At this time of year, there are more things to do in the D.C. area than there are names on Santa’s “nice” list. Every night brings choices: Do you want to groove to holiday tunes or join a singalong? Should you head to a walk-through light display or go watch the Sugar Plum Fairy pirouette? And where are you going to find the perfect gift for your mom — or yourself?
We’ve combed through hundreds of offerings to compile this list of dozens of suggested holiday happenings, curating it to highlight a variety of activities and locations. We’ll be the first to admit we couldn’t squeeze in all of our favorite annual events. But don’t worry: This is far from the final word. We’ll have even more suggestions online, as well as in our weekly Things to Do guides, throughout the holiday season.
‘A Christmas Carol’ and cabarets
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‘A Christmas Carol’ at Ford’s Theatre
It’s almost impossible to imagine the holidays without the booming baritone of Craig Wallace, a juggernaut of the D.C. theater scene best known in early days for his Shakespearean work. Since 2016, he’s performed as the miserly Ebenezer Scrooge in Ford’s Theatre’s “A Christmas Carol,” a traditional version of the story set in Victorian London. The popular show, which has been a holiday fixture at Ford’s for more than four decades, runs through the end of December, with a sensory-friendly performance on Dec. 10. Plus, unlike some other productions, this one includes actual caroling. Select days through Dec. 31. Ford’s Theatre, 511 10th St. NW. fords.org. $33-$139.
‘A Christmas Carol’ at Olney Theatre Center
This classic telling of Charles Dickens’s ghost story is maybe the most traditional of the bunch — it’s performed the way Dickens himself recited the story on his world tour, as a solo show. About 99 percent of the text is drawn from the original novella, and Paul Morella plays 51 separate characters. In a show now celebrating 14 seasons, here’s what’s new this year: design elements like dry ice, shadows and fog, plus richer lighting design. It’s a “pop-up book come to life,” Morella writes. Select days through Dec. 31 with performances at 3 and 7:45 p.m. Olney Theatre Center, 2001 Olney Sandy Spring Rd., Olney. olneytheatre.org. $40-$55.
Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington’s ‘The Holiday Show’
The sure-to-sell-out annual extravaganza from the Gay Men’s Chorus is back this year with the return of old audience favorites (both holiday-related and not), dancers, fun costumes and lots of sparkles, plus an appearance from Santa. The full chorus is featured alongside the GenOUT Youth Chorus. Make sure to get tickets early. Dec. 2 and 9 at 8 p.m., Dec. 9 at 3 p.m., Dec. 10 at 5 p.m. Lincoln Theatre, 1215 U St. NW. gmcw.org. $25-$65.
Big Freedia’s Christmas in Central City Tour at 9:30 Club
“International bounce diva” (her words) Big Freedia has worked with artists from Beyoncé to Drake, but this season, she’s trading international pop stardom for something a little more Hallmark — if Hallmark soundtracks included tracks like “Make It Jingle” (“Lips are red/ Pockets are green/ ‘Tis the season to be queen”). Dec. 5 at 7 p.m. 9:30 Club, 815 V St. NW. 9:30.com. $26.
‘The Jinkx & DeLa Holiday Show’ at Capital One Hall
Christmas’s favorite drag queens Jinkx Monsoon and BenDeLaCreme return for an all-new edition of their holiday show at the Tysons Corner theater. The spectacle includes annual favorites alongside comedy skits and new songs (which, in previous years, featured a Christmas pageant and the “Nativity Twist”). The show contains mature themes and language, so leave the little ones at home for this one. Dec. 7 at 7 p.m. Capital One Hall, 7750 Capital One Tower Rd., Tysons. capitalonehall.com. $50-$353.
‘A John Waters Christmas’ at the Birchmere
The provocative filmmaker’s Christmas comedy tour is this year subtitled “Let’s Blow It Up!,” which is fitting based on topics of promised bits: “yuletide diseases with booster shots that actually get you high,” “kindergarten detention drag shows in Florida” and “gift certificates to the Dark Web for your parents.” Dec. 20 at 7:30 p.m. The Birchmere Music Hall, 3701 Mount Vernon Ave., Alexandria. birchmere.com. $60.