Friends! The holiday season is in full swing and we have lots of local fun.
But before we tell you all about it, thank you to those of you who’ve already bought a limited-edition holographic THIH sticker, where half of the proceeds go to Ready, Willing and Working, the charitable arm of the Capitol Hill BID. We’ve posted them and you should be getting them soon. Want to buy one? Click here!
Decorating? Doing something fun for the holidays? Let us know! This year, we’ll also be doing a storefront judging, crowning the Jolliest and Most Artistic displays this year. Fill out the form and you should be seeing it on the map by Monday, December 12!
You can start by shopping around Barracks Row. One of our favorites, Honey Made, is hosting regular Sip and Shop events on Fridays and Saturdays ahead of the holidays, starting at 4 p.m. Enjoy a glass of wine as you buy cute gifts and discover that POTUS has great taste.
Also tonight: MPD will be routing its Winter Sleigh through Lincoln Park! They will start at 5:30 p.m. in the unit block of H Street NE, head east on H, south on 13th Street NE and end at Lincoln Park at 6:30 p.m.
And don’t forget, there are several places doing toy drives, starting with MPD. You can also donate new and unwrapped toys at any of the stations and substations, and also at Labyrinth DC and the Verizon store on Barracks Row.
What is awesome, beloved, a Sagittarius, and will be celebrating ONE HUNDRED YEARS on December 10? It’s the Southeast Neighborhood Library!! The library would like you to drop by between December 8-10 and tell them, in 100 words or less, what the library means to you. More information? Click here.
Who doesn’t love a Holiday Yeti? On December 10, Bettie the Yeti will be visiting Eastern Market from noon to 2 p.m. She will be spreading smiles, cheer and adorableness. Make sure you tag us in your Yeti Selfies!
The Stuart Hobson Drama Players are back with another incredible production. This time around, they will be staging The Lion King! Come watch these talented middle schoolers December 9-11 at the Stuart Hobson Auditorium, 4th and E NE. Tickets
Get a dose of wonderful, richly varied Christmas music with the Folger’s A New World Christmas, December 9-11. You can attend in person at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church and purchase tickets here or you can get online access for a suggested donation.
Heads-up: The Jingle all the Way 5k and 15k is happening this Sunday. While it’s not in our neighborhood area proper, there will be traffic closures and delays (see race course here). Want to run it? Hey, why not! You can even run with your doggo. Sign up here.
Light Yards is back to Yards Park on December 1 and through January 1, every night 5-10 p.m. Another beautiful, glowing installation by Amigo & Amigo will set the darkness aglow with Swinging Bells, a set of 13-foot bells interspersed with interactive swings, complimented by the sound of bells filling the wintry air. A perfectly ‘grammable setting for selfiying, hugging and perhaps kissing, before you grab a bite along the waterfront More info here.
Enchant Christmas kicked off at Nationals Park on November 25 and will be there through New Year’s Day. It seems there were some early hiccups, but we went yesterday and it was very sweet and truly enchanting. The light maze is entertaining though we’d like to point out that not every item the passport calls a star is, in fact, a star: Andromeda is a whole galaxy of them. Pegasus is a constellation. However, if you get all the “star” stamps on your passport, you can mail it in for a chance to see a Hallmark Channel movie set up close and personal. There is a biergarten and lots of adorable stalls to buy drinks, mementos, scarves and lamps. There is also a skating rink! And of course, the staff at the stadium is there being their warm, caring selves and guiding you through. Make sure you bundle up! For more info and tickets, click here.
WORLD CUP
Yes, the FIFA World Cup (garbage organization, fabulously fun month of world-class soccer) is happening through December 18. The United States made it out of group stage and will be facing the Netherlands on Saturday, December 3. Wunder Garten in NoMa, The Brig in Barracks Row and The Queen Vic on H Street are three great places to catch the action. Make sure to click the links to RSVP to specific events.
MORE FUN
Local artist Dana Simmons creates beautiful art from the different kinds of cells we have in our brains. You can see this art, alongside that of other local artists, hanging at the Hill Center through January 8.
Did you know the U. S. Capitol holds Capitol Conversations on weekdays at 1 p.m.? These virtual sessions are informative and fun–– a neat opportunity to learn something new while you eat your lunch. Register for Capitol Conversations here.
On Wednesday evenings, make it trivia! Two Girls Trivia runs a quiz at Fight Club starting at 7 p.m. You can also catch them at Biergarten Haus on Tuesday evenings. For more information and quiz hints, check out their Twitter, @twogirlstrivia.
Every Thursday, Kelly’s Irish Times has comedy! The Batting Cage Comedy show starts at 8 p.m. and is free. More info here.
Want to support CHAW? Then buy a digital print here so that you can keep tuition programs free for those who need them. It makes a great holiday present!
Hey, have you gotten your COVID booster and your flu shot? No? Well, cross that off your list this weekend! Click here to find where you can get it.
Reminder: DPW is picking up leaves. Make sure you can push your leaves into your tree box as much as possible. Check the brochure here to give yourself an idea of when they may be dropping by your house.
Listen: Cuddle Magic is a band made of life-long friends. This recording of O Come Emmanuel had them cramming themselves inside a bathroom and the result is lovely. Listen here.
PLAN AHEAD
On December 17 at 7:30 p.m., FROST: An Immersive Holiday Experience comes to Eastern Market, brought to life by dancers at Joy of Motion. Energetic dance, festive decorations AND culinary delights? YES! Click here for a peek at the magic behind the scenes. Tickets here.
Is the best part of the holiday season the songs? If you nodded enthusiastically, then the Capital City Symphony’s Annual Holiday Concert and Singalong is the event for you! On December 18, come to the Atlas for the classics, a singalong (naturally), and lots of merriment and cheer. Plus, kids under 16 have free admission! Tickets here.
Hanukkah starts at sundown on Sunday, December 18 and the Capitol Hill BID, in conjunction with Hill Havurah, will light the first candle at sundown on Monday, December 19. Starting at 5:30 p.m., come by the Lutheran Church of the Reformation, 212 East Capitol Street, and enjoy jelly doughnuts and cocoa. Right after the lighting ceremony, stay for fire dancing by Kinetic Spinners! More info here.
Want a fun plan on Christmas Eve where you may meet a significant other? This year’s Matzoball is happening at Decades, starting at 9 p.m. Sure, the focus is on Jewish singles, but maybe you want a little matzo magic in your life, gentiles! More info here.
Eastern Market has all sorts of fun things coming your way! On December 17 and 18, Santa will be at the Market, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.! Also on December 17, there will be a Caroling Marathon from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.starting at the corner of 7th and C SE. More details to come!
OFF-HILL
The Downtown Holiday Market is back on November 18 and if you’ve never been, make sure you stop at least once between the start and December 23 at 8 p.m. All kinds of incredible local and regional makers descend upon F Street NW between 7th and 9th Streets. There are treats and performers as well! The market is open every day, except for Thanksgiving day and December 5. More info here.
Can’t get enough of craft fairs and don’t mind a little driving or MARCing? Samesies! Mark your calendar for the Charm City Craft Mafia’s Holiday Heap on December 10 in Baltimore. More info? Click here.