Holiday Concert. 7:30 p.m. NOVA Community Chorus, Dr. Mark Whitmire, Director, with the Alexandria Band. At the Schlesinger Concert Hall, Northern Virginia Community College, 3001 North Beauregard Street, Alexandria. Call 703-845-6097.
ArtFest 2009 Open House. 6-9 p.m. Free. Exhibits, holiday sales and more. The event features 2D/3D exhibits, holiday ceramic sale, jewelry sale, wearable fiber art show and sale, music by Rew Smith Band, artist demos and food and drinks.
The Ceramic and Pottery Show and Sale will run through the weekend and will feature ceramic vessels and forms made by students and associates of The Art League that are perfect for holiday gift giving. Times are: Friday, Dec. 4, 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 5, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; and Sunday, Dec. 6, 12 noon-5 p.m.
The Jewelry Show and Sale, featured Friday and Saturday, will showcase a variety of jewelry to fit all tastes. Times are: Friday, Dec. 4, 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; and Saturday, Dec. 5, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. At the Madison Annex in Old Town Alexandria.
Parent's Night Out. Once a Month from 5-10 p.m. At Meade Episcopal Church, Alexandria. Meade staff will entertain kids ages 1-9 with age-appropriate educational theme activities. Cost is $15/child ($80 family maximum). Call Meade Church at 703-549-1334.
A Christmas Marketplace. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Special shopping hours for Taste of Scotland 7-10:30 p.m. At the George Washington Masonic Memorial, 101 Callahan Drive, Alexandria. Visit www.ScottishChristmasWalk.com or call 703-549-0111 x107.
The Nutcracker. Friday, Dec. 4 at 6:30 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 5 at 2 and 6:30 p.m. Performance includes ballet, pointe, tap, jazz, lyrical and hip hop dance and gymnastics. Joint venture between West Potomac Academy and Alexandria Community Dance. At West Potomac High School's Springbank Auditorium. For tickets, contact Courtney Betzel at 703-718-2641 or cjbetzel@fcps.edu, or Gennifer Lissenby, Alexandria Community Dance director, at glisenby@verizon.net.
Mount Vernon by Candlelight. 5-8 p.m. Mrs. Washington hosts 18th-century Christmas with candlelit walks, fireside caroling, and early American décor. Cost is $18/adults, $12/children under 11. At Mount Vernon Estate & Gardens, 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Hwy., Mount Vernon. Call 703-780-2000 or www.MountVernon.org.
Respite Day for Kinship Care Families. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Free activities for kinship children ages 3-12 who are residents of Fairfax County or the cities of Fairfax or Falls Church. At Gum Springs Community Center, 8100 Fordson Road, Alexandria. Pre-registration required by Dec. 1. Call 703-324-3517.
Holiday Concert. 2 p.m. At Market Square, 301 King Street, Old Town. The Family Choir of Beth El Hebrew Congregation will perform Hanukah favorites. Call 703-883-4686.
Opera Production. 7:30 p.m. $20 admission/$15 students. The Repertory Opera Theater of Washington presents Guiseppe Verdi's "Un Ballo in Maschera;" a story about love, betrayal, and the fate that binds us all. At Immanuel Church-on-the-Hill, 3606 Seminary Road, Alexandria. For advanced tickets, call 571-403-0814 or email ROTW@live.com.
Musical Event. 2 p.m. Mystic Harmony will perform Celtic-influenced folk music. At Washington Street UMC, 115 S. Washington Street, Alexandria. Go to www.wsumc.com.
Concert Featuring Ars Choralis. 7 p.m. Ars Choralis, under the direction of Douglas A. Beck, will be featuring selections from Handel’s "Messiah," with soloists and brass and strings accompaniment. Ars Choralis is the choir-in-residence of St. Paul's Old Town Episcopal Church, 228 South Pitt Street, corner of Pitt and Duke Streets in Old Town. Call Douglas A. Beck, 703-549-3312.
Holiday Boat Parade of Lights. 6-7 p.m. Some 50 brightly lit powerboats and sailboats parade down the Potomac River from D.C. to Alexandria's harbor. Free viewing. Santa arrives by fireboat at 4 p.m. at the Alexandria Marina, One Cameron Street. Sponsored by Burke & Herbert Bank.
Scottish Christmas Walk Parade. 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Earl Cook, Alexandria's Chief of Police, will serve as the Grand Marshal. Cook will lead more than 120 Scottish clans, pipe and drum bands, Scottish dancers, re-enactment groups, canine marchers, local dignitaries and Santa Claus, through the streets of Old Town. From corner of Wilkes and South Saint Asaph Streets to King and Royal Streets. Presented by the Campagna Center, the St. Andrew's Society and the City of Alexandria. Visit www.ScottishChristmasWalk.com.
Holiday on the Avenue. Alexandria’s Del Ray neighborhood gets into the festive spirit with Holiday on the Avenue. Local businesses around the one-mile stretch of Mount Vernon Avenue feature all-day events and stay open until 9 p.m. The Del Ray tree lighting is at 6 p.m. at Colosanto Park at 2704 Mount Vernon Avenue. Then follow Santa down the luminary-lit Mount Vernon Avenue. Kids can sit on Santa’s lap for a photo at the end of the walk. Join in the caroling and stop in the shops for a hot drink. Free. www.VisitDelRay.com.
Ornament Decorating Workshop for Families. 1-4 p.m. Be inspired by the colors and patterns of pottery excavated in Alexandria and make a memorable holiday keepsake. Participants can decorate and take home dough ornaments which are shaped like artifacts from the museum’s own collection. Great for families. 1-4 p.m. Free. At the Alexandria Archaeology Museum (inside the Torpedo Factory), 105 N. Union Street, #327, Alexandria. Call 703-838-4399, www.AlexandriaArchaeology.org.
A Soldier's Christmas. Noon-4 p.m. The "Soldier's Christmas" program will feature re-enactors from the First Virginia Regiment, as well as interpreters from the Carlyle House and will highlight life in Alexandria during the holidays at the time of the American Revolution. Activities and games for children. $5 suggested donation. At 121 N. Fairfax St., Alexandria. Call 703-549-2997 or go to www.nvrpa.org/parks/CarlyleHouse/index.php.
Women's Holiday Breakfast Bazaar. 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event hosted by Agape Embassy Ministries will feature special musical guest Minister Martha Munizzi and speaker First Lady Dee Dee Freeman of Spirit of Faith Christian Center. Ticket purchase includes a full breakfast and access to a vendor exhibit hall. Hosted by Agape Embassy Ministries. Go to www.agapembassy.org.
"Lion, Witch and Wardrobe." 9 a.m. Kaleidoscope Theatre presents "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe," in Old Town Alexandria. At Medieval Madness at Renaissance Hall, 1121 King Street. Alexandria. Tickets are $5. Call 703-912-4005 or email info@ktheatre.org to reserve seats. Free parking is available in the garage at 1101 King Street. Entry to the garage is on Cameron Street. Visit www.ktheatre.org.
Candlelight Advent Lessons and Carols. 4:30 p.m. at Seminary Chapel, 3737 Seminary Road, Alexandria.
Brass of Peace Recital. 4 p.m. Free. Holiday music and more. Hosted by the Alexandria Performing Arts Association. At The Lyceum Museum, 201 S. Washington Street, Alexandria. Call 703-505-0700.
Washington Metropolitan Philharmonic. 3 p.m. Admission by donation. With Music Director Ulysses S. James. Pre-concert talks for WMPA members at 2:30 p.m. in the atrium. At Bishop Ireton High School, 201 Cambridge Road, Alexandria. Call 703-845-6097.
Holiday Concert. 3 p.m. NOVA Community Chorus and the Washington Metropolitan Philharmonic perform. At Bishop Ireton High School, 201 Cambridge Road, Alexandria.
Holiday Open House. Noon to 4 p.m. Botanical holiday decorations, unique gift ideas, family fun, music, crafts, refreshments. At Green Springs Garden Park, 4603 Green Springs Road (near Braddock and Route 236), Alexandria.
Shopping Holiday Party. 1-4:30 p.m. The Alexandria Commission for Women and Friends of the Commission present the "Women, Art, and Shopping Holiday Party." Some 30 artists offering pottery, jewelry, handcrafted clothing, crafts, photography and more. At the Charles Houston Recreation Center, 905 Wythe Street, Alexandria. Call 703-746-5030.
Holiday Art Show. 1-4:30 p.m. More than 30 exhibitors will display their wares. At the Charles Houston Recreation Center, 901 Wythe Street, Alexandria. Contact Lisa Baker at 703-746-5030 or e-mail lisa.baker@alexandriava.gov.
Toys for Tots Benefit. 1-5 p.m. "Gonna Thrive at Thirty-Five" Toys for Tots annual benefit round and square dance. At Lee Center Exhibit Hall, 1108 Jefferson Street, Alexandria. The Capital Square Demonstration team will perform at 3 p.m. Recommended donation per couple is a new, unopened toy or $10 contribution ($5/singles). Call 703-746-5418.
Holiday Concert. 2 p.m. Shir Tze'ir, a performer of Jewish a cappella music, will perform at 301 King Street, Old Town Alexandria. Call 703-883-4686.
Advent Procession. 6 p.m. Free. "From Darkness to Light." Presented by the choirs of Grace Episcopal Church, the services include music by Paul Manz, Stephen Paulus, Sergei Rachmaninov, Charles Wood, and G.P. Palestrina. At Grace Episcopal Church, 3601 Russell Road, Alexandria. Call 703-549-1980.
Washington Metropolitan Philharmonic. 3 p.m. Free. At Bishop Ireton High School, 201 Cambridge Road, Alexandria. Pre-concert lecture at 2:15 p.m.
"From Darkness to Light." 6 p.m. Free. The choirs of Grace Episcopal Church present the annual advent procession. Music by Paul Manz, Stephen Paulus, Sergei Rachmaninov, Charles Wood and G.P. Palestrina. At Grace Episcopal Church, 3601 Russell Road, Alexandria. Call 703-549-1980.
Holiday Concert. 7 p.m. Thomas Jefferson High School Chorus. At Market Square, 301 King Street, Alexandria. Afterwards, the chorus will move to the Torpedo Factory Arcade, King and Union Streets, for caroling at 8 p.m. Call 703-883-4686.
Hollywood Auction. 10 a.m. High-quality furniture and decorative objectives from Antique & Contemporary Leasing & Sales, a Washington staging company that provides furnishings for movie sets, diplomatic events, will be sold at auction at The Potomack Company. At 526 North Fayette Street, Alexandria. Visit www.potomackcompany.com or call 703-684-4550.
Barnes & Noble Book Fair Fund-Raiser. Hosted by Maury Elementary School PTA. Storytimes at 10 a.m. 11 a.m. and noon. Volunteers will be providing free gift wrapping and a portion of all purchases made that day will go to the PTA when the customer says "I support Maury" at the checkout. At the Potomac Yard Barnes & Noble Store. Contact Kelly Smith at 703-739-0983 or kellyandwill@aol.com
Christmas Radio Program. 7 p.m. Free. Bishop O’Connell High School presents their annual "WDJO 1939 Christmas Radio Program," an evening of one-act plays and music in a radio station format of the '30s. All proceeds benefit a holiday charity chosen by the cast. Bishop O’Connell High School, 6600 Little Falls Road, Arlington. Visit www.bishopoconnell.org/theatre, or call 703-237-1448.
Holiday Concert. 1 p.m. Bell's Angels and the St. John's Lutheran Church Handbell Choir perform. At 2 p.m., the Alexandria Harmonizers perform. At Market Square, 301 King Street, Old Town Alexandria. Call 703-883-4686.
Opera Production. 7:30 p.m. $20 admission/$15 students. The Repertory Opera Theater of Washington presents Guiseppe Verdi's "Un Ballo in Maschera;" a story about love, betrayal, and the fate that binds us all. At Immanuel Church-on-the-Hill, 3606 Seminary Road, Alexandria. For advanced tickets, call 571-403-0814 or email ROTW@live.com.
Christmas in Camp. Noon to 4 p.m. Learn how Christmas was observed during the Civil war by attending Fort Ward Museum's Christmas in Camp Open House. Features a patriotic Santa Claus, living history presentations, period music, Victorian decorations, tours and crafts. At Fort Ward Museum, 4301 West Braddock Road in Alexandria.
Used Book Sale. At Kingstowne Library, 6500 Landsdowne Centre, Alexandria. Call 703-339-4610.
Civil War Christmas in Camp. Learn how soldiers and families celebrated Christmas during the Civil War. Suggested donation $2 adults, $1 for kids. At Fort Ward Museum and Historic Site, 4301 W. Braddock Road, Alexandria. Call 703-838-4848, www.FortWard.org.
Kwanzaa Craft Workshop. 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Join the Alexandria Black History Museum staff in a fun interactive program that will guide you through the principles of this African American holiday as well as instruct you in ways to make Kwanzaa gifts called Zawadi. All supplies will be provided. At 902 Wythe Street, Alexandria. Call 703-838-4356, www.AlexBlackHistory.org.
"Tis the Season". 8 p.m. $20/adults; $10/seniors. Alexandria Choral Society concert with the ACS Children's Chorus. Program includes a wide range of holiday and winter-themed music, including Morten Lauridsen's Mid-Winter Songs, with opportunities for the audience to join in singing familiar carols. At Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Alexandria. Visit www.AlexChoralSociety.org.
The Black Candle: A Kwanzaa Celebration Film Screening. 4:30-6:30 p.m. Free. The Black Candle is a timely illumination on why the seven principles of Kwanzaa are so important to African-Americans today. The movie traces the holiday’s growth out of the Black Power movement in the 1960s to its present-day reality as a global, pan-African holiday embraced by over 40 million celebrants. At the Alexandria Black History Museum, 902 Wythe Street, Alexandria. Call 703-838-4356, www.AlexBlackHistory.org.
Caroling for Cats. Operated by the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria. The Vola Lawson Animal Shelter stays open from noon till midnight to offer people more time to find and adopt their furry feline friend. Festivities will include caroling for the cats, refreshments, crafts activities and holiday movies. At 4101 Eisenhower Ave., Alexandria. Contact Carrie Drummond at 703-838-4774, ext. 245, or at cdrummond@alexandriaanimals.org.
Christmas Tree Sale. North Ridge Community, 3512 Old Dominion Blvd., Beverley Hills United Methodist Church. Fresh Christmas trees (cut since Thanksgiving) - Douglas & Frazer Fir, Blue Spruce, a few Norway Spruce $20-$80 (over 10 foot). White pine garland $16 per 25-ft coil or $2/yard. wreaths $15. Superior Tree stands $20.
Vesper Organ Concert. 6 p.m. Free. With Ann Carney, organist, playing on the new DiGennaro-Hart pipe organ. At Grace Episcopal Church, 3601 Russell Road, Alexandria. Call 703-549-1980.
Holiday Concert. St. Matthews United Methodist Church Youth Handbell Choir performs at 2 p.m., followed by the Alexandria Singers at 3 p.m. At Market Square, 301 King Street, Alexandria. Call 703-883-4686.
Holiday Children's Concert. 3:30-4:30 p.m. The Alexandria Symphony brings "The Nutcracker Suite" to Alexandria in two versions — Tchaikovsky’s original and Duke Ellington’s hip jazz-band arrangement. $25 admission. With the Alexandria Symphony Orchestra and Maestro Kim Allen Kluge. At Alfred Street Baptist Church, 301 Alfred Street, Alexandria. Call 703-548-0885 or go to www.alexsym.org/buyTix.shtml.
Christmas Candlelight Service. 6 p.m. (doors open at 5:35 p.m., brass prelude at 5:45 p.m.) Entitled "How Brightly Beams the Morning Star," this Christmas celebration will feature readers, the APC Adult and Children’s choirs, instrumentalists, and congregational carol singing by candlelight. A reception will follow. At Alexandria Presbyterian Church, 2405 Russell Road, in Del Ray, Alexandria. Call 703-683-3348 or go to www.alexandriapres.org.
Holiday Ice Show. 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. At the Mt. Vernon RECenter. Features the RECenter's most experienced skaters, as well as beginners of all ages showing off their skills. At 2017 Belle View Boulevard, Alexandria. Contact Ice Manager Carl Kirtley, at 703-768-3224 or via e-mail at carl.kirtley@fairfaxcounty.gov. Visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks.
Caroling for Cats. Operated by the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria. The Vola Lawson Animal Shelter stays open from noon till midnight to offer people more time to find and adopt their furry feline friend. Festivities will include caroling for the cats, refreshments, crafts activities and holiday movies. At 4101 Eisenhower Ave., Alexandria. Contact Carrie Drummond at 703-838-4774, ext. 245, or at cdrummond@alexandriaanimals.org.
"Lion, Witch and Wardrobe." 9 a.m. Kaleidoscope Theatre presents "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe," in Old Town Alexandria. At Medieval Madness at Renaissance Hall, 1121 King Street. Alexandria. Tickets are $5. Call 703-912-4005 or email info@ktheatre.org to reserve seats. Free parking is available in the garage at 1101 King Street. Entry to the garage is on Cameron Street. Visit www.ktheatre.org.
Mint Condition performances. 8 p.m. Jane Franklin Dancers ages 20s to 60s. At The Athenaeum, 201 Prince Street, Alexandria. Tickets $28 - $14 at 703-933-1111 or http://www.janefranklin.com.
