Holiday Arts & Craft Show + Seasonal Events + Parties: MCA In December

The following release was sent out by the McLean Community Center.

MCLEAN, VA — The McLean Community Center offers the following activities in December 2024. Please check the center’s website, mcleancenter.org, for up-to-date information. Residents of the center’s tax district, Small District 1A-Dranesville, are eligible for discounts on fees. All activities are held at the center, located at 1234 Ingleside Ave., McLean, Va. 22101, unless otherwise noted.

MCC Governing Board December 2024 Meeting, Wednesday, Dec. 4 5:30–7 p.m., Holiday Gathering with Board + MCC staff 7:15 p.m., Board Meeting

• All Governing Board meetings are open to the public. Tax district residents (Small District One A-Dranesville) who wish to speak during the “Public Comment” portion of the monthly board meeting are welcome to do so while attending the meeting, or may call the center in advance at 703-790-0123, TTY: 711, to be placed on the speakers’ list.

Presented by The Alden: Foreign Language Film – Holiday Selection “Tokyo Godfathers” (Japan; directed by Shôgo Furuya and Satoshi Kon) Shown in Japanese with English subtitles Thursday, Dec. 5, 1 p.m. Free admission

• In modern-day Tokyo, three homeless people’s lives are changed forever when they discover a baby girl at a garbage dump on Christmas Eve. As the New Year fast approaches, these three forgotten members of society band together to solve the mystery of the abandoned child and the fate of her parents. A heartbreaking, hilarious and highly original adult anime for the holidays. Rated PG-13; 92 minutes.

McLean Holiday Art & Crafts Festival - Friday, Dec. 6, 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 7, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sunday, Dec. 8, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Admission is $5; good for all three days of the show. Free for children 12 or younger.

• Experience seasonal cheer at this delightful three-day indoor juried show featuring approximately 80 talented regional artisans. For more than 40 years, this one-of-a-kind show has offered gifts for every budget including pottery, glass, jewelry, holiday decor, mixed media, fashion accessories, wood, fine art, artisanal foods, soap and more. Stroll to music as you shop and enjoy a beverage or lunch at the onsite café. Make it a date night on Friday and join us for a fun, new Happy Hour with wine, beer and hors d’oeuvres from 4-7 p.m. Admission: $15, which includes three-day show admission. Show management is provided by the Northern Virginia Handcrafters Guild (NVHG).

Old Firehouse 5th & 6th Grader Party - Ugly Sweater Party - Friday, Dec. 6, 7-9:30 p.m., 1440 Chain Bridge Rd., McLean, Va. 22101 Tickets: $35/$25 MCC district residents/$15 OFC Members

• Old Firehouse 5th-6th grader parties are themed and decorated accordingly. Free catered food and beverages will be distributed to participants. The parties feature a DJ, open dance floor and a variety of activities. Preregistration is recommended. Parents who wish to volunteer for parties must submit an email request to oldfirehouse@mcleancenter.org.

Youth Activities: Milk and Cookies with Santa - Saturday, Dec 14, 10 a.m.-12 noon. Admission: $20/$15 MCC district residents

• Meet and greet Santa and other holiday characters and enjoy cookie decorating and snowy crafts. Milk and hot chocolate will be served by an adult. All children participating must register. Please Note: Parental supervision is required for children ages 16 years and younger. Products may contain, dairy, gluten, eggs and other allergens.

Presented by The Alden - “L’Chaim II: A Tribute to the Jewish Legacy of Broadway (and Christmas)” Sunday, Dec. 15, 2 p.m. Tickets: $40/$30 students and seniors/$25 MCC district residents

• “L’Chaim” for Christmas!? Who do you think wrote all the best Christmas songs? Four Broadway singers return to The Alden for the sequel to their wildly popular “L’Chaim” performance last year. More than just stellar voices singing the best of Broadway’s Jewish composers (everyone but Cole Porter), “L’Chaim II” traces the history of musical theater with the parallel history of Jewish Americans. But mostly, it’s great music sung by great singers.

Presented by The Alden Foreign Language Film – Holiday Selection “Tokyo Godfathers” (Japan; directed by Shôgo Furuya and Satoshi Kon) Shown in Japanese with English subtitles. Wednesday, Dec. 18, 6:30 p.m. Free admission

• In modern-day Tokyo, three homeless people’s lives are changed forever when they discover a baby girl at a garbage dump on Christmas Eve. As the New Year fast approaches, these three forgotten members of society band together to solve the mystery of the abandoned child and the fate of her parents. A heartbreaking, hilarious and highly original adult anime for the holidays. Rated PG-13; 92 minutes.

Presented by The Alden - Performing Arts Movies - Holiday Selection -Matthew Bourne’s “Nutcracker!” Thursday, Dec. 19, 1 p.m. Free admission

• Matthew Bourne’s delicious “Nutcracker!” is like no other, adored by critics and audiences alike. With family-sized helpings of Bourne’s trademark wit, pathos and magical fantasy, this filmed stage production is a scrumptious treat, influenced by the lavish Hollywood musicals of the 1930s. Not Rated; 87 minutes.

Help Save Lives! American Red Cross Blood Drive - Friday, Dec. 20, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

• McLean Community Center is helping the American Red Cross with diverse blood donations! It is urgent for donors of all ethnicities to support patients in need. Join us and support the community with your lifesaving blood donation. Please call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit RedCrossBlood.org and enter: “McLeanCC” to schedule an appointment.

Presented by The Alden “It’s a Jazzy Christmas!” Saturday, Dec. 21, 7 p.m. Tickets: $30/$25 students and seniors/$20 MCC district residents

• “Spectacular.” “Amazing.” “Even better than expected.” With comments like this about last year’s “Jazzy Christmas,” not bringing it back would be like finding a lump of coal in your stocking. Saxophonist Lil’ Maceo, gospel violinist Eric Taylor and the rest of the gang join the stellar house band for an evening that will hit your holidays out of the park.

Old Firehouse Winter Break Trip - Ice at Gaylord National - Monday, Dec. 23, 8 a.m.-6 p.m., 1440 Chain Bridge Rd., McLean, Va. 22101 $100/$90 MCC district residents

• Join OFC for some holiday fun as we do some gingerbread decorating, ice skating, tubing, ice bumper cars and more. Food included. Admission to all activities and a BBQ lunch is included in the fee. Bring additional money for snacks and souvenirs as desired.

Old Firehouse Center Family Event - Light Up McLean: Holiday House Decorating Contest -Contest Voting Runs Dec. 23, 2024–Jan. 5, 2025

• The Light Up McLean Holiday Decorating Competition gives residents an opportunity to show off their homes in all their holiday splendor. Sign up to participate and then have friends and family vote for the best house in three categories:
• Best Overall: An exceptionally attractive, unique and complete design that utilizes space and resources well.
• Most Creative/Original: An exceptional use of creative ideas and lots of originality is evident in the design.
• Best Holiday Theme: Utilizes eye-catching decorations that clearly communicate a fully conceptualized theme.

For more detailed information and to vote, visit oldfirehouse.org.

Closing Notice: Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, Tuesday and Wednesday, Dec. 24 and 25

• The McLean Community Center and the Old Firehouse Center will be closed on Tuesday and Wednesday, Dec. 24 and 25 for the Christmas Eve and Christmas Day holidays.

Old Firehouse Winter Break Trip - Tubing - Thursday, Dec. 26, 8 a.m.-6 p.m. 1440 Chain Bridge Rd., McLean, Va. 22101 $100/$90 MCC district residents

• Grab your friends and enjoy a day sliding down multiple hills as the Old Firehouse goes tubing. Admission to tubing, lunch and chartered transportation are included in the fee. A signed waiver is required for participation. Bring additional money for snacks and souvenirs as desired. Waiver is required.

Old Firehouse Winter Break Trip - 5 Wits & Movie - Friday, Dec. 27, 8 a.m.-6 p.m. 1440 Chain Bridge Rd., McLean, Va. 22101 $70/$60 MCC district residents

• Prepare yourself as we solve challenges and puzzles in a live action game at 5 Wits. Following our brain workout, we will unwind by diving into a cinematic experience. A signed waiver is required for participation. Admission to all activities and lunch are included in the fee. Bring additional money for movie concessions as desired. Food included. Waiver is required.

Old Firehouse Winter Break Trip - Dave & Buster’s - Monday, Dec. 30, 8 a.m.-6 p.m., 1440 Chain Bridge Rd., McLean, Va. 22101 $70/$60 MCC district residents

• Eat, drink and play games! Dave and Buster’s offers one of the best dining and entertainment experiences around. Buffet lunch and a $25 game card with unlimited arcade game play are included. Bring additional money for ticketed arcade games as desired. Food included.

For more information, call MCC at 703-790-0123, TTY: 711, or visit mcleancenter.org. For Old Firehouse activities, call 703-448-8336. For The Alden Box Office, call 703-790-9223.

The McLean Community Center, an agency of Fairfax County Government, is committed to a policy of nondiscrimination on the basis of disability in all programs, services and activities. We will provide reasonable accommodation upon request. To request special accommodations, call the Center 14 working days in advance of the event. To request this information in an alternate format, call 711.