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The WETA Guide to Christmas Map

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Index

"Messiah" Sing-a-long

2700 F Street NW
Washington, DC

This annual holiday concert event features the Kennedy Center Opera House Orchestra, choir, soloists and audiences who gather for this "sing-a-long" music celebration of Handel's "Messiah."

Alexandria Holiday Boat Parade of Lights

1 Cameron Street
Alexandria, VA 22314

Alexandria's historic waterfront lights up when dozens of festively decorated sailing and leisure boats cruise along the Potomac River in this free annual event. The Alexandria Holiday Boat Parade of Lights begins at the Alexandria Marina behind the Torpedo Factory Art Center.

Alexandria Scottish Christmas Walk

Alexandria, VA

The annual Scottish Christmas Walk Parade marches through Old Town Alexandria each year beginning at the corner of Wilkes and South Saint Asaph Streets and ending at King and Royal Streets. The parade features over a hundred Scottish clans with Scottish dancers, bagpipes and drums, Scottie dog groups, antique cars and even Santa Claus.

Christmas Eve at Washington National Cathedral

3101 Wisconsin Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20016

The Festival Holy Eucharist is held at the Washington National Cathedral on Christmas Eve, December 24 at 6:00 and 10:00 pm.

Cut your own Christmas tree

22200 Davis Mill Road
Germantown, MD 20876

Starting the weekend after Thanksgiving, cut your very own Christmas tree from a selection of over 3,000 Douglas Fir and White Pines at Butler's Orchard in Germantown, Maryland.

Gaithersburg Winter Lights Festival

11950 Clopper Road
Gaithersburg, MD 20878

Experience this 3.5 mile drive through the scenic Seneca Creek State Park in Gaithersburg, Maryland where over 400 illuminated displays - including the North Pole, Toyland, penguins, reindeer and more - light up the evening sky.

Home Sweet Home Gingerbread Workshop

401 F Street NW
Washington, DC 20001

Build your own edible gingerbread house and then ice and decorate it with an assortment of materials at the National Building Museum's annual workshop.

Jazz, Hip-Hop Nutcracker

651 E Street NE
Washington, DC 20002

A Capitol Hill neighborhood favorite, the Jazz Hip-Hop Nutcracker presents a unique take on the holiday classic. The show features Duke Ellington's "Nutcracker Suite" with well-known hip-hop tracks, breakdancing, Latin and Brazilian dance, and more.

Merry TubaChristmas

2700 F Street NW
Washington, DC 20566

Tuba, sousaphone and euphonium players of all ages from the Washington, D.C. area gather to perform traditional Christmas music led by Harvey Phillips in this annual holiday concert.

Midnight Mass at St. Matthew's Cathedral

1725 Rhode Island Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20036

Midnight Mass is held at the Cathedral of St. Matthew The Apostle on Christmas Eve, December 24 at 12:00 am.

Mount Vernon Candlelight Tour

3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway
Mount Vernon, VA 22121

Experience an 18th-century Christmas at Mount Vernon where "Mrs. Washington" hosts an evening of candlelight tours at the estate along with fireside caroling, enchanting holiday décor and cookies with hot cider.

Norwegian Christmas at Union Station: featuring Norwegian Model Train Launch and Toys for Tots Kick-off

50 Massachusetts Avenue NE
Washington, DC

In late November, the annual Norwegian model train launch kicks-off the holiday season at Union Station. Each train is carefully hand-crafted by an expert model builder. The event also marks the regional kick-off for the U.S. Marine Corps Toys for Tots campaign which collects new, unwrapped toys to distribute to needy children in the community.

Operation Stocking Stuffer at Fort Myer

2nd Street S
Arlington, VA 22211

Operation Stocking Stuffer at Fort Myer in Arlington, VA.

Santa Fly-In

1985 Corporal Frank Scott Drive
College Park, MD 20740

Watch Santa Claus fly in to the College Park Airport at the exciting annual Santa Fly-In. Afterwards, have your picture taken with Santa and enjoy holiday arts and crafts at the College Park Aviation Museum.

Santa Jam

220 N. Washington Street
Falls Church, VA

Santa Jam is an annual charity event to raise money for Northern Virginia shelters for homeless women and children and victims of domestic violence. Thanks to the generosity of local musicians, the event brings people from all over the area together for an evening of great entertainment to benefit local shelters. Santa Jam's "Your Choice Charity Raffle" allows a winner to choose from available prizes in order of tickets drawn.

Sweet Heaven Kings

2700 F Street NW
Washington, DC 20566

This joyful annual holiday concert features unique instruments and powerful voices from the Sweet Heaven Kings, a sixteen member gospel brass and percussion ensemble from the United House of Prayer in Anacostia.

The National Christmas Tree & Pageant of Peace: The National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony

Washington, DC

Each year on the Ellipse (located south of the White House grounds), the National Christmas Tree is displayed along with 56 smaller trees, one for each state, five territories and the District of Columbia. The annual tree lighting ceremony launches the National Christmas Tree program featuring entertainers, a military band and the lighting of the tree. Tickets are required for the tree lighting ceremony but no tickets are needed to visit the National Christmas Tree site during the holiday season.

The U.S. Army Band "Pershing's Own" - A Holiday Festival Concert

1776 D Street NW
Washington, DC 20006

Enjoy the joyous sounds of the holiday season in this concert by The United States Army Band "Pershing's Own." The concert features The U.S. Army Orchestra, The U.S. Army Chorus and vocalists from The U.S. Army Band Downrange. The concert is free but tickets are required.

The Washington Ballet presents "The Nutcracker"

513 13th Street NW
Washington, DC 20004

Septime Webre's vintage take on "The Nutcracker" transports audiences back in time to historic Washington and a party on the Potomac starring George Washington as the heroic Nutcracker, King George as the villainous Rat King, swirling snowflakes, elaborate costumes and Tchaikovsky's beloved score.

The White House Christmas tree and décor

1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20500

Each year the staff at the White House deck the halls with an assortment of holiday décor including garlands, wreaths, and the official White House Christmas Tree. The tradition of the White House Christmas Tree dates back to 1889. The First Lady chooses an overall theme that highlights the talents of American artisans.

Volunteering at DC Central Kitchen

425 2nd Street NW
Washington, DC 20001

Chefs and volunteers prepare and pack up to 4,000 hot and cold meals each day for the homeless.

Wolf Trap Holiday Sing-a-long

1551 Trap Road
Vienna, VA 22182

An annual family-favorite event, the Wolf Trap Holiday Sing-A-Long is a musical celebration featuring traditional holiday songs performed by the United States Marine Band and vocal groups from the Greater Washington area.

Wreaths Across America: Arlington Wreath Project

Arlington, VA 22211

The Wreaths Across America story began over 15 years ago when the Worcester Wreath Company began a tradition of placing wreaths on the headstones of our nation's fallen heroes at Arlington National Cemetery during the holidays.