MONDAY, DECEMBER 6
HOLIDAY MARKET: Get some holiday gifts for family, or treat yourself, at the 17th annual downtown holiday market centered at 8th and F streets, NW. The outdoor market features more than 70 local exhibitors, along with live music and food vendors. It’s happening every day through Dec. 23. (8th and F streets NW, 12 p.m.- 8 p.m., free admission)
GIVING TREE: Join the season of giving at Wunder Garten’s annual community-focused fundraising campaign, the Giving Tree Project D.C. Purchase your Christmas tree and all proceeds will benefit the h3 Project, a local non-profit providing services for people experiencing homelessness. You can purchase your special tree through Dec. 23rd, or until supplies last. (Wunder Garten, 4 p.m., free admission)
MORE: WORDS, WORDS, WORDS Book Club: All’s Well by Mona Awad (Folger Shakespeare Library, 6:30 p.m., virtual, FREE)
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 7
HOLIDAY DESIGNS: The Station in Riverdale Park hosts a virtual coffee cup design contest to find the best cup with a festive twist. Voting will take place on social media, and the winners will receive a Starbucks gift card. Everybody walks away with a reusable travel mug, too! (5 p.m., FREE)
DRAW IT OUT: The National Gallery of Art is inviting artists of all ages to a virtual sketchbook session. This week’s event is all about the photograph Self-Portrait with Wife Ernestine in a Balloon Gondola. Just grab your pencil and paper, and learn to draw a hot air balloon (colored pencils or other materials optional). Let your imagination take flight! (5 p.m.-5:30 p.m.; FREE)
MORE: Return on Creativity: Return on Education (1 p.m., virtual, FREE)
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 8
TREE LIGHTING: Kick off the month with the Capitol Riverfront tree lighting ceremony at the Canal Park Ice Rink. Enjoy free skate rentals, live music from Crush Funk brass band, a live DJ, a hot chocolate bar, and a cozy outdoor lounge serving mulled wine. (Canal Park Ice Rink, 6 p.m., FREE)
SNOWY NITE: Preview the holiday show at the Anacostia Playhouse, A Snowy Nite at the Dew Drop Inn. The cabaret show is a musical tribute to the iconic nightspot. It features songs from Big Mama Thorton, Fats Waller, Etta James, and Dinah Washington. Catch it through Jan. 9. (Anacostia Playhouse, 7:30 p.m., pay what you can)
WALK YOUR DOG: Head to the Merriweather Symphony of Lights in Columbia with your furry friend and explore the magical light show on foot. Festive costumes are welcome, and dogs are not mandatory, but get in free! (Merriweather Symphony of Lights, 6 p.m., $10)
MORE: Queer Trivia Night (Dew Drop Inn, 7 p.m., FREE), BSO Presents Handel Messiah (Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall, 7:30 p.m., $17.50)
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 9
FUTURE OF FOOD: The Smithsonian Arts and Industries Building hosts an audience-guided panel experience focusing on the future of food. Join an interactive conversation that will convene experts who are working to protect our planet and food system, in order to nourish future generations. (6:30 p.m., FREE)
WINDOW DISPLAY: Ch/Art debuts its year-long rotating art show in the windows of 5500 Wisconsin Avenue in Chevy Chase, called WOW! The array of art will present work by members of Ch/Art, an artists group of more than 110 local artists in all mediums. (Ch/Art, 9:30 a.m., FREE)
STORYTELLING AND FOOD: Join Better Said Than Done storytellers to celebrate the end of the year with a storytelling show full of recipes. Recipes for entrees, desserts, or cocktails to make prior to the celebration will be sent out a few days ahead so audience members can munch during the show. (8 p.m., $15 suggested admission)
PROCRASTINATOR’S MARKET: Attend another holiday market at the metrobar-hosted Procrastinator’s Holiday Market pop-up. The mini market features local Ward 5 businesses selling gifts, crafts, and more. The main event will also be Saturday at 10 a.m. at the National Arboretum parking lot. (metrobar, 5 p.m., free admission)
MORE: Leo Kottke & Mike Gordon (Sixth & I, 8 p.m., $49.50), Bridging Ties: Like Lavender is to Purple (6 p.m., virtual, FREE), Comedy for Communities (The Saloon, 8 p.m., $20)
