Washington, DC: Family Fun and Holiday Cheer in the Nation’s Capital. The holiday season is just around the corner, and DC is putting together a lineup of festive, fun-filled and family-friendly events and happenings. The possibilities are endless and the memories worth their weight in gold.

Ice Skating at the National Gallery of Art & Sculpture Garden. View magnificent works of sculpture while gliding in the open air and enjoying music from a state-of-the-art sound system. The Pavilion Café on site offers warm food and drinks.  (National Gallery (202) 737-4215 or www.nga.gov)

DC Sales Tax Holiday. The District of Columbia winter sales tax holiday grants an exemption from the 5.75 percent sales tax on school items, clothes, shoes and accessory items costing $100 or less. (Tax Holiday (202) 727-4TAX or www.dc.gov)

Holiday Celebration at Union Station. Union Station - DC's 100 year-old train station's annual Norwegian holiday celebration begins November as a model train display comes to life, traversing the fjords and landscape of the Norwegian countryside. The Ambassador of Norway lights DC's Official Christmas Tree in the station's grand foyer. (Union Station (202) 289-1908 or www.unionstationdc.com)

Mount Vernon by Candlelight. George Washington's Mount Vernon Estate & Gardens - Visitors learn about the Washingtons' Christmas traditions as they tour the candlelit mansion, meet First Lady 'Martha Washington' and enjoy caroling and free cookies. New features this year include themed decorations, a gingerbread Mount Vernon by former White House pastry chef Roland Mesnier, historical chocolate-making demos and even a Christmas camel similar to the one Washington had on the grounds during Christmas of 1787. (Mount Vernon (703) 780-2000 or www.mountvernon.org)

Lights On!. The first week of December brings a festive lineup of tree lighting ceremonies to some of DC's most famous locations: the White House Ellipse, the U.S. Capitol, Union Station and other high-profile sites throughout the city. On the first night of Hanukkah, the National Menorah's lights also appear on the grounds of the White House. (www.washington.org)

Ford's Theatre's "A Christmas Carol". Lansburgh Theatre- Dickens' holiday classic is a DC tradition, staged by historic Ford's Theatre. During Ford's landmark renovation, "A Christmas Carol" will take the stage at the Lansburgh Theatre. (www.fordstheatre.org)

Pageant of Peace & National Tree Lighting Ceremony. Held on the White House Ellipse the annual lighting of the National Christmas Tree kicks off DC's two-week Pageant of Peace, a holiday celebration of caroling, music, a burning Yule log and other events. The presentation includes lighted trees representing every American state and territory. (www.nps.gov/whho/pageant)

Annual Scottish Christmas Walk. This annual tradition at the Campagna Center kicks off Alexandria's holiday season with the fresh scent of heather and the stirring melody of bagpipes throughout the quaint streets of Old Town. More than 100 Scottish clans dressed in traditional tartans participate in the event. (Scottish Christmas Walk (703) 549-0111 or www.scottishchristmaswalk.com)


Handel's Messiah at The Washington National Cathedral. Each December, the Washington National Cathedral Choir presents this holiday classic. (National Cathedral (202) 537-5527 or www.nationalcathedral.org)

Downtown Holiday Market. This popular holiday market across from the National Portrait Gallery features an outdoor showcase of jewelry, pottery, paintings, and textiles made by local artisans along with live music and homemade snacks. (www.downtowndc.org)

The Washington Ballet's The Nutcracker. Septime Webre's The Nutcracker at the Warner Theatre is an enchanting tribute to our nation's capital starring George Washington as the heroic Nutcracker and England's King George II as the villainous Rat King. Complete with dazzling costumes and sets sprinkled with cherry blossoms, this fresh take on a timeless classic is now a DC holiday tradition. (Washington Ballet (202) 362-3606 or www.washingtonballet.org)

Russian Winter Festival at Hillwood Estate, Museum and Gardens. Hillwood celebrates Russian holiday traditions with folktales, cultural performances, music, hands-on arts projects for kids and self-guided family tours of the museum's Russian art collection. (www.hillwoodmuseum.org)

Make it happen. Destination DC, the lead destination marketing organization for the nation’s capital, is a private, non-profit membership organization of more than 1,000 businesses committed to marketing the area as a premier global convention, tourism and special events destination with a special emphasis on the arts, cultural and historic communities. DestinationDC.com