The Nutcracker Performances
Black Leaves Dance Company’s A Chocolate City Nutcracker at Atlas Performing Arts Center
A queer-inclusive retelling of The Nutcracker, featuring African dance, voguing, and other styles. Dec. 7 at 6 p.m. & Dec. 8 at 4 p.m. 1333 H St. NE. $25.
atlasarts.orgWashington Ballet’s The Nutcracker at Warner Theatre
A D.C.-themed Nutcracker with patriotic twists. Includes a kid-friendly tea party and family activities. Nov. 30–Dec. 29. 513 13th St. NW. $64-$210.
washingtonballet.orgPhiladelphia Ballet’s George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker at Kennedy Center
A classic 1954 staging of The Nutcracker. Nov. 27 & Nov. 29–Dec. 1. 2700 F St. NW. $50-$228.
kennedy-center.orgBaltimore Symphony Orchestra’s Cirque Nutcracker at Strathmore
A high-flying, acrobatic version of The Nutcracker. Dec. 13 at 7:30 p.m., Dec. 14–15 at 3 p.m. 5301 Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda. $22-$86.
bsomusic.orgVirginia National Ballet at Capital One Hall
The 12th annual Nutcracker performance with new sets and choreography. Dec. 21 at 1 & 6 p.m. 7750 Capital One Tower Rd., Tysons. $39-$89.
virginianationalballet.orgFairfax Symphony and Fairfax Ballet at GMU Center for the Arts
Nutcracker with live orchestra and guest dancers. Dec. 21–22 at 4 p.m. 4373 Mason Pond Dr., Fairfax. $44-$95.
cfa.calendar.gmu.edu
A Christmas Carol Performances
Ford’s Theatre’s A Christmas Carol
Craig Wallace returns as Scrooge in this holiday tradition, with live caroling. Through Dec. 31. 511 10th St. NW. $37-$144.
fords.orgRound House Theatre’s A Hanukkah Carol
A musical twist on A Christmas Carol with a millennial influencer finding her Jewish identity. Through Dec. 29. 4545 East-West Hwy., Bethesda. $50-$93.
roundhousetheatre.orgOlney Theatre Center’s A Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story of Christmas
The classic solo show, starring Michael Russotto. Nov. 29–Dec. 29. 2001 Olney Sandy Spring Rd., Olney. $41-$81.
olneytheatre.orgKeegan Theatre’s An Irish Carol
A Dublin-based reimagining of A Christmas Carol. Dec. 4–31. 1742 Church St. NW. $54-$64.
keegantheatre.comLittle Theatre of Alexandria’s A Christmas Carol
A community theater version of the classic. Dec. 7–21. 600 Wolfe St., Alexandria. $25.
thelittletheatre.com
Holiday Light Displays
ZooLights at the National Zoo
A dazzling animal-themed light display. Dec. 19, 21, 22 & 26–Jan. 4. 3001 Connecticut Ave. NW. $6.
nationalzoo.si.eduFestival of Lights at Bull Run Regional Park
A 2.5-mile drive through lights and a holiday village with carnival rides. Through Jan. 5. 7700 Bull Run Dr., Centreville. $30-$40 per vehicle.
novaparks.com‘Ice: A Charlie Brown Christmas’ at National Harbor
A hand-carved ice exhibit featuring Charlie Brown characters. Through Dec. 28. 201 Waterfront St., National Harbor. $29-$53.
christmasatgaylordnational.marriott.comIce and Lights at Cameron Run Regional Park
A light tunnel and Christmas tree walk, plus an outdoor skating rink. Nov. 29–Jan. 5. 4001 Eisenhower Ave., Alexandria. $9.
novaparks.comWinter City Lights in Olney
A 1.5-mile trail with over a million lights. Nov. 23–Dec. 29. 4501 Olney Laytonsville Rd., Olney. $18-$28.
wintercitylights.com
Handel’s Messiah Performances
‘Messiah’ Sing-Along at Clarendon United Methodist Church
A community sing-along of Handel’s oratorio. Dec. 1 at 7:30 p.m. 606 N. Irving St., Arlington. Free.
clarendonumc.org‘Messiah’ at Washington National Cathedral
Handel’s Messiah performed by the Cathedral Choir. Dec. 6–8. 3101 Wisconsin Ave. NW. $32-$96.
cathedral.orgNational Symphony Orchestra’s Messiah at the Kennedy Center
Featuring the University of Maryland Concert Choir. Dec. 19–22. 2700 F St. NW. $15-$101.
kennedy-center.orgNational Philharmonic’s Messiah at Strathmore
A festive performance with soloists and the Baltimore Choral Arts Society. Dec. 21–22. 5301 Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda. $29-$109.
nationalphilharmonic.orgSing-Along Messiah at the Kennedy Center
An annual event where the audience joins in for a Messiah sing-along. Dec. 23 at 6 p.m. 2700 F St. NW. Free.
kennedy-center.org
