Music and dance to fit the festive season are everywhere during the next few weeks. Here is a look at some of the best the Washington area has to offer.At Christmas in the “choral capital of the world,” as Washington has been called, the area’s many choruses pull out all the stops. A candlelight procession by the Master Chorale of Washington sets the tone. Other large choruses stage special productions, like the Cathedral Choral Society, the Choral Arts Society, the Metropolitan Chorus, the Washington Chorus and the Washington Women’s Chorus, which gets help from the Holton Arms School’s hand-bell ensemble.
Bach is a Christmas favorite, and the New Dominion Chorale will not only perform the baroque master’s “Magnificat” but will premiere a new “Magnificat” by the group’s director, Thomas Beveridge, with orchestration identical to that of Bach’s piece. The Washington Bach Consort similarly will pay homage to its namesake with seasonal cantatas.
Intimate presentations by smaller groups feature the Circle Singers, the National Men’s Chorus, the Washington Men’s Camerata and a cappella ensembles Voices XXI and Suspicious Cheese Lords, the latter exploring medieval and Renaissance music. Enjoy Christmas at King Henry VIII’s court with the Folger Consort, Irish Christmases with Teada and Eileen Ivers, and holiday operatic tunes with the New Sigmund Romberg Orchestra.
Bands of the U.S. Army, Navy and Marine Corps present their stuff, as will the Canadian Brass and Empire Brass. “Merry TubaChristmas,” 100 sonorous tubas, sousaphones and euphoniums strong, fills the foyer at the Kennedy Center, which also presents a three-day Hanukkah Celebration, a baroque concert by Hesperus, seasonal jazz and the Spirit of Kwanzaa.
The 24th Annual Christmas Revels delights with music, dance and stories from black, American Indian, Appalachian, Shaker and Moravian traditions. Other traditions include Cathy Fink and Marcy Marxer’s 21st Annual Holiday Family Concert and Linn Barnes and Allison Hampton’s “Celtic Christmas.”
Speaking of traditions, the annual Kennedy Center “Messiah” singalong with the Opera House Orchestra will feature the Cathedral Choral Society. It’s just one of the many “Messiah” performances in the area bringing magic to the season, as do presentations of the “Nutcracker,” in varieties ranging from hip-hop to a ballet version set in Washington.
And stop by the National Gallery of Art. You can sing with carolers there in the decorated rotunda, hear Nordic Voices ringing in the West Garden Court and skate on the outdoor Sculpture Garden ice rink.
Choral
• Alexandria Choral Society: ” ’Tis the Season: Annual Family Holiday Concert.” Both the adult and children’s ACS choruses. George Washington National Masonic Memorial, 101 Callahan Dr., Alexandria. 4 p.m. Dec. 10. $3-$18; free to children 12 and under. 703/548-4734, www.alexchoralsociety.org
• Cathedral Choral Society: “The Joy of Christmas.” The Children’s Chorus of Washington, featuring the premiere of a carol by John Tavener. Washington National Cathedral, Massachusetts and Wisconsin avenues Northwest. 7:30 p.m. Dec. 15; 4 p.m. Dec. 16 and 17. $20-$65. 202/537-5527, www.cathedralchoralsociety.org
• Catholic University of America: Christmas Concert for Charity. The CUA Chorus and Symphony Orchestra join the Choir of the Basilica. Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, 400 Michigan Ave. NE. 7:30 p.m. Dec. 1. Free, donations requested. 202/526-8300, www.nationalshrine.com
• Choral Arts Society of Washington: “Christmas Music,” with the American Youth Philharmonic. Kennedy Center Concert Hall, 7 p.m. Dec. 18 and 1:30 p.m. Dec. 22; Music Center at Strathmore, North Bethesda, 7 p.m. Dec. 20. $17-$59. “Family Christmas Concerts,” Kennedy Center Terrace Theater, 2 and 4 p.m. Dec. 16. $20-$30. 202/244-3669, www.choralarts.org
• Circle Singers: A blend of familiar and contemporary choral music. St. David’s Episcopal Church, 5150 Macomb St. NW, 4 p.m. Dec. 3 (pre-concert talk at 3 p.m.); St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church, 4700 Whitehaven Parkway NW, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 9. Receptions follow concerts. $15-$20. Free to children 12 and under. 202/882-3537, www.circlesingers.com
• Master Chorale of Washington: “Christmas Candlelight Concert.” Holiday music and candlelight procession, with brass, organ and percussion. Kennedy Center Concert Hall. 2 p.m. Dec. 17 and 4 p.m. Dec. 23. $20-$69. 202/337-7464, www.masterchorale.org
• Metropolitan Chorus: “Season’s Greetings.” With the Washington Balalaika Society. Thomas Jefferson Theatre, 125 S. Old Glebe Road, Arlington. 3 p.m. Dec. 10. $5-$18. 703/933-2500, www.metchorus.org
• National Men’s Chorus: A holiday program accompanied by piano. Western Presbyterian Church, 24th and G streets Northwest. 4 p.m. Dec. 10. $7.50-$15. 202/244-7191, www.nationalmenschorus.org
• New Dominion Chorale: Bach’s “Magnificat” and the premiere of chorale director Thomas Beveridge’s “Magnificat,” and other seasonal music with vocal soloists, organ and chamber orchestra. Schlesinger Concert Hall, Northern Virginia Community College, 3001 N. Beauregard St., Alexandria. 4 p.m. Dec. 3. $5-$25. 703/442-9404, www.newdominion.org
• Nordic Voices: Christmas music from Norway and other countries. National Gallery of Art, West Building, West Garden Court, Sixth Street and Constitution Avenue Northwest. 6:30 p.m. Dec. 17. Free. Admission first-come, first-seated beginning at 6 p.m. 202/737-4215, www.nga.gov
• Voices XXI: “Christmas Concert: Jubilant Voices.” Renaissance, 20th- and 21st-century music for a cappella chorus and music for chorus and organ. Chevy Chase United Methodist Church, 7001 Connecticut Ave., Chevy Chase. 7:30 p.m. Dec. 9. Free, donations accepted. 240/643-6563, www.voicesxxi.org
• Washington Bach Consort: “Seasonal Cantatas.” Music of Christmas, Advent and Epiphany. National Presbyterian Church, 4101 Nebraska Ave. NW. 3 p.m. Dec. 10. $35-$55. 202/429-2121, www.bachconsort.org
• Washington Chorus: “Music for Christmas.” With tenor Carl Tanner, organ, brass, percussion and Chantilly’s Westfield High School Chamber Singers under Music Director Robert Shafer. Kennedy Center Concert Hall, 2 p.m. Dec. 16 and 1 p.m. Dec. 23; Music Center at Strathmore, 5301 Tuckerman Lane, Bethesda, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 21. $19-$56. 202/342-6221, www.thewashingtonchorus.org
• Washington Men’s Camerata: “Christmas with the Camerata.” Bradley Hills Presbyterian Church, 6601 Bradley Blvd., Bethesda, 4 p.m. Dec. 10; Fairlington United Methodist Church, 3900 King St., Alexandria, 8 p.m. Dec. 16; Church of the Epiphany, 1317 G St. NW, 3 p.m. Dec. 17. $15-$25, $50 family. 202/364-1064, www.camerata.com
• Washington Women’s Chorus: “Carols at Christmas.” With the hand-bell ensemble from Holton Arms School. St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church, 4700 Whitehaven Parkway NW, 7 p.m. Dec. 2; St. Andrews Episcopal Church, 4000 Lorcum Lane, Arlington, 4 p.m. Dec. 3. $15-$20. 202/244-7367, www.washingtonwomenschorus.org
• Youth Choir of the Hogalid Church of Stockholm: Swedish Christmas music and a procession from the Feast of Saint Lucia. St. Columba’s Church, 4201 Albemarle St. NW. 8 p.m. Dec. 8. Free, donations accepted. 202/363-4119, www.columba.org
Early Music
• Hesperus: “A Baroque Christmas.” Period music ensemble in baroque classics with organist J. Reilly Lewis. Kennedy Center Concert Hall. 6 p.m. Dec. 26. Free. 202/467-4600, www.kennedy-center.org
• Suspicious Cheese Lords: Medieval and Renaissance seasonal music for unaccompanied male voices. St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 4900 Connecticut Ave. NW. 4 p.m. Dec. 16. Free, but a donation of $20 is suggested. 202/966-5439, www.cheeselords.org
• Folger Consort: “Greensleeves.” Christmas at the court of Henry VIII. Folger Elizabethan Theatre, 201 E. Capitol St. SE. 8 p.m. Dec. 15, 16 and 22; 5 p.m. Dec. 16, 17 and 23; 2 p.m. Dec. 17; 7:30 p.m. Dec. 19-21. $40. 202/544-7077, www.folger.edu
Folkways
• Barnes and Hampton Celtic Consort: “A Celtic Christmas.” Seasonal offerings on harp, guitar, flutes, pipes and bodhran, interspersed with dramatic readings. Dumbarton Church, 3133 Dumbarton St. NW. 4 p.m. Dec. 9, 10 and 16; 8 p.m. Dec. 9, 15 and 16; 7 p.m. Dec. 14. $26-$30. 202/965-2000, www.dumbartonconcerts.org
• Cantare: “Feliz Navidad — Latin American Holiday Celebration.” Argentinean duo presents songs and stories from different holiday traditions rooted in the indigenous, African and European heritage of Latin America. Strathmore Mansion, 10701 Rockville Pike, North Bethesda. 7:30 p.m. Dec. 6. $10. 301/581-5100, www.strathmore.org
• Cathy Fink & Marcy Marxer: “21st Annual Holiday Family Concert.” The folk-music duo is joined by percussionist Billy Jonas. AFI Silver Theatre, 8633 Colesville Road, Silver Spring. 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Dec. 2. $8. Toy donations for the Marvelous Toy Drive accepted. 240/777-6820, www.montgomerycountymd.gov/rec
• Coral Cantigas: “Navidad! Carols and Parrandas.” Latin American Christmas music. Bradley Hills Presbyterian Church, 6601 Bradley Blvd., Bethesda. 5 p.m. Dec. 3. $15-$25. Free to children 12 and under. 301/424-8296, www.cantigas.org
• Eileen Ivers: “An Nollaig — An Irish Christmas.” The nine-time All-Ireland Fiddle Champ joins other traditional musicians and dancers. Center for the Arts, George Mason University, Braddock Road and Route 123, Fairfax. 8 p.m. Dec. 15. $21-$42, children 12 and under half price. 703/993-2787, www.gmu.edu/cfa
• Teada: “An Irish Christmas in America.” The Irish traditional band Teada, augmented by guest artists, explores the customs and music of Ireland’s yuletide season. National Geographic’s Gilbert H. Grosvenor Auditorium, 1600 M St. NW. 6 and 8:30 p.m. Dec. 7 and 8. $27. 202/857-7700, www.nationalgeographic.com
• Washington Reflections Dance Company: “The Spirit of Kwanzaa.” Fabian Barnes and his dance company in their 11th annual celebration of the holiday. Kennedy Center Concert Hall. 8 p.m. Dec. 28 and 29. $15-$30. 202/467-4600, www.kennedy-center.org
• Washington Revels: The 24th Annual Christmas Revels. Early American music, dance and stories drawn from black, American Indian, Appalachian, Shaker and Moravian traditions. George Washington University, Lisner Auditorium, 21st and H streets Northwest. 7:30 p.m. Dec. 8, 9, 15 and 16; 2 p.m. Dec. 9, 10, 16 and 17. $9-$40. 800/595-4849 or 202/723-7528; www.revelsdc.org
Bands
• Canadian Brass: Classical music, carols and jazzy renditions of seasonal songs. Center for the Arts, George Mason University, Braddock Road and Route 123, Fairfax. 8 p.m. Dec. 16. $25-$50, children 12 and under half price. 703/993-2787, www.gmu.edu/cfa
• Empire Brass: Holiday standards, classical transcriptions, traditional carols and original arrangements. Kennedy Center Terrace Theater. 7:30 p.m. Dec. 10. $40. 202/467-4600, www.kennedy-center.org
• “Merry TubaChristmas”: More than 100 tubas, sousaphones and euphoniums welcome the season in the Kennedy Center foyer. 6 p.m. Dec. 4. Free. 202/467-4600, www.kennedy-center.org
• U.S. Army Band: “A Stan Kenton Christmas with the Duke Ellington Nutcracker,” Kenmore Middle School, 200 S. Carlin Springs Road, Arlington, 3 p.m. Dec. 3, free (no tickets required). All performances of “A Holiday Festival” at DAR Constitution Hall Dec. 8-10 sold out. 703/696-3399, www.usarmyband.com
• U.S. Marine Band: Holiday singalong. “The President’s Own” joins community choral groups and an expected audience of more than 7,000 in Christmas carols and Hanukkah songs. Wolf Trap Filene Center, Vienna. 4 p.m. Dec. 3. Free. Bring a bell to ring, a candle to light and a new unwrapped toy for Toys for Tots. First-come, first-served seating starts at 3 p.m. 703/255-1900, www.wolftrap.org
• U.S. Navy Band: “Happy Holidays.” DAR Constitution Hall, 1776 D St. NW. 7:30 p.m. Dec. 16, 3 p.m. Dec. 17. Free; reserved tickets required. For availability, call or see the Web site: 202/433-2525, www.navyband .navy.mil
Miscellaneous
• Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra: “Boston Pops Holiday Concert.” DAR Constitution Hall, 1776 D St. NW. 8 p.m. Nov. 30. $30-$105. 202/785-9727, www.wpas.org
• Caroling at the National Gallery of Art: Sing along with guest choirs and ensembles. National Gallery of Art, West Building Rotunda, Sixth Street and Constitution Avenue Northwest. 2 p.m. Dec. 9, 10, 16, 17, 23 and 24. Free. 202/737-4215, www.nga.gov
• Christopher Parkening and Jubilant Sykes: “A Classical Christmas.” Guitarist Parkening and baritone Sykes perform Christmas classics and spirituals. Center for the Arts, George Mason University, Braddock Road and Route 123, Fairfax. 8 p.m. Dec. 8. $21-$42. 703/993-2787, www.gmu.edu/cfa
• “Hanukkah Celebration”: Klezmer bands, storytelling, juggling and other traditional fare, offered during a three-day celebration. Kennedy Center Millennium Stage. 6 p.m. Dec. 18-20. Free. 202/467-4600, www.kennedy-center.org
• National Public Radio’s “A Jazz Piano Christmas”: Jazz pianists perform their seasonal favorites, recorded for later broadcast on NPR. Kennedy Center Terrace Theater. 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. Dec. 8. $30. 202/467-4600, www.kennedy-center.org
• National Symphony Orchestra Pops: “Happy Holidays.” Kennedy Center Concert Hall. 7 p.m. Dec. 7, 8 and 10, 8 p.m. Dec. 9. $20-$80. 202/467-4600, www.kennedy-center.org
• New Sigmund Romberg Orchestra: “A Viennese Christmas” with soloists. Operatic and holiday favorites. Music Center at Strathmore, 5301 Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda. 7 p.m. Dec. 14. $18-$48. 301/581-5100, www.strathmore.org
Handel’s ’Messiah’
• Baltimore Symphony Orchestra and the Soulful Symphony: “Soulful Celebration” presents Quincy Jones’ symphonic gospel version of “Messiah” and Duke Ellington’s interpretation of Tchaikovsky’s “Nutcracker Suite.” Music Center at Strathmore, 5301 Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda. 8 p.m. Dec. 9. $18-$55. 877-276-1444, www.bsoats trathmore.org
• Cantate Chamber Singers: “Der Messias” sung in German with vocal soloists. St. Columba’s Episcopal Church, 4201 Albemarle St. NW, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 16; Westmoreland Congregational Church, 1 Westmoreland Circle, Bethesda, 4 p.m. Dec. 17. $30, $12 children under 18. 301/986-1799, www.cantate.org
• National Philharmonic: Orchestra and vocal soloists. Music Center at Strathmore, 5301 Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda. 8 p.m. Dec. 23. $25-$79, free to children 7 to 17. 301/581-5100, www.strathmore.org
• National Symphony Orchestra: Joined by vocal soloists and the Cathedral Choral Society. Kennedy Center Concert Hall. 7 p.m. Dec. 21 and 22; 8 p.m. Dec. 23; 1 p.m. Dec. 24. $20-$80. 202/467-4600, www.kennedy-center.org
• Metropolitan Chorus: Annual singalong. First Presbyterian Church, 601 N. Vermont St., Arlington. 5 p.m. Dec. 2. Free. 703/933-2500, www.metchorus.org
• Singalong with chorus, orchestra and soloists: Fairlington United Methodist Church, 3900 King St., Alexandria. 4 p.m. Dec. 10. Free. 703/671-4057, www.fairlingtonumc.org
• Singalong with the Opera House Orchestra, soloists and the Cathedral Choral Society: Kennedy Center Concert Hall. 8 p.m. Dec. 17. Free; tickets required, and distributed Dec. 9 starting at 10 a.m. in the Kennedy Center Hall of Nations; limit two per person. 202/467-4600, www.kennedy-center.org
’The Nutcracker’
• Momentum Dance Theatre: A jazz and hip-hop adaptation of Duke Ellington’s version of the Tchaikovsky piece, plus hip-hop tracks, break dancing and rap. Publick Playhouse, 5445 Landover Road, Cheverly, 10:15 a.m. and noon Dec. 7 and 8 and 3 p.m. Dec. 9; Stuart Hobson Middle School, 410 E St. NE, 10:15 a.m. Dec. 15, 3 p.m. Dec. 16 and 17 and 8 p.m. Dec. 16. $7-$20. 202/785-0035, www.momentumdancetheatre.com
• Puppet Company: A puppet version. Puppet Company Playhouse, Glen Echo Park, 7300 MacArthur Blvd., Glen Echo. 10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. Wednesday-Friday and 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. Saturday-Sunday through Dec. 31. $8. 301/320-6668, www.thepuppetco.org
• Rockville Civic Ballet: Fitzgerald Theatre, Rockville Civic Center, Baltimore Road and Edmonston Drive. 2 and 4 p.m. Dec. 2, 3, 9 and 10 and 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. Dec. 2 and 9. $8-$12. 240/314-8690, www.rockvillemd.gov
• Washington Ballet: Company director Septime Webre’s version, set in Washington. Warner Theatre, 1299 Pennsylvania Ave. NW. 7 p.m. Dec. 7-9, 13-16 and 20-23; 2 p.m. Dec. 9, 16 and 21-23; 1 p.m. Dec. 10 and 17; 5:30 p.m. Dec. 17. $29-$75. 202/397-SEAT, www.washingtonballet.org
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