It’s December– can you believe it? Let’s find fun things to do around the Hill and all over town. Don’t forget, though– as you make your way through the city, look out for those who need help staying warm. The DC Department of Human Services has a portal HERE with all you need for a hypothermia alert or a cold emergency. Stay warm and safe!
Come have fun with us at The Hill is Home! Here are THREE places you can see us at soon:
- On December 14, we will have a Cookie is Home at Mr. Henry’s with our friend Capitol Jill Baking! We will drink cider, eat cookies and take plates home. It’ll be grand! Buy tickets HERE.
- Also on December 14, join us for lunch at Good Stuff Eatery and get your picture taken with Santa! There will be crafts and glitter tattoos and delicious food! More info HERE.
- On December 17, join resident historian Robert Pohl for a special Repeal Day tour! We will start at Union Pub and end at Barrel and have cocktails at the beginning and the end. Yay! Buy tickets HERE.
Starting Thanksgiving Day, swing by the United States Botanic Garden to see their model trains and themed plant decorations in full swing! Seasons Greenings is one of those DC traditions that are worth wading through the tourists for, especially on Tuesday and Thursday evenings: On December 10, 12, 17, 19, and 26, the Conservatory and train display will be open until 8 p.m. and there will be live seasonal music to enjoy!
Looking to trim and flock your home? Then put the Brent Elementary Annual Holiday Sale on the calendar. Starting December 5, come by the Brent lot and pick your tree, garland or greenery! Want to make sure you get a gorgeous tree and have it delivered home? Then check out the pre-sale HERE! You can even donate a tree to a family, because Brent Elementary has partnered up with Everyone Home DC. If that doesn’t get you in the holiday spirit, well, we’ll keep trying.
The talented kids at Stuart-Hobson Middle School are putting on Roald Dahl’s Matilda, December 6-8. Come support talented middle schoolers at our own Little Bit of Broadway on the Hill. Buy tickets here.
The next concert in the Chiarina series is with Grammy-winning musicians Imani Winds. They will be playing at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church on Sunday, December 8. More information and tickets here. And if you’re looking for ways to support the community, consider becoming a member of Chiarina by clicking here.
The 32nd Annual Holiday Boat Parade and Party is happening on December 7, from 6-8 p.m. Watch a magical riparian wonderland, enjoy fireworks and all the Wharf has to offer! Need more reasons? Here are a few more:
- Live performances from Yani the Band and The Experience Band & Show
- Holiday karaoke, crafts and a variety of family-friendly activities
- S’mores roasting by a wood-burning fire at Camp Wharf
- A photo-worthy 45-foot nautical-themed tree at District Pier
- Photos with Santa at The Grove.
- The Wharf’s Ice Rink at Transit Pier, the only over-water rink in The District and more!
Do you have a creative high schooler who may have a play just waiting to burst out of them? Then mention the Mosaic Theater 2025 High School Company Playwriting Contest to them! The contest is open to kids in grades 9-12 from all over the DC area. More information here.
Looking for festive lights and delicious bites in a world-class research library and theater? Boy, you have highly specific tastes. Luckily, the Folger Library is doing their first annual Frost Fair(e?). Enjoy decorations, holiday music and more! More info HERE.
HOLIDAY BAR SEASON
Looking for Holiday-themed bars? Duke’s Grocery in Navy Yard has an absolutely lovely theme this year: Narnia! Step in through a magical wardrobe and enjoy such magical cocktails as the belly-warming Tumnus’s Tipple, the you’ll-swear-it’s-a-liquid-peppermint-patty He’s Dangerous But He is Good or the pretty and potent Lucy’s Cordial. As always, Duke’s has great bar fare AND! house-made Turkish Delight to tempt us all! Duke’s Grocery is at 1201 Half Street SE. Want to see what it’s all about? Check out this reel I made here.
The Wharf has a Holly Jolly Pub popping up at The Brighton and it is super cute! Get tickets here.
Union Market also has a holiday pop-up bar called The Dome, but it’s so incredibly hyped that, unless you have some very savvy friends who already scored tickets weeks ago, good luck getting in. Still, holiday miracles exist, so here’s more info so you can add yourself to the waitlist.
OFF-HILL
The Four Seasons Hotel in Georgetown is all decked for the holidays and, as they’ve done for the past eight years, the centerpiece of their décor is to celebrate children who are patients at Children’s National Hospital. As you walk toward Bourbon Steak, the fabulous restaurant inside the hotel, you will be greeted by a glittering forest of holiday trees and eight especially commissioned vignettes depicting the kids’ favorite things. It’s visually stunning and moving. You can raise a glass to these kiddos with one of Bourbon Steak’s delicious holiday drinks. By the way, the Teddy Bear Teas, which are lovely and popular, are mostly sold out BUT I’m told if you keep your eyes peeled, you can land a slot thanks to cancellations from busy folks. Click here to test your luck! (As of right now, it appears there are two slots open this coming Saturday so hurry!)
Art Enables will have their Holiday Market on December 7, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Support local artists, say hi to Santa, get your face painted and more! More info here.
Also on December 7, the Native Art Market is taking over the National Museum of the American Indian. More info here.
My neighbors in love: WE HAVE DUELING HOLIDAY ?! I wanted to hate it and be upset, but all this means is that now we have TWO magical and enchanting shopping destinations and more small businesses will have the chance to charm us:
- First, the city’s official Holiday Market decided to change managers and the marketplace is big and beautiful and in its always-location, closing down the 700-900 blocks of F Street NW. You can make your plan and check that market out HERE.
- The original manager of the Holiday Market, Diverse Markets, decided to take things in stride and open their own Holday Market at Dupont Circle, at the 1500 block of 19th Street NW, behind Kramers Bookstore. You can find some of your favorite local vendors at this new spot, which continues the enduring tradition. Caveat: It’s tiny, it’s mighty and it’s BUSY! AND it’s been extended through December 23! Make your plan HERE.
Need a change of scene? Rosslyn, across the river, has a lot of holiday cheer planned! Check out the full slate of events here.
PLAN AHEAD
Craving Baroque music, specifically? Then the Mass for Christmas Eve at the Folger is the show for you. More information and tickets here.
And on December 14, join Hill Family Biking for a ride through lovely decorated and lit-up streets. More info here.
On December 17-19, visit the Union Station Main Hall Holiday Market! From 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., enjoy delightful finds and cocktails from the 1908 Lounge. More info here.