12 Beers of Christmas at Metrobar
Local brewers find inspiration in the holiday season, creating beers with winter spices, evergreens and other ingredients to pair with rich feasts — or just get us through the long nights. The 12 Beers of Christmas, a joint production from Metrobar and the DC Beer website and podcast, brings together a dozen holiday beers, including Old Ox’s Keg Nog spiced ale, Red Bear’s Spruce Almighty spruce tip lager, Silver Branch’s Gnome for the Holidays and Atlas’s Giant Flaming Zombie Polar Bear double IPA. Tickets include samples of all 12 beers, while brewers and brewery reps hanging out in Metrobar’s converted Metro car bar are on hand to answer questions. Full-size servings are available to purchase, as are cans and bottles to go. 2 to 5 p.m. $22.
Story District: ‘Top Shelf’ at Capital Turnaround
Storytelling organization Story District has debuted 86 original stories on various stages since March 2022, and while planning this show, a panel of judges looked over all those yarns in search of the best of the best. The panel’s eight favorite stories, all true tales told by the people who lived through them, will be heard again at Capital Turnaround during the 13th annual production of Story District’s “Top Shelf.” Note: The dress code is an imperative to “look fly” for this storyteller reunion show and party. 7:30 to 10 p.m. $35.
Still need a gift for a special someone? Here are three places to try on Saturday. The Black Cat’s long-running Rock ’N’ Shop features vintage clothing, records and knickknacks at the 14th Street nightclub, plus a soundtrack by Les the DJ. (4 p.m. Free.) DC Brau hosts Crafty Draftsters, bringing more than 20 local makers and artisans to its Northeast Washington brewery, alongside family-friendly activities, food trucks and limited-edition beers. (11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Free.) Santa is among the special guests at the Anacostia Arts Center’s Umoja Market, which includes Black-owned businesses, live music, a Kwanzaa presentation and a meet-and-greet with Black Santa at Mahogany Books. (10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Free.)
Madonna’s career-spanning Celebration tour finally hits Capital One Arena on Monday and Tuesday, after being postponed earlier this year. If you just can’t wait until then, two parties start celebrating the Material Girl on Saturday night. Ed Bailey, who co-founded the Madonnarama party at Tracks back in 1995 and eventually took the concept around the country, is on the decks at Trade for the Madonna Dance Party, alongside Wessthedj, starting at 10 p.m. A few blocks away at the Kimpton Banneker, the Madonna Night at the rooftop Lady Bird bar features performances by drag queen Evry Pleasure, a DJ spinning Madonna tunes and Madonna-themed cocktails. Madonna-themed outfits are suggested. The party runs from 7 to 11 p.m., and no reservations are required, so get there early. Both events are free.
‘Mario Kart Mayhem’ at Uproar
Quick: Donkey Kong or Princess Peach? The LGBTQ gaming group DC Gaymers is reviving its round-robin “Mario Kart” tournaments this weekend, with “as many four-race rounds as possible” in different cups before the top four battle it out. 6 to 9:30 p.m. $3 entry fee; includes three raffle tickets.
Cathedral Choral Society’s ‘Joy of Christmas’ at Washington National Cathedral
Washington National Cathedral’s resident choir presents two performances of “Joy of Christmas,” which starts with “Once in Royal David’s City” and builds into a sweeping epic of horns, bells and dozens of voices. To skip the ticket cost, register for the live stream for pay-what-you-wish. Saturday at 2 and 6 p.m., Sunday at 4 p.m. $42-$95.
Cleveland Park Santa Bar Crawl
Wear a Santa hat or costume to this bar crawl down Cleveland Park’s main strip of Connecticut Avenue NW shops. A mini-Santa Con, this tour takes you to a new location (and new drink) every hour, starting with Atomic Billiards, then Cleveland Park Bar and Grill, Fat Pete’s BBQ and, finally, Nanny O’Brien’s. Proceeds from the ticket sales benefit Cleveland Park Main Street, which supports local businesses. 5 to 9 p.m. $15.
Fairfax Symphony Orchestra and Fairfax Ballet’s ‘The Nutcracker’
Hosted at George Mason’s Center for the Arts, this performance of Tchaikovsky’s “The Nutcracker” is one of the few in the D.C. area to feature a live orchestra. It also features soloists from the New York City Ballet. Saturday and Sunday at 4 p.m. $49-$89.