The Puppet Company version of the Nutcracker is decent, and totally appropriate for your 3 and 5 year old. The actual Nutcracker ballet might be too long for the 3-year-old's attention span, but one of the companies does an abbreviated version that sells out very quickly. Adventure Theatre might also do a Christmas-themed show. Kennedy Center might have something, but be warned, the family Millennium Stage show get very crowded and they often turn people away who don't actually get there super early for seats. (learned that one the hard way.)

I know you said NOVA/DC preferred. We are in Falls Church and for us it has been worth it to go to Bethesda to the Imagination Stage. They have good shows (we like Saturday mornings) and we go out to lunch in Bethesda afterwards.

We went to Jammin' Java recently and liked it, but those are usually more concerts than shows, I think.

The puppet theater at Glen Echo has adorable shows on weekend mornings for the under-5 set. I would bet that they show holiday-themed stuff around that time of year but I don't know for sure, but even they don't it's worth going.

My kids loved the family programs at the Kennedy center at that age.

My DD really enjoyed the Disney on Ice show, heck Im an adult and I enjoyed it too If Vienna is not too far from you, Jamming Java usually has shows for kids throughout the year, weekdays and weekends. Here's what they have coming in the next few days : http://jamminjava.com/kids-shows

Would love to know this, too!

DD will be age 3 early Dec and DS is age 5. We are both FT working parents and have weekends free to take kids to shows. This is the first year we feel that they are old enough to really be able to enjoy shows - any suggestions for a Nutcracker or other age appropriate show for our family? We didn't see it but wonded if Disney Frozen on Ice would have worked out I think Disney has another show in DC in Feb that might work. Seeking holiday ideas pref in NOVA or DC metro.