It might not be Thanksgiving yet, but it’s not too early to start thinking about your winter holiday plans around D.C.  From virtual and in-person holiday markets to a spread of holiday light shows, there is something festive (and COVID-safe) for everyone.

HOLIDAY MARKETS

Downtown Holiday Market: Starting November 20, DowntownDC is hosting its 16th annual outdoor holiday market. This year, the event will spread out over two blocks of F Street NW to ensure shoppers and sellers can stay socially distant. Among the vendors will be Black- and minority-owned businesses from the city’s “Made in DC” initiative.

Nov. 20 – Dec. 23. Learn more here.

Hoptimist Holiday Market: A holiday market, but virtual. In the past, DC Brau and the Heurich House Museum have hosted their own separate holiday markets, but this year the two are teaming up to host a virtual two-week event instead. The program will feature gifts and creations from local arts and artisans. Want to get a head start on your holiday shopping? Early access is available.

Nov. 27 – Dec. 11. Learn more here.

Strathmore Holiday Market: Get a jump on your holiday shopping by visiting the (virtual) one-week holiday market from the Strathmore’s Museum Shop. The market has been in business for over 30 years, but like most things today, it looks a little different than previous iterations. Access the “eclectic one-stop online shop” until Wednesday, November 18 to purchase jewelry, ornaments, and everything in between.

Nov. 11 – Nov. 18. Learn more here. 

Carlyle Holiday Market: In their own words, this year it’s “Online, Rain or Shine!” The 2020 Carlyle market in Alexandria is offering both virtual and in-person shopping. If you choose to go in person, you’ll need to reserve a ticket online; event organizers are limiting the number of people in the open-air market at one time.

Dec. 5 – 6. Learn more here.

FOOD & DRINK

Victura Park Holiday Market: It’s a wine garden and a holiday market. Starting at the end of November, visit the REACH at the Kennedy Center to shop from their rotating program of some of the region’s artists and artisans. The event will be open-air, socially distanced, and there will be space heaters and hand sanitizer across the venue. As a bonus, chef Erik Bruner-Yang (of Toki Underground and Maketto fame) curated a menu of bites for shoppers.

Nov. 27- Dec. 20. Learn more here.

Miracle at Death Punch: On November 7, Death Punch Bar in Adams Morgan jumped head first into the holiday spirit: The bar is hosting Miracle, a holiday-themed cocktail pop-up bar. Reservations are required to ensure that all participants abide by coronavirus capacity guidelines.

Nov. 7 – Dec. 31. Learn more here.

JALEO holiday classes: In time for the holiday season, JALEO’s Executive Chef Ramon Martinez will begin hosting live virtual paella classes. Gift a class to someone or take one yourself to master a dish before the holidays. Each class, which run at $150, includes the pan and all the ingredients needed to make paella.

Thursdays starting Dec. 10. More information will be posted soon here. 

DC Girls Pint Out Virtual Holiday Party: The DC Metro Girls Pint Out usually hosts an annual holiday party in-person at a brewery with “ugly” holiday clothing, but this year, the group found a way to bring the festivities online. Expect a Zoom-based event with a sweater contest, raffles, and an option beer box filled with local brews. Take note, men: “Boys allowed, but not eligible for raffle prizes.”

Dec. 12. Learn more here.

PERFORMANCE

The Hip Hop Nutcracker: The lauded Hip Hop Nutcracker is back at the Strathmore in Bethesda to celebrate the holiday season with this twist on a winter classic. Theater-goers can expect a live violinist, DJ, Kurtis Blow, and a host of hip hop dancers performing the Nutcracker as you’ve never seen it before.

Dec. 7 – 9. Learn more here.

Family Christmas Choral Event. This year, the Choral Arts Society of Washington is hosting a free virtual choral performance to celebrate Christmas. The one-hour event is family-friendly, and promises a way to hear a set of classic holiday songs without leaving your living room.

Dec. 19. Learn more here. 

Step Afrika! Magical Musical Holiday Step Show: In mid-December, Step Afrika! will host a virtual premiere of their 2020 holiday show on Facebook Live and YouTube. Billed as “the world’s first holiday show highlighting the African American tradition of stepping,” the event promises a high-energy holiday spirit. Did we mention it’s free?

Dec. 16. Learn more here.

Coyaba Dance Theater: In Spirit of Kwanzaa: Join the Coyaba Dance Theater West African Dance Company this December for a (virtual) show celebrating their 15th anniversary. The event will occur online and is centered on the Seven Principles of Kwanzaa: Umoja (unity), Kuchjichagulia (self-determination), Ujima (collective work and responsibility), Ujamaa (cooperative economics), Nia (purpose), Kuumba (creativity), and Imani (faith).

Dec. 26 – Jan. 1. Learn more here.

Wolf Trap’s Holiday Sing-A-Long From Home: Instead of a live show in front of a live audience, this year’s annual holiday performance will be pre-recorded and streamed over two nights. Featuring the United States Marine Band, the event promises your “favorite holiday sing-a-longs” from the comfort of your home.

Dec. 5 and Dec. 19. Learn more here. 

Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington Holiday Show: On December 5th, the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington (GMCW) is premiering their virtual holiday show featuring some of their top hits from past holiday events. After the streamed performance, the video of the show will be available to re-watch until December 20. Viewers can expect never-before-seen performances, new dance numbers, new music, and the GenOUT Youth Chorus.

Starting Dec. 5. Learn more here. 

HOLIDAY LIGHTS

Zoolights Express: This year, Zoolights is coming to you. Instead of hosting the annual light festival on the National Zoo grounds, a “24-foot ZooLights Express truck” will travel around Washington, DC to make sure that residents can still experience the magic of the season— without having to leave their neighborhood. Starting November 27, the mobile light show will visit one ward each Friday and Saturday.

Nov. 27 – Dec. 10. Learn more here.

National Christmas Tree Lighting: It’s going to be (virtually) lit. On December 3, the 98th annual National Christmas Tree Lighting show will be live streamed so everyone can participate form the safety of their homes. Following tradition, the National Park Service (NPS) and National Park Foundation (NPF) will host the event — and although there won’t be a live audience, the actual tree will remain lit every evening through the end of December.

Dec. 3. Learn more here.

Winter Lights Festival: As the organizers of the event put it, the annual winter lights festival has been “socially distancing since 1995.” Enjoy the full spread of holiday lights from the comfort of your car by driving through Seneca Creek State Park in Gaithersburg, Maryland. Participants can expect over 450 light displays over a three-and-a-half mile drive.

Nov. 27 through Dec. 31. Learn more here.

Meadowlark’s Winter Walk of Lights: Head to Northern Virginia for a socially distant, lit-up walk through Meadowlark Botanical Gardens in Vienna, Virginia. Due to the ongoing pandemic, this year tickets will only be sold online — and they will each have specific entry times.

Now – Jan. 3. Learn more here.