Washington’s landscape is undergoing its seasonal transformation. As if by elfish magic, evergreen trees appear, and studding the scene with twinkling lights. Last night, Union Station’s tree flickered awake inside the train station’s main hall. More lightings are scheduled this weekend and are set to shine through December.

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Any kid who has read From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler knows how cool it is to be at a museum after hours. Apparently, it’s just as much fun at the zoo. At Wednesday night’s opening of ZooLights—the National Zoo’s first-ever winter lights event—beaming toddlers and elementary-schoolers ran around looking at giant illuminated panda bears, elephants, lions, and more (all, by the way, lit with environmentally friendly LEDs), stopping off at the Reptile Discovery Center to make bird feeders out of cranberries and popcorn, and continuing to an outdoor stage with performances by area theater groups.

The event is more of a kid thing (women dressed as tigers throwing pretend punches as the Rocky theme plays appeals only to a certain age set), but all of that—plus hot chocolate and kettle corn—does make for a great night out with the family. And the ten-foot inflatable snow globe screams great photo op.

ZooLights, put on by Friends of the National Zoo, runs Wednesdays through Sundays from 6 to 8:30 pm through December 30. Tickets (available here) are $10, or $6 for FONZ members.

Thursday, November 29: Another happy hour for a good cause! (’Tis the season . . . .) Urbana (2121 P St., NW) hosts a “Red Hot Night” of appetizers and cocktails benefiting the Whitman-Walker Clinic. The $10 admission at the door gets you two specialty-cocktail tickets and hors d’oeuvres. 6 to 8:30 pm.

The hilarious comedian, writer, and actress Amy Sedaris will be at DC’s Sixth & I Historic Synagogue (600 I St., NW) at 8 pm. Tickets are $15 in advance, $25 at door, and are available here.

For the tenth year in a row, Norway is giving a 30-foot Christmas tree to the people of Washington in gratitude for the help the United States gave the Norwegian people under the Marshall Plan after World War II. The tree will be up through December. The tree lighting takes place at 6 pm at Union Station (50 Massachusetts Ave., NE). Free.

Looking for some “wild” Christmas lights? Head to the National Zoo, which is premiering “Zoo Lights,”  an event taking place every evening through December 30 from 6 to 8:30. Giant, larger-than-life-size light displays of zoo animals will be on display, and you can also enjoy hot chocolate and cookies, do a scavenger hunt, meet zookeepers, and more. $10. For tickets and more information, head here.

Friday, November 30: Director Freida Lee Mock presents her documentary about the personal and political life of Pulitzer Prize- and Tony Award-winning playwright Tony Kushner. The moving film will be shown at the AFI Silver Theatre (8633 Colesville Rd., Silver Spring) at 7 pm. Tickets ($6.75 to $9.75 ) are available here.

The Washington Jewish Film Festival kicks off, continuing through December 9 at various venues in DC, Maryland, and Virginia. Selections include Sweet Mud, which won the International Jury Award at the Sundance Film Festival; Beaufort, winner of best direction at the Berlin Film Festival; and Jellyfish, which snapped up the Camera d’Or at Cannes. The full schedule can be found here.

The Downtown Holiday Market will have 40 local vendors selling such items as photographs, jewelry, knits, paintings, and cultural crafts. Or just grab a beverage and food and enjoy the live music. More info here.

Downtown Holiday Market
202-638-3232
F St. between Seventh and Eighth sts., NW
Fridays and Sundays, December 7 through 23, noon to 8

The National Museum of the American Indian’s Holiday Art Market will feature Native American artists selling ceramics, baskets, beadwork, dolls, and more. A list of vendors and their wares is here.

Holiday Art Market
National Museum of the American Indian
Fourth St. and Independence Ave., SW
202-633-1000
Saturday and Sunday, December 8 and 9, 10 to 5:30

The National Museum of Women in the Arts will host its annual Holiday Gift Market, featuring textiles, jewelry, stationery, and more.

Holiday Gift Market
National Museum of Women in the Arts
1250 New York Ave., NW
Tuesday, December 4, 10 to 8; Wednesday, December 5, 10 to 5

The Norwegian-American Christmas Bazaar at Union Station is always fun, with everything from jewelry and calendars to dolls and ornaments. More information is here.

Norwegian-American Christmas Bazaar
Union Station
50 Massachusetts Ave., NW
202-289-1908
Saturday, December 8, 10 to 7; Sunday, December 9, 10 to 3:30

There are always treasures to be found at Capitol Hill’s Eastern Market,  including housewares, jewelry, gifts, and food.

Eastern Market
Seventh Street and North Carolina Ave., SE
202-543-7293
Arts-and-crafts market Saturdays and Sundays 9 to 6

If you’re looking for the freshest holiday produce, check out the Arlington Farmers’ Market. Here’s a chart of the products available. Free parking in the underground lot behind the Arlington Executive Building at 2009 N. 14th St.

Arlington Farmers’ Market
3308 S. Stafford St., Arlington
703-228-6423
Saturdays 9 to noon

If you like to buy market-quality goodies but aren’t thrilled by outdoor shopping in cold weather, buy local farmers-market merchandise—such as holiday wreaths—online.

Local Harvest

Monday, November 26: Head to the Corcoran for a discussion of the late artist Jeremy Blake’s works. Blake, who committed suicide earlier this year, pushed the boundaries of digital and video art. The Corcoran is now showing the exhibit “Wild Choir: Cinematic Portraits by Jeremy Blake.” Free for Corcoran members, $10 for the general public; 7 pm. Tickets are available here.

Tuesday, November 27: You know I love happy hours for good causes. You can’t do much better than the DC Habitat for Humanity Cocktail Hour and Silent Auction at this evening at 5:30 pm. It’s at O Street Mansion, off Dupont Circle, where cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, and a silent auction will mark the beginning of the holiday season. All proceeds from the auction benefit DC Habitat for Humanity’s mission. 2020 O Street NW; $20 per person (includes food). Tickets available here.

Thursday, November 22: It’s Thanksgiving Day, and you might be busy gorging yourself with stuffing, cranberry sauce, sweet potatoes . . . . But take a moment to remember those who aren’t so fortunate. Helping Washington’s disadvantaged is made easy by a variety of organizations. Donating even a small amount of time or money can make a big difference to those who are hungry. Read here for our list of organizations who help Washington’s needy.

If you’d like to spend at least part of Thanksgiving helping both a worthy cause and your waistline, join the Thanksgiving Turkey Trot 5K at West Potomac Park this morning at 8:30 AM. Your $20 registration goes to So Others Might Eat, an organization that helps the poor and homeless in DC. The starting line is on Ohio Drive between Independence Avenue and West Basin Drive. Call 202-797-8806 for more information.

It’s a tradition—Taint, the dance night that caters to the indie- and electronic-music-loving queer community (but welcomes anybody) takes place tonight in a special Thanksgiving Turkey Taint edition at DC9 (1940 Ninth St., NW; 202-483-5000). 9 PM; $5.

Not going away for Thanksgiving but looking for a bar to catch some football? Check out our guide to where to watch your favorite NFL team.