‘Tis the season to get, well, seasonal. The holidays are almost upon us, bringing a cornucopia of festive events and preparations. But not every happening about town is holiday-centric. You’ll also find all kinds of plays, concerts and art shows to get your culture fix. Pull up that scheduling app. You’ve got some planning to do.
Synetic Theater: Frankenstein or the Modern Prometheus
Set in a post-apocalyptic world, Synetic Theater’s latest production melds Mary Shelley’s classic monster tale with the Greek myth of Prometheus, the Titan god of intelligence and foresight, who created humankind, gave them the gift of fire and was punished for doing so. It’s a dark and dynamic meditation on the timeless pursuit of creation and control. Catch the show Nov. 1-23 at the Thomas Jefferson Community Theatre. Tickets are $45-$65. 125 S. Old Glebe Road, Arlington
Signature Theatre: Fiddler on the Roof
A poor Jewish milkman strives to honor tradition while confronting a changing world and the rise of anti-Semitism in Czarist Russia. Iconic songs such as Sunrise Sunset and If I Were a Rich Man resonate in this classic story of family, community and resilience. The show runs Nov. 4-Jan. 25, 2026. See website for show times and ticket prices. 4200 Campbell Ave., Arlington
Peter Pan and Wendy at Creative Cauldron
This imaginative musical adaptation follows Peter and Wendy on their adventures through Neverland, complete with mermaid divas, a brave band of warriors and rascal pirates led by Captain Hook. The Creative Cauldron production runs Nov. 7-23, with performances at 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Tickets start at $20; $18 for students. Creative Cauldron, 127 E. Broad St., Falls Church
Cuffing Season Mix & Mingle Happy Hour
Meet your match for the colder months (or maybe even for life) at this Rosslyn BID singles event Nov. 13, 5:30-7:30 p.m. The gathering will take place at the NOW Pop-Up Park, and a $10 ticket purchased in advance includes a free drink. A limited number of tickets for walk-ins will be sold at the door for $15. 1401 Wilson Blvd., Arlington (Rosslyn)
Chesterbrook Friendsgiving
Celebrate the renovation of the Chesterbrook Shopping Center with a Friendsgiving Open House. Free to attend, the event will feature live jazz performances, carnival games, alpacas and goats from My Pet Alpaca, and more. Check it out Nov. 14, 6-8 p.m. 6224 Old Dominion Drive, McLean
Dinking to Defeat Parkinson’sÂ
Put your pickleball skills to good use by participating in this event to benefit YMCA of Metropolitan Washington programs that help people with Parkinson’s disease. The event will include a JOOLA Pro Exhibition Match, an interactive all-levels clinic, a silent auction, and a round-robin tournament open to players of any skill level who want to play alongside world-class pickleball professionals. Registration costs $99-$149. Get on the ball Nov. 15, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. YMCA Arlington Tennis & Pickleball Center, 3422 13th St., N., Arlington
Columbia Pike Artist Studios Fall Open Studios Event
Take a peek inside 22 local artists’ studios at this showcase event on the Pike Nov. 15, 5-8 p.m., and Nov. 16, 2-5 p.m. Creatives working in a variety of media—painting, sculpture, printmaking, drawing and mixed media—will be on hand to discuss their art. This event is free and open to the public. 932 S. Walter Reed Drive, Arlington (Columbia Pike)
Heroes on the Highway Community Event
Head to Strawberry Park in the Mosaic District on Nov. 16, 9 a.m.-noon, to learn about the first responders on the scene after traffic incidents. Dedicated to fostering safer conditions for all road users, this event will include reps from the Fairfax County Police Department, Virginia Department of Transportation, Virginia State Police and the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department. 2910 District Ave., Fairfax (Mosaic District)
Author Talk: Brian Goldstone
Fairfax County Public Library and Shelter House host a conversation between the author of There is No Place for Us: Working and Homeless in America and Annemarie Cuccia, editor in chief of Street Sense Media, which covers homelessness and poverty in D.C. Best for ages 18 and up, the Nov. 17, 6:30-9 p.m., program is free to attend, but registration is required. 1st Stage, 1524 Spring Hill Road, Tysons
Dominion Guild Merry Market
Get a head start on your holiday shopping during Dominion Guild’s two-day pop-up bazaar featuring 25 local vendors. Peruse jewelry, linens, aromatherapy, garden goods and other giftable wares and support great causes. The fun kicks off with a Bubbly & Bites evening on Tuesday, Nov. 18, 5-8 p.m., followed by a full day of shopping on Nov. 19 from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. with proceeds benefiting a handful of local nonprofits, including 703 Warriors, Doorways, Arlington Neighborhood Village and OAR of Arlington. A premium package for $75 includes admission both days, plus two raffle tickets and a signature champagne cocktail on Tuesday evening. A standard $55 ticket gains admission both days, while Wednesday-only admission is $15. Knights of Columbus, 5115 Little Falls Road, Arlington
Christmas Tree Mosaic Workshop
Flex your creative muscle by making your family’s next holiday heirloom Nov. 20, 5:30-8:15 p.m., at Caboose Commons. The $45 registration gets you all materials, tools and instruction for making a Christmas tree mosaic under the tutelage of Glenn Bliss of @craft_clubnova. 2918 Eskridge Road, Fairfax (Mosaic District)
Paula Poundstone at The Birchmere
The comedy legend will perform at The Birchmere on Nov. 21 and 22, 7:30 p.m. A familiar face on HBO specials and a raucous voice on NPR’s Wait, Wait…Don’t Tell Me!, Poundstone hosts a weekly podcast called Nobody Listens to Paula Poundstone. Tickets are $59.50. 3701 Mount Vernon Ave., AlexandriaÂ
D.C.’s Umbrella Art Fair
This fifth annual free event returns to the District Nov. 21-23, filling more than 35,000 square feet of vacant space with mixed-media, contemporary artworks. This year, food vendors will also be on hand. All proceeds from the sale of artwork goes directly to the artists. International Square, 1850 K St., N.W., Washington, D.C.
MCC Holiday Gingerbread House Decorating
Take a prebuilt gingerbread abode and make it your own at this festive McLean Community Center event on Nov. 22, 10 a.m.-noon. Each house costs $45 ($35 if you live in the MCC district). Put your design taste to the test and then taste your design. 1234 Ingleside Ave., McLean
Falls Church Arts: Kinship
This all-media visual art exhibit from Falls Church Arts explores the bonds connecting various communities, families and cultures. The Juror’s Choice Award will be announced at an opening reception Nov. 22, 7-9 p.m. The exhibit runs through Jan. 4. 700 W. Broad St., Falls Church
A Tribute for Trans Day of Remembrance
This tribute concert honoring those lost to anti-transgender violence features works by trans composer inti figgis-vizueta and performances by drag artist Kirby the Drag Queen. Half of ticket sales benefit Safe Space NoVA, a nonprofit serving LGBTQ+ youth. Tickets for the Nov. 22, 7:30 p.m., performance are $25; free for students and youth. Falls Church Episcopal, 115 E. Fairfax St., Falls Church
Arlington Turkey Trot
Run for a cause this Thanksgiving and earn your turkey and stuffing. The annual 5K fundraiser, which celebrates its 20th anniversary this year, benefits a number of Arlington nonprofits. Registration is $50; $25 for kids ages 6-17; free for children under 6. Lace up and bundle up for this brisk morning run on Nov. 27, 8 a.m. 3020 N. Pershing Drive, Arlington
A Victorian Christmas
Visit the historic Cherry Hill Farmhouse in Falls Church on Nov. 29, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., to see how Christmas was celebrated during the Victorian age. Costumed re-enactors will welcome friends and neighbors to gather for holiday cheer during the 1860s and 1870s. Period decorations, music, Christmas carols and children’s activities are all part of the festivities. Admission is free. 312 Park Ave., Falls Church
Arlington Artists Alliance: Ceremony
The Arlington Artists Alliance‘s juried member show explores the meaning behind celebrations and gatherings that commemorate life’s milestones. This exhibit runs through Nov. 30 and admission is free. 2700 Clarendon Blvd., Arlington (Clarendon)
Winter Wonderfest at Nationals Park
On select days from Nov. 28-Dec. 24, the D.C. ballpark will feel more like a ski chalet—minus the skiing. Race down snow tubing hills, try curling and hurl snowballs as fast as you can. Recharge by enjoying lighted art installations and a Northern Lights-inspired light show. When you get hungry, roast marshmallows and sip seasonal cocktails in a hidden speakeasy inside the batting cage. Tickets are $29.50. 1500 S. Capitol St., S.E., Washington, D.C.Â
Taco Bell DC 50K
If you like Taco Bell, this is a can’t-miss. Things could get spicy as participants will run from and to a Taco Bell Cantina in Alexandria, making nine stops at other of the chain’s locations in Arlington, D.C. and Alexandria along the way—and eating something off the menu at each. Runners have 11 hours to finish the 50K, which is Nov. 29, 8 a.m. (The fast-food chain is not an event sponsor.) Register for free here, but expect to purchase nine Taco Bell meals, says ultramathoner Mike Wardian, an Arlington resident who developed the event with Pete Hargis. 417 King St, Alexandria
Langley and McLean Crew Turkey Trot
After all the turkey and Black Friday shopping, run off the tryptophan hangover at this event Nov. 29, 9 a.m. The fourth annual 5K run and walk supports the crew teams at Langley and McLean high schools. Registration is $50. 6520 Georgetown Pike, McLean
McLean Art Society’s Pop-Up Art Gallery
Visit the McLean Art Society‘s newly opened gallery in the Chesterbrook Shopping Center to check out works by 32 of the organization’s members. Open Wednesday-Sunday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., through Dec. 31, the gallery will serve as a cultural hub for art enthusiasts of all levels. 6224 Old Dominion Drive, McLean