Brain food
1. “Convivium”: A cappella music at the United States Botanic Gardens. On selected Tuesdays and Thursdays through the holiday season, there will be music at the USBG Conservatory.
Where: Conservatory, United States Botanic Gardens, 100 Maryland Ave. SW
When: 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday
Info: Free; 202-225-8333; usbg.gov
2. Trio Solisti: In commemoration of the 200th anniversary of Mendelssohn’s birth, the popular Trio Solisti presents one of his most lauded works, Trio No. 2.
Where: Terrace Theater, Kennedy Center, 2700 F St. NW
When: 7:30 p.m. Thursday
Info: $32; 202-467-4600; kennedy-center.org
3. Terra Cotta Warriors: In 1974, farmers digging a well in China discovered an intact terra cotta head. From there, archaeologists discovered an enormous vault full of an entire army — more than 1,000 life-sized warriors — designed to accompany their emperor after death.
Where: National Geographic Museum, 17th and M streets NW
When: Through March 31
Info: $6 to $12; 202-857-7700; nationalgeographic.org
4. Amy Hempel and Alistair MacLeod: Amy Hempel is the author of four collections of short stories. In 2006, “The Collected Stories of Amy Hempel” was named one of the New York Times’ 10 best books of the year. Internationally acclaimed short-story writer and novelist Alistair MacLeod has published two collections of stories. MacLeod is also the author of the novel “No Great Mischief,” which has been widely honored.
Where: The Folger Shakespeare Library, 201 E. Capitol St. SE
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday
Info: $15; 202-544-7077; folger.edu
5. U.S. Army Blues: More than 37 years old, throughout the years this group has evolved into the premier jazz ensemble of the U.S. Army. The big band returns to present a “Stan Kenton Christmas,” paying tribute to the legendary pianist and big band leader.
Where: Kennedy Center, 2700 F St. NW
When: 6 p.m. Dec. 8
Info: Free; 202-467-4600; kennedy-center.org
Family
1. Zoolights: The National Zoo’s annual winter celebration kicks off Friday. Meander through the zoo while it’s covered with thousands of sparkling lights. Also hear special keeper talks, enjoy live entertainment and visit lots of animals from the Small Mammal House to the Great Ape House.
Where: National Zoo, 3001 Connecticut Ave. NW
When: 6 to 8:30 p.m. weekends Friday to Dec. 13, Dec. 18-Jan 2. Every night except Dec. 24, 25, 31.
Info: $5 to $8; 202-633-4800; nationalzoo.si.edu
2. Rocknoceros: As every family with youngsters in the D.C. area already knows, Rocknoceros is three guys: Coach Cotton, Williebob and Boogie Woogie Bennie. The winner of four Washington Area Music Awards, Rocknoceros covers a dizzying variety of musical styles — from Tin Pan Alley to the shores of Jamaica.
Where: Millennium Stage, Kennedy Center, 2700 F St. NW
When: 6 p.m. Friday
Info: Free; 202-467-4600; kennedy-center.org
3. “Look Out Below”: Round House favorites Mark Jaster and Sabrina Mandell entertain in this comedy where the end of the 19th century is at hand. Pierrot is on his way to Paris, where he intends to make the very first recorded sound. En route he meets Augustine, the would-be hot air balloonist, and they encounter comic misadventures at the circus, the Paris Metro, the Eiffel Tower and the Moulin Rouge.
Where: Round House Theater, 4545 East-West Highway, Bethesda
When: Friday to Sunday, Dec. 11-13, Dec. 18-20
Info: $10 children, $15 adults; roundhousetheatre.org
4. 10th Young People’s Poetry Marathon in Spanish: Teatro de la Luna calls young people from around the metro area together to participate in this festival of the Spanish language, either through performing poems they have written in Spanish or reciting selected poems by published authors. Friends and schoolmates are invited to listen while peers showcase their poetic talents.
Where: Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Public Library, 901 G St. NW
When: 10 a.m. to noon Dec. 9 (middle and high schools) and 10 a.m. to noon Dec. 10 (elementary schools)
Info: Free; 202-882-6227; teatrodelaluna.org
5. “Teddy Roosevelt and the Ghostly Mistletoe”: When President Roosevelt refuses to put a Christmas tree in the White House, his kids don’t plan to obey. In this holiday sequel to the 2006 hit “Teddy Roosevelt and the Treasure of Ursa Major,” a zany plot of comic haunting unfolds. Age 7 and older.
Where: Family Theatre, The Kennedy Center, 2700 F St. NW
When: Saturday to Dec. 30
Info: $18; 202-467-4600; kennedy-center.org
Galleries
1. What’s It All Mean: William T. Riley in Retrospect: William T. Wiley hasn’t had a career overview in three decades. It’s a doozy, featuring 88 pieces dating from the 1960s to the present that emphasize his affinity for the absurd.
Where: The Smithsonian American Art Museum, Eighth and F streets NW
When: Through Jan. 24
Info: Free; 202-633-1000; americanart.si.edu
2. An American Consciousness: Robin Holder’s Mid-Career Retrospective: Sixty-five works by New York printmaker Robin Holder, whose gift for channeling her many sociopolitical influences through a disciplined aesthetic prism is without peer.
Where: David C. Driskell Center, 1214 Cole Student Activities Building, University of Maryland, College Park
When: Through Dec. 11
Info: 301-405-6835; driskellcenter.umd.edu
3. John Dreyfuss: Inventions: These six monumental pieces by local sculptor John Dreyfuss resemble stylized hand tools enlarged to comic proportions.
Where: Sylvia Berlin Katzen Sculpture Garden, The American University Museum, 4400 Massachusetts Ave.
When: Through Jan. 17
Info: Free; 202-885-1300; american.edu/cas/katzen/museum
4. Zeitgeist II: What’s Important Now?: This group show by a dozen local artists grapples with the theme of what ideas will define the decade, incorporating some suggestions by the public submitted via Twitter.
Where: Nevin Kelly Gallery, 1400 Irving St. NW, No. 132
When: Through Dec. 12
Info: Free; 202-232-3464; nevinkellygallery.com
5. Black: A celebration of local black artists curated by Amber-Robles Gordon and Daniel T. Brooking.
Where: District of Columbia Arts Center, 2438 18th St. NW
When: Through Jan. 10
Info: Free; dcartscenter.org
Gatherings
1. Holiday Wreath Workshop: For ages 12 and older. Using all-natural items, you can create some decorative crafts to spruce up your home for the holiday season. There will be music, refreshments, basic instruction and materials for at least two decorations per person. Bring pruners or wire cutters if you have them and any special decorations you wish to add.
Where: Long Branch Nature Center, 625 S. Carlin Springs Road, Arlington
When: 2 to 5 p.m. Saturday
Info: $30; registration required at 703-228-4747; program No. 623604-A
2. Evergreens 101: Which type of evergreen tree is best for your holiday needs? This complete display of all the area’s popular cut trees gives you an opportunity to compare which ones last the longest, smell the best and make decorating easiest. See, touch, smell and learn about nine species of trees, including varieties of spruce, fir and pine. Each tree will be decorated simply with white lights and accompanied by text explaining the characteristics of that type of tree.
Where: Administration Building Lobby, National Arboretum, 3501 New York Ave. NE
When: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; through Dec. 31
Info: Free; 202-245-2726; usna.usda.gov
3. Winter Magic With American Youth Philharmonic Orchestra: Start the holiday season with cheer. The orchestra’s youngest musicians in the string ensemble kindle the soul with heart-warming music that revels in the excitement of the season.
Where: Ernst Cultural Center, Northern Virginia Community College, Annandale
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Info: $5 to $7; 703-642-8051; aypo.org
4. “Go Green for the Holidays: Mother’s Evening Out: All interested mothers and other adults are invited to an evening of holiday fun. Enjoy cider and cookies and learn how to recycle holiday cards into tiny boxes. Share tips and techniques for eco-friendly gift wrapping and bring your favorite tips for going green during the holidays.
Where: Gulf Branch Nature Center, 3608 Military Road, Arlington
When: 6:30 to 8 p.m. Dec. 9
Info: Registration required at 703-228-4747; program No. 623504-A
5. Crush: This contemporary dance concert highlights CityDance Artistic Director Paul Gordon Emerson’s three-week tour of the Middle East working with Iraqi refugees in Jordan, Lebanon and Syria.
Where: The Music Center at Strathmore, 5301 Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda
When: Friday and Saturday
Info: 301-656-6279; strathmore.org
Music
1. National Symphony Orchestra: Andrew Litton conducts pianist Yuja Wang in the world premiere of Jennifer Higdon’s piano concerto. Other works are Rimsky-Korsakov’s suite from “The Snow Maiden” and Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 1 (“Winter Daydreams”), part of Focus on Russia.
Where: Kennedy Center Concert Hall
When: 7 p.m. Thursday, 1:30 p.m. Friday, 8 p.m. Saturday
Info: $20 to $85; 202-467-4600; kennedy-center.org
2. Doc Watson: The legendary folk musician and winner of multiple honors performs Appalachian musical gems with David Holt and Richard Watson in “Hills of Home,” a fast-paced show for all ages.
Where: George Mason University Center for the Arts
When: 8 p.m. Saturday
Info: $21 to $42, youth through grade 12 admitted at half price when accompanied by an adult; 888-945-2468; gmu.edu/cfa
3. Plamena Mangova: The Washington Performing Arts Society Hayes Piano Series presents the prize-winning Bulgarian pianist performing works by Scriabin, Chopin and Ravel.
Where: Kennedy Center Terrace Theater
When: 2 p.m. Saturday
Info: $40; 202-785-9727
4. Schooner Fare: The Down East duo sails in for its annual December show of pops numbers and its own original maritime songs.
Where: The Barns at Wolf Trap
When: 8 p.m. Thursday and Friday
Info: $25; 877-965-3872; wolftrap.org
5. Angela Hewitt: The Washington Performing Arts Society presents the pianist named Gramophone’s Artist of the Year and called “the pre-eminent Bach pianist of our time.”
Where: Music Center at Strathmore
When: 8 p.m. Thursday
Info: $27 to $77; 202-785-9727
Also worth mentioning:
6. Four Bitchin’ Babes: Diva Nation’s annual bash overflowing with music, laughter, girlfriends and hormonal imbalance.
Where: The Birchmere
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday
Info: $35; 703-549-7500; birchmere.org
Outdoors
1. Festival of Winter Lights: Winter Lights is a Christmas light display at Seneca Creek State Park in Gaithersburg. See more than 380 illuminated vignettes and displays along a 3.5-mile drive through the park. Themed areas include Winter Woods, Teddy Bear Land, Victorian Village and the North Pole.
Where: 11950 Clopper Road, Gaithersburg
When: 6 to 9 p.m. Sunday to Thursday; 6 to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday; closed Dec. 25 and Jan. 1; through Jan. 2
Info: Prices vary; gaithersburgmd.gov
2. Bull Run Festival of Lights: Held in the Bull Run Regional Park in Centreville, this huge display features more than 80,000 light-emitting diodes. The Bull Run Festival of Lights also has a Winter Wonderland Holiday Village, with a carnival, ice skating rink, sleigh rides, a Christmas tree farm, and various food and gift vendors. Santa will be there, of course, to take pictures with the kids.
Where: Off Interstate 66 on Lee Highway, Centreville
When: 5 to 9:30 p.m.; through Dec. 31
Info: Prices vary; 703-352-5900; bullrunfestivaloflights.com
3. Alexandria Scottish Christmas Walk Parade: Hundreds of Scottish clansmen march through Old Town Alexandria with their bagpipes in a traditional holiday parade. Also participating are pipe and drum bands, Scottish dancers, re-enactment groups, Scottie dog groups, dignitaries and, of course, Santa Claus. Part of Scottish Christmas Walk Weekend.
Where: Parade begins at Wilkes and South St. Asaph streets
When: 10:30 a.m. Saturday
Info: Rain or shine; scottishchristmaswalk.com
4. Visit the National Christmas Tree: Even if you don’t have a ticket for the lighting of the National Christmas Tree, you can still visit the tree and the Pathway of Peace. They are illuminated each evening from dusk until 11 p.m. through Jan. 1. Seasonal displays include a Yule log and a large-scale model train. Musical performances by volunteer choirs and dancers will be held nightly on the Ellipse stage. For the first time, this year the seasonal display will include Santa’s Workshop, which will be open at select times so children can visit with Santa.
Where: On the Ellipse Road, north of Constitution Avenue
When: 6 to 8:30 p.m. weeknights; 4 to 8:30 p.m. weekends
Info: Free; 202-208-1631; nps.gov/whho
5. Winter Festival of Lights at Watkins Regional Park: Winter Festival of Lights is Prince George’s County’s spectacular drive-through Christmas light display featuring more than 1 million twinkling lights. You may bring canned food items to donate to local food banks for the holidays.
Where: 301 Watkins Park Drive, Upper Marlboro
When: 5 to 9:30 daily through Jan. 3
Info: Prices vary, $10 for multivisit passes for cars and vans; festival is free Dec. 25.
Theater
1. “The Solid Gold Cadillac”: First performed on Broadway in 1953, this classic American comedy by George S. Kaufman and Howard Teichmann follows the trials and travails of Laura Partridge, who takes on the board of directors of a major corporation, asking simply: “Why does the Chairman of the Board get paid so much money?” Nancy Robinette stars as the plucky, determined Mrs. Partridge.
Where: The Studio Theatre, 1501 14th St. NW
When: 8 p.m. Wednesday to Saturday; 7 p.m. Sunday; through Jan. 10
Info: $42 to $63, discounts available; 202-332-3300; studiotheatre.org
2. “Striking 12”: A pop-rock comic musical for people who dread the holidays. Performed by GrooveLily, this is a witty journey through the ups and downs of the holiday season.
Where: Arena Stage, 1800 S. Bell St., Crystal City
When: Through Dec. 13.
Info: $25 to $45, discounts available; 202-488-3300; arenastage.org
3. “Will the Circle Be Unbroken: Death, Rebirth and Hunger for a Faith”: A concert-style reading honoring the life and work Studs Terkel, presented by Arena Stage and the Georgetown University Theatre and Performing Arts Program. This adaptation of Terkel’s writings by Derek Goldman is an evening of song, story and celebration, performed by David Straithairn, Kathleen Chalfant, Rick Foucheux and Theodore Bikel, among others.
Where: Gaston Hall, Georgetown University, near 3700 O St. NW
When: 8 p.m. Dec. 7
Info: $15 to $30; 202-687-2787; performingarts.georgetown.edu
4. 2009-10 American Voices New Play Institute’s Symposium: “Defining Diversity”: This symposium seeks to address the role of diversity in the theater. It will feature an open panel discussion and a video screenings featuring a work-in-progress film by Robert Levi that highlights the role of diversity in the first round of selections in the NEA New Play Development Program hosted by Arena Stage. The forum will be moderated by Sandra Gibson and will include Robert Levi, Kamilah Forbes and Mark Russell.
Where: Gonda Theatre, Davis Performing Arts Center, Georgetown University, near 37th and O streets NW
When: 8 p.m. Saturday
Info: Free; 202-488-3300; arenastage.org
5. “Show Boat”: Signature Theatre reinvents the 1927 classic American musical by Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein.
Where: Signature Theatre, 4200 Campbell Ave., Arlington
When: Through Jan. 17.
Info: $52 to $76; 703-573-7328; signature-theatre.org
