Free Holiday Happenings

I hope you get to enjoy some of these free Holiday Events in and around our Nations Capital in the coming weeks-

Lighting of the National Christmas Tree Ceremony Tickets required for the lighting ceremony December 1, 2011. Tree and the Pathway of Peace are illuminated until 11 p.m. until Jan. 1. Musical performances held nightly on the Ellipse stage.

U. S. Botanic Gardenlive musical performances Tuesdays and Thursdays 6 to 8 p.m. in December. The United States Botanic Garden Conservatory is open to the public, free of charge, every day of the year. 100 Maryland Avenue, SW, 202 225 8333 or www.usbg.gov.

Thursday Dec 1 6-8pm -Laissez Foure, swingin' jazz quartet

Tuesday Dec 6 6-8pm -Downtown Quartet, barbershop quartet

Thursday Dec 8 6:30-8pm -Convivium, choral group

Holiday concerts at The Willard Hotel Choral & musical ensembles from the DC area, 5:30-7:30 throughout December, 1401 Pennsylvania Ave NW, washington.intercontinental.com/ FREE

December 1 The Washington Chorus

December 2 Open Fifths

December 3 The Encore Singers

December 4 Alexandria Singers

December 5 Musica Oriana

December 6 Potomac Harmony Chorus

December 7 Illuminare

December 8 Washington Women’s Chorus

Festival of Lights - The Mormon Temple in Kensington MD is open to all during the Christmas season, and its surrounding grounds shine brightly with more than 450,000 lights. Local musical groups perform live concerts. December 2 to January 1, 6:30pm – 10 pm details at www.dctemplelights.lds.org (301- 587-0144) FREE

ZoolightsDec 2-4, 9-11, 16-23, 26-30 and Jan. 1 from 5 to 9. A display of animal sculptures made from thousands of environmentally friendly LED lights. Animal housesremain open during the event. Kids’ Farm-themed model train in the Visitor Center auditorium. Gingerbread habitat contest winners revealed Dec 11 at 6. Ice less skating rink at the zoo’s picnic pavilion. National Zoo, 3001 Connecticut Ave. NW (202-633-4888) www.nationalzoo.si.edu Free Admission - $5 for 30-minute skate session, $2 skate rental

Handel’s Messiah - Calvary Baptist Church Dec 2 at 7:30. Conducted by Cheryl Branham with soprano Natalie Barrens, mezzo-contralto Susan Sevier, tenor Dwayne Pinkney and baritone Rameen Chaharbaghi. Calvary Baptist Church, 755 Eighth St. NW (202-347-8355) FREE

Holiday Boat Parade of Lights Dec. 3 at 4pm. Alexandria’s harbor lights up when more than 50 brightly lit sailing and powered leisure boats cruise the Potomac at the city’s historic waterfront. Santa arrives by fireboat at 4:15. Parade begins at 6. Alexandria (703- 746-3301) www.visitalexandriava.com FREE

Handel’s Messiah - Fairlington United Methodist Church Dec 4 at 4. Louise C Wilson conducts with guest soloist’s soprano Jennifer Holbrook, counter tenor Daniel Moody, tenor Pete Scott Srackley and bass Jeffery Grayson Gates. Fairlington United Methodist Church, 3900 King St., Alexandria (703-671-8557) www.fairlingtonumc.org FREE - Messiah score $8

Gardeners' Holiday Open House Dec. 4 from noon to 4. Botanic decorations, a toy train display, doll and nutcracker collections, a children's puppet show, refreshments and a gift shop. Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Rd., Alexandria area. (703-642-5173) fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/gsgp. FREE

Rockville Town Square Holiday Open House & Tree LightingDecember 7th 6:30-9pm: Santa, Tree Lighting, Horse & Carriage Rides with donation of a new toy or gift card to the Housing Opportunities Commission, Walter Johnson High School Choir, Dawn Crafton Dance Studio, Rockville Musical Theater Center in Rockville FREE