The senses delight this holiday season as the scent of gingerbread wafts through the festive air, elves laugh with delight and twinkling lights make our hearts warm with their magical glow. ’Tis the season for entertaining our friends and family, and this area is full of options to delight one and all.
The Nutcracker
Metropolitan Ballet Theatre has been presenting the full-length traditional staging of The Nutcracker since 1989, leaving audiences mesmerized. The performance features student and professional dancers, fabulous costumes and beautiful scenery – including a Christmas tree that seems to grow forever.
When: Friday, Dec. 9, to Sunday, Dec. 11
Where: Robert E. Parilla Performing Arts Center, Montgomery College, Rockville, MD
More: Costs $17-$22. For more information call 240-567-5301 or go to www.mbtdance.org.
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‘A Charlie Brown Christmas’
A unique pairing of everyone’s favorite animated holiday movie with the infectious jazz score by Vince Guaraldi. Join BlackRock for a special screening of a “Charlie Brown Christmas” — shown in its entirety without commercial breaks — followed by performances of your favorite songs from the movie by The Eric Byrd Trio.
When: 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10; free holiday activity party at noon
Where: BlackRock Center for the Arts
More: Tickets cost $12 per person. Call 240-912-1058 or visit www.blackrockcenter.org.
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Gingerbread House Contest
Come see the creative holiday confections as area businesses and community members put their baking and decorating skills to the test. Presented by Germantown Commons and Macaroni Kid Germantown-Clarksburg.
When: Saturday, Dec. 17, noon to 2 p.m., with judging at 2:15 p.m.
Where: Germantown Commons, 13060 Middlebrook Road
More: Details at Germantown.MacaroniKid.com.
Winter Lights Show
Enjoy a magical Christmas light display with more than 350 illuminated displays along a 3.5-mile drive through the park. Theme areas include Winter Woods, Teddy Bear Land, Victorian Village, North Pole, Toyland and Penguin Cove. Winter Lights benefits local charities.
When: Continues through Saturday, Dec. 31 (closed Mondays and Sunday, Dec. 25)
Where: Seneca Creek State Park
More: Entry costs $12-$20 per car. For more details, visit www.gaithersburgmd.gov.
’Twas the Night Before Christmas
A mouse is stirring, and it’s because Santa missed his house last year. The wild adventures begin before you can say "Merry Christmas," thanks to a mouse, an elf and a spunky little girl who just won't take “no” for an answer. Don't miss this joyful tribute to the holiday season from three-time Tony nominee and Olivier Award winning playwright Ken Ludwig. Presented by Adventure Theatre.
When: Continues through Monday Jan. 2. Please refer to website for available showtimes.
Where: Glen Echo Park
More: Tickets cost $18. Go to www.adventuretheatre.org for details.
The Garden of Lights Winter Lights Walk
Close to one million twinkling lights help make Brookside Gardens’s Garden of Lights a unique winter wonderland. Visitors can view illuminated symbols of the four seasons — giant summer sunflowers, autumn leaves, winter snowflakes and spring flowers. The secular light show, in its 15th season, is a popular family tradition in the Washington, D.C.-area drawing close to 40,000 visitors each winter.
When: Continues through Sunday, Jan. 8
Where: Brookside Gardens, Wheaton, MD
More: Entry costs $20-$25 per car/van. For more information, go to www.montgomeryparks.org/brookside or call 301-962-1453.
Gaylord National’s ICE! featuring DreamWorks' Merry Madagascar
Animation holiday TV special will be brought to life in an interactive world of colorful ice sculptures carved entirely from two-million pounds of ice.
When: Continues through Sunday, Jan. 8
Where: Gaylord National Resort, National Harbor
More: Go to http://www.gaylordhotels.com for more details.
