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Come make crafts and seasonal ornaments this weekend at the Renwick Gallery. 22c Christmas Ornament Single (1987). Image courtesy of the Postal Museum.

Friday, December 3: ZooLights, the National Zoo’s festive electric light display, is back once again—and this year it’s absolutely free! For children of all ages, a menagerie of LED light sculptures modeled after critters at the zoo will be on display. Tickets are NOT required. (Yay!) for visitors aged 2 and older and can be purchased at any National Zoo store, at the door (unless that day’s worth of tickets are sold out), or through Ticketmaster. This event runs from Friday through Sunday until December 13; between December 18 and January 2. ZooLights occurs every night except December 24, 25 and 31 (Of course, if the Zoo has to close because of bad, wintry weather, than the ZooLights display will be canceled.) National Zoo, 6-8:30 PM.

Saturday, December 4: Renwick Holiday Festival

Come celebrate the holiday season at the Renwick Gallery where you can enjoy a day of family friendly fun that includes crafts, ornament making, music, exhibition tours and lathe demonstrations. While you’re here, be sure to check out the special exhibitions The Art of Gaman and A Revolution in Wood. Free. Renwick Gallery of Art, 11:00 AM-2:00 PM.

Sunday, December 5: Holiday Sing: “Go Tell It on the Mountain”

This evening’s concert in the Baird Auditorium at the Natural History Museum is chock full of holiday and spiritual favorites sung by the Washington Performing Arts Society Youth Choir led by Stanley Thurston. Art collectors Bernard and Shirley Kinsey will also be available to talk about African American History and art. The couple will be signing copies of their book. Beforehand, be sure to take a look at the spectacular sampling of their collection over at the American History Museum. Free. Natural History Museum, 7:00-8:30 PM.

UPDATED 12/3 to show that tickets are not required for ZooLights, which is free this year.