MONDAY, DEC. 5
INDEPENDENCE DAY PARTY: Celebrate Finland’s Independence Day one day ahead of schedule with local Finnish joint Mikko. Come early and know the first seven words of the national anthem in Finnish and win a free bucket full of goodies, or enjoy food and drink specials like herring, sandwich cake, gingerbread cookies, cocktails, and Glögg (hot mulled) wine. (Mikko; 5 p.m.; FREE admission)
BOHEMIAN CHRISTMAS: Get a start on your holiday season with the Bohemian Caverns Jazz Orchestra. The 17-piece band celebrates its 12th year of programming with performances of cool classics by Shorty Rogers, Thad Jones, Duke Ellington, Billy Strayhorn, Stan Kenton, and a handful of arrangements by former BCJO members. (Atlas Performing Arts Center; 8 p.m.; $25)
MORE: Amiture/Past Pawn/Bulk Bin/Benthic Zone (Rhizome DC; 7 p.m.; $10), Deb Perelman (Sixth & I; virtual; 7 p.m.; $12), Women Policy Influencers and Power Players in Web3 (Mindset Rooftop; 6 p.m.; FREE), Holiday Baking Survival Guide with Mary Lee Montfort (Bold Fork Books; 6 p.m.; $5), Dave Koz and Friends 25th Anniversary Christmas Tour (Capital One Hall at Tysons Corner; 6:30 p.m.: $70)
TUESDAY, DEC. 6
HOLIDAY MARKETS: Today is the day to go shopping! Head to the St. Nicolas Holiday Market to taste holiday pastries, German food, and mulled wine while browsing local art. Participants can create their own ornaments or join holiday karaoke, too (Goethe-Institut; 4 p.m.; FREE admission). Celebrating Hanukah instead? Shop holiday cards, jewelry, and baked goods from independent artists at the Chanukah Holiday Market. Some tickets may still be left for the 7:45 p.m. babka making class with chef Paula Shoyer ($30), or the 6:45 p.m. dried flower keepsake class with Amanda Bean of District Harvests ($25). Tickets include access to musical performances, a hot chocolate bar, and plenty of food. (Edlavitch DCJCC; 6:30 p.m.; $6)
COMMUNITY HEALTH FAIR: Enjoy chef demonstrations, free health screenings, and more at this community health fair in Congress Heights. Plus, attendees who receive a flu or COVID-19 vaccine on site will receive a $50 gift card. (Bright Beginnings; 1 p.m.; FREE)
CHRISTMAS CAROL FUNDRAISER: Support a good cause this holiday season with the Alexandria Domestic Violence Program’s performance fundraiser. “Tiny Tim’s Christmas Carol,” a child-friendly version of the classic Charles Dickens tale, will benefit the program and include a reception prior to the show. (Little Theatre of Alexandria; 7 p.m.; $45)
MORE: Make holiday cards for the Old Soldiers Home with Clockout DC (Wunder Garten; 6 p.m.; FREE), Virtual Holiday Décor Tour (Hillwood Museum; 1:30 p.m.; $5), Profs and Pints’ Life at Earth’s Poles (Hill Center at the Old Naval Hospital; 6 p.m.; $12.72), The Soul of Beijing book launch party (Busboys and Poets 450K; 7 p.m.; FREE), Perspectives: The Atlantic’s Writers at the National Portrait Gallery Teacher Workshop (virtual; 5 p.m.; FREE), Pests author Bethany Brookshire with Laura Helmuth (East City Bookshop and virtual; 7 p.m.; FREE), NSO Ugly Sweater Holiday Concert (The Anthem; 7:30 p.m.; $25), Cobario | Viennese Christmas (Austrian Cultural Forum; 7 p.m.; FREE), Pressed Flower Ornament Making with Wildry (PLNTR; 5:30 p.m.; $42)
WEDNESDAY, DEC. 7
NIGHT OF CANDLES: Fourth Street NE will be lined with paper lanterns and candles to celebrate Colombia’s holiday tradition, La Noche De Las Velitas. The Argentine empanada cooking class may be sold out, but attendees can still enjoy hot chocolate and treat from El Cielo in addition to dancing lessons from Tango Mercurio ($25 for drop-ins). (La Cosecha; 5 p.m.; FREE admission)
WINE CLUB: Discover your favorite holiday wines at Sonny’s Natural Wine and Pizza Club. Become a member for a night and enjoy a special tasting of the December release in the garden. Tickets include samplings of four natural wines, a selection of staff favorites, and a few more. (Sonny’s Pizza; 6 p.m.; $10)
MORE: Midweek Music Presents US Air Force Strings (St. John’s Church; 12:15 p.m.; FREE), An Immigrant’s Guide to America (Improbable Comedy; virtual; 8 p.m.; $20), Profs and Pints’ Pearl Harbor Beneath the Surface (Little Penn Coffeehouse; 6 p.m.; $12.72), Max Steiner featuring Steven C. Smith (virtual; 7 p.m.; FREE), The Naughty List: A Holiday Sketch Comedy Show (DC Improv; 7 p.m.; $17), Ruby Haunt (DC9 Nightclub; 8 p.m.; $15), Birding in a Winter Wonderland (Smithsonian Associates; virtual; 7 p.m.; $30)
THURSDAY, DEC. 8
SOCIAL JUSTICE TALK: Heighten your civic awareness at this Smithsonian dialogue event with National Portrait Gallery educators and their colleagues at the National Postal Museum. They’ll discuss how a 1934 stamp from the Federal Duck Stamp Program and a 2019 portrait of marine biologist Julie Packard speak to today’s ongoing environmental movement. (Virtual; 5 p.m.; FREE)
CULTURAL COMEDY: The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee hosts a Turaath Night as a celebration of heritage. Enjoy sets from six comedians at this yearly tradition of cultural celebration. The organizers encourage attendees to wear their favorite cultural attire. (Jack Morton Auditorium; 7 p.m.; $45)
HOTEL TOUR: Witness the holiday displays at the downtown hotels on this historic hotel holiday walk. Dress in your holiday best for the 1.5-hour tour that visits The Mayflower, The St. Regis, the Hay-Adams, and the Willard Intercontinental, where attendees will receive a complimentary drink to sip while enjoying nightly choir performances. (Off the Mall Tours; 6 p.m.; $30)
COMEDY AND BOOKS: Experience the interesting combination of laughter with the mystery and raw grit of true crime at this comedy event. Author Chris Chambers will also lead a Q&A on his inspirations for his novel Standalone following the five-act comedy show. Attendees can expect drinks, food, and book signings as well. (Aurora Market; 6:30 p.m.; $10)
HOLIDAY MARKET, MARYLAND EDITION: Head to the Aster development in College Park for a one-night holiday market in their newly constructed lounge. Shop local vendors, get a personalized ornament, sample hot chocolate and cookies, or even get a portrait with your pet. (Aster College Park; 5:30-8:30 p.m.; FREE admission)
MORE: Handmade Holiday Ornaments w/ Sophie Kanter (Shop Made in DC Union Market; 5 p.m.; $55), Washingtonian Whiskey & Fine Spirits Festival (Dock 5; 6:30 p.m.; $75), Neighborhood Lecture on Minerals: Earth’s Ultimate Time Capsules (Carnegie Science Earth & Planets Laboratory; virtual; 6:30 p.m.; donations suggested), Capitol Hill Jazz Orchestra Holiday Concert (Miracle Theatre; 7 p.m.; $50), Rosslyn Cheer 2022: Tree Lighting (Central Place Plaza; 5 p.m.; FREE), 12 Days of CapRiv: Holiday Tree Lighting (Canal Park Outdoor Ice Skating; 6 p.m.; FREE), Holiday Open House (River Farm; 5 p.m.; FREE admission), Spain’s 1939 Exiles in the Americas and Maryland (Former Residence of the Ambassadors of Spain; 6:30 p.m.; FREE), Shops of Del Ray’s Holiday Sip & Shop (6 p.m.; FREE admission), Happy Holi-Gays: Pride Night Onesie Party with DJ DJ (Wunder Garten; 8 p.m.; FREE admission), Jamilla Okubo Artist Talk | The Abstract Dialogue (Mehari Sequar Gallery; 6:30 p.m.; FREE)
