Holiday hoopla is in full swing with seasonal makers’ markets, light displays, pop-up bars, performances, Santa sightings and general festivities. Here’s what’s on tap Dec. 9-15.
Santa’s Motorcade at Mosaic
Dec. 10, 1-2 p.m.
Santa already breezed through the mixed-use development in a firetruck on Nov. 29, but he’s coming back, this time with the Fairfax County Police Motor Squad. Give him a wave and return Dec. 12 from 2:30-7:30 p.m. to take a picture with him. // 2910 District Ave., Fairfax (Mosaic District)
Holiday Cabaret Series at Creative Cauldron
Dec. 10-19
The annual series will feature performances by Creative Cauldron veterans and newcomers alike. Shows include All for Anita on Dec. 10 at 7:30 p.m., a tribute by Bayla Whitten to her bubbie Anita Turk; Christmas Time is Here on Dec. 12 at 7:30 p.m., which includes holiday songs and stories of storied events such as Christmases past in D.C.; and A Christmas Pageant Fundraiser Presented by Tula & Regina Events on Dec. 19 at 7:30 p.m., during which entertainers audition for a spot in the show. Tickets start at $25. If you can’t get there in person, catch the livestream of some of the shows. // 410 S. Maple Ave., Falls Church
Plants in the Park: Holiday Terrarium Crafting
Dec. 11, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
Craft your own terrarium with guidance from Museum of Contemporary Art (MoCA) staff at National Landing’s Met Park. Hosted by PlantHouse, an Alexandria nursery, this activity is for all ages and skill levels and free to attend. // 1330 S. Fair St., Arlington (National Landing)
MoCA Handcrafted Holidays
Dec. 11, 11:30-1:30 p.m.
Decorate your own festive candles to give as gifts this holiday season (or to keep for yourself; we won’t tell anyone) at MoCA’s Innovation Studio. Come back to the same place at the same time on Dec. 18 to make super-size snowflakes. Both events are free. // 525 14th St., S., Arlington (National Landing)
Immigrant Food Holiday Movie Series
Dec. 11 & 18, 6:30 p.m.
Catch a showing of Elf on Dec. 11 and The Grinch on Dec. 18 in the private dining room at the new Ballston outpost of this gastroadvocacy eatery. Wine bottles are half off. // 4245 N. Fairfax Drive, Arlington (Ballston)
Arlington Artists Alliance Winter Artful Weekend
Dec. 13, 4-8 p.m.
Dec. 14, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Dec. 15, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Now celebrating its 22nd year, this annual holiday art fair will showcase works by nearly 40 Arlington Artists Alliance members. Stop in for the opening reception Dec. 13, 6-8 p.m. Shop unique artworks and gifts including paintings, jewelry, ceramics, woodwork, sculpture and glassworks. The three-day market fills the historic Hendry House at Fort C.F. Smith Park. // 2411 N. 24th St., Arlington (Woodmont)
Melwood’s Miracle on 23rd Street
Dec. 13, 5-8 p.m.
This free community event features a tree lighting, photos with Santa, skating, crafts, live music and refreshments. Consider bringing a nonperishable food item as a donation. Melwood is an employer of and advocate and service provider for people with disabilities. // 750 23rd St., S., Arlington (Shirlington)
Sari-Sari Pop Up Holiday Market
Dec. 13, 5-9 p.m.
Shop jewelry, ceramics, candles, chocolates and more while listening to music and enjoying eats from Upside on Moore’s food vendors. The event is presented by Kam & 46 and SAMASAMA, an organization that promotes Asian American and Pacific Islander community and other artists of color. // 1700 N. Moore St., Arlington (Rosslyn)
(Un)Cuffed at Clarendon Ballroom
Dec. 13, 7 p.m.-2 a.m.
The iconic space in Clarendon will host its first annual (Un)Cuffed event with drink specials from 7-9 p.m. on the heated rooftop and a live DJ from 9 p.m.-2 a.m. Billed as a way to find out what your “situation-ship” thinks during cuffing season—the time when singles look for short-term romantic partners—the event works like this: Share your relationship status on arrival and get a color-coded wristband. Red means taken, yellow means it’s complicated and green means single. Entry is free. // 3185 Wilson Blvd., Arlington (Clarendon)
Ugly Sweater Party at Astro Beer Hall
Dec. 13, 8 p.m.-2 a.m.
Pull on the ugliest sweater you can find and head to 1969, the new retro bar in the basement of this Shirlington restaurant to compete for a $100 gift card. Winners in the categories of “most vintage” and “most festive” will each get a $50 card. From 8-9 p.m., anyone who donated a canned good gets a 25-cent can of beer, but festive holiday libations will be available throughout the event, including gingerbread or peppermint espresso martinis and cranberry margaritas. From 9-11 p.m., guests can get a Mini Cake Doughnut Bar with three holiday-themed mini cake doughnuts available for $1. // 4001 Campbell Ave., Arlington (Shirlington)
Wreaths Across America at Arlington National Cemetery
Dec. 14, 8 a.m.
Arlington National Cemetery is one of 4,600 locations nationwide participating in this annual event that was established in 2007 to honor service members’ legacy and sacrifice. It’s open to the public and does not require registration, although registering will ensure you get the most up to date information about volunteering. // 1 Memorial Ave., Arlington, Virginia
McLean High School Holiday Bazaar
Dec. 14, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
McLean High School’s 22nd annual bazaar features about 100 vendors and student clubs selling a variety of gifts, including original wood-carved tables, scented soaps, jewelry, beauty products and home decor. Open to the entire community, the event also promises food and drinks, and live entertainment by the MHS Orchestra. // 1633 Davidson Road, McLean
Milk and Cookies with Santa
Dec. 14, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
Why should Santa get all the cookies? Enjoy some with him, do some snow-themed crafts and sip cocoa. Tickets are $20 or $15 for McLean residents. // 1234 Ingleside Ave., McLean
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Mosaic Holiday Village
Dec. 14 and 15, 11 a.m.
Do some last-minute shopping at the stalls of more than 65 artisans at this market that will take over Mosaic District for the weekend. If you’re there on Dec. 15 and need to check in with the big man about gift wish lists, Santa will be on location from 10 a.m.-8 p.m. // 2910 District Ave., Fairfax (Mosaic District)
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Holiday Bark Decorating & Crafts
Dec. 14, 12-3 p.m.
Make your own chocolate bark at this all-ages event at Starr Hill Tysons Brewpub. Admission is free, but participants need tickets for cookie decorating. Just watching? Enjoy a seasonal dessert, such as snickerdoodle cheesecake or a blueberry lemon pound cake bar as you look on. // 7730 Capital One Tower Road, Tysons
Holiday Teas in Falls Church
Dec. 14 and 15, 2-4 p.m.
The Friends of Cherry Hill Foundation organization is hosting a holiday tea at the historic Cherry Hill Farmhouse. Enjoy bottomless cups of tea plus tea sandwiches, sweets and scones while listening to someone channeling Eirene Blaisdell, the mistress of the farmhouse in 1858. Tickets are $48, and registration is required. // 312 Park Ave., Falls Church
Bad Santa Bar Crawl
Dec. 14, 3-10 p.m.
Santa suits welcome at this bar hop through Clarendon. Start at Clarendon Ballroom and make your way through Hyde Social, Mister Days, Underground and other neighborhood watering holes. There will be drink specials, live DJs and holiday-themed surprises. Tickets start at $10. // 3185 Wilson Blvd., Arlington (Clarendon)
Winter Wonderland at Water Park
Dec. 14, 4-8 p.m.
Bundle up and embrace the season with ice skating, an interactive snow globe photo booth, appearances by Mr. and Mrs. Claus, a hot cocoa bar, a wreath-making station and performances by the Arlington Philharmonic. Attendance is free. // 1601 Crystal Drive, Arlington (National Landing)
National Chamber Ensemble’s Holiday Concert
Dec. 14, 7:30 p.m.
Soprano Sharon Christman and Outstanding Young Artist Award string competition winners will perform classical masterpieces and holiday hits. The show ends with a sing-along. Tickets cost $20 for students and $40 for adults. // Unitarian Universalist Church of Arlington, 4444 Arlington Blvd., Arlington
Uncle Jesse at Starr Hill Brewpub
Dec. 14, 9 p.m.-12:30 a.m.
If only John Stamos would turn up to bang some drums or revive his Full House role for the night. You never know. But even without a cameo by the star, this cover band will bring back the ’90s and ’00s with nostalgic songs such as Avril Lavigne’s Sk8er Boi and Wheatus’ Teenage Dirtbag. Check the brewpub’s events list to see all upcoming live performances. // 7730 Capital One Tower Road, Tysons
Made in Arlington Winter Market
Dec. 15, 12-3 p.m.
Spend a cozy and fun-filled afternoon, shopping, eating and playing at the Museum of Contemporary Art Arlington. Hunt down special gifts in the outdoor market, chow down at your choice of food truck, and then get your face painted or opt to paint your own tote bag. The museum’s exhibits will be open for viewing as well. // 3550 Wilson Blvd., Arlington (Virginia Square)
Aurora’s Winter Circus Adventure
Dec. 13-29
Making its local debut at Dulles Town Center, this show features artists from around the world performing classic circus stunts such as feats of strength, tight-wire acrobatics and gravity-defying biking. Tickets are $20 per child ages 3-12 and $35 per adult. // 21100 Dulles Town Circle, Sterling
L’Chaim II: A Tribute to the Jewish Legacy of Broadway (and Christmas)
Dec. 15, 2 p.m.
Four Broadway singers take the stage at The Alden for the sequel to their L’Chaim performance last year. They’ll sing some of the most popular Christmas songs written by Jewish composers and trace the history of musical theater alongside the history of Jewish Americans. Tickets are $40, $30 for students and seniors, and $25 for McLean residents. // 1234 Ingleside Ave., McLean
Winter Glow at Mount Vernon
Dec. 15-19
Music and light transform George Washington’s estate this season. Activities include roasting s’mores, running through a straw bale kids maze and playing “I Spy General George Washington.” Be sure to say hey to Aladdin the Camel, a holiday guest in the tradition of Washington bringing a camel to the estate in 1787, and get more history lessons from performers in the Interpretive Center, exhibits in the Ford Orientation Center and interpreters by the mansion. On Dec. 15 and 16, carolers will add to the experience. Note that Glow ticket holders will also receive unlimited daytime admission to Mount Vernon through February. Tickets start at $25. // 200 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway, Mt. Vernon
Magical Boots
Now through May 2025
Take a break from holiday shopping to admire the artwork of Great Falls resident Jean Jinho Kim. The South Korean native’s collection of sleek boot sculptures will be installed at Tysons Corner Center on Level 2, between Lucid and Michael Kors. // 1961 Chain Bridge Road, Tysons