Free and Easy

Every Monday, the Going Out Gurus suggest ways to enjoy Washington's cultural scene without spending any money. Have an idea for us? Send it to events@washingtonpost.com.

Monday
'Black Maps' at the National Academy of Sciences
Time is running out for David Maisel's collection of large-scale aerial photographs documenting man's impact on nature.

Tuesday
Lighting of the National Menorah on the Ellipse
Celebrate the beginning of Hanukkah with music, latkes and dreidels.

Wednesday
DAR Christmas Open House at Constitution Hall
The Daughters of the American Revolution offer tours of decorated rooms in their historic headquarters, pictures with Santa, caroling and holiday treats.

Thursday
National Christmas Tree Lighting on the Ellipse
Tickets for the official tree lighting ceremony, which begins at 5 p.m., are long gone, but you can drop by later in the evening to be among the first to see the illuminated tree and the Pageant of Peace.

Friday
Lori Nix: The City at the Randall Scott Gallery
There are only a few days left for this show of captivating, often odd photographs. Nix builds meticulous dioramas of ruined buildings, then takes large pictures of them.

Saturday
Real 'National Treasure' Family Day at the National Archives
It seems weird to have the National Archives doing PR work for an upcoming movie, but this event sounds like fun: a family-friendly scavenger hunt through the Public Vaults, lessons on code-breaking and a screening of the original "National Treasure" film.

Sunday
'E.T.' at the National Gallery of Art
Has it really been 25 years since Steven Spielberg introduced us to E.T.? Celebrate with a free screening in the National Gallery's East Concourse.

Monday
Eric Hutchinson at the Kennedy Center
Local soul singer Eric Hutchinson, who became a sensation on iTunes after favorable mentions by blogger Perez Hilton, performs on the Millennium Stage.

-- Fritz