<b>Thursday/Dec. 18
</b>3 Doors Down featuring Switchfoot. 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $29.50-$55, available online at www.ticketmaster.com or at 703-573-SEAT. The George Mason University Patriot Center, 4500 Patriot Circle, Fairfax. Visit www.3doorsdown.com.
Rude Buddha and Cerca Trova. Rock. 8 p.m. $10. Jammin’ Java, 227 Maple Ave. N.E., Vienna. 703-255-1566 or www.jamminjava.com.
Starlight, Starbright. 10:30 a.m. Songs and stories about stars. Age 2-5 with adult. Burke Centre Library, 5935 Freds Oak Road, Burke. 703-249-1520.
<b>Friday/Dec. 19
</b>Bill Kirchen and Too Much Fun Holiday Show. Rock/country/rockabilly. 8 p.m. $20. Jammin’ Java, 227 Maple Ave. N.E., Vienna. 703-255-1566 or www.jamminjava.com.
Holiday Cookie Party for Teens, from 5:30-7 p.m. at The Net Teen Center, 8100 Old Keene Mill Road, Springfield. An evening of fun, music, and a cookie baking party. All supplies are provided by the Fairfax County Department of Community and Recreation Services’ Teen Services. 703-912-4687, TTY 711 or www.fairfaxcounty.gov/rec.
<b>Saturday/Dec. 20
</b>Oasis Dig Out Your Soul World Tour, featuring Ryan Adams. 7 p.m. at the George Mason University Patriot Center, 4500 Patriot Circle, Fairfax. Tickets are $49.50-$69.50, through www.ticketmaster.com or at 703-573-SEAT. 703-993-3000 or www.patriotcenter.com.
Rocknoceros Holiday Show and Sing-a-long. 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. $10. Jammin’ Java, 227 Maple Ave. N.E., Vienna. 703-255-1566 or www.jamminjava.com.
A My Favorite Highway Christmas and Chelsea Lee. Pop/rock. 7 p.m. $15. Jammin’ Java, 227 Maple Ave. N.E., Vienna. 703-255-1566 or www.jamminjava.com.
"Over the North Pole," 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. at the Harris Theatre, George Mason University, 4400 University Drive, Fairfax. $17 adults, $15 students and seniors 703-222-5511 or www.encore-tap.org.
A Classical Christmas with Jubilant Sykes and Christopher Parkening. 8 p.m. at George Mason Center for the Arts, on the Fairfax campus of George Mason University at the intersection of Braddock Road and Route 123. Holiday classics, sacred songs and hymns. Tickets are $22-$44. Charge at 888-945-2468 or www.tickets.com. Visit www.gmu.edu/cfa.
Kitten and Cat Adoption Extravaganza, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. at the City of Fairfax Regional Library, 3915 Chain Bridge Road, Fairfax. All cats and kittens are fully socialized, vaccinated and de-wormed, and can be selected on the adoption site. Many may be taken home the same day. Commonwealth Cat Rescue, Inc. 703-568-3600.
<b>Sunday/Dec. 21
</b>A My Favorite Highway Christmas and Chelsea Lee. Pop/rock. 7 p.m. $15. Jammin’ Java, 227 Maple Ave. N.E., Vienna. 703-255-1566 or www.jamminjava.com.
"Over the North Pole," 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. at the Harris Theatre, George Mason University, 4400 University Drive, Fairfax. $17 adults, $15 students and seniors 703-222-5511 or www.encore-tap.org.
<b>Monday/Dec. 22
</b>Open Mic Hosted by David Cotton. 7 p.m. Free. Jammin’ Java, 227 Maple Ave. N.E., Vienna. 703-255-1566 or www.jamminjava.com.
<b>Tuesday/Dec. 23
</b>Todd Wright's Sixth Annual Christmas Spectacular. 8 p.m. $15. Jammin’ Java, 227 Maple Ave. N.E., Vienna. 703-255-1566 or www.jamminjava.com.
Mothers First of Burke/Fairfax, 10 a.m. at Kings Park Library, 9000 Burke Lake Rd., Burke. 703-827-5922 or www.mothersfirst.org.
<b>Wednesday/Dec. 24
</b>Jewmongous. 7 p.m. $17 in advance, $20 at the door. Jammin’ Java, 227 Maple Ave. N.E., Vienna. 703-255-1566 or www.jamminjava.com.
<b>Friday/Dec. 26
</b>The Bigger Lights, The Friday Night Boys and Mercy Mercedes. 5 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. $15. Jammin’ Java, 227 Maple Ave. N.E., Vienna. 703-255-1566 or www.jamminjava.com.
<b>Saturday/Dec. 27
</b>Virginia Ballet Company’s 59th "Nutcracker," 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. at the Northern Virginia Community College, Ernst Cultural Center Theater, Annandale Campus. Tickets $30 adults, $20 children, students and seniors. 703 249-8227 or www.virginiaballetcompany.org.
Polar Science. 2:30 p.m. Explore polar animals with simple science experiments. Age 6-12. Pohick Regional Library, 6450 Sydenstricker Road, Burke. 703-644-7333.
<b>Sunday/Dec. 28
</b>Tom O'Connor and Brent Shuttleworth. Pop/rock. 2 p.m. $8. Jammin’ Java, 227 Maple Ave. N.E., Vienna. 703-255-1566 or www.jamminjava.com.
Jonasay Reunion Show and Trustfall. Pop/rock. 7:30 p.m. $12. Jammin’ Java, 227 Maple Ave. N.E., Vienna. 703-255-1566 or www.jamminjava.com.
Virginia Ballet Company’s 59th "Nutcracker," 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. at the Northern Virginia Community College, Ernst Cultural Center Theater, Annandale Campus. Tickets $30 adults, $20 children, students and seniors. 703 249-8227 or www.virginiaballetcompany.org.
<b>Monday/Dec. 29
</b>Open Mic Hosted by David Cotton. 7 p.m. Free. Jammin’ Java, 227 Maple Ave. N.E., Vienna. 703-255-1566 or www.jamminjava.com.
Virginia Ballet Company’s 59th "Nutcracker," 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. at the Northern Virginia Community College, Ernst Cultural Center Theater, Annandale Campus. Tickets $30 adults, $20 children, students and seniors. 703 249-8227 or www.virginiaballetcompany.org.
INOVA Blood Drive. 1 p.m. Photo ID required. Appointments preferred, call 1-866-256-6372. City of Fairfax Regional Library, 10360 North St., Fairfax. 703-293-6227.
Monday Movies. 3:30 p.m. See a movie based on a book, discuss which was better. Age 6-18. Kings Park Library, 9000 Burke Lake Road, Burke. 703-978-5600.
Fairfax High School Theatre Department Winter Break Drama Camp for grades 1-8, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. at Fairfax High School, 3501 Rebel Run, Fairfax. $75 for three half-day sessions or $165 for the full three-day camp. Activities include musical theatre and puppetry. 703/818-0926 or www.fxplayers.org.
<b>Tuesday/Dec. 30
</b>INOVA Blood Drive. 1 p.m. Photo ID required. Appointments preferred, call 1-866-256-6372. Pohick Regional Library, 6450 Sydenstricker Road, Burke. 703-644-7333.
<b>Wednesday/Dec. 31
</b>First Night Fairfax, in Old Town Fairfax. 703-352-ARTS or www.fairfaxva.gov.
* Bonfire at the Kitty Pozer Garden, 6 p.m.
* Magic, Music and Mayhem children’s entertainment at the Old Town Hall, 6-8 p.m.
* Irish Festival at Old Town Village Plaza Marketplace, 6-9 p.m.
* Carriage Rides on North Street, 6-11 p.m.
* Live performances at the Kitty Pozer Garden, Old Town Village Plaza Marketplace, Wind House Terrace Theater, Potbelly Sandwich Works and the Fairfax Railway Museum, 6 p.m.-12 a.m.
* Fairfax Four-Miler, 7 p.m.
* Head Over Heels Swing Dance and Fairfax Swing Band at the Old Town Hall, 8-11:30 p.m.
"Robbie-noceros" New Years Eve Party for Kids: Robbie Schaefer and Rocknoceros ring in the New Year . 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. $12. Jammin’ Java, 227 Maple Ave. N.E., Vienna. 703-255-1566 or www.jamminjava.com.
Virginia Coalition New Years Eve Celebration. 8 p.m. $75 plus $25 optional bar package. Jammin’ Java, 227 Maple Ave. N.E., Vienna. 703-255-1566 or www.jamminjava.com.
<b>Friday/Jan. 2
</b>Jeff Dunham ‘Spark of Insanity’ tour. 8 p.m. Ventriloquism with his featured character puppets. Tickets $49.50, at www.ticketmaster.com or 703-573-SEAT. Visit www.jeffdunham.com. George Mason University Patriot Center, 4500 Patriot Circle, Fairfax. 703-993-3000 or www.patriotcenter.com.
Melodime and Louis Fabrizi. Rock/blues/country. 7:30 p.m. $10 advance, $12 at the door. Jammin’ Java, 227 Maple Ave. N.E., Vienna. 703-255-1566 or www.jamminjava.com.
PJtheVIKING, Young Enough, The Grenade and more. 10 p.m. $5. Jammin’ Java, 227 Maple Ave. N.E., Vienna. 703-255-1566 or www.jamminjava.com.
<b>Saturday/Jan. 3
</b>Ammar Malik, The OK Corral and Pretzlcoat. Pop/acoustic. 7:30 p.m. $8 advance, $10 at the door. Jammin’ Java, 227 Maple Ave. N.E., Vienna. 703-255-1566 or www.jamminjava.com.
<b>Sunday/Jan. 4
</b>Ghosts of Pluto, Priceless Enuendo, McTwist, Merredith and Orange Marmalade. Rock. 6 p.m. $10 advance, $12 at the door. Jammin’ Java, 227 Maple Ave. N.E., Vienna. 703-255-1566 or www.jamminjava.com.
<b>Monday/Jan. 5
</b>Old Town Hall Children’s Series: ‘Mad for the Road’ music and laughter. 10:30 a.m. at Old Town Hall, 3999 University Drive, Fairfax. Free. 703-352-ARTS or www.fairfaxarts.org.
Calling All Guys, 7 p.m. Book discussion group for boys. The Dark Hills Divide: The Land of Elyon, Book 1, by Patrick Carman. Age 9-12 with adult. Kings Park Library, 9000 Burke Lake Road, Burke. 703-978-5600.
Open Mic Night with Ron Goad. 7-10 p.m. $2. Jammin’ Java, 227 Maple Ave. N.E., Vienna. 703-255-1566 or www.jamminjava.com.
<b>Tuesday/Jan. 6
</b>Computer Tutoring, 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. Burke Centre Library, 5935 Freds Oak Road, Burke. 703-249-1520.
Teen Book Club, 7 p.m. Join us for fun, food and great book discussions! Age 12-18. Burke Centre Library, 5935 Freds Oak Road, Burke. 703-249-1520.
Let's Go Sledding, 10:15 a.m. Stories, fingerplays and activities. Age 3-5 with adult. Pohick Regional Library, 6450 Sydenstricker Road, Burke. 703-644-7333.
Bibliomaniacs Book Discussion Group, 7 p.m. Family book discussion of "A Wrinkle in Time" by Madeleine L'Engle. Age 8-12 with adult. Pohick Regional Library, 6450 Sydenstricker Road, Burke. 703-644-7333.
<b>Wednesday/Jan. 7
</b>Edwin McCain. 8 p.m. Soulful acoustics at The Barns. Tickets $25. Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts, 1645 Trap Road, Vienna. 1-877-WOLFTRAP.
Your Health, 11 a.m. Learn how to manage your medications and prepare for doctor's visits. Pohick Regional Library, 6450 Sydenstricker Road, Burke. 703-644-7333.
<b>Thursday/Jan. 8
</b>JP McDermott, 8 p.m. at The Old Town Hall, 3999 University Drive, Fairfax. Free swing lesson at 7:30 p.m. Admission $10. 703-424-1745 or www.headoverheelsdance.com.
Puppy Tales, 10:30 a.m. Stories, songs and activities about puppies. Age 13-23 months with parent. Burke Centre Library, 5935 Freds Oak Road, Burke. 703-249-1520.
Teen Book Chat, 7:30 p.m. Mother-daughter book discussion group. Pride and Prejudice (DK Illustrated Classics edition) by Jane Austin. Call branch to register. Age 12-16 with adult. Kings Park Library, 9000 Burke Lake Road, Burke. 703-978-5600.
Independent Living Exercise Class, 12 p.m. Build strength, improve balance and reduce falls. Pohick Regional Library, 6450 Sydenstricker Road, Burke. 703-644-7333.
Altan. Irish jigs and ballads. 8 p.m. at The Barns. Tickets $24. Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts, 1645 Trap Road, Vienna. 1-877-WOLFTRAP.
<b>Friday/Jan. 9
</b>Lavay Smith & Her Red Hot Skillet Lickers. 8 p.m. Swing dance of the 1940s and ’50s at The Barns. Tickets $22. Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts, 1645 Trap Road, Vienna. 1-877-WOLFTRAP.
U. S. Navy Sea Chanters classical chorus. 8 p.m. at the Old Town Hall, 3999 University Drive, Fairfax. Free. 703-352-ARTS.
USN Sea Chanters, 9 p.m. at Old Town Hall, 3999 University Drive, Fairfax. Free. 703-352-ARTS or www.fairfaxarts.org.
Lunch Bunnies, 12 p.m. Bring lunch and listen to stories. Birth-5 with adult. Kings Park Library, 9000 Burke Lake Road, Burke. 703-978-5600.
Eric Scott, The Method and Marie Miller. Pop/funk. 9:30 p.m. $12. Jammin’ Java, 227 Maple Ave. N.E., Vienna. 703-255-1566 or www.jamminjava.com.
<b>Sunday/Jan. 10
</b>Cathy and Marcy's Family Jamboree with Special Guests: music for families. 5-7 p.m. $10. Jammin’ Java, 227 Maple Ave. N.E., Vienna. 703-255-1566 or www.jamminjava.com.
John Eddie. Rock. 9:30 p.m. $15. Jammin’ Java, 227 Maple Ave. N.E., Vienna. 703-255-1566 or www.jamminjava.com.
Microsoft Excel, 2:30 p.m. Introduction to creating spreadsheets with Microsoft Excel. Age 13 and up. Fairfax City Regional Library, 10360 North St., Fairfax. 703-293-6227.
<b>Sunday/Jan. 11
</b>Dr. Lauranett Lee, curator of African American History, at Virginia Historical Society, followed by a gallery tour of the exhibition: "Sites and Stories: African American History in Virginia," 2 p.m., Fairfax Museum and Visitor Center, 10209 Main Street, Fairfax. Free. 703-385-8414.
25th Annual Mid Atlantic Song Contest Awards Gala and Concert. 4 p.m. $7 in advance and for SAW members, $10 at the door. Jammin’ Java, 227 Maple Ave. N.E., Vienna. 703-255-1566 or www.jamminjava.com.