Today we curl up in front of our virtual fireplace and spend some time talking to you about how Washington, DC handles the winter holidays. There is so much going on for Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and New Year's. And we're including links here to all the things we discuss, so you can follow up on our suggestions!

We start out with the major events - the big ones that really define the season here in Washington. (2:09)
Web links for this section:

• Washington Walks - A Nation's Capital Christmas
• Alexandria and Washington Channel Parade of Lights Holiday Boat Parade
• Harper's Ferry Old Type Christmas
• Candlelight Tours of Mount Vernon
• Old Town Alexandria Candlelight Tours
• Annual Messiah Singalong at the Kennedy Center
• DAR Constitution Hall Holiday events and tours
• National Christmas Tree and Pageant of Peace
• Norwegian Christmas at Union Station
• Entertainment at the Post Office Pavilion
• Georgetown Christmas Market
• Virtual tour of White House Christmas Decorations

We play from Nutcracker, performed in 1999 on the Millennium Stage by the Carol Ringers from St Matthew's United Methodist Church, including our daughter, Sarah.

Next, we talk about Christmas Light Displays. (13:29)
Web links for this section:

• Festival of Lights Mormon Temple, Kensington, MD
• Seneca Creek State Park (and Sandy Point State Park) in Maryland.
• Lights in Watkins Regional Park in Upper Marlboro, Maryland
• Brookside Gardens Garden of Light
• Symphony of Lights, Columbia, MD

We move on to discuss performances in Washington. Which, of course, you cannot do without talking about the Kennedy Center(17:17)
Web links for this section:

• The Kennedy Center
• And the KC's Millennium Stage free concerts daily.
• Gay Men's Chorus of Washington
• A Soulful Christmas at the Warner Theatre
• U.S. Air Force Band Concert Schedule
• U.S. Army Band
• U.S. Navy Band
• DAR Constitution Hall Holiday Concerts - Anita Baker and Andy Williams
• The Washington Revels' Christmas Revels
• Cathedral Choral Society
• Folger Consort Christmas Consort

Our next area of attention is Theatre and Dance for the Holidays.(25:00)
Web links for this section:

• Ford's Theatre, A Christmas Carol
• Washington Walks - A Nation's Capital Christmas
• The Washington Ballet's Nutcracker
• National Ballet, in Maryland, Nutcracker and Nutcracker Sweet

We then turn to the religous observances in Washington.

• National Cathedral (Episcopal)
• National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception (Roman Catholic)
• Franciscan Monastery Commissariat of the Holy Land

Then we move on to look at some events for Hanukkah. (29:12)

• National Menorah Lighting
• Hanukkah Gallery Show and Sale and Hanukkah Festival at Jewish Community Center of Greater Washington. in Rockville, Maryland.

We play Hanukkah Blessings, performed by the W.T. Woodson Select Vocal Ensemble, including our son, George. (30:44)

The Smithsonian Institution always has a great lineup for the Holidays - and 2006 is no exception! (33:26)
Web links for this section:

• National Postal Museum
• The Anacostia Museum
• The Discovery Theatre
• National Museum of the American Indian

We enjoy Auld Lang Syne performed by Friction Bailey and brought to us via the The Podsafe Music Network. (36:27)

We finish up with a look at the opportunities in Washington to party in the New Year! (38:06)
Web links for this section:

• Kennedy Center Offerings on December 31
• Odyssey Cruises
• Dandy Dinner Cruises
• Spirit of Washington
• First Night Alexandria
• First Night Leesburg, VA
• First Fairfax
• The Washington Post Weekend Section

Email us and let us know what you think of our show! We particularly wanted to know if this studio show was helpful to you!

• feedback@washingtontravelcast.net
• Julie@washingtontravelcast.net
• Mark@washingtontravelcast.net

Our Theme Music is Garden Walk by Kim Evans and our walking music today was from Find Me by H. Logo design is by Kathleen Hamm at Hamm Multimedia.