Happy Black Friday! Hope you’re getting all the deals you want, but please save some room for our beloved local stores. These one-of-a-kind, independently owned emporiums of wonderful are your neighbors and the people who make this neighborhood bold, brilliant and unique. Please make sure that you stop by and shop on Small Business Saturday, and throughout the holiday season. Here are two special promotions that you may be interested in knowing about. By the way, on Small Business Saturday, drop by Eastern Market Metro Park and score free hot cocoa courtesy of Eastern Market Main Street:
- Better Together: Spend $100 at a participating local business on November 24 and 25, and receive a gift card to another participating business! It’s like a gift you give yourself. More details here and at this adorable video.
- Turkey Hunt: You may have caught one of our What is the most…? videos on Instagram and seen that we highlight cutout turkeys, but what does it all mean? Well! This year’s Turkey Hunt could get you tickets to the Commanders’ New Year’s Eve game, that’s what! Click here for more information from Eastern Market Main Street and keep track of all your turkeys!
Get into the holiday spirit with Laura Tsaggaris! Laura and her band will be at the Miracle Theater on November 26 at 7 p.m. for Get In The Mood, singing funky classics and even leading a singalong! Bring your Santa hat and get in the spirit. For tickets and more info, click here.
The Folger IS BACK, baby! If you haven’t seen their latest production, The Winter’s Tale, or visited their beautiful new remodeled entrance, make it a plan with visiting family, get it as a gift for someone special or just treat yourself. The building looks beautiful and better than ever (see our Insta reel for a sneak peek) but the play! In one word, it’s perfect. You will cry, you will laugh, you will be a little or a lot confused, but you will have a wonderful time. For tickets and more information, click here.
Would it be a holiday without the United States Botanic Garden‘s decorations? Absolutely not. Every year, the gardens are decked out inside and out with stunning sculptures made entirely of plant materials. And every year, the trains come back, winding through scenes of farming and plant life across the world. This year’s theme is pollinators and plants! For more information and to plan your visit, click here. (But no, we will not accept the mosquito pollinating an orchid narrative here.)
Looking to get a tree this year? The Brent Elementary Annual Holiday Sale kicks off this Thursday, November 30 and you are invited! You can also donate a tree through Everyone Home DC. Come on by to 301 North Carolina Avenue SE. The times are as follows:
Thursday, November 30, 4 pm – 7 pm
Friday, December 1, 4 pm – 7 pm
Saturday, December 2, 9 am – 5 pm
Sunday, December 3, 9 am – 5 pm
Enchant is back at Nats Park this holiday season, starting today! You know you want to be surrounded by twinkly lights and wonder! More info and tickets here.
The Rubell Museum recently reopened, bringing the public two new installations, “Singular Views: 25 Artists” and “Alexandre Diop: Jooba Jubba, l’Art du Defi or the Art of Challenge.” The art in these well-curated exhibits is fresh and bold and raw and deeply relatable. Bring tissues. More info here.
By the way, if you want to join a community walk with MPD, there will be a couple upcoming:
November 27th Walk at the Wharf (near Philippe Chow), 6 p.m.
November 28th Walk at Mount Vernon Triangle (5th and K NW), 5 p.m.
November 30, Community Walk at Lincoln Park (Bethune Statue), 5 p.m. (Air Tags)
And even though this is happening on February 3-4, sign your kiddos up now for a sleepover they won’t forget. Sleepovers at the National Archives are back! Click here to sign up.
Skating Rinks
Our area boasts several ice skating rinks so you can live your best icy life. Most rinks open around this time of year and stay open through February. Check the websites for additional info:
District Wharf
Canal Park
Sculpture Garden
Enchant Christmas at Nats Park (add-on to your admission ticket)
WEEKLY FUN
A Sunday tradition, the Flea Market at Eastern Market is your one-stop shop for wonderful art, clothing, cosmetics and more. Follow them on Instagram here.
The Library of Congress is open late on Thursdays for Live! at the Library. These events are free but require timed passes. You can also sign up for a recording of the performance (more info here) and watch at home with your favorite alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverage.
Want to get your square dance on with the DC Rawhides? They are yee-hawing their way into our hearts on select Friday and Saturday evenings, 7-11 p.m., at Eastern Market’s North Hall. Click here for more info.
Mr. Henry’s is THE place to listen to jazz on the Hill. They have performances Wednesday through Saturday, but we have a soft spot for Saturday Showcase. Tickets and more info on all the performers past and future here.
At ReLume, you can make something beautiful and have fun while doing it! From candles to seasonal decorations to starting a new hobby, you can do it all there. Make a holiday wreath this Sunday! More info here.
Labyrinth has great events almost every night of the week, except for Monday. If you’re looking to demo board games or enjoy some of your favorites with old and new friends, check out their event calendar. Guess what? Labyrinth is open Mondays during the busy holiday season!
On Monday evenings, Trivia Kings takes over Barrel for trivia night. For more info, click here. (They also host trivia nights all over town.)
On Wednesday evenings, make it trivia! Two Girls Trivia runs a quiz at Fight Club starting at 7 p.m. For more information and quiz hints, check out their Twitter, @twogirlstrivia.
as you are on Barracks Row has great events happening almost every day of the week: from crafting on Wednesdays to karaoke on Thursdays and Sundays to Saturday dance parties, this queer-safe space welcomes everyone. Check out their calendar of events here.
Every Thursday and Friday, Kelly’s Irish Times has comedy! The Batting Cage Comedy show starts at 8 p.m. and is free on Thursdays. More info here.
At Wunder Garten, catch an NFL game and take a break from shopping! More info here.
The Miracle Theatre is showing The Eras Tour movie and you know you want to go see it! Click here for tickets. You can also catch more from the Master of Suspense, if that’s your fancy. Tell them we sent ya!
OFF-HILL
Mondays can be tough days, but Songbyrd has Music Trivia this and every Monday up in Union Market district to gladden hearts and fuel your competitive spirit. The best part? It’s ALL AGES! Enjoy it with friends or as a family. More info here.
Rainy days are for watching a movie in a comfy theater. The Angelika Pop-Up at Union Market has a great selection of movies. Check them out here.
Bring in the holiday season with s party! Metrobar‘s District Day Party with DJ Ty One will put a pep in your step. And go back for their Winter Market on December 3. More info here.
PLAN AHEAD
The District Boat Parade is coming to the Wharf on December 2! What started as a very small neighborly assembly of decked-out vessels has turned into a must-see community event. Dress warmly and enjoy the Wharf! More information here.
The Stuart Hobson Drama Players will present The Addams Family as their winter musical. Let’s give these talented kids a packed house! Get tickets here. Their performances are as follows:
Friday, Dec. 8, 6:30 PM
Saturday, Dec. 9, 1 PM & 6:30 PM
Sunday, Dec. 10, 3 PM
Jade Fitness, 1310 Pennsylvania Avenue SE, will hold their first ever Holiday Sip & Shop event on Sunday, December 10 th from 1-4 pm. There will be local makers, local honey, a raffle, prizes and more. For more information, click here.
Get ready to Baroque out for Christmas! The Folger Consort’s Baroque Christmas Story at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, a Capitol Hill tradition since 1977, is happening December 15 through 22 and you’re invited! For more tickets and info, click here.