Children's Events/Classes

- : Toddler Storytime at Connie Morella Library

Get up and get moving at storytime! These 20-30-minute programs are full of a diverse collection of books, songs and fun activities. Space is limited! Tickets are available on a first come, first served basis at the Information desk on the morning of the program. Events are held Tuesday mornings at 10:30 and 11:15. Connie Morella Library is located at 7400 Arlington Road.

- : LEGO Construction and Duplo Too!

Each Wednesday, join us in the meeting room from 4:00pm-5:00pm for a session of building with LEGO and Duplos! We supply the LEGO and Duplo pieces, and you supply the imagination! This program is for children ages 3 years old and up. Parents/caregivers MUST accompany children under the age of 8 during the program. Connie Morella Library is located at 7400 Arlington Road.

- : Wednesday Wiggles at Westfield Montgomery

Join us for a performance every Wednesday now through December 18. Bring your littles for magic shows, princess parties, superhero adventures & more!

Time: 4PM - 5PM

Location: Level 1, Near Forever 21          

December 4 - The Great Zucchini

December 11 - Beast & Christmas Belle                                                                                      

December 18 - Anna, Elsa & Olaf 

More Information.

: Family Storytime at Connie Morella Library

These 25-30-minute programs are designed to delight children of all ages and are filled with diverse stories and activities that promote and develop language skills and imagination. These programs encourage children to develop a lifelong love of reading and learning and introduce them to the culture of reading. 

Space is limited! Tickets are available on a first come, first served basis at the Information desk on the morning of the program. The event runs from 10:30-11:00AM. Connie Morella Library is located at 7400 Arlington Road.

: Pajama Storytime at Connie Morella Library

Join us from 6:30 - 7 PM for an evening storytime where pajamas are encouraged but not required. Space is limited! Free tickets are available at the Information Desk 30 minutes before the start of the program.

: Read to a Dog at Connie Morella Library

Read to a Dog develops reading skills and confidence as you share a book with a dog. Bring your own book or choose one from our collection!

This program is targeted to children 5 years old and up who have some ability to read aloud on their own. Sign up at the Information Desk up to 30 minutes before the program, for a 10-minute one-on-one reading session. First come, first served. Every second and fourth Thursday of the month from 4-5 PM.

: "No Shelf Control" (Grades 4-6 Book Club) at Connie Morella Library

Calling all readers in grades 4-6: welcome to the 2nd year of a book club just for you! Join us this month from 6:30 - 7:30 PM for a story about overcoming adversity, building friendships, and surviving 6th grade! This month, we'll discuss "The Way I Say It" by Nancy Tandon, the story of sixth-grader Rory Mitchell's efforts to deal with a speech impediment that makes it difficult for him to say his own name. If that weren't enough, entering middle school has changed Rory's relationship with his best friend. You can borrow a copy (with a specially prepared reading guide just for our group) from the Connie Morella Library; just ask at the Check Out or Information Desks for the December book for No Shelf Control.

Classes/Workshops

- : B-CC English Conversation Club

Join the B-CC English Conversation Club every Wednesday from 11 AM to 12:30PM for the opportunity to practice conversational English in small groups. Share your experiences and culture with other non-native English speakers in a friendly environment. No registration is required, and these events are free of charge! The club is held at the B-CC Regional Services Center at 4805 Edgemoor Lane. January will be held on January 8, 15, 22, and 29. For more information please view the flyer here.

- : English Conversation Club at Connie Morella Library

English learners, join us Thursdays afternoons from 1-3 PM to practice your speaking and listening skills in an informal, friendly and relaxed setting. All are welcome!

Concerts/Music

: Motown & More: A Holiday Celebration

Motown & More: A Holiday Celebration is a special concert featuring popular holiday songs as well as classic hits by Motown and other music legends performed by talented vocalists and musicians delivering outstanding lead singing, impeccable harmonies and a dynamic sound that embodies the Motown era. Doors and dinner at 6 PM, show at 8 PM. For more information and tickets, please click here.

: Indigo Girls at Strathmore

Released in 1989, Indigo Girls' eponymous major label debut sold over two million copies under the power of singles “Closer to Fine” and “Kid Fears” and turned Indigo Girls into one of the most successful folk duos in history. Over a 35-year career the multi-Grammy-winning duo of Emily Saliers and Amy Ray has recorded sixteen studio albums, sold over 15 million records, and built a dedicated, enduring following across the globe. More Information & Tickets.

- : A Renaissance Christmas

Ars Gratia Populi is Latin for “art for the people’s sake,” a gesture of what this choir upholds in the music they sing. Directed by Kevin Elam, an All-Ireland champion singer, the vocal sextet combines the technical excellence of a chamber choir with the relaxed, accessible presentation of a folk group. This approach to the choral style brings a communal aspect to their celebration of human expression and voice. For a Renaissance Christmas, this ensemble performs beloved carols with the zeal and cheer audiences hope for during the holiday season. More Information & Tickets.

: Kenny Lattimore

Join us for an evening of R&B with DC native Kenny Lattimore. Dinner and doors at 6:30PM, showtime at 8:30PM. Buy tickets here.

: Friday Morning Music Club Concert

Join us at The Woman's Club of Chevy Chase from 12-2pm for live chamber music by professional musicians, with a reception following. The Woman's Club of Chevy Chase is located at 7931 Connecticut Avenue.

: Soul Crackers Annual Holiday Concert

Soul Crackers return to Bethesda Theater for their 43rd annual holiday concert and dance party! Dinner and doors at 6PM, showtime at 8PM. Buy tickets here.

- : Maggie Rose Christmas Concert

Hailed for her "multi-genre talents" by Billboard and deemed a "star" by Rolling Stone,  Maggie Rose successfully straddles the worlds of pop, rock, soul, Americana and folk, unencumbered by genre specifics. This family-friendly Christmas concert will have two shows, each with their own special guest. Friday's show will feature Liz Longley, while Saturday's show will welcome The Hip Snacks.

Discussions/Readings

- : B-CC English Conversation Club

Join the B-CC English Conversation Club every Wednesday from 11 AM to 12:30PM for the opportunity to practice conversational English in small groups. Share your experiences and culture with other non-native English speakers in a friendly environment. No registration is required, and these events are free of charge! The club is held at the B-CC Regional Services Center at 4805 Edgemoor Lane. December meetings will be on December 4, 11, & 18. For more information please view the flyer here.

: Open Mic at The Writer's Center

Prose, poetry, and spoken word Open Mic @ The Writer’s Center! All writers are welcome to come and share 4-5 minutes of their latest work. Sign-up starts at 6:45pm, and readings begin promptly at 7pm. Limited to 20 readers, so arrive early if you plan to read.

: Bethesda Reads Book Club at Connie Morella Library

Interested in joining? The Book Club meets the second Thursday of each month from 10:30 am to 12:00 pm, main meeting room. The book chosen for this month's discussion is "I'll Take You There" by Wally Lamb. Tells a deeply affecting, generations-spanning story of one man’s life—and of the remarkable women who impacted it. It stands as a testament to the power of family, the resilience of love, and the enduring magic of movies.

Copies of this book are available at the check out desk.

: French Book Discussion Club at Connie Morella Library

Do you want to practice your French? Improve your French vocabulary? Meet new Francophiles? Please join us to discuss the book «Khalil» by Yasmina Khadra. We meet in the main meeting room to read and discuss books in French one Tuesday a month from 2:00 to 4:00 pm. 

Live Performance/Exhibit

- : A Hanukah Carol, or Gelt Trip! The Musical

Misanthropic millennial influencer Chava Kanipshin’s internet followers are turning into haters. Desperate to regain her popularity, Chava shuns anything and anyone she sees as an obstacle, including her family, friends, and holiday traditions. But on the first night of Hanukkah, Chava is visited by the ghost of deceased social media star Mimi Marley and other spirits who warn her to change her ways—or be cursed forever. The spirits lead Chava on a madcap journey through Hanukkahs past, present, and future to help her reconnect with her spirit of generosity, her Jewish identity, and an appreciation of her real-life supporters. Winner of the Audience Favorite Award at this year’s Broadway Shark Tank, A Hanukkah Carol is a heartfelt riff on a holiday classic that celebrates making the world a kinder place. Learn More & Buy Tickets.

- : Gallery B Presents: Unraveling Narratives a Dialogue in Toile

Gallery B welcomes artists Kate Norris and Jennifer McBrien from December 6 – January 12, 2025. The exhibition aims to foster a visual conversation that highlights the interplay between tearing, collaging, and the rhythmic motion of needle and thread. The dynamic placement of larger-scale pieces alongside multi-dimensional suspended artworks showcases their distinct perspectives while inviting viewers to explore the connections and parallels that exist between their creations. Gallery hours are Fridays – Saturdays from 12:00 to 5:00pm, and Sundays from 11:00am to 2:00pm.  On Saturday, December 7th an opening reception will be held from 4-6 PM. Gallery B is located at 7700 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite E, Bethesda, MD.

- : The Snow Queen at The Writer's Center

Come to The Writer's Center for “The Snow Queen”, a Family Musical based on the fairy tale by Hans Christian Anderson. Showings are Saturday, December 7, at 2:00pm Saturday, December 7, at 5:00pm Sunday, December 8, at 3:00pm Saturday, December 14, at 2:00pm Saturday, December 14, at 5:00pm Sunday, December 15 at 3:00pm. Buy Tickets Here.

- : Petite Rouge: A Cajun Red Riding Hood

Petite Rouge: A Cajun Red Riding Hood updates the classic tale, sending the plucky heroine—now a red-robed little duck—and her ‘fraidy cat friend Te Jean on a perilous journey through the bayou. Along the way the pair tangle with a Big Bad Gator. Petite is no sitting duck, though, and leads her nemesis on a merry Mardi Gras chase through New Orleans. A chorus of swamp dwellers sings backup to the Zydeco-driven score in this foot-stomping musical. Buy Tickets Here.

Special Events

: Ukrainian Christmas Shop

Get your holiday shopping started at the Ukrainian Christmas Shop at St. John's Norwood! Find unique, Ukrainian-made gifts. 100% of proceeds go to the Okhmatdyt Children’s Hospital in Kyiv. The shop runs from 9AM - 1PM and will be held in the West Ave. Lobby of St. John's Norwood, located at 6700 West Avenue.

- : You Sleigh Me! A Grinch Experience

Come to The Bethesdan at 5pm daily for our pop-up holiday bar featuring Whoville Christmas décor and specialty themed drinks!

- : Fiber Friends at the Connie Morella Library

Do enjoy taking a break and knitting or crocheting? What about embroidery? If so, join us and relax in a group of fiber enthusiasts! Feel free to bring your projects and work on them in a laid-back setting. We meet on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of every month from 10:30am to 12:30pm.

- : Cozy Flicks & Fire Pits

Join us for a cozy night of holiday movies at the Bethesdan Hotel rooftop. Every Saturday in December starting at 5PM.

: Bethesda's Winter Wonderland & Holiday Market

Celebrate the holiday season from 12-4pm, December 7 on Norfolk and Cordell Avenues in downtown Bethesda with Santa Claus, live ice sculpting, live music, face painting, games and more! Please bring a new toy for Toys for Tots. NEW this year - Holiday Market with URBN Market and 50 artistans.

Join us for a full afternoon of holiday fun! Activities include:

Live ice sculpting demo (12:30-2pm)
Visit with Santa Claus (2-4pm)
Student concert
Face painting
Arts & Craft Activities
Plus Bethesda restaurants The Red Bandana and Smoke BBQ will be onsite!

Learn More Here.

: Late-Autumn Tai Chi Open House via Zoom

From 10-11AM de-stress, boost natural immunity, increase fitness through low-impact exercise! No prior experience necessary. FREE but RSVP required via e-mail (SunAndMoonTaijiOne@gmail.com).

: Advent Lessons & Carols

Prepare your heart for Christmas with this beautiful, contemplative service, featuring the St. John's Choir. This free event is open to all, and begins at 5 PM. St. John's is located at 6701 Wisconsin Avenue.

: Clara Barton Holiday Craft Show

Come to the Clara Barton Neighborhood Recreation Center from 1-5PM for a festive craft show featuring 44 local artisans with handmade gifts, jewelry, pottery, and more! The rec center is located at 7425 MacArthur Boulevard.

: BIPOC Writers Mixer at The Writer's Center

Calling all BIPOC writers in the DMV! Let’s hang out and talk writing! Come join us for an informal gathering at The Writer’s Center to meet new writers, make new friends, and share your love of the written word. Please bring a drink or an appetizer that serves six. You’re welcome to bring a friend, too. FREE & open to the public. RSVP required here.

: Bethesda Art Walk

From 6-8 PM enjoy a self-guided walking tour of the galleries and studios of downtown Bethesda. View the artwork, meet the artists, and enjoy complimentary refreshments at the Bethesda Art Walk! View the participating studios here.

: "Unraveling Narratives: A Dialogue in Toile" Opening Reception

Visit Gallery B for the opening reception of "Unraveling Narratives: A Dialogue in Toile" by artists Kate Norris & Jennifer McBrien. The reception runs from 6-8PM and will offer light refreshments.

: Film Screening: Crossing

Come to Landmark Bethesda Row Cinema for a screening of the Georgian-Turkish film Crossing; optional discussion and free bagels, coffee, and tea. More Information.

: Chanukah in Candyland at Bethesda Row

Join Chabad of Bethesda and Bethesda Row at 5 PM for Chanukah in Candyland! Open to all, Chanukah in Candyland will feature a 10ft candy menorah, goodie bags for kids, live entertainment, and latkes & jelly donuts. More Information.

: New Years Eve Party at Caddies on Cordell!

Live Music from Juniper Lights 9:30-1:30

No Cover Charge

Midnight Champagne Toast