About.com Washington, DC

Lighting of the 2009 National Christmas Tree

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 15:15:23 +0000

The 2009 National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony is December 3, 2009 at 5 p.m. This year's lineup up entertainment will offer a diverse program of traditional holiday music including:

Sheryl Crow, a multi-platinum, nine-time Grammy Award winning singer-songwriter, three-time American Music Award winner and a People's Choice Award winner
Common, a Grammy Award winning artist who has worked with producers Kanye West, Will.i.am, Pharell and others
Ray LaMontagne, a singer-song writer whose most recent album, "Gossip in the Grain" debuted at number three on the Billboard Charts.
The United States Marine Band, under the baton of Colonel Michael J. Colburn

Tickets are required for the lighting ceremony. They have already been distributed through a lottery system. You may visit the National Christmas Tree through January 1 and enjoy nightly musical performances. Read more about the National Christmas Tree.

_{Photo � Terry Adams/National Park Service}

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Lighting of the 2009 National Christmas Tree originally appeared on About.com Washington, DC on Saturday, November 21st, 2009 at 15:15:23.

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Washington DC Events - Weekend Picks

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 06:10:24 +0000

See a guide to the top events going on this weekend in Washington, DC and the surrounding communities:

ICE! - Christmas at the Gaylord National Resort - November 19, 2009 - January 10, 2010. The award-winning holiday attraction is a winter wonderland created entirely of 5,000 BLOCKS of ice weighing 1.5 MILLION POUNDS! hand-sculpted by 40 international artisans and kept at a chilling nine degrees Fahrenheit. New in our region this year, this is an interactive holiday attraction you won't want to miss.
Silver Spring Thanksgiving Parade - November 21, 2009. Celebrate Thanksgiving with a parade including 50-foot balloons, floats, mounted police, Shriners, fire engines, antique cars, trained dogs, other marching and dancing groups and a special visit from Santa.
Help the Homeless Walk in Washington DC - November 21, 2009. National Mall. Help raise awareness and funds to help the homeless in DC while enjoying a 3 mile walk around the city.
Turkey Trots in the DC Area - Join friends, family, co-workers and neighbors and participate in one of the Turkey Trots in Washington, DC, Maryland or Northern Virginia. Find the schedule of Turkey Trots, Runs and Races in the Washington, DC area.
Holiday Craft Shows - Craft shows are great places to get unique gifts for the holidays. Find a variety of craft shows in Washington, DC, Maryland and Virginia.
National Geographic DC Warehouse Sale - November 20-22, 2009. DC Armory, 2001 E Capitol St SE Washington, DC. Truckloads of National Geographic books, globes, toys, clothing, travel gear, jewelry, home and garden accessories and more -- over 250,000 items -- for kids and families, adventurers and armchair travelers will be offered at 20 percent to 90 percent off. Hours are Friday, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

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Washington DC Events - Weekend Picks originally appeared on About.com Washington, DC on Friday, November 20th, 2009 at 06:10:24.

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Christmas on the Potomac

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 07:40:09 +0000

As part of Christmas on the Potomac, the Gaylord National Resort's ICE! is a special holiday event in the Washington DC area you won't want to miss! Visitors will step inside a winter wonderland created entirely of 5,000 BLOCKS of ice weighing 1.5 MILLION POUNDS! hand-sculpted by 40 international artisans and kept at a chilling nine degrees Fahrenheit. Produced exclusively for Gaylord Hotels, the attraction is fully interactive, allowing guests to roam inside, around and on-top of holiday scenes. The award winning attraction opens on November 19, 2009 and runs through January 10, 2010. Read more about ICE! at the Gaylord National Resort.

Photo � Gaylord National Resort

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Christmas on the Potomac originally appeared on About.com Washington, DC on Thursday, November 19th, 2009 at 07:40:09.

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Black Friday - Anti-Mall Bar Crawl in Bethesda

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 15:46:18 +0000

Why wait in lines and fight for picked-over items at the mall? Join Lindy Promotions, Coors Light, Absolut and Social Sports of Bethesda on Black Friday, November 27, 2009 for the first ever Anti-Mall Bar Crawl to benefit the needy through Manna Food Center. Between 2-10 p.m., the Anti-Mall Bar Crawl will kick off at the best bars and restaurants in Bethesda. Union Jack's, Hard Times Cafe, Steamers, Saphire Cafe, Tommy Joe's, Wing Hub, Blackfinn, Ri Ra, and Austin Grill are all hosting the fun. Enjoy $2 Coors Lights, $3 Blue Moons, and for those who need something more $4 Absolut, Malibu, and Jameson Drinks. All participating bars will also have food specials. Tickets will be on sale between 2 and 7 pm at Union Jack's for $7 if you bring two cans of food or $10 for those without. All food donations benefit Manna Food Center. Advance discounted tickets are available at www.lindypromo.com

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Black Friday - Anti-Mall Bar Crawl in Bethesda originally appeared on About.com Washington, DC on Wednesday, November 18th, 2009 at 15:46:18.

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Construction Begins on Martin Luther King National Memorial

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 07:13:41 +0000

The National Capital Planning Commission has given final approval to a new security configuration, clearing the way for construction to begin on the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. National Memorial. It will be the first major memorial along the National Mall to be dedicated to an African-American, and to a non-president. The memorial is designed to commemorate and honor Dr. King's national and international contributions to world peace through non-violent social change. The expected completion date is summer 2011. Read more about the Martin Luther King National Memorial.

Construction Begins on Martin Luther King National Memorial originally appeared on About.com Washington, DC on Wednesday, November 18th, 2009 at 07:13:41.

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World Toilet Day Event on Capitol Hill in Washington DC

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 15:26:26 +0000

I've seen some strange events in Washington, DC, but this has got to be one of the strangest yet. November 19th is World Toilet Day. An event will be held from 12:30-1 p.m. in front of the U.S. Capitol to raise awareness about the 2.5 billion people without access to proper sanitation. Access to a toilet is a privilege we take for granted. According to the Earth Day Network, disease spread by human excrement kills more than 1.8 million people per year, most of whom are children. Poor sanitation hurts economic development - Cambodia, Indonesia, the Philippines and Vietnam cumulatively lost an estimated US$9 billion a year because of poor sanitation. Although solving this crisis is achievable using new innovations and simple technology, it has not been confronted because of the taboo surrounding it.

So, what do you think? Do you want to participate in World Toilet Day and speak out about better sanitation in the developing world? I'm sure this will be an interesting photo opportunity. Participants will gather on the West side of the Capitol Building near the corner of 1st Street NW & Constitution Ave. NW.

World Toilet Day Event on Capitol Hill in Washington DC originally appeared on About.com Washington, DC on Tuesday, November 17th, 2009 at 15:26:26.

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Thanksgiving Parades in the Washington, DC Area

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 06:39:50 +0000

It may not be the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade. But, there are a few small parades held in the Washington, DC metropolitan area. Take the kids and get a close-up seat at one of the Thanksgiving parades in the suburbs of Washington, DC. See 50-foot balloons, local high school bands, mounted police, fire engines, antique cars, trained dogs, marching and dancing groups and of course, a special visit from Santa. Don't miss the Silver Spring Thanksgiving Parade, this Saturday, November 21, 2009!

Photo © Rachel Cooper, licensed to About.com, Inc.

Thanksgiving Parades in the Washington, DC Area originally appeared on About.com Washington, DC on Tuesday, November 17th, 2009 at 06:39:50.

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Free Holiday Music at the Willard Hotel

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 15:38:03 +0000

The Willard Hotel presents free live music weeknights in December from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. The program features top choral and musical ensembles from around the Washington, DC Metro area. Complimentary hot-spiced cider and gingerbread sweets will be provided.

The Willard is an historic luxury hotel and a Washington institution that has hosted almost every U.S. president since Franklin Pierce in 1853. Politicians, heads of state, celebrities and other famous guests have frequented the hotel. The Willard Hotel is located in the heart of downtown, one block from the White House and within walking distance of the Smithsonian Museums, the National Theater and other major Washington, DC attractions. This is a great opportunity to check out the fabulous Christmas decorations and enjoy some holiday cheer in the elegant grandeur of the hotel's famous lobby.

2009 Holiday Performance Schedule

December 1 - Alexandria Choral Society Children's Chorus
December 2 - The McLean Symphony Festival Singers
December 3 - 18th Street Singers
December 4 - Carmina & Illuminare
December 5 - Barrington Madrigals
December 6 - Capital Accord Chorus
December 7 - Voce
December 8 - Children's Chorus of Washington
December 9 - The Colonial Singers
December 10 - Washington Chorus Outreach Singers
December 11 - Washington Women's Chorus
December 12 - Capitol Hill Chorale
December 13 - Washington Chorus Outreach Singers
December 14 - Annandale Singers
December 15 - Georgetown Visitation Preparatory School
December 16 - The Thomas Circle Singers
December 17 - Vienna-Falls Chorus
December 18 - Sound Advice
December 19 - Counter Top Quartet
December 20 - The Colonial Singers
December 21 - Musica Oriana
December 22 - Cantate Chamber Singers
December 23 - The City Singers
December 24 to 28 - no concerts
December 29 - Potomac Harmony Chorus
December 30 - Suspicious Cheese Lords
December 31 - Philomela

Photo � Rachel Cooper, licensed to About.com, Inc.

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Free Holiday Music at the Willard Hotel originally appeared on About.com Washington, DC on Monday, November 16th, 2009 at 15:38:03.

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eBay Mobile Boutique Comes to Washington DC

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 06:37:31 +0000

Here is a unique way to do some holiday shopping. eBay is spreading holiday cheer this year by taking the eBay Mobile Boutique, a mobile eBay Marketplace, on a 12 city tour! The mobile boutique will showcase interactive shopping kiosks, hot holiday merchandise and virtual windows with live auctions on the site from local eBay sellers. Personal shoppers will be on hand to help you find and purchase your holiday gifts and have them shipped wherever you'd like.

The mobile boutique will be at Union Station in Washington DC on Thursday, November 19 and Friday, November 20, 2009, 11a.m.-6 p.m.

Read More About Holiday Shopping in Washington DC

eBay Mobile Boutique Comes to Washington DC originally appeared on About.com Washington, DC on Monday, November 16th, 2009 at 06:37:31.

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Nutcracker Performances in Washington, DC, Maryland and Virginia

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 07:26:24 +0000

The Washington, DC area has a wide range of theaters to enjoy the Christmas classic ballet - the Nutcracker. Take the whole family to marvel over Clara's Christmas fantasy when the wooden toy soldier comes alive and takes her on a magical tour of wonderful holiday adventures. Find here the Nutcracker performance in the Washington, DC area that best suits your style and budget.

Photo: Washington Ballet © Getty Images

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Nutcracker Performances in Washington, DC, Maryland and Virginia originally appeared on About.com Washington, DC on Sunday, November 15th, 2009 at 07:26:24.

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