8 minute read
Notebook • Kathleen Donner
kids&family
Holidays at the Botanic Garden
This year, the US Botanic Garden, at the foot of the Capitol, offers an outdoor holiday display, running through Jan. 2 (closed on Christmas day). The display includes festive decorations, trains, evergreens, and lights in the outdoor gardens. G-gauge model trains will run between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. each day in the gated outdoor gardens. The trains will circulate through agricultural displays from across the United States and around the world, all made from plant parts. These farm scenes will range from orange groves, cranberry bogs, and wheat fi elds in the US to grape vineyards in Australia, coffee farms in Uganda and olive orchards in Spain. No tickets required. The trains may not run during inclement weather. usbg.gov/holiday.
Photo: Nick Eckert
Waterskiing Santa on the Potomac
Waterskiing Santa appears along the Old Town Alexandria waterfront on Friday, Dec. 24 at 1 p.m. (pre-show at 12:45 p.m.). Santa’s helpers come out early to ensure it’s safe for Santa (considering the Grinch or Jack Frost may be around). waterskiingsanta.com.
Join the National Audubon Society Christmas Bird Count
A family holiday tradition for many, the annual Christmas Bird Count (CBC) is a long-standing program of the National Audubon Society, with over 100 years of citizen science involvement. It’s an early-winter bird census, where thousands of volunteers across the US, Canada and many countries in the Western Hemisphere, go out over a 24-hour period on one calendar day to count birds. To participate, you need to join an existing CBC circle by contacting the compiler in advance of the count day. All Christmas Bird Counts are conducted between Dec. 14 and Jan. 5, inclusive dates, each season. Read more and sign up at audubon.org/content/join-christmasbird-count.
NORAD Tracks Santa
NORAD tracks everything that fl ies in and around North America in defense of our country. However, on Dec. 24, they have the special mission of also tracking Santa. NORAD has been tracking Santa since 1955 when a young child accidentally dialed the unlisted phone number of the Continental Air Defense Command (CONAD) Operations Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado, believing she was calling Santa Claus after seeing a promotion in a local newspaper. Air Force Colonel Harry Shoup, the commander on duty that night, was quick to realize a mistake had been made, and assured the youngster that CONAD would guarantee Santa a safe journey from the North Pole. Thus, a tradition was born that rolled over to NORAD when it was formed in 1958. Each year, the NORAD Tracks Santa website receives nearly fi fteen million unique visitors from more than 200 countries and territories around the world. Volunteers receive more than 130,000 calls (phone number appears on the website on Dec. 24) to the NORAD Tracks Santa hotline. This year, children are also able to track Santa through Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Instagram. noradsanta.org. BELOW: Marine Staff Sgts. Hugh Wood and Randall Ayers, NORAD and USNORTHCOM, take calls at the NORAD Tracks Santa Operations Center. Photo: Tech. Sgt. Thomas J. Doscher
National Cathedral FamilyChristmas Service
On Thursday, Dec. 23, 11 a.m., the Nativity story comes to life in the glorious nave of the National Cathedral. Gather loved ones of all ages for a joyful service of carols and prayers featuring a menagerie of live animals to welcome the Holy Family. Free passes are required to attend in person. cathedral.org.
A Family Christmas at the KC “A Christmas Carol” at The Little Theatre of Alexandria
On Saturday, Dec. 18 at 2 p.m. and Friday, Dec. 24 at 11 a.m., bring the kids to the Kennedy Center for an unforgettable holiday experience as the Choral Arts Chorus fills the concert hall with holiday classics just for them. They’ll take you on a merry tour of holiday sing-alongs and Christmas favorites that will have your family singing all the way home. Expect a visit from Santa, Frosty, and Rudolph. This one-hour concert is perfect for children ages five, up. $20 to $45. kennedy-center.org. Through Dec. 18, LTA rings in the holiday season with a return of the classic by Charles Dickens. Ebenezer Scrooge, a miserly Victorian humbug, travels with ghostly guides through Christmas past, present, and future to find the true meaning of the holidays. Complete with special effects, Victorian carols, and Tiny Tim. A Christmas Carol is a must for the entire family. The Little Theatre of Alexandria is at 600 Wolfe St., Alexandria, VA. thelittletheatre.com.
Step Afrika!’s Magical Musical Holiday Step Show
Step Afrika!’s Magical Musical Holiday Step Show is one of the most vibrant holiday celebrations in town. This fun, family-friendly performance will have you stomping your feet and clapping your hands to energetic beats. The Magical Musical Holiday Step Show is at the Atlas, 1333 H St. NE, from Dec. 9 to 30. Get tickets and updates at stepafrika.org.
Christmas Movies at The Miracle Theatre
See some of the great Christmas movies on the big screen. Here’s this year’s lineup: The Polar Express, Dec. 11, 11 a.m. and Dec. 12, 2 p.m.; Elf, Dec. 17, 4:30 p.m.; It’s a Wonderful Life, Dec. 17, 7 p.m. and Dec. 18, 4 p.m.; White Christmas, Dec. 18, 7 p.m. All tickets, $6. The Miracle Theatre, 535 Eighth St. SE. themiracletheatre.com.
Cinderella at Synetic Theater
Just in time for the holidays, Cinderella joins Synetic’s family series repertoire. Led by an all-female team of Syneticons, this innovative take on the classic fairytale is a perfect fit for audiences of all ages. $15 to $30. Cinderella is on stage at Synetic Theater, 1800 South Bell St., Crystal City, on select days through Dec. 26, at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. synetictheater.org.
Discovery Theater’s “Season of Light” Show On-Demand
See the beloved holiday favorite that bridges communities and cultures the world over—virtually! An adapted version of this enchanting, signature Discovery Theater show will be available for digital viewing this year. Celebrate the history and customs of Diwali (Devali), Chanukah, Las Posadas, Ramadan, Sankta Lucia Day, Kwanzaa, Christmas, and the First Nations’ tradition of the Winter Solstice—right from your home or classroom. Recommended for ages five to 12. Available for school/ groups, Dec. 6 to 23; families, Dec. 23 to Jan. 2. Following the show, students can discover more with a pre-recorded activity, led by Teaching Artist, Jessica Andrews. $25 for groups; $12 for families. discoverytheater.org/seasonsoflight.
Fort Dupont Ice Arena Public Ice Skating
Fort Dupont Ice Arena, 3779 Ely Pl. SE, is open for public skating through the end of 2021 on Sundays, 2:30 to 4:30 p.m.; Saturdays, 1 to 3 p.m.; Fridays, noon to 2 p.m. Adult admission is $5; kids, $4. Skate rental is $3. fdia.org.
Dia de los Reyes Magos (Three Kings Day) at GALA
On Sunday, Jan. 2, 1:30 p.m., join GALA for this annual tradition, the celebrated Three Kings celebration which brings Latin-American tradition to the streets of DC with local music and dance groups, and free gifts for all children. Attendance is capped at 200 and allows only one adult per every three children in the group/family. Tickets are $2 per person. All patrons ages five and up are required to show proof of vaccination or recent COVID test. galatheatre.org/post/ threekingsday.
On Dec. 24, 4:30 p.m., the Basilica of the National Shrine and Stone Ridge School of the Sacred Heart invite the faithful to participate in the annual Children’s Christmas Mass in the Great Upper Church. Students from the Stone Ridge school will provide the music ministry, and a special presentation of the Bambinelli will take place. The National Shrine is at 400 Michigan Ave. NE. nationalshrine.org. u
Photo: Alice Rose
See the Trains at the National Christmas Tree
The National Christmas Tree is lit every day, through Jan. 1, from approximately 4:30 p.m. to midnight as part of the America Celebrates display at President’s Park (White House). Ahead of this holiday season, the National Park Service planted a new National Christmas Tree on the Ellipse in President’s Park. The new tree, a 27-foot white fir from Middleburg, Pa. was donated by Hill View Christmas Tree Farm and will be the first white fir to serve as the National Christmas Tree. You can visit the tree, surrounding model trains and decorations any time throughout the season. thenationaltree.org.
#LoveShaw
SHOP SMALL FOR THE SHAW-LIDAYS!
LEE’S FLOWER AND CARD SHOP
Remember to Shop Small and Shop Local this holiday season. You can enjoy holiday traditions, including shopping for gifts for friends and family and enjoying great meals at restaurants and at home—and support small, local, independent businesses in Shaw at the same time!
Shaw retailers offer great merchandise that can be purchased in person or ordered online and picked up curbside or delivered to you or your gift recipients. Whether you’re looking for women’s wear, paintings, plants or single malts, you can order them from Shaw Main Streets businesses. And many Shaw businesses offer gift cards and certificates, often delivered via email, taking the stress out of choosing the perfect gift. Certificates for fitness classes or haircuts are also great options.
And whether you choose a favorite meal to dine in or take out from your go-to restaurant or a special menu from a place you’ve been meaning to check out, treat yourself often this month.
TOUCHSTONE GALLERY GRAND CATA LETTIE GOOCH
See the Shaw Holiday Gift Guide in this month’s Mid City DC or visit www.ShawMainStreets.org for gift and dining ideas.
Shaw Main Streets is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, a designated DC Main Streets program and is funded in part by the Department of Small and Local Business Development, Muriel E. Bowser, Mayor.
