The District’s Holiday Boat Parade will include a Christmas tree that’s more than 40 feet tall.

The Wharf

Ya like holiday markets? This weekend, you’ll find markets of all varieties all over town.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 6

PIXIE PARTY: If you’re looking for gifts and perhaps something for yourself, head to Miss Pixie’s 7th annual Holiday Market. With more than 15 vendors and savings of 20 percent off all Miss Pixie’s wares, you can play the “one for me, one for you” game. The pop-up also features vegetarian paella from Barcelona Wine Bar and live music from The Bitter Dose Combo. (Miss Pixie’s Furnishings & Whatnot, 5 p.m.-8 p.m., FREE)

GEORGETOWN ALL AGLOW: Georgetown glitters with artistic illuminations at this month’s Georgetown GLOW installation. The 6th iteration features 11 installations lit nightly from 5 p.m.-10 p.m. until January 6; Friday’s kick off features a food truck alley at Georgetown Park between H&M and TJ Maxx. (Throughout Georgetown, 5 p.m.-10 p.m., FREE)

BRIGHT LIGHTS, BIG YARDS: Looking for more holiday lights? There’s plenty more to take in at Light Yards. The nightly display at The Yards, which continues through December 23, features Airship Orchestra, an interactive display curated by ENESS. (The Yards, 6 p.m.-10 p.m., FREE)

MORE: Gallery Experience: Art Rebels (Hirshhorn, 12:30 p.m.-1:30 p.m., FREE), GRUMP Holiday Market at ZooLights (National Zoo, 5 p.m.-9 p.m., FREE), Holiday Tasting (Baked & Wired, 5:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m., $35), National Symphony Orchestra DECLASSIFIED: Ben Folds Presents (The Kennedy Center Concert Hall, 9 p.m., $25-$75)

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The District’s Holiday Boat Parade will include a Christmas tree that’s more than 40 feet tall. The Wharf

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 7

FROHE WEIHNACHTEN: The annual 2019 Heurich Christkindlmarkt, Dupont Circle’s only holiday market, takes over the Heurich House Museum this weekend. This year, the event kicks off with a VIP preview on Friday night; the German-style market featuring makers based in the D.C. area continues through Sunday. (Heurich House Museum, 12 p.m.-8 p.m., $10 adults/$4 children)

MUSIC MOMENT: Originally conceived for Easter, Handel’s Messiah has become a Christmas tradition in the U.S. The Washington National Cathedral hosts performances all weekend long, including an abbreviated family concert that will hold the attention of the little ones in your life. (Washington National Cathedral, 12 p.m., $45 adults/$25 children and students)

SING OUT: Pack a blanket and a thermos of hot cocoa for the Wolf Trap’s Holiday Sing-A-Long Show. Held at the Filene Center and featuring the United States Marine Band plus local choral and vocal groups, admission is free and will remain open until capacity is reached. (Wolf Trap Filene Center, 3 p.m. gates open, 4 p.m. show, FREE)

ANCHORS AWAY: Sail away at the District’s annual Holiday Boat Parade. The festivities begin at The Wharf’s waterfront beer and wine garden with s’mores and music from Go Go Gadjet; boats arrive by 7 p.m. and the event comes to a close with an 8 p.m. fireworks show and live music on the District Pier Stage. (The Wharf, 6 p.m.-9 p.m., FREE

MORE: Swedish Holiday Market (House of Sweden, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., $6), Dance Fitness (The REACH at the Kennedy Center, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., $10), White Christmas (National Museum of American History, 3:30 p.m., $8.50-$10), UFC Fight Night (Capital One Arena, 5:30 p.m., $75+), 8th Annual Krampusnacht DC (Gallery O on H, 5 p.m.-11 p.m., $15), Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington: The Holiday Show (Lincoln Theatre, 7 p.m. doors, 8 p.m. show, $25-$65), Ugly Sweater Party (WunderGarten, 7 p.m.-11:30 p.m., FREE), DC Repeal Day Ball 2019 (National Union Building, 7:30 p.m., $80+), Guided By Voices (Black Cat, 8 p.m. doors, $35) 

 

Annie Spratt
Kids can make their own cards for Santa this weekend at the Postal Museum. Annie Spratt / Unsplash

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 8

RUN, RUN RUDOLPH: Speed with Santa and run with reindeer at Pacers Jingle All the Way 5k and 15k. The annual race features plenty of costumes and an iconic course along the Mall. Plus, you’ll score a themed medal for participating, along with a warm hat to get you through the worst of winter. (Washington Monument, 8 a.m., $48 5k/$55 15k

LETTERS TO SANTA: You could turn to an online printer for your season’s greetings, but why not take a crafty approach? The annual Holiday Card Workshop at the Smithsonian’s National Postal Museum includes special stamps and scissors, plus 3-D details, washi tape and gems to make the holiday card of your wildest dreams. (National Postal Museum, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., FREE

MARKET SPOTLIGHT: Sip while you shop at Crafts & Drafts, Denizens Brewing’s third annual holiday market. There’ll be a whole host of local artisans on hand, including vintage vendors. Come for the raffle prizes, stay for the beer. (Denizens Brewing Co., 1 p.m.-6 p.m., FREE

MORE: Pajamarama (Main Street Takoma, 8 a.m.-11 a.m., FREE), Little Shop of Brunches: Little Shop of Horrors Brunch (Slash Run, 12 p.m., $26 bottomless food and drink), Big Bear Holiday Market (Big Bear Cafe, 12:30 p.m.-5:30 p.m., FREE), Art Market (925 Emerson St NW, 1 p.m.-5 p.m., FREE), Record Fair (Right Proper Brookland, 1 p.m.-5 p.m., FREE), It’s a Wonderful Life (National Museum of American History, 3:30 p.m., $8.50-$10), LA Clippers vs. Washington Wizards (Capital One Arena, 6 p.m., $33), Island of Misfit Toys Holiday Party (The Dew Drop Inn, 7 p.m.- 2 a.m., FREE), The Petworth Irish Session Showcase (The Petworth Citizen, 7 p.m.-10 p.m., FREE)

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