The Willard Hotel presents free live music weeknights in December from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. The program features top choral and musical ensembles from around the Washington, DC Metro area. Complimentary hot-spiced cider and gingerbread sweets will be provided.

The Willard is an historic luxury hotel and a Washington institution that has hosted almost every U.S. president since Franklin Pierce in 1853. Politicians, heads of state, celebrities and other famous guests have frequented the hotel. The Willard Hotel is located in the heart of downtown, one block from the White House and within walking distance of the Smithsonian Museums, the National Theater and other major Washington, DC attractions. This is a great opportunity to check out the fabulous Christmas decorations and enjoy some holiday cheer in the elegant grandeur of the hotel's famous lobby.

2009 Holiday Performance Schedule

• December 1 - Alexandria Choral Society Children's Chorus
• December 2 - The McLean Symphony Festival Singers
• December 3 - 18th Street Singers
• December 4 - Carmina & Illuminare
• December 5 - Barrington Madrigals
• December 6 - Capital Accord Chorus
• December 7 - Voce
• December 8 - Children's Chorus of Washington
• December 9 - The Colonial Singers
• December 10 - Washington Chorus Outreach Singers
• December 11 - Washington Women's Chorus
• December 12 - Capitol Hill Chorale
• December 13 - Washington Chorus Outreach Singers
• December 14 - Annandale Singers
• December 15 - Georgetown Visitation Preparatory School
• December 16 - The Thomas Circle Singers
• December 17 - Vienna-Falls Chorus
• December 18 - Sound Advice
• December 19 - Counter Top Quartet
• December 20 - The Colonial Singers
• December 21 - Musica Oriana
• December 22 - Cantate Chamber Singers
• December 23 - The City Singers
• December 24 to 28 - no concerts
• December 29 - Potomac Harmony Chorus
• December 30 - Suspicious Cheese Lords
• December 31 - Philomela

Photo © Rachel Cooper, licensed to About.com, Inc.

Related
Holiday Concert Guide for the Washington, DC Area

Here is a unique way to do some holiday shopping. eBay is spreading holiday cheer this year by taking the eBay Mobile Boutique, a mobile eBay Marketplace, on a 12 city tour! The mobile boutique will showcase interactive shopping kiosks, hot holiday merchandise and virtual windows with live auctions on the site from local eBay sellers. Personal shoppers will be on hand to help you find and purchase your holiday gifts and have them shipped wherever you'd like.

The mobile boutique will be at Union Station in Washington DC on Thursday, November 19 and Friday, November 20, 2009, 11a.m.-6 p.m.

Read More About Holiday Shopping in Washington DC

The Washington, DC area has a wide range of theaters to enjoy the Christmas classic ballet - the Nutcracker. Take the whole family to marvel over Clara's Christmas fantasy when the wooden toy soldier comes alive and takes her on a magical tour of wonderful holiday adventures. Find here the Nutcracker performance in the Washington, DC area that best suits your style and budget.

Photo: Washington Ballet © Getty Images

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Holiday Concerts in the Washington, DC Area

Did you know that there are almost 12,000 homeless people in the Washington metropolitan area? The Fannie Mae Foundation is sponsoring a Help the Homeless Walk on the National Mall on November 21, 2009. The walk is designed to raise awareness and funds for Washington, DC area organizations that are working to prevent and end homelessness, with an emphasis on programs that help homeless people return to independent living. Pre-registration and check-in begins at 7:00 a.m. on the front lawn of the Department of Agriculture, at Jefferson Drive between 12th and 14th Streets NW. The 3.1 mile walk circling the Tidal Basin begins at 9:00 a.m. For more information, visit www.helpthehomelessdc.org .

Kellari Taverna is a new Greek restaurant in Washington DC specializing in fresh seafood from the Mediterranean and the Atlantic. The contemporary setting is spacious and makes a nice place to take out of town guests or a large party. Read my review of Kellari Taverna.

For more information about dining around the region, see my Washington DC Restaurant Guide.

See a guide to the top events going on this weekend in Washington, DC and the surrounding communities:

• Museum Shop Around at Strathmore - November 12-15, 2009. Shop at 16 museum shops under one roof at the Mansion at Strathmore, 10701 Rockville Pike, North Bethesda, Maryland (301) 581-5100. Admission: $8.
  
  
• Holiday Craft Shows - Craft shows are great places to get unique gifts for the holidays. This weekend, check out the Northern Virginia Christmas Market, Ashburn Farm Association Craft Fair and the Historic Alexandria Antiques Show and Sale. See more upcoming craft shows around the DC Area.
  
  
• Fantastiks Voyage Scavenger Hunt - November 14, 2009, 1-3 p.m. Hosted by Arena Stage, this free event is a race around DC, discovering clues and meeting a cast of characters. The grand prize includes free tickets to see The Fantasticks and dinner for four. The event is appropriate for all ages and the show is appropriate for those who are 8+.
  
  
• Fall Fringe Festival - November 11-22, 2009, Fort Fringe - The Shop, 607 New York Ave., NW Washington, DC. Three favorite former Fringe performers donate their time and ticket proceeds to the future of Capital Fringe.
  
  
• Frontier Family Day - National Portrait Gallery - November 14, 2009, 11:30 a.m. - 3 p.m. Visit the museum and enjoy Western Frontier crafts, scavenger hunts, bluegrass music, and storytelling.
  
  
• FotoWeek DC - November 7-14, 2009. The second annual celebration of photography in Washington, DC, will feature programs including a photo contest and juried exhibition, gallery openings, lectures, educational workshops, portfolio reviews, book signings and more.
  
  

More Upcoming Events

November Festivals and Events

Thanksgiving in the Washington DC Area

Christmas Events in the Washington DC Area

This holiday season, the National Zoo will shine with thousands of sparkling lights and animated exhibits with larger-than-life light sculptures of many of the Zoo's most popular animals. Visitors at ZooLights will also enjoy winter-themed crafts, ice sculpting demonstrations, choral groups, and storytellers. Tickets are on sale now! Find the details about ZooLights at the National Zoo.

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Top 10 Washington DC Holiday Activities

Bon Jovi has announced that their 2010-2011 "The Circle World Tour," will arrive at Verizon Center in Washington, DC on March 29 at 7:30 p.m. The GRAMMY Award-winning band will spend much of the next two years on the road, performing 135 shows in 30 countries. Tickets go on sale Monday, November 16th at 10:00 a.m. They will be available through Ticketmaster.com and TicketsNow.com.

Photo © Getty Images

The National Archives has just launched a new online reservation system to make it easier for individuals, families, and large groups to visit. By visiting www.recreation.gov, visitors can reserve their choice of dates and times in a matter of minutes. While reservations are not required to visit the National Archives and admission is free, this new system will eliminate the long lines and often lengthy wait.

Advance reservations will allow visitors to avoid the exterior portion of the line to see the Charters of Freedom during the height of the tourist season (mid-March through Labor Day) and during holiday seasons such as the weeks of Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's. The convenience fee for online reservations is $1.50 per person and admission to all of the National Archives Experience exhibits is free.

Read More About the National Archives

More About Washington DC Sightseeing

Washington DC Frequently Asked Questions

Best Washington DC Sightseeing Tours

Washington DC Attractions that Require Advance Planning

The National Gallery of Art ice-skating rink in the Sculpture Garden will open on Saturday, November 14, 2009 and remain open through mid-March, 2010 weather permitting. The ice rink, a popular recreational destination in Washington, attracts approximately 50,000 visitors each season.

© National Gallery of Art

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Winter Family Fun in the Washington DC Area