For the 13th year in a row, The Royal Norwegian Embassy celebrates the Christmas season at Union Station, with a 32-foot Christmas tree on display through January 4, 2010, and a train exhibit that runs until 6 pm on January 3, 2010.
November 24th:
Giant Model Train Launch and Toys for Tots Kick-off
10:00 – 11:00am: Ambassador Wegger Chr. Strommen will be present at the start of the Norwegian model train at Union Station which also marks the regional kick-off for the 2009 U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots campaign. The giant Norwegian model train has enchanted visitors every December for 12 years, as it winds through the mountains and fjords of Norway. Each train is hand-crafted by an expert model builder and is a replica of a current or historic Norwegian train. The train runs from November 24 until 6 pm on January 3, 2010.
December 3rd :
Tree Lighting
6:00 pm: Tree lighting ceremony to light the 32 foot tall Christmas tree. This event annually draws hundreds of Washingtonians to the main hall of Union Station. The tree is a gift to the people of Washington, D.C., and is a symbol of friendship between the United States and Norway. It also expresses Norway’s gratitude for assistance received from the United States during and after World War II. The nationally recognized Children’s Chorus of Washington, representing over 100 schools in the metropolitan Washington area, will be performing holiday songs. The tree and decorations will be on display from December 3 through January 4, 2010. Where: Union Station, Main Hall, 50 Massachusetts Avenue, N.E., Washington, D.C.
Admission: FREE More info: 202-333-6000
December 4th – 5th :
Norwegian-American Holiday Bazaar.
Norwegian-American organizations host a shopping extravaganza featuring traditional crafts from Norway, including hand made items, jewellery, calendars, trolls, dolls, holiday ornaments, pewter items, sweaters, and food. When: December 4th, 11am – 7pm and December 5th, 9am – 3pm. Where: The Elks Club of Fairfax, 8421 Arlington Boulevard (Route 50), Fairfax, VA. More info: 202-333-6000
December 7th :
Jazz concert: Håkon Kornstad and Ingebrigt Håker Flaten.
One of the leading musicians on the blossoming European avant-garde/electronica scene, tenor saxophonist Haakon Kornstad teams up with fellow Norwegian musician Ingebrigt H. Flaten on bass for some high energy jazz at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. When: December 7th, 6:00 – 7:00 pm. Where: The Kennedy Center for Performing Arts, Theater Lab. Admission: FREE More info: 202-333-6000
December 13th :
Classical Trumpet Concert: Tine Thing Helseth.
Tine Thing Helseth is among the most talked-about talented trumpeters with many prestigeous international engagements to her credit. She will be performing a classical repertoire with Steffen Horn, one of Norways most promising young pianists. When: December 13th, 6:30 – 8:00 pm Where: National Gallery of Art , The West Garden Court
Admission: FREE More info: 202-333-6000