John Waters Brings His Twisted Holiday Show to Birchmere

John Waters is bringing his gleefully twisted take on the holiday season back to the DC area when "A John Waters Christmas" arrives at the Birchmere on Saturday, December 20 at 7:30pm. The self-proclaimed Pope of Trash returns with his annual yuletide celebration that transforms traditional holiday cheer into something delightfully demented and utterly unforgettable.

A John Waters Christmas at Birchmere

For those unfamiliar with Waters' particular brand of festive mayhem, this is not your grandmother's Christmas special. The legendary filmmaker and cultural provocateur has been touring his alternative holiday show for years, building a devoted following of fans who crave something far removed from the usual saccharine seasonal entertainment. Waters takes everything sacred about the Christmas season and runs it through his uniquely subversive sensibility, emerging with a show that manages to be simultaneously irreverent and oddly affectionate toward the holidays it lovingly lampoons.

The evening promises Waters' signature storytelling style, blending outrageous anecdotes, cultural commentary, and his encyclopedic knowledge of cinema's strangest corners. He approaches Christmas traditions with the same mischievous glee that made his films like "Pink Flamingos," "Hairspray," and "Serial Mom" cult classics. Audience members can expect everything from holiday gift recommendations that no department store would dare stock to tales of seasonal adventures that would make even the most jaded Santa blush.

What makes "A John Waters Christmas" particularly special is Waters' ability to create an experience that feels both naughty and nice, transgressive yet strangely wholesome in its own peculiar way. He celebrates the season by obliterating every cliché, yet somehow his genuine enthusiasm for the holidays shines through the provocation. It's this contradiction that keeps audiences returning year after year.

The Birchmere provides an ideal intimate setting for Waters' performance, allowing the legendary raconteur to connect directly with his audience in the venue's celebrated listening room atmosphere. Known for hosting an eclectic mix of performers throughout the year, the Birchmere has become a perfect home for alternative holiday programming that appeals to those seeking something beyond traditional seasonal fare.

Tickets for "A John Waters Christmas" at the Birchmere on December 20 are available now. For those looking to celebrate the holidays with something wildly different from the usual festivities, this show offers a perfectly imperfect antidote to cookie-cutter Christmas entertainment. Just remember to bring your sense of humor and leave your expectations of traditional holiday spirit at the door.