Udvar-Hazy Center 20th Anniversary Celebration
The Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center is located far from the National Mall, but since 2020, as the Air and Space Museum undergoes significant renovations and requires timed entry tickets, the Chantilly museum has actually drawn more visitors than its D.C. counterpart. It’s a much bigger museum — before its 2003 opening, officials noted the original Air and Space building could fit inside Udvar-Hazy’s hangar. It has to be big to hold the space shuttle Enterprise, an Air France Concorde and an SR-71 Blackbird reconnaissance plane. Celebrate two decades of Udvar-Hazy this weekend, with behind-the-scenes tours of the Mary Baker Engen Restoration Hangar, talks with curators about some of the artifacts in the collection, a discussion with namesake benefactor Steven F. Udvar-Hazy and hands-on family activities. Important detail: Parking, which usually costs $15, will be free. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Free.
Wharf Holiday Boat Parade
Watch more than 60 boats adorned with sparkling light displays traverse a mile-long parade route at the Wharf’s boat parade. The procession begins at the tip of Hains Point up to the Washington Channel, culminating at the Wharf’s docks — which is where you’ll want to stay to observe, since the party continues on land there, too. There’s a fireworks display, which you can watch from the piers with warm drinks from the Corona pop-up. Stroll under giant mistletoe on Pearl Street, watch live holiday music at the District Pier and Transit Pier stages, snap a picture with Santa at the Grove, or grab a s’mores kit and roast your own marshmallows at Camp WAFF (which is open through February). The festivities benefit Washington Area Fuel Fund, a nonprofit that provides energy to families undergoing financial hardship. 6 to 9 p.m. Free.
Dupont Circle Holiday Pop-up
Over 50 vendors are attending this year’s Dupont Circle Holiday Pop-up, selling handmade pottery, textiles, wood crafts, jewelry, home decor, artwork and more. New this year are roving carolers, hot chocolate and popcorn in Dupont Circle park. This pop-up takes place along Connecticut Avenue, P Street NW and 17th Street NW (noon to 5 p.m., free), but look around the neighborhood and you’ll find a few more. Find some funkier selections at Dupont Underground’s market (noon to 5 p.m., free) and something for the plant lover in your life at PLNTR (noon to 5 p.m., free).
Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington’s ‘The Holiday Show’ at Lincoln Theatre
The sure-to-sell-out annual extravaganza from the Gay Men’s Chorus is back this year with the return of old audience favorites (both holiday-related and not), dancers, fun costumes and lots of sparkles, plus an appearance from Santa. The full chorus is featured alongside the GenOUT Youth Chorus. Make sure to get tickets early, but if you miss this show, there are also performances on Dec. 8, 9 and 10. 8 p.m. $25-$65.
Old Town Scottish Walk and Boat Parade
The colonial streets of Old Town Alexandria come alive with light-strung trees this time of year, but there’s no more festive day than Dec. 2, the calendar square that holds both the annual Scottish walk and boat parade. The former isn’t exclusively a Christmas tradition, but a celebration of the town’s Scottish merchant founders that features a procession of kilt wearers with colorful tartans, pipe and drum bands, and terriers and hounds. Sometime in its past five decades, it morphed to include holiday flair, too. (11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Free.) That evening, Old Town’s boat parade kicks off with dozens of brightly lit ships cruising along a mile of the Potomac River. Dockside festivities include a pop-up beer garden from Port City Brewing Company. (5:30 p.m. Free.)
Britney’s Bombastic Birthday at DC9
Celebrate the birthday of pop princess Britney Spears with a drag show and dance party in her honor. Nine performers on the lineup will get a crowd moving to hits from “Toxic” to “… Baby One More Time” in the Shaw venue’s concert hall. 11 p.m. $5 in advance; $10 at the door.
NPR’s ‘A Jazz Piano Christmas’ at the Kennedy Center
Three Cuban pianists are in the spotlight at this year’s piano holiday celebration by NPR. Hear jazz-infused renditions of holiday classics by Melvis Santa, Alfredo Rodriguez and Hilario Durán at the Kennedy Center in an annual concert that’s usually sold out by the time it rolls around. (Read: Grab your tickets ASAP.) 7 and 9 p.m. $59-$79.
City of Fairfax Festival of Lights and Carols at Old Town Square
The Christmas tree in Fairfax’s Old Town Square is lit during an afternoon of activities, including caroling, photos with Santa, a holiday market, s’mores, and arts and crafts for children. Noon to 6 p.m. Free.
Santa Fly-In at College Park Airport
Forget eight tiny reindeer: Santa arrives by private plane at the College Park Airport and Aviation Museum’s annual family event. Gather at the museum beginning at 9:30 a.m., with the guest of honor arriving around 10. Children can participate in crafts and activities, and take photos with Santa. (Email [email protected] to reserve a time slot.) 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. $5; free for children younger than 2.
Just months into the pandemic, Anjimile released his debut album, “Giver Taker,” turning a tumultuous personal journey around gender identity and sobriety into a slate of gentle guitar-driven folk music. With “The King,” his rich voice and sonic palette are reminiscent of musical forebear Anohni. The music is heavier as Anjimile continues his journey as a Black trans person in America, exploring a vastness of space and percussive clatter that is not usually associated with folk. 7:30 p.m. $17-$20.