Local performances to bring cheer

The holidays aren’t just about food and gifts. There are plenty of performances around the city to help you celebrate this season.

Here are a few:

“A Broadway Christmas Carol”
MetroStage, Nov. 21–Dec. 22
Thursdays and Fridays, 8 p.m.; Saturdays, 3 p.m. and 8 p.m.; Sundays, 3 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Tickets: $50 (Wednesday, Nov. 27, at 7 p.m.: $35)
No performance on Thanksgiving
www.metrostage.org

“A Christmas Carol”
Ford’s Theatre, Nov. 21–Jan. 1
Matinee and evening performances
Tickets: $32–$87
www.fords.org/event/christmas-carol

Joffrey Ballet’s “The Nutcracker”
The Kennedy Center, Nov. 27–Dec. 1
Matinee and evening performances
Tickets: $34–$155
www.kennedy-center.org


“A Commedia Christmas Carol” 
by Faction of Fools
Gallaudet University – Elstad Auditorium, Nov. 29–Dec. 22 (weekends)
Matinee and evening performances
Tickets: $30 (children, student, military, and senior discounts available)

Suzuki Cello Studio of Alicia Javkhlan
George Washington’s Mount Vernon – Education Center lobby, Nov. 30, 2 p.m.
Free with general admission tickets (adult: $17; child: $8)
www.mountvernon.org

The Voice of the Clarinet in Jewish 
Classical Music: Alexander Fiterstein and Friends
The Kennedy Center, Dec. 1, 7:30 p.m.
Tickets: $38
www.kennedy-center.org

“A Christmas Carol”
Olney Theatre Center, Dec. 1–29
Matinee and evening performances
Tickets: $36 (adult); $18 (student)

Capital Reeds
George Washington’s Mount Vernon–Education Center lobby, Dec. 1, 2 p.m.
Free with general admission tickets (adult: $17; child: $8)
www.mountvernon.org

Cantus: All is Calm: The Christmas Truce of 1914
The Kennedy Center, Dec. 5, 7:30 p.m.
Tickets: $49
www.kennedy-center.org

“A Christmas Carol”
Little Theatre of Alexandria, Dec. 5–22
Matinee and evening performances
Tickets: $15

Handel’s “Messiah”
The National Cathedral, Dec. 6–8
Friday, 7:30 p.m.; Saturday /Sunday 4 p.m.
Tickets: $29–$85
www.nationalcathedral.org

Festival of Lights
LDS Washington, D.C., Temple Visitor’s Center, Dec. 6–Jan. 1
Live musical performances daily, 7 and 9 p.m.
Tickets: Free (available 90 minutes before each performance)
dctemplelights.lds.org

“Scrooge!”
Gaithersburg Arts Barn, Dec. 6–22
Friday and Saturday, 8 p.m.; Sunday, 2 p.m.
Tickets: $18 non–residents/ $16 Gaithersburg residents

Oakhill Trio
George Washington’s Mount Vernon–Education Center lobby, Dec. 7, 2 p.m.
Free with general admission tickets (adult: $17; child: $8)
www.mountvernon.org

NPR’s A Jazz Piano Christmas
The Kennedy Center, Dec. 7, 7:30 and 9:30 p.m.
Tickets: $45–$55
www.kennedy-center.org

The Christmas Revels
GW Lisner Auditorium, Dec. 7–15
Matinees and evening performances
Tickets: $12–$50
www.revelsdc.org

“Happy Holidays!” 
with Brian Stokes Mitchell
The Kennedy Center, Dec. 12–14
Evening performances (matinee on Saturday)
Tickets: $20–$85
www.kennedy-center.org

“An Irish Carol”
Keegan Theatre, Dec. 13–29
Thursday–Saturday, 8 p.m.; Sunday, 3 p.m.
Tickets: $30–$35
keegantheatre.com

Kwanzaa Celebration 2013
GWU Dorothy Betts Marvin Theatre, Dec. 14, 8 p.m.
Tickets: $25 (adult); $12 (child)
www.kennedy-center.org

Washington National Opera: WNO Commission Holiday Family Opera: “The Lion, the Unicorn, and Me”
The Kennedy Center, Dec. 14–22
Matinee and evening performances
Tickets: $34–$54
www.kennedy-center.org

Joy of Christmas
The National Cathedral, Dec. 14–15, 4 p.m.
Family matinee on Dec. 14, 12 p.m. ($25)
Tickets: $31 and up
www.nationalcathedral.org

The Washington Chorus: A Candlelight Christmas
The Kennedy Center, Dec. 15–22
Matinee and evening performances
Tickets: $15–$70
www.kennedy-center.org

The Choral Arts Society of Washington: An Enchanted Christmas
The Kennedy Center, Dec. 16–24
Matinee and evening performances
Tickets: $15–$75
www.kennedy-center.org

“Elf” the musical
The Kennedy Center
Dec. 17–Jan.5
Matinee and evening performances
Tickets: $25–$150
www.kennedy-center.org


National Symphony Orchestra: Handel’s “Messiah”
The Kennedy Center
Dec. 19–22
Evening performances (Sunday matinee, 1 p.m.)
Tickets: $10–$85
www.kennedy-center.org

Children’s Christmas Pageant
The National Cathedral
Dec. 21, 2 p.m.
Free
www.nationalcathedral.org

Fort Hunt Fox Chimes
George Washington’s Mount Vernon – Education Center lobby
Dec. 21, 2 p.m.
Free with general admission tickets (adult: $17; child: $8)
www.mountvernon.org

Treble and Lyric Choirs of the Fairfax Choral Society
George Washington’s Mount Vernon – Education Center lobby
Dec. 22, 2 p.m.
Free with general admission tickets (adult: $17; child: $8)
www.mountvernon.org

Carols by Candlelight
The National Cathedral
Dec. 22–24, 6 p.m.
Tickets: Handling fee only ($4)
www.nationalcathedral.org

“Messiah” sing–along
The Kennedy Center
Dec. 23, 8 p.m.
Tickets: Free tickets will be distributed beginning at 6 p.m. on the day of the performance in the Hall of Nations. Two tickets per person in line.
www.kennedy-center.org

Christmas Day Organ Recital
The National Cathedral
Dec. 25, 5:15 p.m.
Tickets: $10 recommended donation
www.nationalcathedral.org

A Jazz New Year’s Eve: Straighten Up and Fly Right: The Nat King Cole Tribute with Ramsey Lewis and John Pizzarelli
The Kennedy Center
Dec. 31, 7:30 and 9:30 p.m.
Tickets: $85–$95
www.kennedy-center.org

“Ray, Motown, and Beyond New Year’s Eve at The Kennedy Center” with Ellis Hall
The Kennedy Center
Dec. 31, 8:30 p.m.
Tickets: $55–$115
www.kennedy-center.org