Things to Do

Where & When: What to Do This Weekend

Free wine, Santas stumbling from bar to bar, gingerbread-house-making classes, an alternative holiday party, and lots more in this festively fun weekend.

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Thursday, December 11:Free wine, anybody? Domasoteca, in Rosslyn’s Hotel Palomar, hosts a complimentary mulled-wine tasting from 5 to 8. For additional information, call 703-594-5104.

Drinking for the holidays and for charity? That’s certainly something we can get behind. It’s happening this evening at the Adams Morgan bar Bourbon, when Bartending 4 Change hosts a happy hour  to benefit Hands on DC; 6:30 to 8:30.

Pianist and singer Dr. John, a colorful character even by New Orleans standards, performs a program named for his post-Katrina album, City That Care Forgot; $50. Performances at 8 and 10; buy tickets here.

Friday, December 12: The Girl Who Leapt Through Time, winner of the 2007 Japanese Academy Award for best animation, screens at 6:30 at the Japanese Cultural Center. Based on a 1965 novel by Yasutaka Tsutsui, the film is about a high-school girl who obtains the ability to leap back through time. Call 202-238-6949 for more information.

We’re big fans of the Federal Reserve, the local music collective (including fave bands These United States and Vandaveer) that gathers once a month at Iota to play twangy, folky rock and have some fun. If you’ve never checked it out, tonight’s an especially good time: The collective is hosting its annual holiday-fundraiser concert. Proceeds from this year’s event go to Community Lodgings, a local organization fighting homelessness. $12 at the door; 9 PM.

Billing itself as an “alternative Xmas party,” the Nightmare Before Christmas Holiday Party at Dissident Display Gallery on H Street, Northeast, should be a good time for those who are tired of standard office and family holiday parties. You can check out the current art exhibit, get wine, and dance until late to DJs Chris Burns and Adrian Loving. Best of all, there’s only a $5 donation at the door. Food and wine start at 7:30, dancing and music at 9.

Saturday, December 13: Never heard of St. Lucia Day before? It’s a national holiday in Sweden that marks the beginning of the holiday season and honors a young Christian girl, martyred in ancient Rome. Here in Washington, it’s apparently a reason to party, as the House of Sweden throws an upscale After Dark St. Lucia Ball tonight at 8. The event is black tie and includes a rooftop bar, a Swedish buffet, live music, and more. $80; get your tickets here.

It’s time for the annual Santa Stumble bar crawl in Georgetown! You might be able to guess what goes on from the event’s name: Folks dress up in crazy Santa costumes and, well, stumble from bar to bar. Things kick off at Third Edition at 4 PM, then move to Rhino Bar and later on to Garrett’s. Free, but charitable donations to the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society are suggested.

Head to Annapolis today for the Eastport Yacht Club Lights Parade and watch two fleets of boats light up Annapolis Harbor and Spa Creek. This year there’ll be about 100 boats. Skippers flip the lights on at 6; the parade goes until 8. Prime viewing spots include the Eastport Bridge, the Naval Academy, and City Dock. Free.

Sunday, December 14: Learn how to roll and decorate gingerbread people and houses at Just Cakes. Icing and decorations will be provided. There will be classes for toddlers and parents, children ages 9 to 11, and teens age 13 and older in three separate baking sessions. Parents and toddlers, 1 to 2:30 PM, $85; ages 9 to 11, 3:30 to 5, $85; teens 13 and older (December 20), 3 to 5:30, $85. Call 301-718-5111 for more information. See more holiday craft classes here.

The National Gallery’s free Sunday concerts often relate to current exhibits—but not in December. This month’s performers are exceptionally good, such as tonight’s—the New York Opera Society and soloists from Norway performing a Norwegian Christmas Festival. Doors open at 6 for a 6:30 performance; seating is first come, first served; no tickets required; 202-842-6941.

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