Weekend Picks: December 16-18

Sweet Spot Aerial Productions: Shine a Light! A Solstice Circus is on stage at Atlas Performing Arts Center at 1:00pm on Saturday and 4:00pm on Sunday. This holiday show is an uplifting, delightful spectacle that will amaze the whole family. Featuring acrobats, aerialists, jugglers, and other dazzling performances – the spirit is sure to be contagious! Start a new and unique holiday tradition by coming to the circus! Appropriate for all ages.

Chug along at College Park Aviation full of miniature trains, villages, tunnels, and depots spark the imagination as they bring history to life. The National Capital Trackers bring a fascinating, constantly moving, holiday-themed display of model railroads to the museum. FREE with museum admission
$5/adults, $4/65&up, $2/ages 2-18 FREE/1&under. Holiday Trains and Planes will be showcased until December 23.

Be sure and refer to our guide for getting outdoors this winter for options to see lights, ice skate, and more.

Saturday-

8:30am-9:30am: Capoeira for Kids Ages 3.5-7 at Bloombars
(3222 11th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20001)
Capoeira provides physical fitness for children, ages 4 and up. It is intended to be a no- to low-contact martial art that helps children with gross motor planning and gross motor skills. Children will also learn maculele (a dance done hitting sticks against your partner’s sticks), samba, capoeira instruments, and Portuguese through this fun, interactive class. Classes are $15 each or $120 for a series of ten classes.

9:30am-10:30am AND 10:30am-11:30am: Harambe with Baba Ras D at Bloombars
(3222 11th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20001)
Think of it as your little one’s first opportunity to express his or her voice (into a microphone), dance, play a drum or percussion instrument, shout, or sing-along to songs that build character, confidence and community.With more than 10 years of experience in youth development, education and conflict resolution, program instructor Baba Ras D’s “Harambe” is a morning jolt of inspiration for parents, caregivers and children. Recommended for ages 0 to 7 years.  $7 per child $3 per adult suggested donation.

10:00am-3:00pm: Round and Round We Go: Innovation at Udvar-Hazy Center
(14390 Air and Space Museum Parkway Chantilly, Virginia 20151)
Learn about the Wright brothers and test your design skills in our December challenge as you design, create, and test your own paper copter. Making STEM Magic is a new program that introduces young visitors to engineering in a fun and creative way. Learn by doing. Design, build, and test a prototype that solves a given challenge. Every month we’ll explore a new theme and introduce a new problem to be solved, so come back each month to accept the challenge and learn to think like an engineer. Free to enter with parking $15.

10:30am: Marsha and the Positrons (with Wardell Howell on bass) at Chevy Chase Library
(5625 Connecticut Ave. NW Washington, DC 20015)
Sing and dance along! And then check out a book and sign up for Winter Reading.

11:00am AND 2:00pm (show begins at 11:00am): 10th Annual Rocknoceros Holiday Singalong
(227 Maple Ave Vienna, VA, 22180)
As every family with youngsters in the Washington, DC area knows, Rocknoceros is three guys: Coach, Williebob, and Boogie Bennie. They have been making award-winning music together since 2005 and are celebrating their 10th year together with a brand new album. $10.00

2:00pm: Christmas Pageant at National Cathedral
(3101 Wisconsin Avenue NW Washington DC 20016)
Oh, come let us adore him! Join us for this beloved family-friendly event, as Cathedral clergy, a profusion of angels, shepherds, Bethlehem townspeople and a menagerie of animals present a delightful retelling of the Nativity. Open to the public. All children are invited to participate.

4:00pm: A Candlelight Christmas with Washington Chorus at Kennedy Center
(2700 F St NW)
It’s not Christmas without The Washington Chorus! Featuring brass, organ, sing-alongs, and the resplendent Candlelight Processional, A Candlelight Christmas celebrates favorites such as The Dream Isaiah Saw, Hallelujah Chorus, and grand arrangements by our own Julian Wachner. Once again, special guests from our Side-by-Side youth program will join us to celebrate the season. A special B.Y.O.Baby event, offering additional considerations for families with small children. Purchase tickets here.

4:15pm:Tots & Tykes at Tranquil Space
(1632 17th St., NW Washington, DC 20009)
The class uses songs, rhymes, and games to introduce body awareness and movement concepts to kiddos from crawlers through age 4. No yoga mat or experience is required.

Sunday-

10:00am:Boogie Babes presents a special pop-up show with Mr. Jon and Friends at Steadfast Supply
(1331 4th St. SE)Buy tickets at the door
Sing and dance along!

10:00am-12:00pm: Chanukah Celebration at the DCJCC
(1529 16th St NW)
Grab your socks and your yarmulke, it’s time to bounce for Chanukah! This year’s rockin’ Chanukah party will feature a moon bounce, games, crafts, treats and plenty of fun for the whole family. Register here.

11:00am-3:00pm: Brunch with Santa & Grinch
(901 9th Street NW Washington, DC 20001)
Enjoy some brunch favorites with Santa & drink some holiday cheer with the Grinch! Kid’s Eat Complimentary off the Kid’s Menu. And a special treat for adults, $6 Gluwien – A warm spice wine – a gift from the Grinch! It’s your last chance to make it on Santa’s Good List!  Don’t miss it! *Reservations recommended

3:00pm-5:00pm: Winter Holiday Shadow Puppet Show & Workshop at Bloombars
(3222 11th St NW Washington, DC 20001)
Come join Kimberley Rose & Julie Rue at BloomBars, for an all-ages, Winter Holiday shadow puppet show! There will be special performances of classic holiday stories and songs and then your child will learn how to make shadow puppets and animate them to music! Materials will be provided, however, please bring child proof scissors for your child if you have them. Hope to see you there! $10 per child/adult team.