December 2024 Calendar of Events
County of Fairfax, Virginia
The McLean Community Center
1234 Ingleside Avenue, McLean, Va. 22101
www.mcleancenter.org
Media Contact:
Sabrina Anwah, Director of Marketing & Communications
703-790-0123, TTY: 711
571-230-5197 (work cell)
sabrina.anwah@fairfaxcounty.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024
025-007
McLean Community Center Calendar of Events for December 2024
McLean, Va.— The McLean Community Center (MCC) 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.
Since 1982!
McLean Holiday Art & Crafts Festival
Fri., Dec. 6, 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Sat., Dec. 7, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sun., 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.-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 Trips
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.
Light Up McLean: Holiday House Decorating Contest
Contest Voting Runs December 23, 2024–January 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.
Old Firehouse Winter Break Trips
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 Trips
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 Trips
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.
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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.
