop, the Smithsonian’s Renwick Gallery of Arts and Crafts, the Daughters of the American Revolution Museum and much more, concluding at the National Christmas tree. Walk begins at 2pm. (202) 484-1565; washingtonwalks.com
Dec. 13 - 14: Russian Winter Festival
Hillwood Museum & Gardens 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. 202.686.8500, www.hillwoodmuseum.org
Check www.washington.org regularly for the most up-to-date holiday events and information. # # # 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.
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