MONDAY, DECEMBER 21
MUSIC: Listen Local First DC and the 9 Songwriter Series are joining forces once again for a Holiday Spectacular at the Kennedy Center’s Millennium Stage. Nine local artists, including bluegrass singer Justin Trawick, Mary Ellen Funke of the electro-pop band Tigers Are Bad For Horses and pop-soul songstress Cecily will be gracing the stage for an hour of holiday music. The eclectic mix of musical styles promises to make this performance very merry and bright. Free, 6 PM
RUN: Sixth and I Historic Synagogues’s running club is not one of those high-stress exercise groups you can find all over this type-A city. Runners of all experience levels are welcome to join in on the fun, choosing between two- or four-mile routes at any pace. And afterward, everyone grabs a nosh. Entry fee $12, 6:15 PM
DRINK: Today is the first day of winter, and while the weather doesn’t appear to be dropping to seasonally normal temperatures, the long, sunny days are long over. City Taphouse invites you to look on the bright side and sample a “California Dreamin’“ selection of West Coast beers, tropical drinks, and tacos. It’ll almost feel like you’re relaxing along the Santa Monica Pier instead of simply trying to make it through the rest of the short week.
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 22
FILM: For some people, holiday rituals involve making cookies, listening to Nat King Cole, and viewing It’s A Wonderful Life. For the rest of us, it’s watching John McClane jump off Nakatomi Plaza tethered to a fire hose at the same moment the top of the building explodes into flames. Die Hard, easily the greatest action film to ever take place on Christmas Eve, is playing at the AFI Silver Theatre. $13, 9:20 PM
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23
ZOO: With many locals leaving town to spend time with their families, tonight is the perfect night to catch the Friends of the National Zoo’s Zoo Lights. Check out your favorite exhibits at the National Zoo underneath more than 500,000 environmentally-friendly, festive LED lights. You’ll also have the opportunity to listen to live music, snap a picture with Panda Claws, sip on some hot chocolate or egg nog, and shop for last-minute gifts. Free, 5 PM
DANCE Celebrate Christmas the honky-tonk way at the Black Cat At Hickory Dave’s Honky Tonk Christmas, DJ “Hickory” Dave Curtis will be spinning the good, bad, and ugly of country, western, and hillbilly music. Free, 7:30 PM
