It’s Christmas Day, and you don’t celebrate. How will you spend the hours? Well, nature’s still open. Hike through Rock Creek Park or explore the holiday exhibit at the U.S. Botanic Garden before dark. When night falls, stop by the Kennedy Center for the Jazz Jam, or consider the Christmas dance party at Tropicalia with ’80s funk and R&B from Soul Theory DC. Down the street, Black Cat hosts its annual James Brown Death-Mas Holiday Bash, in honor of the King of Soul, who died on Christmas Day in 2006. If all else fails? There’s Chinese food and movies.

The U.S. Botanic Garden is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 100 Maryland Ave. SW. Free. (202) 225-8333. usbg.gov. The Jazz Jam begins at 6 p.m. at the Kennedy Center’s Millennium Stage, 2700 F St. NW. Free. (202) 467-4600. kennedy-center.org. The dance party begins at 9 p.m. at Tropicalia, 2001 14th St. NW. Free. (202) 629-4535. tropicaliadc.com. The Death-Mas Holiday Bash begins at 9 p.m. at the Black Cat Backstage, 1811 14th St. NW. $5. (202) 667-4490. blackcatdc.com.