MONDAY, JANUARY 4
FRESH AIR FUN: Bundle up and head on out to Brookside Gardens for a breath of fresh air. The Wheaton enclave boasts 50 acres of greenery, including the Azalea Garden and the Woodland Walk for visitors to enjoy. Just be sure to bring a face mask and practice social distancing. (Brookside Gardens, open sunrise to sunset, FREE)
FROM A DISTANCE: For those in search of a theater fix, and a reason to safely leave the house, check out this interactive experience from Rorschach Theatre, Distance Frequencies. Here’s how it works: Each month, you’ll receive a box in the mail that sends you to a new location within the District. There you’re to explore the package’s contents, including letters, music, and photos. The boxes reveal new chapters in the story, all culminating with an in-person performance in July. Buy all seven chapters and the summer performance, or purchase portions if you prefer. ($150 for the whole package, ongoing)
MOVE IT, MOVE IT: Resolutions may feel like a bit much this New Year, but you can still get moving with an outdoor fitness class from 305 Fitness. Sign up for a 45-minute, DJ-curated cardio class on the rooftop at Union Market. Bring your face mask and some water, and pump up your heart rate 15 feet away from your fellow fitness buffs. (Rooftop at Union Market, 5:30 p.m., $20)
MORE:Pandemic Perspectives: Racing for Vaccines (American History Museum, 4 p.m., FREE), Meet the Doulas (Momease, 6:30 p.m., FREE)
TUESDAY, JANUARY 5
FOR THE BIRDS: Get the kids’ brains back in gear by checking out the National Zoo’s Follow that Bird program. With species profiles, tracking devices, and maps, you can see what two-winged creatures call D.C. home, and where they go when the weather turns. Lesson plans are included too, for the educators out there. (Ongoing, FREE)
LET IT RIDE: D.C. is home to a host of awesome bike trails, and there’s no time like the present to get out and explore. If you’re in need of a ride, you can rent one from Capital Bikeshare and then pick a path, like the Anacostia River Trail, which boasts 20 miles of great views. (Ongoing, $8 day pass)
FILM FEST: Support a local theater and avoid arguing about what you’re going to watch tonight by immersing yourself in the world of Wong Kar Wai. Visit the virtual screening room of the AFI Silver Theater to see the works of the Hong Kong filmmaker, known for his lush visuals and perfect soundtracks. Seven films are available, including In the Mood for Love, newly restored for its 20th anniversary. (Ongoing, $70)
MORE: Free Virtual Yoga and Self Massage with Laura (Home Yoga for All Levels, 10 a.m., FREE), The Ties That Bind: Family, Psychology, and Suspense (Politics & Prose Live!, 6 p.m., FREE, Pay What You Can)
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 6
GET CRAFTY: If the New Year has you wishing to take up a new skill, or you’re just looking for a way to safely spend some time with friends, book a private class at Shop Made in D.C. Choose your topic and pick from an outdoor venue in Georgetown or Capitol Hill or a virtual setting if you prefer, and get ready to craft your way into 2021. (Ongoing, $30-$85)
YOUR STORY: Many of us are exhaling a sigh of relief at having reached 2021, but the National Museum of American History wants us to remember the unprecedented year we just left behind: 2020. Share your Story of 2020 — either written or via a short video — be it a tale of protests in your town, daily life during the pandemic, or whatever affected you most, and become a part of the historical record that the museum is keeping online. (Ongoing, FREE)
BRAIN BUSTER: No matter your plans for 2021, a sharper mind can (probably) only help. If you’d like to “Build a Better Brain,” check out this virtual Sixth & I event featuring neurosurgeon and CNN chief medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta. He’ll share tips for brain resiliency and how to boost your grey matter. (7 p.m., $12, $33 with book purchase)
MORE: Love in Color Book Club (D.C. Public Library, 6 p.m., FREE), Alfred Hitchcock: Master of Suspense (Smithsonian Associates, 6:30 p.m., $25)
THURSDAY, JANUARY 7
FINE ARTS FUN: The Washington Winter Antiques Show will be a virtual affair this year, but attendees can still browse a bevy of antiques from exhibitors like Red Fox Fine Arts, Glen Leroux Antiques, Carole Pinto Fine Art, and much more. Patrons and collectors can preview the collection on Thursday. (6 p.m., $200 for young collectors 35 & under, $300 for patrons)
WORD UP: Get those gears turning as you work on brain-busting word games with this series from Planet Word, the District’s new language-focused museum. We Love (More) Word Games Group with Oasis explores word games and puzzles, virtually. To play, just grab paper, pencil, and your love of words. (3 p.m., $20 for three sessions)
MORE: SHELF LIFE: Clutter: An Untidy History with Jennifer Howard (Virginia Festival of the Book, virtual, 12 p.m., FREE), DC Home Buying Webinar | How To Navigate This Complicated Market (Houwzer, 6 p.m., FREE)
