’Tis the season for boat parades — in Alexandria and at the Wharf. The Keegan Theatre has “Top Girls” and Encore Stage has 12 little girls (“the smallest one was Madeline”). In Georgetown, check out the Swedish Christmas Bazaar and Breakfast with Santa in Volta Park. Also this weekend: Christmas in Middleburg, with the tree lighting on Friday and the hunt review and parade on Saturday.
Alexandria Boat Parade of Lights
On Saturday, Dec. 2, at 3 p.m. (the Scottish Christmas Walk is at 11 a.m.), the historic harbor of Alexandria, Virginia, will shine as dozens of brightly lit boats cruise the Potomac River. Boats will be decked to impress a panel of judges who will award prizes in a dozen categories. Santa Claus will arrive by fireboat at the Alexandria City Marina before the parade, then walk to the Torpedo Factory Art Center and meet with children until 6 p.m. D.C. media personality Tommy McFly of 94.7 Fresh FM will serve as the parade announcer while the Fresh FM Street Team presents music, games and prizes on the dock from 5 to 7 p.m. For details, visit visitalexandriava.com.
Light Up the Wharf and Boat Parade
Holiday festivities at the Wharf, the new mixed-use development on the Southwest waterfront, begin Friday, Dec. 1, with Light Up the Wharf, a free Christmas tree lighting event, from 5 to 8 p.m. at District Square and District Pier. On Saturday, Dec. 2, at 7 p.m., the 26th annual District Holiday Boat Parade will feature a procession of more than 50 creatively illuminated boats and end with fireworks at 8 p.m. There will also be ice skating, hot chocolate and s’mores. For details, visit wharfdc.com.
‘Top Girls’ at Keegan Theatre
The Keegan Theatre, 1742 Church St. NW, wraps up the run of “Top Girls” by Caryl Churchill, a daring and darkly humorous portrait of women and success set against the backdrop of Thatcher’s England. Performances are 8 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 30; Friday, Dec. 1; and Saturday, Dec. 2; and 3 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 3. Tickets are $35 and $45. For details, visit keegantheatre.com or call 202-265-3767.
Encore Stage’s ‘Madeline’s Christmas’
“In an old house in Paris that was covered with vines lived 12 little girls in two straight lines.” So begins this delightful story of “Madeline’s Christmas,” presented by Encore Stage at Gunston Theatre One, 2700 South Lang St. in Arlington, Virginia. Miss Clavel takes the 12 little girls on a series of adventures when disaster suddenly strikes as everyone gets the flu! Everyone that is, except for the ever-resilient Madeline. This charming musical is recommended for age 4 and older. Performances are Friday, Dec. 1, at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 2, at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.; Sunday, Dec. 3, at 3 p.m. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for children. For details, visit encorestageva.org or call 703-548-1154.
Tongue in Cheek Band
The Arlington Cultural Affairs free (with RSVP) First Friday series, Groovin’ On the Pike, continues with a performance by Baltimore’s Tongue in Cheek Band on Friday, Dec. 1, at 7 p.m. at Columbia Pike Branch Library, 816 S. Walter Reed Drive in Arlington, Virginia. Blending the sounds of Storyville and Congo Square, the rich sophistication of the Roaring Twenties in New York and Chicago and the down and dirty depressed era of Prohibition, Tongue in Cheek Jazz Band takes listeners back to an authentic and exciting time. For details, visit arlingtonarts.org or call 703-228-5710.
Samantha Bee at the Kennedy Center
On Friday, Dec. 1, at 8 p.m., the Kennedy Center, 2700 F St. NW, will host a moderated Q&A with the host of “Full Frontal with Samantha Bee,” who will bring her trademark satirical commentary to this debut appearance. Tickets are $49 to $89. For details, visit kennedy-center.org or 800-444-1324.
Swedish Christmas Bazaar
The Christmas Bazaar at House of Sweden, 2900 K St. NW, on Saturday, Dec. 2, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., will offer Scandinavian décor, crafts, a Swedish café and a raffle. The St. Lucia procession, with traditional caroling, will take place at 5 p.m. For details, visit washingtondc.swea.org.
Homeward Bound for Christmas
This celebration of Capitol Hill Chorale’s 25th anniversary — Saturday, Dec. 2, at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 3, at 4 p.m. at Lutheran Church of the Reformation, 212 East Capitol St. NE — begins with the premiere of a five-movement “Appalachian Christmas Cantata” by composer-in-residence Kevin Siegfried, based on the music of Jean Richie. Also on the program are carols of the Moravians, puritans and patriots. Tickets are $15 and $25 (free for age 12 and under with a paying adult). For details, visit capitolhillchorale.com or call 202-543-4200.
Washington Symphonic Brass
This “Home for the Holidays” program in the Barns at Wolf Trap, 1635 Trap Road in Vienna, Virginia, will be a resounding celebration of the holiday season. Members of the Washington Symphonic Brass have played with the National Symphony Orchestra, the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra and the Philadelphia Orchestra. Performances are Sunday, Dec. 3, at 3 and 7:30 p.m. For details, visit wolftrap.org or call 703-255-1868.
Breakfast with Santa in Volta Park
The Friends of Volta Park invite area residents to welcome the season on Sunday, Dec. 3, from 10 a.m. to noon. Santa will arrive by magical sleigh and pose for pictures with children young and old. Activities at the park, 1555 34th St. NW, will include Christmas carolers, holiday crafts and Coach John’s soccer school. There will be complimentary coffee, hot chocolate, doughnuts and other baked goods. For details, visit voltapark.org.
CPR Party at Sylene
On Sunday, Dec. 3, from 10 a.m. to noon, woman-owned lingerie store Sylene, 4407 S. Park Ave. in Chevy Chase, Maryland, will host a CPR party. This fast, fun and free morning program of the C.L.A.Y. Foundation will empower attendees with the lifesaving skills of CPR and water-safety awareness. Attendees will also receive 20-percent off gift card purchases Sunday only. For details, visit sylenecprparty@eventbrite.com or call 301-654-4200.
Pianists Inna Faliks and Daniel Schlosberg
On Sunday, Dec. 3, at 3:30 p.m. at the National Gallery of Art, 401 Constitution Ave. NW, there will be a free concert by pianists Inna Faliks and Daniel Schlosberg, faculty members at UCLA and the University of Notre Dame, respectively. The two will perform Gustav Mahler’s “Symphony No. 6 in A Minor,” arranged for piano four-hands by Alexander Zemlinsky. For details, visit nga.gov or call 202-737-4215.