FRIDAY DECEMBER 3
LIGHT SHOW: On Friday, Neal Place at Union Market is hosting its first in a series of holiday light shows in partnership with the Make-A-Wish Foundation of the Mid-Atlantic Chapter. Come for ornament decorating, specialty cocktails starting at 5 p.m. and a light and music show starting at 7:00 p.m. (Neal Place at Union Market; 5 activities begin, 7 p.m. light show; FREE)
A GAG: Need a laugh? Local comedians will take the stage at The Saloon on U Street for the bar’s weekly comedy night. Arrive between 6:30-7:30 for happy hour, and $2 off German beers. (The Saloon, 6:30 p.m. doors, 8 p.m. show; free entry)
MORE: Festive Fridays at Brookland Arts Walk (Bookland Arts Walk; 4:00 p.m. – 8 p.m.); 2021 Annual Member’s Holiday Exhibition (Arts Club of Washington; 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.; FREE); Christmas at Dumbarton House (Dumbarton House; 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.; $22); Fridays at the Saloon (presented by Kinda Live Comedy) (Saloon on U; 7:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.; FREE)
SATURDAY DECEMBER 4
NEW NUDES: On Saturday, DC Nude is hosting their “Winter Edition” event. Guests can expect live nude photography and body painting, nude modeling, free wine and food, and crafted cocktails. The theme is “Black Trench,” and the location is a secret until you RSVP. (Location Revealed Upon RSVP; 8 p.m.-1 a.m.; $50)
IT’S A PARADE!: Fancy a holiday day trip? Head to Middleburg, Va. — just over an hour outside the District — for the annual Christmas in Middleburg parade celebrations. The actual parade starts at 2:00 p.m., but festivity-goers can show up early for everything from breakfast with Santa (8:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.) to the Craft Fair (9 a.m. – 5 p.m.). (Middleburg; 8 activities begin, 2 p.m. parade; FREE)
HOLIDAY MARKET: Head to Hook Hall on Saturday for its first in a series of Park View Holiday Markets (the next ones are on December 11 and December 18). Vendors will include local standouts from PLNTR to H.O.M.E. by C. Freeman to Blossom Bakery. Prospective creators can still sign up for future holiday markets online. (Hook Hall; 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., free entry)
AFGHAN STREET ART: This Saturday, Women for Afghan Women is hosting an Afghan Street Art event at EatonDC. The conversation will feature Omaid Sharifi (co-founder of the Kabul-based street art group ArtLords) who arrived in the U.S. on one of the recent evacuation flights. Some of Sharifi’s art that he brought with him will be displayed at the event. All proceeds benefit Women for Afghan Women. (Eaton DC; 8 p.m. – 11:30 p.m.; $25+)
DANCE SHOWCASE: Visual art and dance come together this weekend, when American University’s graduating dance majors will present their three creative research projects at the school’s museum. (American University holds the license to DCist’s parent company, WAMU.) The event will include simultaneous performances of each project every forty minutes. Proof of vaccination or a recent negative COVID-19 test is required for entry. (American University Museum; Performances at 1 p.m., 1:40 p.m., 2:20 p.m., 3 p.m., and 3:40 p.m; FREE).
HANUKKAH STORYTIME: This weekend City-State Brewing is hosting author Erica Perl — writer of children’s and young adult books including The Ninth Night of Hanukkah. The family-friendly event will include a reading of the book, along with “a special activity helping kids honor the helpers in their own lives.” (City-State Brewing; 11 a.m. – 12 p.m.; FREE)
DARLINGSIDE: Spend your evening with Darlingside, a folk-pop band from Massachusetts, live and in-person at Sixth & I. The event is also collecting shelf- food items to support the Capital Area Food Bank. Proof of vaccination and masks are required. (Sixth & I; 7 p.m. doors; $27.50+)
MORE: Maydan Holiday Market (Maydan; 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.); Italian Christmas Market (Westmoreland Congregational Church; 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.); Bear Square Express to Benefit A Wider Circle (Village Green; 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.; FREE); Takoma Park Holiday Art Sale (Takoma Park Community Center; 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.); Lez Zeppelin LIVE! (The Mansion on O; 8 p.m.; $75+) Holiday Festival 2021 (2 p.m. – 8 p.m.; FREE); An Evening with Boat House Row (The Hamilton Live; 6 p.m. doors, 8:30 p.m. show; $20+)
SUNDAY DECEMBER 5
GLEN ECHO HANUKKAH: End your weekend at Glen Echo Park with a Hanukkah celebration that includes a menorah lighting, arts and crafts projects, and live performances. Adventure Theatre will present holiday-themed shows, there’s a holiday party from Chabad of Bethesda, and The Puppet Co. will perform its Hanukkah-themed puppet show, Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins. (Glen Echo Park; 2 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.; Prices Vary)
WALK WITH DOC: This Sunday, the Anacostia Arts Center their Walk with a Doc (#WWAD). The walking groups are an inclusive opportunity to get in more steps, meet new people, and learn about building new healthy habits. Participation is free (but registration is encouraged) and event-goers are encouraged to join at their own pace and for their own distance. (Anacostia Arts Center: 10 a.m. – 11 a.m.; FREE)
MORE: Emmylou Harris (The Hamilton Live; 6:30 p.m. door, 7:30 p.m. show; $90+); The Gatsby Showcase: Experience Fashion and Luxury (Mandarin Oriental, Washington D.C.; 6 p.m.; $150+)
