Posted on December 6, 2013 by Miller and Smith Blog Team
Buy the tree. Decorate the tree. Send the cocktail party invites. Mix the eggnog. Buy the gifts. Wrap the gifts. Hide Elf on the Shelf. Every. Single. Morning. Besides this very typical list of holiday chores leading up to the main event, why not celebrate the best of the season with these festive local activities. From DC to Brambleton, Silver Spring to Fredericksburg, this list has you covered no matter which Miller & Smith community you call home.
Holiday Cookie and Wine Pairing
In celebration of the holiday season, Executive Chef of the Grandale Restaurant has created a fun and festive cookie and wine pairing for the 868 Estate Tasting Room.
Let these wine conossouiers guide you through a tasting where the experience of food and wine, perfectly paired, will elevate both. It’s a favorite of Santa’s, when he’s not driving, of course. And what better way to experience the tastes of the holidays than with a Cookie and Wine pairing, really?
Event Dates: 12/14, 12/15, 12/21, 12/22
Event Time: 11am-6pm
Admission Fee/Ticket Price: $20
Event Time: 11am-6pm
Admission Fee/Ticket Price: $20
Location:
868 Estate Vineyards
14001 Harpers Ferry Rd
Purcellville, VA 20132
Phone: 540-668-7008
Website: http://868estatevineyards.com/
Family Fun Day at the Jewish Community Center of Greater Washington
Although it’s the one day a year that most local establishments are closed, this year on December 25th, the Jewish Community Center of Greater Washington is hosting a full day packed with family fun. Bring your swimming suits because the pool is open from 10 a.m. to noon. You can stop by the family gym between 10 a.m and 1 p.m. To complete the family fun, a free viewing of the film “Monsters University” will be shown at 12:30 p.m.
Event Dates: 12/25
Event Time: The Center is open during regular hours 5:30 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Admission Fee/Ticket Price: FREE!
Location:
6125 Montrose Road
Rockville MD
Phone: 301.348.3712
Website: http://www.jccgw.org/event/family-fun-day/
Gingerbread House Decorating
Making gingerbread houses has become a tradition that the whole family can enjoy together. For families living in our Brambleton community, just down the road at the Lansdowne Resort, two decorating events will be held on one day. To distract the confectionary architects from eating all the building supplies, cookies and a beverage station with hot chocolate, coffee and tea will be available.
Event Date: 12/15
Event Times: 9am-12pm and 2pm-5pm
Location:
Lansdowne Resort
44050 Woodridge Pkwy
Leesburg, VA 20176
Phone: 703-726-1449 (Ask for Valerie Voltz)
Website: http://www.LansdowneResort.com/holidays
Jingle Bell Carriage Rides
Get in the holiday spirit and listen to the jingle bells as the carriage rambles through Fredericksburg’s 40 blocks of historic neighborhoods. These evening tours are a great way to view the city decorated in its unique holiday charm, with its cobbled streets and picturesque architecture. On this 50-minute fun-filled carriage ride through historic downtown Fredericksburg, you’ll get to discover the beautiful holiday lights, listen to some holiday music and enjoy some yummy holiday cookies.
Don’t forget to bring some hot chocolate and warm blankets to round out your holiday experience.
Event Dates: November 3, 2013 – January 3, 2014
Event Times: 4:00pm – 8:00pm
Admission Fee/Ticket Price: $100-$120 Depending on carriage purchased for the evening.
Location:
706 Caroline Street
Fredericksburg, VA 22401
Phone: (540) 371-0094
Website: http://oldetownecarriages.com
Seasons Greenings at the United States Botanic Garden
Come in from the cold and enjoy the sights, scents and sounds of an indoor winter wonderland complete with poinsettia showcase, grove of conifer trees and one of the largest, decorated Christmas trees in all of DC. Especially fun for the kids, discover a fantasy train display in the East Gallery, which chugs along more than 800 feet of track and through imaginative structures all constructed out of plant materials. Come on a Tuesday or Thursday and enjoy live, seasonal music
Event Dates: November 28, 2013 – January 5, 2014
Event Times: 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Location:
100 Maryland Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20001
Phone: (202) 225-8333
Website: http://www.usbg.gov/exhibits
Gaylord National Resort’s ICE!
Step inside this winter wonderland created entirely of 5,000 BLOCKS of ice weighing 1.5 million pounds! The ice displays are hand-sculpted by 40 international artisans and kept at a chilling nine degrees Fahrenheit. With a new theme each year, this year families can expect to enjoy “Twas The Night Before Christmas,” with a special bonus scene depicting Christmas in New York City. Bundle up and prepare to be amazed!
Event Dates: November 15, 2013 – January 5, 2014
Location:
201 Waterfront Street
National Harbor, Maryland 20745
Phone: 301-965-4000
Website: http://www.marriott.com/hotel-info/wasgn-gaylord-national-resort-and-convention-center/christmas-on-the-potomac/xyjvxiz/ice.mi
Kwanzaa Celebration at George Washington University
Come and kick off Kwanzaa with a night full of celebration, dance, music, song and rhythm centered on the seven principles of Kwanzaa. In this performance for all ages, Coyaba Dance Theater welcomes the holiday season with live music, exuberant dancing and a true community of dancers.
Event Dates: 12/14
Event Time: 8:00 p.m.
Admission Fee/Ticket Price: $25 adult, 12 child advance; $30 adult, $15 child at the door
Location:
GWU Dorothy Betts Marvin Theatre
800 21st St NW, Washington, DC 20052
Phone: (202) 994-6800
Website: http://www.danceplace.org/events/kwanzaa-celebration-2013/
National Christmas Tree
For the last 90 years, the National Christmas Tree has been bringing citizens together to kick-off the holiday season. A visit to the White House Ellipse not only reveals the giant Christmas tree, but visitors also can enjoy the Pathway of Peace, which includes 56 smaller trees adorned with handmade ornaments from each of the 50 states. Get a sneak peak at Santa in his workshop as he and the elves make and prepare the toys for all the good girls and boys.
Event Dates: Lighting Ceremony on December 6, 2013 and open for viewing through January 1, 2013
Event Times: 10:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Admission Fee/Ticket Price: FREE!
Location: The Ellipse near the White House
Website: http://thenationaltree.org/
Wolf Trap National Park Holiday Sing-A-Long
Join in and sing Christmas carols and Hanukkah songs with the United States Marine Band vocal groups from the metropolitan Washington area. The audience is invited to bring candles to light during the last verse of “Silent Night,” the final song of the program. There also is a ‘Jing-A-Long’ during the singing of JingleBells, so bring a bell along with your candle. Admission is free and no tickets are required, but attendees are encouraged to bring an unwrapped toy for the Christmastime charity, Toys for Tots.
Event Dates: December 7, 2013
Event Times: 4:00 p.m.
Admission Fee/Ticket Price: FREE!
Location:
1635 Trap Road
Vienna, VA 22182
Phone: (703) 255-1900
Website: http://www.wolftrap.org/Find_Performances_and_Events/Event/Holiday_Sing.aspx
ZooLights at the National Zoo
The National Zoo presents a seasonal display of thousands of sparkling animated lights, winter-themed crafts, ice sculpting demonstrations, choral groups, and storytellers. This year, ZooLights is brighter than ever! More than 500,000 environmentally-friendly LED lights will transform the zoo into a winter wonderland. Lit animal silhouettes, musical light displays, and a new garden scene light sculpture make for truly magical sights!
Event Dates: November 29, 2013-January 1, 2014
Event Times: 5:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Admission Fee/Ticket Price: FREE!
Location:
3001 Connecticut Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20008
Phone: 202.633.4888
Website: http://nationalzoo.si.edu/ActivitiesAndEvents/Celebrations/ZooLights/
Holly TrolleyFest
Visitors to this year’s Holly TrolleyFest, at the National Capital Trolley Museum, can ride through town aboard a streetcar with an extra special passenger. That’s right. Santa will be aboard on your ride through Northwest Branch Park. When your ride is through, stop by Santa’s Garden and see the toy train display.
Event Dates: Saturdays and Sundays during December
Event Times: Noon until 5:00 p.m.
Admission Fee/Ticket Price: Adults: $7.00, Children: $5
Location:
1313 Bonifant Road
Colesville, MD 20905-5955
Phone: 301-384-6088
Website: http://www.dctrolley.org/
Mr. Claus
Celebrate the joys of the holiday season with a tale of Christmas the whole family will be sure to enjoy. This original musical blends popular seasonal songs from Christmases past and present, with the star of the show, Mr. Claus, of course.
Event Dates: December 1, December 6 – 7, 13 – 15, 19 – 21, 27 – 28, 2013
Location:
5 Willowtree Dr.
Frederick, MD 21702
Phone: 301-662-6600
Website: http://www.wayoffbroadway.com/