Family 1. “The Nutcracker”: Septime Webre directs the Washington Ballet’s production of the classic holiday tale, with its unique twist on a family favorite. Set in D.C. and filled with hints of Americana, this production features the heroic George Washington as the Nutcracker, King George III as the Rat King and cherry blossoms dancing on the Potomac.
Where: Warner Theatre, 513 13th St. NW
When: Through Dec. 26; see Web site for dates and times
Info: 800-397-7328; 877-598-8696; washingtonballet.org
2. National Christmas Tree and Pathway of Peace: The National Christmas Tree and 56 smaller trees — one for each state, the five territories and the District of Columbia — serve as the event focal point. Seasonal displays include a yule log, a large-scale model train, a Christmas manger and Santa’s Workshop, where children can visit with Santa. Musical performances by volunteer choirs and dancers will be held nightly on the Ellipse stage.
Where: The Ellipse, 17th Street and Constitution Avenue NW
When: 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Through Jan. 1; weeknight musical performances will be from 6 to 8:30 p.m.; weekend performances will be from 4 to 8:30 p.m.
Info: 202-208-1631; thenationaltree.org; nps.gov/whho
3. “Christmas Dreams From The Nutcracker”: Snowflakes and sugar plum sweets are in the air as the Virginia Ballet Company and School present selections from their magical “Nutcracker.”
Where: The National Theatre, 1321 Pennsylvania Ave. NW
When: 9:30 and 11:30 a.m. Saturday
Info: Free; 202-628-6161; nationaltheatre.org
4. “Wassail”: In the dead of winter, the apple trees need encouragement to bear well during the coming year. Gather in the farm’s orchard to wassail the trees with singing, dancing and chants to ensure a “howling crop.” Enjoy hot spiced cider, sugar cakes, a bonfire and 18th-century games. Weather permitting; call ahead.
Where: Entrance to Gate House Shop, George Moore Colonial Farm, 6310 Georgetown Pike, McLean
When: 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday
Info: 703-442-7557; 1771.org
5. Fabulous Fur: What is fur? Why do mammals have it? Whose fur is best? Find out all you need to know!
Where: Meet at Gulf Branch Nature Center, 3608 Military Road, Arlington
When: 4 to 5 p.m. Tuesday
Info: $3; registration necessary: 703-228-4747; program 622820-G
Galleries
1. Hide/Seek: Difference and Desire in American Portraiture: The Smithsonian has caved to pressure to remove a four-minute excerpt from David Wojnarowicz’s 1987 film “Fire in My Belly” from this, the first U.S. museum exhibit of art history from a gay perspective, after complaints from the Catholic League and incoming House Speaker John Boehner. But more than 100 riveting samples of 19th- and 20th-century portraiture remain on view and worth your time.
Where: National Portrait Gallery, Eighth and G streets NW
When: Through Feb. 13, 2011
Info: Free; 202-633-8293; si.edu
2. Washington Color and Light: Major works by the primary players of the Washington Color School circa mid-1950s to late 1970s, when Morris Louis, Kenneth Noland and Gene Davis, among others, explored the language of abstraction with imagination and rigor.
Where: Corcoran Gallery of Art, 500 17th St. NW
When: Through March 6, 2011
Info: $10, $8 seniors/military/students; corcoran.org
3. Ed McGowin: Name Change (One Artist, Twelve Personas, Thirty-Five Years): McGowin legally changed his name 11 times between 1970 and 1972. He continues to make paintings, photographs and sculptures under each of his 12 monikers.
Where: The American University Museum at the Katzen Arts Center, 4400 Massachusetts Ave.
When: Through Sunday
Info: Free; 202-885-1300; american.edu/cas/katzen/museum
4. FOCUS GROUP: Four Walls, Five Women: Curator Zoma Wallace has selected five black female artists whose work forms a kind of dialogue interrogating ideals and notions of black femininity.
Where: District of Columbia Arts Center, 2438 18th St. NW
When: Through Dec. 18
Info: Free; dcartscenter.org
5. Julie Wolfe: Wolf’s paintings reflect her obsession with dichotomies: quietude and fury, erosion and rebirth, light and dark, and the big one, life and death.
Where: Hemphill Fine Arts, 1515 14th St. NW
When: Through Dec. 23
Info: Free; 202-234-5601; hemphillfinearts.com
Gatherings
1. 11th Annual Gingerbread House Contest and Show: Admire the creativity and talent of local bakers with the opportunity to vote for your favorite adult and child entries in the Viewer’s Choice Award competition.
Where: Darnall’s Chance House Museum, 14800 Governor Oden Bowie Drive, Upper Marlboro
When: Through Sunday
Info: $1; 301-952-8010; pgparks.com/places/eleganthistoric/darnalls_intro.html
2. American Market: Deck the halls with ideas from the Holiday Market, featuring handmade ornaments, decoration, holiday treats such as cookies and roasted chestnuts, and much more.
Where: American Way, National Harbor (see Web site for directions)
When: Noon to 6 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays through Dec. 19
Info: Free; nationalharbor.com
3. Holiday Season Signings: Photographer and travel writer Keith Bellows signs copies of National Geographic’s “Drives of a Lifetime: 500 of the World’s Most Spectacular Trips,” along with National Geographic photographer Annie Griffiths, who will sign copies of National Geographic’s “Simply Beautiful Photographs” at the museum store.
Where: National Geographic Museum, 1145 17th St. NW
When: 10 a.m. Thursday
Info: 202-857-7700; nationalgeographic.com/events
4. Botanic Garden Concerts: On Tuesday and Thursday evenings in December, the U.S. Botanic Garden will have extended hours featuring live musical performances from 6 to 8 p.m.
Where: Garden Court, United States Botanic Garden, 100 Maryland Ave. SW
When: 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday: Downtown Quartet (a cappella); 6 to 8 p.m. Dec. 14: Convivium (choral group)
Info: Free; 202-225-18333; usbg.gov
5. Montpelier Mansion: Holiday Celebrations Around the World: Visit this famous example of Georgian architecture that looks out over 70 acres, a place that centuries ago hosted notable guests including George Washington and Abigail Adams. Enjoy finger sandwiches, cakes and pastries, scones and choice of loose-leaf teas.
Where: Montpelier Mansion, 9650 Muirkirk Road, Laurel
When: 3:30 Thursday and Friday
Info: $25; reservations required: 301-377-7817; pgparks.com
Music
1. Handel’s “Messiah”: National Philharmonic Chorale Artistic Director Stan Engebretson conducts the National Philharmonic, the Chorale and soloists Audrey Elizabeth Luna, Yvette Smith, Don Bernardini and Christopheren Nomura in the complete work.
Where: Music Center at Strathmore
When: 8 p.m. Saturday, 3 p.m. Sunday
Info: $32 to $79, kids 7 to 17 FREE; 301-581-5100; nationalphilharmonic.org
2. NPR’s A Jazz Piano Christmas: Monty Alexander, Helio Alves, Freddy Cole, Renee Rosnes and Jessica Williams add a jazzy touch to holiday favorites. To be recorded for later broadcast.
Where: Kennedy Center Terrace Theater
When: 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. Saturday
Info: $42; 202-467-4600; kennedy-center.org.
4. The Waverly Consort: Michael Jaffe and his early-music group perform “The Christmas Story” on medieval instruments.
Where: George Mason University Center for the Arts
When: 8 p.m. Friday
Info: $21 to $42; 888-945-2468; cfa.gmu.org
5. The Cathedral Choral Society: J. Reilly Lewis conducts the CCS in “Joy of Christmas” featuring the Maret School Concert Choir, the Washington Symphonic Brass and the world premiere of a Christmas carol by British composer Bob Chilcott. From opening procession to beloved carols, this is a Washington family tradition.
Where: Washington National Cathedral
When: 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
Info: $25 to $85; 877-537-2228; cathedralchoralsociety.org; special family concert at noon Saturday, all tickets $25
