Arts
Crazy for You Backstage Tours
Dec. 2, 2017-Jan. 6, 2018
Get a literal behind-the-scenes peek at Crazy for You, a musical about, well, musicals. Embrace the meta magic of it all while you pass through the green room, dressing room and other spaces, leaving you with a new understanding of show business. // Signature Theatre: 4200 Campbell Ave., Arlington
Artféte Open House and Holiday Party
Dec. 8, 6-9 p.m.
The holiday season opens with this free art party and shopping opportunity. Take advantage of artist demonstrations, watch a wearable art fashion show, purchase jewelry and ceramics, and listen to music from the Foggy Bottom Whomp-Stompers. // The Art League’s Madison Annex, 305 Madison St., Alexandria
WinterFest
Dec. 9, 9 a.m.-9 p.m.
This annual tradition is an all-day and all-ages affair, with several free events sprinkled into the itinerary. Check out the instrument petting zoo, art walk and giant snowflake workshop, all free events. And veterans and first responders can enjoy free admission to a blacksmithing workshop in the afternoon. (Admission is $20 for other guests.) // Workhouse Arts Center, 9518 Workhouse Way, Lorton
Artists in Conversation
Before the show starts, local professionals and artists meet with guests at the Center for the Arts to discuss the upcoming performance and take audience questions. // George Mason Center for the Arts: 4373 Mason Pond Drive, Fairfax
Synetic Theater Group Rates
Hold your next group gathering at Synetic Theater, whether a book-club outing or a school field trip. Synetic provides discounted tickets for organizations, plus advance access to ticket sales and prime seating. Admission for student groups starts at $15. // Synetic Theater: 1800 S. Bell St., Arlington
Wolf Trap’s Young at Arts
Through this initiative, Wolf Trap strives to introduce the arts to a younger generation. For every adult ticket purchased to one of these performances, visitors receive one free youth ticket for a child 17 and under. // Wolf Trap: 1551 Trap Road, Vienna
Signature Theatre Ticket Discounts
Cheaper seats easily can be found at Signature. In addition to $25 student tickets and reduced rates for first responders, teachers and veterans, the box office has $22 Tuesdays. At that rate, audience members can grab a designated seat at one of the first two Tuesday performances of a show. // Signature Theatre: 4200 Campbell Ave., Arlington
Fairfax Symphony Orchestra Subscriptions
Subscribe to the upcoming season of the Fairfax Symphony Orchestra with a full-series subscription and reap a plethora of membership benefits, like a 15-percent discount on tickets, priority seating and admittance to pre-show receptions. A custom series subscription (three or more shows) also has its benefits, including a 10-percent ticket discount. // Fairfax Symphony Orchestra: 2667 Prosperity Ave., Fairfax
Movies
TACO Tuesdays at Alamo
Tickets are only $7 on Tuesdays at Alamo Drafthouse, hence the acronym TACO (Tickets Are Cheaper on Tuesday). Pair an actual taco—only on the Tuesday menu—with your movie to get the full TACO experience. // Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, 20575 Easthampton Plaza, Ashburn
Angelika’s Discount Showings
Take your pick of discount opportunities at Angelika. On any day of the week, catch a film before noon for only $7. On Tuesdays, students with a valid student ID can see shows for $9, with a small popcorn included. Date Night Wednesdays offer $9 tickets for movies shown after 4, and Baby Boomer Thursdays let customers age 55+ pay $7 for their tickets. // Angelika Film Center, 2911 District Ave., Fairfax
Check out your local theater to see what discounts are on tap.
Sports
See the Caps Practice
Catch Ovechkin in action without dropping a dime by attending a free Capitals practice, typically held midmorning on weekdays and weekends at Kettler Capitals Iceplex.
Student Rush Basketball
Both the Washington Wizards and Mystics offer Student Rush opportunities. At designated Wizards games, $15 gets students an upper-level seat and coupon for a Chick-Fil-A sandwich meal. And once the Mystics season rolls around, students can sign up for text notification of last-minute $10 tickets.
Special Events with the Nats
Before you order tickets for the next season of baseball, take a look at the Washington Nationals varied list of special events, including Firefighter Appreciation Day, GMU Night and Seniors Stroll the Bases. Many of these games come with discounts and giveaways.
Family-Friendly Deals
Fairfax Family Fun
This site, run by Fairfax mom Patricia Hall, not only gives ideas on what to do with the kids, it also has a Goldstar deal page where you can get discount tickets (sometimes up to half off) on local events from entertainment, sports and attractions.
Our Kids
This site has been around since 1999, and brings parents daily deals and events happening in the entire Metro-D.C. region. As a member, you get access to special events and perks along with giveaway contests.
Certifikid
Looking for discounts on events, classes, parties and more? Check out Certifikid that breaks down different deals in all major cities, including the Metro-D.C. area. At last check there was a 45-percent off deal at the new ZavaZone in Sterling, 50-percent off admission to the National Building Museum and 50-percent off music lessons at Bach to Rock studios.
Virginia is For Lovers
The state’s official tourism website has a host of information about the ongoings about the commonwealth. It also has a section dedicated to deals and packages from any type of stateside adventure you can think of including a whole section focused on family fun.
Score Big
You can go through Ticketmaster to acquire tickets to major entertainment events, or you can check out Score Big first to see if there are any better deals about. Score Big is a resale marketplace with third-party sellers looking to off-load tickets for everything from sporting events and concerts to family entertainment and theater.
Family Vacation Critic
Traveling with the family can be hard. But it can at least be a bit cheaper with Family Vacation Critic. The site breaks down travel deals by region, so no matter where you want to jaunt off to, you can see what discounts you can get from anything from cruises, parks, all-inclusive resorts and more.
