Kick off your holiday season during the Swing Machine Big Band’s 5th Annual Christmas Extravaganza on Wednesday, Nov. 30! The show will take the stage at Hylton Performing Arts Center’s Merchant Hall starting at 7:30 p.m.

The opening act will be the Combined Prince Williams Chorus, featuring talented youngsters from schools around the area. Then, for the main event, Swing Machine Big Band will take the stage. One of D.C’s finest big bands, they'll transport you to the '30s and '40s with each and every melody. They will perform all your holiday favorites with a Big Band-era twist.

Tickets are only $10 a person and all proceeds support the school's performing arts (kids under 2 are free). You may pre-purchase your tickets online to save yourself some time on the day of. Before the show, Santa will make a special appearance from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the lobby to say hello to all!

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr Phil Roeder

On Sunday, Nov. 27, you can ring in the holiday season with a festive holiday concert at Hylton Performing Arts Center! At 7 p.m., various artists from the Windham Hill record label will collaborate to get you in the holiday spirit.

Performers are some of the top of the Windham Hill label. Liz Story will show off her skills on the piano (she's a nominee of multiple Grammy awards and is always mesmerizing). Barbara Higbie, also a Grammy-nominated artist, specializes in jazz, pop, and folk songwriting. They will be accompanied by Sean Harkness, a guitarist, to complete the trio and perform all the holidays classics you know and love. You'll leave ready for the season!

With numerous balcony seats and a full orchestra section, the acoustics are on point no matter what seat you’re in. Tickets range from $30 to $50, making it an affordable special-occasion night.

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr/george

Since September 2015, KO Distilling has been offering locals an insider's look at the distillery process. A dream brought to life by two college classmates and friends, the distillery not only manufactures and sells but also welcomes patrons in for tours and tastings.

KO manufactures everything from white whiskey to barrel-finished gin, moonshine, and more. Their tours are $6 per person and last approximately 45 minutes as the guide leads you through the facilities and their distilling process. You’ll end up back in the tasting room, which many say feels more like a friend’s living room than a distillery. Barrels line the walls with cozy, plush couches and a welcoming fireplace for the winter months. For only $8 you can get a taste of two or three with all the fixings if you so choose. The gin options seem to be the fan favorite. They also do special events from time to time, like Spirited Yoga and tasting dinners, so check out their events calendar for more info.

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr John_Lockwood