<b>Thursday/Dec. 4
</b>Lamb Tales. 10:30 a.m. Stories, songs and activities for age 13-23 months with adult. Burke Centre Library, 5935 Freds Oak Road, Burke. 703-249-1520.
Book discussion Group. 12 p.m. "Ethan Frome" by Edith Wharton. Adults. Kingstowne Library, 6500 Landsdowne Centre, Alexandria. 703-339-4610.
<b>Friday/Dec. 5
</b>Aszure Barton & Artists World Premier Dance Installation at the Workhouse Arts Center Gallery W-16, at 7:30 p.m. Reception at 7 p.m. Part of a joint partnership with the Baryshnikov Dance Foundation. $25 in advance, $30 at the door. To reserve tickets contact tickets@lortonarts.org or call 703-584-2900. Workhouse Arts Center, 9601 Ox Road, Lorton. www.WorkhouseArts.org.
Lunch Bunch. 12 p.m. Bring lunch, listen to stories. Birth-5 with adult. John Marshall Library, 6209 Rose Hill Drive, Alexandria. 703-971-0010.
Donizetti’s "The Elixir of Love," 8 p.m. at George Mason University Center for the Arts, at the intersection of Braddock Road and Route 123. A pre-performance discussion, free to ticket holders, begins at 7:15 p.m. on the Grand Tier III. Tickets are $44-$86. Charge by phone at 888-945-2468 or at www.tickets.com. www.gmu.edu/cfa.
Funny Money with Baby Jayne, Tilt, Sinner's Trail and Not-Liable. 8 p.m. Age 21 and over only. $12 in advance, $14 at the door. Jaxx Night Club, 6355 Rolling Road, Springfield. 703-569-5940 or jaxxroxx.com.
<b>Saturday/Dec. 6
</b>Holiday Open House. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Music and activities. All ages. Lorton Library, 9520 Richmond Highway, Lorton. 703-339-7385.
Historic Clifton Candlelight Tour, beginning at 2 p.m. Tickets $15. Caroling on Horseback Parade and costume judging. Tour of decorated homes, strolling Dickens carolers, live music in town churches, marshmallows and hot chocolate and tree lighting. Contact Lynne 703-322-1811 or Jennifer 703-830-2129. lghassoc@erols.com.
Aszure Barton & Artists World Premier Dance Installation at the Workhouse Arts Center Gallery W-16, at 7:30 p.m. Reception at 7 p.m. $25 in advance, $30 at the door. To reserve tickets contact tickets@lortonarts.org or call 703-584-2900. Workhouse Arts Center, 9601 Ox Road, Lorton. www.WorkhouseArts.org.
Donizetti’s "The Elixir of Love," 2 p.m. at George Mason University Center for the Arts, at the intersection of Braddock Road and Route 123. A pre-performance discussion, free to ticket holders, begins at 1:15 p.m. on the Grand Tier III. Tickets are $48-$98. Charge by phone at 888-945-2468 or www.tickets.com.
Forestdale Elementary Flea Market and Holiday Sale, 8 a.m.-12 p.m. at 6530 Elder Avenue, Springfield. Julie Parsons, 703-244-6284.
Kings’ X with Last Perfect Thing, Gate 1, Minds Eye and more. 8 p.m. Age 21 and over only. $22 in advance, $25 at the door. Jaxx Night Club, 6355 Rolling Road, Springfield. 703-569-5940 or jaxxroxx.com.
George Mason University Holiday concert, 7 p.m. at the George Mason Center for the Arts Concert Hall, on the Fairfax campus at the intersection of Braddock Road and Route 123. Old seasonal favorites, carols and an audience sing-a-long. The George Mason University ensembles performing include the Chamber Orchestra, the Symphony Orchestra, University Chorale, University Singers and Select Women’s Chorale. Tickets are $20 adults, $15 students and seniors. Charge tickets at 888-945-2468 or www.tickets.com. www.gmu.edu/cfa.
<b>Sunday/Dec. 7
</b>Aszure Barton & Artists World Premier Dance Installation at the Workhouse Arts Center Gallery W-16, at 2:30 p.m. Reception at 2 p.m. $25 in advance, $30 at the door. To reserve tickets contact tickets@lortonarts.org or call 703-584-2900. Workhouse Arts Center, 9601 Ox Road, Lorton. www.WorkhouseArts.org.
<b>Monday/Dec. 8
</b>Gingerbread Tales. 10:30 a.m. Stories and songs. Age 24-35 months with adult. Kingstowne Library, 6500 Landsdowne Centre, Alexandria. 703-339-4610.
Soapmaking for Teens. 4 p.m. Make a batch of handmade soap. Age 13-18. Lorton Library, 9520 Richmond Highway, Lorton. 703-339-7385.
The Progressive Damnation Tour with Born of Osiris, Shai Hulud, After the Burial, Burning the Masses, Prodigium, Gallows Hill and Upon a Throne of Lies. 5 p.m. $12 in advance, $14 at the door. Jaxx Night Club, 6355 Rolling Road, Springfield. 703-569-5940 or jaxxroxx.com.
<b>Tuesday/Dec. 9
</b>Snowfest. 10:15 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. Stories and activities. Age 2-3 with adult. John Marshall Library, 6209 Rose Hill Drive, Alexandria. 703-971-0010.
Penguin Parade. 1:30 p.m. Stories and a craft. Age 4-5 with adult. Lorton Library, 9520 Richmond Highway, Lorton. 703-339-7385.
<b>Wednesday/Dec. 10
</b>Science and Stories. 4:30 p.m. Simple science experiments. Age 4-6. Burke Centre Library, 5935 Freds Oak Road, Burke. 703-249-1520.
Performance and Demonstration of Dandia Raas, folk dance from Western India. Instructor Archana Chhaya. 7:30 p.m. Age 14 and up. Burke Centre Library, 5935 Freds Oak Road, Burke. 703-249-1520.
Writers Peer Review Group. 7 p.m. Adults. Kingstowne Library, 6500 Landsdowne Centre, Alexandria. 703-339-4610.
<b>Thursday/Dec. 11
</b>Sesame Street Live "Elmo’s Green Thumb." 7 p.m. Tickets are $15-$75 at www.ticketmaster.com or 703-573-SEAT. The George Mason University Patriot Center, 4500 Patriot Circle, Fairfax. 703-993-3000 or www.patriotcenter.com. Visit www.sesamestreetlive.com.
Hey, Snowman! 1 p.m. Seasonal stories and activities. Age 3-5 with adult. Kingstowne Library, 6500 Landsdowne Centre, Alexandria. 703-339-4610.
<b>Friday/Dec. 12
</b>Christmas at Gunston Hall, 10709 Gunston Road, Mason Neck. 703-550-9220 or www.gunstonhall.org.
* Yuletide Dinner, at 6:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. Full complement of courses served in a candlelit setting. $39.95 for adults, $19.95 for ages 6-10. The dinner cost includes admission to Plantation Christmas. Reservations required for dinner, call 703-550-9220.
* Plantation Christmas. 6:30-9:30 p.m. Ride in a horse-drawn carriage and sample period recipes. Reenactors will engage in seasonal activities throughout the site. $14 for adults, $7 for ages 6-18, under 6 free.
Sesame Street Live "Elmo’s Green Thumb." 10:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. Tickets are $15-$75 at www.ticketmaster.com or 703-573-SEAT. George Mason University Patriot Center, 4500 Patriot Circle, Fairfax. 703-993-3000 or www.patriotcenter.com. Visit www.sesamestreetlive.com.
"Oklahoma!," 7 p.m. at Thomas Jefferson High School, 6560 Braddock Road, Alexandra. 703-750-7500 or www.tjhsst.edu.
Lunch Bunch. 12 p.m. Bring lunch, listen to stories. Birth-5 with adult. John Marshall Library, 6209 Rose Hill Drive, Alexandria. 703-971-0010.
"Over the North Pole," 8 p.m. at the Richard J. Ernst Theatre, Northern Virgina Community College, 8333 Little River Turnpike, Annandale. $17 adults, $15 students and seniors 703-222-5511 or www.encore-tap.org.
"Home for the Holidays," featuring Irvin Mayfield and the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra, 8 p.m. at the George Mason Center for the Arts, on the Fairfax Campus at the intersection of Braddock Road and Route 123. A pre-performance discussion, free to ticket holders, will be at 7:15 p.m. on the Center’s Grand Tier III. Tickets are $22-$44, children 12 and under half price. Charge by phone at 888-945-2468 or at www.tickets.com. Visit www.gmu.edu/cfa.
Workhouse Arts Center’s Collector's Showcase Event, with IONA performing pan-Celtic music, 6-9 p.m. in Gallery W-16 of the Workhouse Arts Center, 9601 Ox Road, Lorton. Each ticket holder will receive a 10"X10" original piece of work. Tickets $150 at tickets@lortonarts.org or 703-584-2900.
Pat Travers and Stephen Pearcy with Britny Fox, Swirl and Fuzz Box. 8 p.m. Age 21 and over only. $20 in advance, $23 at the door. Jaxx Night Club, 6355 Rolling Road, Springfield. 703-569-5940 or jaxxroxx.com.
<b>Saturday/Dec. 13
</b>Christmas at Gunston Hall, 10709 Gunston Road, Mason Neck. 703-550-9220 or www.gunstonhall.org.
* Yuletide Dinner, at 4:30 p.m., 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. $39.95 for adults, $19.95 for ages 6-10. The dinner cost includes admission to Plantation Christmas. Reservations required for dinner, call 703-550-9220.
* Plantation Christmas. 6:30-9:30 p.m. $14 for adults, $7 for ages 6-18, under 6 free.
Sesame Street Live "Elmo’s Green Thumb." 10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m.Tickets are $15-$75 at www.ticketmaster.com or 703-573-SEAT. George Mason University Patriot Center, 4500 Patriot Circle, Fairfax. 703-993-3000 or www.patriotcenter.com. Visit www.sesamestreetlive.com.
Island Creek Elementary PTA Fourth Annual Holiday Craft and Gift show from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. at the school, 7855 Morning View Lane, Kingstowne. Entertainment by the Island Creek Crocs. Contact glasscutter99@yahoo.com.
"Oklahoma!," 7 p.m. at Thomas Jefferson High School, 6560 Braddock Road, Alexandra. 703-750-7500 or www.tjhsst.edu.
Classy Glass. 1 p.m. Make decorative, reusable window clings. Age 12-18. Burke Centre Library, 5935 Freds Oak Road, Burke. 703-249-1520.
Sing-A-Long with Miss Belle. 10:30 a.m. All ages. John Marshall Library, 6209 Rose Hill Drive, Alexandria. 703-971-0010.
Friends of the Library Book Sale. 10 a.m. Kingstowne Library, 6500 Landsdowne Centre, Alexandria. 703-339-4610.
"Over the North Pole," 11 a.m., 2 p.m., 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. at the Richard J. Ernst Theatre, Northern Virgina Community College, 8333 Little River Turnpike, Annandale. $17 adults, $15 students and seniors 703-222-5511 or www.encore-tap.org.
Fairfax County Kinship Respite Day, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. will provide relatives who are raising a child for another family member a day off while providing fun for the children, who can be part of a theatrical production or participate in a variety of games, arts and crafts. Fairfax County children ages 3 -15 can be dropped off at one of three community centers, and the children will be bused to James Lee Community Center, 2855-A Annandale Road in Falls Church. Participation is free, but pre-registration is required. 703-324-3517, TTY 703-449-1186. Transportation will be available from:
* Gum Springs Community Center, 8100 Fordson Road, Alexandria.
* Mott Community Center, 12111 Braddock Road, Fairfax.
* Southgate Community Center, 12125 Pinecrest Road, Reston.
Chinese Corner, 7:30-9:30 p.m. Improve Chinese speaking and learn about Chinese traditional culture. West Springfield Governmental Center, 6140 Rolling Road, Springfield. Free Admission. 703-868-1509 or www.AsianServiceCenter.org.
<b>Sunday/Dec. 14
</b>Sesame Street Live "Elmo’s Green Thumb." 1 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.Tickets are $15-$75 at www.ticketmaster.com or 703-573-SEAT. George Mason University Patriot Center, 4500 Patriot Circle, Fairfax. 703-993-3000 or www.patriotcenter.com. Visit www.sesamestreetlive.com.
"Oklahoma!," 2 p.m. at Thomas Jefferson High School, 6560 Braddock Road, Alexandra. 703-750-7500 or www.tjhsst.edu.
"Over the North Pole," 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. at the Richard J. Ernst Theatre, Northern Virgina Community College, 8333 Little River Turnpike, Annandale. $17 adults, $15 students and seniors 703-222-5511 or www.encore-tap.org.
Sunday Night Drop-In Ballroom Dancing, 6-7:30 p.m. at the Workhouse Art Center, Gallery W-16, 9601 Ox Road, Lorton. To reserve tickets contact tickets@lortonarts.org or call 703-584-2900. www.WorkhouseArts.org.
Fairfax Symphony Orchestra's Holiday Pops Concert, with the Fairfax Choral Society and W. T. Woodson High School Select Vocal Ensemble, 3 p.m. at George Mason University's Center for the Arts, 4373 Mason Pond Drive, Fairfax. www.fairfaxsymphony.org.
Christmas Carnage with Arsony, Our Story Spent, Sor Fingr, Lifted Down, The Deadend Dropouts, Cerca Trova, The Royalty Must Die, Catatonic State, Left, Drunken Banshees, Visigoth and more. 1 p.m. $10 in advance, $12 at the door. Jaxx Night Club, 6355 Rolling Road, Springfield. 703-569-5940 or jaxxroxx.com.