THANKSGIVING
Thanksgiving Dinner at Quinn’s
Thursday, noon-midnight
Don’t want to cook a whole Thanksgiving on your own, head down to Quinn’s for a prepared-for-you meal. Quinn’s regular menu will be available and as well as a giant turkey leg, deep-fried, house-seasoned turkey breast, cranberry sauce and stuffing. // Quinn’s on the Corner: 1776 Wilson Blvd., Arlington; Regular prices
FESTIVALS & SPECIAL EVENTS
Black Friday “Shop Small” Holiday Gift Fair
Friday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Get unique, hand-crafted items for the people on your Christmas list, and avoid all of the mess at larger chains during Black Friday. // Narmada Winery: 43 Narmada Lane, Amissvile; Free
FOOD & DRINK
Barrel-Aged Black Friday
Friday, 11 a.m.-9 p.m.
Whether you enjoy it after shopping or as an alternative, spend Black Friday enjoying Old Ox’s limited-edition flight of specialty imperial stouts.// Old Ox Brewery: 44652 Guilford Drive, Suite 114, Ashburn; $14
FESTIVALS & SPECIAL EVENTS
Reston Holiday Parade
Friday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m.
Reston’s Thanksgiving tradition helps to usher in the season with a parade capped off by Santa and Mrs. Claus. // Reston Town Center: 11900 Market St., Reston; Free
PERFORMING ARTS
Virginia National Ballet: The Nutcracker
Friday & Saturday, Times vary
Tchaikovsky’s ballet about a young girl whisked away to magical kingdom when her nutcracker comes to life is an all-time classic. // Hylton Performing Arts Center: 10900 University Blvd., Manassas; $25-$37
PERFORMING ARTS
Alonzo Bodden
Friday & Saturday, Times vary
A winner of season three of NBC’s Last Comic Standing and a regular on NPR’s Wait, Wait … Don’t Tell Me, Alonzo Bodden brings his trademark “cynical good natured” comedy to Arlington. // Arlington Cinema and Drafthouse: 2903 Columbia Pike, Arlington; $22
MUSEUM EXHIBITS
Mount Vernon by Candlelight
Friday, Saturday & Nov. 30, 5 p.m.
Experience a lantern-lit tour of the grounds decorated for the holidays. At the end of the tour enjoy dancing, caroling, cookies and warm cider. // George Washington’s Mount Vernon: 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway, Mount Vernon; $25
PERFORMING ARTS
A Christmas Story-The Musical
Friday-Dec. 2, Times vary
A Red Ryder BB gun, the leg lamp and getting a tongue stuck to a pole, these classic moments from A Christmas Story are brought to audiences in musical form from CYT Fredericksburg. // Spotsylvania High School: 6975 Courthouse Road, Spotsylvania; $15
FESTIVALS & SPECIAL EVENTS
Jingle Bell Christmas Rides
Friday-Jan. 6
Act out the scene of the classic song “Jingle Bells” with this 60-minute carriage ride through Fredericksburg’s historic neighborhoods while listening to holiday music and enjoying some sweets and hot chocolate. // 706 Caroline St., Fredericksburg; $120-$130
FESTIVALS & SPECIAL EVENTS
Pop-Up Holiday Happenings
Saturday-Dec. 22, Times vary
Every Saturday from now until Christmas, holiday-themed pop-ups will take place along Upper King Street. This Saturday will be a postcard pop-up from Penny Post (11 a.m.-1 p.m.) and a braid bar pop-up from Salon deZen (2-4 p.m.) // Upper King Street; Free
MUSIC
Charles Esten
Saturday & Sunday, 7:30 p.m.
A local favorite and star of the TV show Nashville, T.C. Williams alumni Charles Esten returns to Alexandria for a two-night performance. // The Birchmere: 3701 Mount Vernon Ave., Alexandria; $55
PETS
Mutts Gone Nuts
Sunday, 1 p.m. & 4 p.m.
Scott and Joan Houghton showcase what their rescue dogs can do, from Frisbee and barrel tricks to jump rope routines. // George Mason University’s Center for the Arts: 4373 Mason Pond Drive, Fairfax; $15
