FOOD & DRINK
CHEESEMAS: This year, Stable (the fondue restaurant) is hosting their “Little Stable” pop-up at the Budweiser Brewhouse inside Enchant DC at Nationals Park. Please note that seating is on a first-come first-serve basis and entry into Enchant DC is required. (Little Stable at Budweiser Brewhouse, Nationals Park; $30 per person)
TEA TIME: Pinkies up. For the first three Saturdays in December, the Four Seasons in Georgetown will be hosting their Light up the Season Teddy Bear Tea. Expect classic teas paired with a spread including scones, petits fours, and a dessert buffet. (Four Seasons; December 3, 10, and 17; $95+)
HOT COMPETITION: This is what democracy looks like. In early December, National Landing will once again host the Peppermint Mocha Latte competition where Commonwealth Joe , The Freshman, and Beauty Champagne & Sugar Boutique will work to make the best holiday drink — voters will decide the winner. (National Landing; December 3; FREE)
SEVEN FISHES: This holiday season, Lupo Osteria is offering a tasting menu to celebrate the Feast of the Seven fishes. The four-course menu includes Crab Toast with shaved fennel and espelette aioli, Squid ink Chitarra, Frutti di Mare salad. (Lupo Osteria; $95 per person)
ASSEMBLY BRUNCH: On the second Saturday of December, Assembly is hosting a holiday brunch to coincide with the Rosslyn Cheer Holiday Market. Brunch-goers can expect the works, including a nutcracker ballerina performance, letter writing to Santa, and live caroling. (Assembly; December 10; Prices Vary)
S’MORES: Warm up at the Wharf where Camp Wharf has teamed up with Washington Gas to offer a spread of campfires, s’mores, and cider spread — with proceeds benefiting the Washington Area Fuel Fund (WAFF). Please note that the event will only accept credit and debit cards. (Camp Wharf; Prices Vary)
SWIFTIES UNITE: Your Taylor-Swift-but-make-it-Christmas-inspired drinks are waiting for you. Head to Maxwell Park’s Navy Yard pop-up to get your fill of drinks inspired by the icon, including “[Burning] Red” (a peppermint shooter), “Champagne Problems” (a French 75 riff), and something called “… Ready for It” (literally Red Bull Red mixed with Jose Cuervo). (Maxwell Park Navy Yard; Available through December 31; Prices Vary)
MIRACLE: For the third year running, Death Punch is hosting the Miracle pop-up bar to ring in the season. The “full immersion holiday decorations” are paired with a menu that includes everything from the “Christmapolitan” (vodka based) to the classic Yippie Ki Yay Mother F*****r! (rum based). (Death Punch Bar; Available through December 31; Prices Vary)
YAPPY HOUR: Holidays are for the dogs, too. On December 9, head to Central Place in Plaza in Rosslyn with your canine best friend for a yappy hour featuring photos with Santa, spiked cider for humans, and puppucinos for doggos. (Central Place Plaza, Rosslyn; December 9; FREE)
MORE: Immigrant Food+ Holiday Brunch (Immigrant Food+; Prices Vary); A Very Tiki Christmas (Clarendon Ballroom Rooftop; Prices Vary)
LIGHT DISPLAYS
NATIONAL MENORAH: On December 18, the first night of Hanukkah, the annual lighting ceremony of the National Menorah will take place on the ellipse across from the White House. (White House Ellipse OR Virtual; December 19; FREE)
ADMO LIGHTS: Still need a backdrop for your festive Instagram post? Head to the corner of Columbia Road and Adams Mill Road in Adams Morgan to catch their annual interactive light display. Be sure to stop by on December 4, 8, 15, and 8 to enjoy carols from the Capital Classics Quartet. (Columbia Road and Adams Mill Road NW; Light display available through December 31; FREE)
ROSSLYN TREE LIGHTING: In early December, join Good Morning Washington’s Kidd O’Shea as they count down the Rosslyn tree lighting live for ABC7. Rossylyn’s annual tree lighting at will also include holiday music from the H-B Woodlawn choir and raffle prizes. (Central Place Plaza, Rosslyn; December 8; FREE)
CRYSTAL CITY: The Bell Street Courthouse in Crystal City is decked out for the holidays with a light installation by Belgian artists Tom & Lien Dekyvere. The artpiece — made up of lighted rope — represents the many ways that humans connect both on and offline. (Bell Street Courthouse; Available through Mid-January; FREE)
MORE: The National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony (Live of CBS; December 11; FREE); Gaithersburg Winter Lights Festival (Seneca Creek State Park; Available through December 31; $15 – $30)
ACTIVITIES!
WREATHS: Improve your wreath-making with Tudor Place. The historic site is hosting wreath-making workshops on multiple dates through December — but if you’re interested, hurry. As of this article’s publication, all dates have been filled except December 18. Registration includes the class instruction and all the materials you need to create your own masterpiece. (Tudor Place; December 18; $45+)
BINGOAT: Ok so it’s bingo… so much better. In mid-December, the friendly goats of Walnut Creek Farm will don their favorite holiday sweaters (for real) and join rounds of indoor bingo at Faith Lutheran Church. Please note that children should be above the age of ten and comfortable with animals. (Faith Lutheran Church; December 16; $40)
HOLIDAY COCKTAIL CLASSES: Gather a group of friends and learn to make holiday-themed cocktails for any hosting you might be doing this season. You’ll arrive to a welcome cocktail, and then learn to make three more over the course of the class. Also includes a starter, entree, and dessert course, and a gift bag to take home. (Lena’s Wood-Fired Pizza and Tap, Alexandria VA; December 12 6-8 p.m.; $170)
MORE: The Wharf Ice Rink (The Wharf; Available through February; $10+); Ice Rink at the Sculpture Garden (Sculpture Garden; Available through March 5; $9+)
PERFORMANCES
HOLIDAY STEP SHOW: In mid-December, Arena Stage is hosting Step Afrika! and their Magical Musical Holiday Step Show. Described by organizers as “the world’s first holiday show highlighting the African American tradition of stepping,” the performance guarantees a celebration for the whole family. (Arena Stage; December 9 – 18; $56+, with family discounts available)
SNOW MAIDEN: Head to Synetic Theater for the family friendly “Snow Maiden”: a fantastical show based on the folktale Snegurochka, where a girl made of snow comes to life. The performance features acrobatics and dance to bring the winter legend to the stage. (Synetic Theater; Available through December 23; $25+)
HANDEL’S MESSIAH: Kids are free (and encouraged) at the National Philharmonic Chorale’s performance of Handel’s Messiah. The concert is conducted by Stan Engebretson, and promises to fill anyone with the holiday spirit. Audiences can attend the show at the Strathmore on December 17 and 18 — and at Capital One Hall on December 23. (Strathmore OR Capitol One Hall; December 17, 18, and 23; $19 per adult, FREE for kids)
GMCW: The Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington (GMCW) is back with their holiday spectacular. The annual Holiday Show comes back to Lincoln Theatre stacked with festive songs, tap dances, and “over-the-top costumes.” The show will feature the the entire GMCW chorus in addition to soloists, ensembles, and the GenOUT Youth Chorus. (Lincoln Theater; December 3rd, 9th, & 11th; $25+)
CABARET: Ring in the season with a cabaret at Olney Theater Center. The non-stop show features something for every member of the family, including sing-a-longs, disco, and dancing. The performance was created and directed by Kevin McAllister. (Olney Theater; December 16 – 31; $60)
MORE: Joy of Christmas (Cathedral Choral Society or Virtual; December 10-11; $25+); A Candlelight Christmas (Kennedy Center Concert Hall and Music Center at Strathmore; December 16 – 18 and 23; $19+); Holiday Events at Strathmore (Strathmore; Dates and Prices Vary); The Washington Ballet’s The Nutcracker (Warner Theater, prices vary)
HOLIDAY MARKETS
OUTDOOR DOWNTOWN: For the 18th year, the outdoor Downtown Holiday Market is spanning two city blocks of F Street NW, from 7th to 9th Streets. Finish your holiday shopping with seventy exhibitors, food vendors, and live music and entertainers. (F Street NW, from 7th to 9th Streets NW; Available through December 23; FREE)
MAYDĀN: On December 4, attend Meet at Maydān – Holiday Market & 5 Year Celebration. The event, hosted by the Florida Avenue restaurant, is hosting a holiday market to benefit Children of Persia & the Center for Human Rights in Iran. (Maydān; December 4; $15)
BZB HOLIDAY GIFT AND ART SHOW: Shop till you drop at the 30th annual BZB holiday gift and art show, which has been dubbed “the largest African American department store on the East Coast.” The long running gift and art show will feature wares from jewelers, home decor, clothing, leather goods, children’s toys, and more. All of the businesses featured are Black-owned. (Shiloh Family Life Center, 1510 9th St NW; December 3, 10, 17, 23, and 24; admission is FREE)
MORE: Winterfest & Holiday Market (JBAB Waterfront; December 3; FREE); Rosslyn Cheer 2022: Holiday Market (Central Place Plaza; December 10-11; FREE); National Landing Holiday Market (23rd Street Restaurant Row; December 3; FREE).
MORE FOR THE FAMILY
EXPLORE KWANZAA: On December 10, Grammy-nominated artist “The Culture Queen” is coming to Anacostia to hosting an event celebrating Kwanzaa, its history, and the impact the holiday has on communities today. Expect music and crafts for the whole family to enjoy. (Anacostia Community Museum; December 10; FREE)
ENCHANT DC: Once again, Nationals Park has been transformed into a winter wonderland. Enchant DC, appropriately presented by the Hallmark Channel, is an immersive holiday experience complete with an ice rink, holiday shopping, photos with Santa, and a story-themed Christmas maze. (Nationals Park; Through January 1; $35+ per adult, $23+ per child)
THOUGHTS FOR TOTS: Bring your very young people to Tudor Place for Tudor Tots: What Winter Holidays Do You Celebrate?. The event encourages kids (aged 18 months to four years) to learn about the multiple holidays celebrated during the winter months. Please note that pre-registration is required. (Tudor Place; December 14; $5 per child)
REINDEER GAMES: In mid-December, the Boro is throwing a family-friendly holiday party. The Rudolph’s Rockin’ Reindeer Games will include a live DJ, arts and crafts, a cocoa bar, photos with Santa, and interactive games with prizes. (The Boro Tysons; December 17; FREE)
MORE: Holiday Movie Pajama Party (The Boro Tysons; December 10; $8); Melwood’s Miracle on 23rd Street (Melwood Arlington; December 2; FREE).
