Get Out: Ideas for the Weekend

The holiday season is here, and you don’t have to travel far to shop for gifts or celebrate with family and friends. Our picks for the weekend:

1.) Bethesda’s Winter Wonderland

Why Go: Bethesda’s annual family-friendly winter celebration has arrived! Enjoy a free winter concert at Imagination Stage Friday evening, followed by an outdoor concert by school choir groups and a live ice sculpting demonstration Saturday in Bethesda's Veterans Park. Mr. Claus is expected to make a cameo.

Where/When: The begins at 8p.m. Friday at 4908 Auburn Ave. in Bethesda. The choir concerts and ice sculpting presentations will take place from 1-4p.m. Saturday in Bethesda's at Woodmont and Norfolk Avenues.

Price: Free

2.)

Where/When: 5-8 p.m. Thursday at 7121 Bethesda Lane in Bethesda

Why Go: Mix and mingle with local greenies, meet the executive director of Greater Washington Interfaith Power & Light and learn about what local congregations are doing to go green. Enjoy happy hour specials and complementary vegetarian appetizers.

Price: $10 at the door will benefit and Greater Washington Interfaith Power & Light.

3.) The Nutcracker, presented by Metropolitan Ballet

Where/When: Dec. 2-4 at the Robert E. Parilla Performing Arts Center at in Rockville

Why Go: See a traditional holiday season show, The Nutcracker, performed by participants in Rockville's Metropolitan Ballet program.

Price: Tickets are $17 to $22. Call 240-567-5301.

4.)

Where/When: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays; 10 a.m. – 9 p.m. Wednesdays and 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Saturdays through Dec. 30 at

Why Go: This annual exhibit will feature some of the smallest works of art.

Price: Free

5.)

Where/When: noon – 6 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays through Jan 8, 2012, along with selected weekdays in Glen Echo Park's

Why Go: Peruse and buy the work of Glen Echo Park resident artists, instructors and invited artists in mediums including glass, ceramics, jewelry, photography, and painting. Check a few items off your holiday shopping list or take home a few treasures for yourself!

Price: Free