The best things to do in the D.C. area the week of Dec. 22-28

‘BAD Singalong’ at H Street Country Club: First issues first: The identify isn’t an outline of the standard at this celebration at H Road Nation Membership’s bar, however an acronym for “Broadway and Disney.” For 3 hours, the soundtrack is nonstop musical favorites, with lyrics proven on screens. All you must do is take part. It’s not karaoke — there’s no stage or microphone. Simply singing alongside. For this vacation version, the group will likely be belting out tracks that have been among the many most requested at 2022’s 4 earlier occasions. 9 p.m. to midnight. Free.

‘Jack Frost’ at DC9: There are many probabilities to look at heartwarming motion pictures within the days earlier than Christmas. After which there’s “Jack Frost.” To not be confused with the 1998 comedy that finds Michael Keaton reincarnated as a snowman, the plot of this low-budget 1997 slasher flick encompasses a serial killer who turns right into a murderous snowman after a site visitors accident involving a truck carrying genetic materials from a lab. It screens at DC9 as a part of the rock membership’s vacation film sequence. 7 p.m. Free.

‘Messiah’ Sing-Along at the Kennedy Center: One of many season’s most boisterous — nicely, boisterous and joyful — occasions is the Kennedy Heart’s “Messiah” singalong night, which finds members of the Washington Nationwide Opera Orchestra; visitor soloists; and a 150-strong refrain with members of the Congressional Refrain, the Northern Virginia Chorale and different native singing teams performing a free live performance within the Live performance Corridor. Whereas a restricted variety of advance tickets “offered out” for the efficiency, different seats can be found to these in line on a first-come, first-served foundation, starting at 5:45 p.m. 6 p.m. Free.

Final-minute purchasing concepts: It’s Dec. 23. In case you nonetheless want to buy presents for a liked one — nicely, let’s save that dialogue till after the vacations. However there are answers, and never the sort that require spending means an excessive amount of cash on specific transport. The Downtown Holiday Market, which has taken over two blocks of F Road NW in entrance of the Nationwide Portrait Gallery, closes after Friday, however there’s nonetheless time to browse 62 distributors promoting all kinds of merchandise whereas snacking on mini-doughnuts or bratwurst and listening to jazz, klezmer and DJs. (Midday to eight p.m. Free.) The thirtieth version of the BZB Shop Til Ya Drop holiday market on the Shiloh Household Life Heart in Shaw on Friday and Saturday options dozens of Black-owned businesses, a few of which come from Atlanta or Africa to arrange on the present. Search for artwork, fashions, house decor, dolls and different presents. (10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Free.) And whereas it appears retro to go to a mall to hunt for the proper current, that’s precisely what you’ll discover at Tysons Nook Heart. The Creative Collective Pop-Up options presents from greater than 40 native companies and makers — prints, housewares, ornaments, jewellery — within the spacious former Arhaus Furnishings location. (Open mall hours Friday and Saturday. Free.)

Festivus Miracles at the Improv: 5 stand-up comedians take to the stage at D.C.’s best-known membership to air grievances and carry out feats of power, offering some much-needed laughter at a busy time of 12 months. (Fortunately, the Improv has a bar, so no hip flasks are wanted.) Rallo Boykins, Matty Litwack, Dewayne White, Cerrome Russell and D. Lo carry out two exhibits. 7:30 and 9:45 p.m. $20; tables $60-$100.

‘Elf’ Toys for Tots Fundraiser at Arlington Cinema and Drafthouse: As “Elf” prepares to show 20 subsequent 12 months, it has secured its place among the many most-loved vacation motion pictures, proven on the American Movie Institute in addition to neighborhood multiplexes. (Don’t inform Pulitzer-winning Washington Publish movie critic Stephen Hunter, whose 2003 evaluation referred to as “Elf” “utterly misbegotten” and “a clumsy, tedious ride.”) In case you’re seeking to unfold some Christmas cheer, head to the Arlington Cinema and Drafthouse, which is internet hosting a screening and ugly sweater celebration with all proceeds benefiting Toys for Tots. The ugliest sweaters win prizes resembling $100 reward certificates from Arlington bars and tickets for stand-up comedy nights. 7 p.m. $15.

Kuzy 777 Release Party at Juicy Brewing: Transfer over, Craig Laughlin. The Washington Capitals broadcast legend has helped produce a number of local craft beers in recent times, however now Caps middle Evgeny Kuznetsov has his personal. Kuznetsov labored with the brewers at Juicy, which opened within the authentic Aslin house in Herndon earlier this 12 months, to supply a dry-hopped Vienna lager with fruity Strata hops. “Our entire group is immensely proud to have a beer made along with and in honor of Kuzy,” Juicy proprietor Anton Sagan mentioned in a press launch. Get a style when the Capitals tackle the Winnipeg Jets on Friday evening, as Juicy is internet hosting the primary of a sequence of Capitals viewing events in its taproom. For many who produce other plans, 16-ounce cans — full with a top level view of Kuznetsov doing his trademark bird celly — will likely be out there to go, starting at midday. 7 p.m. Free admission.

Christmas (and not-so-Christmas) drag exhibits: Nellie’s Sports Bar’s Saturday drag brunch comes with a festive twist this week. This Christmas Eve, seize a chew on the all-you-can-eat brunch buffet and luxuriate in a primary mimosa or bloody mary on the home whereas singing alongside to Mariah-worthy performances by drag queens. (Saturday at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. $50.) But when the festivities aren’t your factor (or if you happen to’ve lastly bored with the now-months-long vacation season), try Jane Saw and Dabatha Christie’s anti-Christmas Christmas show on the evening earlier than the evening earlier than Christmas at Slash Run. (Friday at 9 p.m. $15.)

Bagel Ball vs. MatzoBall: Two dance events focused at Jewish singles are dealing with off throughout Connecticut Avenue on Christmas Eve. On one aspect, at A long time, you’ve obtained the MatzoBall, a celebration that started in Boston in 1987 and, it boasts, now attracts 1000’s of revelers at events from New York to Los Angeles to Boca Raton and was once described in Cosmo as “Tinder IRL.” Past common admission, there’s a cut-the-line ticket, in addition to VIP tables with minimal spends starting from $600 to $2,000. (9:30 p.m. $40.) Over at Public Bar, the Bagel Ball appears a bit extra low-key, with DJs, drink specials, “heavy snacks (together with bagels)” and a dreidel-spinning competitors. Arrive earlier than 10 p.m. for a free drink. (9 p.m. $25.)

Holiday movies at the Runaway: Christmas Eve generally is a little bit of a useless zone for bars, particularly those who repeatedly characteristic dwell music. As an alternative of a band, the Runaway gives a doubleheader of Nineteen Eighties vacation classics: “A Christmas Story” at 4 p.m. and “Nationwide Lampoon’s Christmas Trip” at 6. Order a burger and a beer and settle in. Doorways open at 11 a.m. Free.

All-Star Christmas Day Jazz Jam at the Kennedy Center: On a day when a lot of Washington involves a halt — Smithsonian museums closed, golf equipment and theaters darkish — the Kennedy Heart gives leisure to perk up the night. Because the late ’90s, the performing arts citadel has supplied a Christmas Day Jazz Jam, as soon as hosted by legendary bassist Keter Betts and now led by brothers Chuck (vibraphone) and Robert (piano) Redd. Be part of the Redds and a group of musicians, together with vocalist Lori Williams, for a free night of seasonal favorites and chestnuts within the Live performance Corridor. The live performance may even be live-streamed, if you happen to’d relatively watch from house after dinner as a substitute of constructing the trek to Foggy Backside. A restricted variety of free tickets can be found upfront by means of the Kennedy Heart web site, and these tickets have to be picked up by 5:45 p.m. on the day of the efficiency. All different seats can be found on a first-come, first-served foundation. 6 p.m. Free.

Our By the Manner colleague Gabe Hiatt put collectively a stable listing of places to spend a secular Christmas in D.C., with restaurant, bar, film and sightseeing suggestions. Listed below are a number of extra:

Motion pictures: There’s nothing fallacious with going to see “Avatar: The Manner of Water” or “Black Panther: Wakanda Ceaselessly” on the native multiplex, however if you wish to get within the spirit of the season, AFI Silver Theatre is displaying “The Muppet Christmas Carol” (11:30 a.m.) and “Miracle on thirty fourth Road” (11:45 a.m.) as a part of its Vacation Classics sequence. $10; $5 for youngsters 12 and youthful.

Christmas Day Brunch at the Fairmont: Hold the Christmas festivities going after an early morning of celebration with a meal on the Georgetown lodge. Put on your Christmas pajamas — or don’t hassle altering earlier than you head to M Road NW — and luxuriate in a standard all-you-can-eat brunch with upscale additions, like charcuterie platters and a seafood station by chef Jordi Gallardo, within the lodge’s festively adorned Colonnade restaurant. 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. $159; $59 for youngsters ages 5 to 12; free for youngsters beneath 5.

Another concepts: The NFL doesn’t cease for the vacation, so Crystal City Sports Pub is open at 8 a.m. for pre-gaming wants. In Bethesda, Caddies on Cordell opens at 11:30 a.m. for soccer viewing. Lyman’s Tavern opens at 11 a.m., and whereas the kitchen is closed all day, the bar historically orders a big unfold of Chinese language from the close by Johnny’s carryout, which is out there from 6 p.m. till it runs out. (Free.) As You Are Bar on Barracks Row opens at midday for a “Espresso and Dialog” mixer hosted by Go Homosexual D.C., and the common Sunday evening karaoke with KJ Amanda Vox at 7 p.m. (Free.) Seize a spot on the zinc bar at Bistrot du Coin for a glass of purple wine, starting at 4 p.m. Trade opens at 5 p.m., and comfortable hour runs till 8. Bloomingdale’s Showtime opens at 8 p.m. for beer-and-a-shot combos. This listing will likely be up to date.

The Premier League returns: In case you obtained used to waking up early to go to a bar and watch soccer in the course of the World Cup, you would possibly as nicely preserve doing it all through the vacations. The English Premier League returns from its month-long break with a slate of seven video games. The featured match is a London derby between West Ham and league leaders Arsenal at 3 p.m. Watch with the West Ham followers at Across the Pond or the Arsenal followers at Lou’s City Bar. Different viewing events embrace Everton at Across the Pond to look at their match with Wolves at 10 a.m.; Newcastle at Hawk and Griffin in Vienna at 10 a.m. to look at the match towards Leicester; and Liverpool followers at the Queen Vic and Crystal City Sports Pub for his or her 12:30 p.m. kickoff towards Aston Villa. (Per the D.C. Spurs group, the Irish Channel is not opening for his or her 7:30 a.m. derby towards Brentford.)

Tuesday brings extra matches that includes Chelsea (the Irish Channel), Manchester United (Solace Outpost Navy Yard) and Nottingham Forest (Across the Pond), earlier than the spherical wraps up with Manchester Metropolis (the Ugly Mug) and Leeds (in some way no native supporters membership) on Wednesday.