OP here. Really appreciate the ideas and feedback. We have an early reservation held at Filomena, so it sounds safest to just keep that.

Trying to fit something in before the show, and transportation, is going to be super stressful. Pick another day for the dinner.

You're going to have to take what you can get. Suggest you use 0pentable or something similar and, indeed, see if you have any chioices.

Martins tavern or 1789?
I love iron gate—not sure if they do holiday decorations but seems likely.
I think anything in DuPont circle or Farragut or west end foggy bottom would be fine for you.

Sixty Vines in Foggy Bottom if you are into wine. But most of these places are already going to be booked for Christmas.

Bourbon Steak or Chez Billy Sud

Filomena is pretty much already booked up so get on the waiting list now. Another option of course is old ebbott Grill.

Bumping this for you in the hope that people have more suggestions for you. Filomena is always beautifully decorated around the holidays. There’s a French restaurant in Georgetown, Brasserie Liberte, that was lovely and very good — not sure about holiday decorations but it’s a very pretty setting. Clyde’s will look festive but I think it’s tough to get a table there; however, you may be able to make a reservation on the earlier side. Good luck!

We have tix for our family to see the Nutcracker at the Kennedy Center Thanksgiving weekend and we’d like to grab dinner before the show.

Looking for a festive restaurant to help us get into the holiday spirit before the show. We’d like a nicer, sit-down restaurant with a 10-15 min drive max of the Kennedy Ctr.

I’ve come across Filomena in Georgetown as an option. Any others I might be missing?