Wouldn't Miss: The Kennedy Center Honors, in Washington, D.C.; the Lacma trustees tour of the Roden Crater observatory, in Flagstaff, Arizona.
Also on the Calendar: The Metallica concert at the Forum in Los Angeles. Gustavo Dudamel and the Simón Bolívar National Youth Orchestra of Venezuela's concert at the Seongnam Arts Center in Seoul, Korea, on December 14.

Wouldn't Miss: The opening of two New York restaurants: Minetta Tavern and John Dory.
Also on the Calendar: The "New York Jewels" auction at Christie's on December 11; Jazz at Lincoln Center's Red Hot Holiday Stomp; Z100's Jingle Ball at Madison Square Garden.

Wouldn't Miss: Going to Rio de Janeiro for the first time.
Also on the Calendar: Art Basel Miami Beach contemporary-art fair. 

Wouldn't Miss: Christmas in Middleburg Parade in Middleburg, Virginia, on December 1. "I am co-chairing the parade, marching in it, and still hammering out the final details of Santa's appearance."
Also on the Calendar: West Side Story at the National Theater in Washington. "I love the music, and in a previous life I was a musician and once had the distinct privilege to work alongside Leonard Bernstein."

Wouldn't Miss: "Marlene Dumas: Measuring Your Own Grave" at the Museum of Modern Art in New York.

Wouldn't Miss: No Limits: The Will to Succeed, Michael Phelps' new autobiography, "because it will give you inspiration for your New Years' resolution."
Also on the Calendar: "George de Forest Brush: The Indian Paintings," at the National Gallery of Art, "an essay on race in America in the late 19th Century."