Heading off campus may feel like a distant thought as finals approach, but you can carve time out of your day to ring in the best time of the year.
From classic holiday ballet shows at Warner Theatre to Charlie Brown-themed jazz concerts to magical cirque performances, there’s something for everyone to do before you go home to celebrate more with family.
‘The Nutcracker’ by The Washington Ballet
This year marks the 75th anniversary of the Washington School of Ballet, and you can help celebrate at its annual performance of The Nutcracker. The show is set in 1882 Georgetown and features characters like George Washington and King George III. More than 100 talented dancers from the Washington School of Ballet will take the stage at the performance, which runs from Saturday to Dec. 29.
Warner Theatre, 513 13th St. NW, Nov. 30 to Dec. 29. Tickets range from $31 to $185.
‘The Christmas Revels: Celestial Fools’
The Washington Revels, a Washington-based theatre group dedicated to celebrating cultural traditions like Arab folk dance and African American storytelling, are performing “The Christmas Revels: Celestial Fools” in Lisner Auditorium. The show features three people who bring light to the darkest winter days through singing and dancing. Attendees are encouraged to sing along to the holiday tunes and dance to the music alongside more than 100 performers ranging from 9 to 90 years old.
Lisner Auditorium, 730 21st St. NW, Dec. 7 to 8, Dec. 13 to 15. Tickets from $9 to $65
‘A Charlie Brown Christmas’ with The Eric Byrd Trio
The D.C.-based band The Eric Byrd Trio, which has received the honor of the Kennedy Center and U.S. State Department Jazz Ambassadors, is sponsored by the U.S. Embassy to play its music across the world. For years, the group has performed the soundtrack to “A Charlie Brown Christmas” across the District. Band players will perform the album this year at The Hamilton LIVE, which features a lineup of local musicians at The Hamilton restaurant.
The Hamilton Live, 600 14th St. NW, Dec. 1. Tickets from $14.75 to $34.75
National Symphony Orchestra: Ugly Sweater Holiday Concert
D.C.’s own National Symphony Orchestra will perform at the Anthem Dec. 11 wearing ugly Christmas sweaters to ring in the season. Join the orchestra and wear your own ugly sweater to the performance while you listen to holiday songs. The orchestra will also play a rendition of “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix” this week at the Kennedy Center, where you can also watch the movie on the big screen.
The Anthem, 901 Wharf St. SW, Dec. 11. Tickets from $15 to $35.
