MONDAY, DEC. 12
HOLIDAY COCKTAIL CLASS: Learn to impress your holiday party guests with this cocktail class. The interactive class starts off with a sorbet prosecco welcome cocktail before teaching attendees how to make three more, including a smoked maple Old-Fashioned. Tickets include a three course meal and a cocktail gift bag. (Lena’s Wood-Fired Pizza & Tap; 6 p.m., $170)
OUTDOOR ART EXHIBIT: Catch the last day of an art installation on the National Mall between Seventh and Ninth Streets. VOICE presents Home is Still a Long Way Away, an exhibit of collages made by displaced women from Afghanistan exploring ideas of home, belonging, transitory states, and the lives we build. (National Mall; 10 a.m.; FREE)
MORE: Holiday Sing-Along with the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington (Dovetail at Viceroy; 5 p.m.; FREE admission), Annual Ugly Sweater Holiday Run (lululemon; 6:30 p.m.; FREE), Pizza Perfetta: Pizza Making Lessons (In Bocca al Lupo; 5 p.m.; $75), Profs & Pints DC: Slavic Solstice Magic (Little Penn Coffeehouse; 6 p.m.; $12.72), Encore Chorale of Washington DC (Church of the Epiphany; 7 p.m.; FREE), Stage Fright Presents: MERRY FRIGHTMAS! Late Night Comedy (Sudhouse; 9:45 p.m.; FREE), Holiday Caroling & Sing-a-Long (Crazy Aunt Helen’s; 7 p.m.; FREE), Winter is Coming: 2nd Annual Skate with Switzerland (Washington Harbour Ice Rink; 2:30 p.m.; FREE admission), Astronomy on Tap (DC9 Nightclub; 8 p.m.; FREE), Truth & Identity Documentary Premiere (The Burgundy Community Center; 7 p.m.; $5), Jouons! French Game Night (Alliance Française de Washington DC; 6 p.m.; FREE)
TUESDAY, DEC. 13
DATING DISCUSSIONS: Interested in learning more about ethical non-monogamy or polyamory? Join dating app Feeld for its in-person FeeldWorldDC to learn more about the app and mingle with like-minded people. The event includes refreshments, a guided game, mingling, giveaways, and more. (The Line Hotel; 7 p.m.; FREE)
WINTER BIKE MUST-HAVE: Sewing experts from the Arlington Public Library join Walk and BikeArlington for a winter accessory-making workshop. Attendees will learn to make balaclavas, similar to a ski mask, or a pair of ear warmers while munching on baklava and other delicious desserts and warm beverages. (The Shop at Arlington Central Library; 5:30 p.m.; FREE)
BITE CLUB: Join Bite Club, an underground speakeasy, for their latest iteration partnering with Byrd and Made in the DMV. Unwind to soundtracks from DJs, indulge in curated street food from local Black chefs, and enjoy craft cocktails from Black-owned wine and spirit brands. (Good Food Markets South Capitol; 6 p.m.; FREE admission)
MORE: Die Hard movie screening (LegacyDC; 8:30 p.m.; $5), Gardener’s Focus Tour: Bones of the Winter Garden (Hillwood Estate; 10:30 a.m.; $15 suggested donation), Ward 1 Mutual Aid’s holiday toy drive and fundraiser (Lyman’s Tavern; 6 p.m.; donations welcome), Holidays with the Washington Opera Society (Ambassade de France; 7:30 p.m.; $75), Jingle Jam Holiday Concert (Capital Turnaround; 6 p.m.; FREE), Platinum Christmas Ugly Sweater Party (THRōW Social; 6 p.m.; FREE), Holiday Sip and Shop (Hotel Zena; 5 p.m.; FREE admission), Cards + Cocoa with Shop Made in Virginia (4 p.m.; FREE)
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 14
DONATION DRIVE: Before Chanukah, help assemble holiday care kit gift bags for residents at transitional housing shelters run by New Endeavors by Women. Donate most-wanted items on the wish list if you can’t attend, or bring some of the items in person to assemble. Attendees can also pay $18 admission to contribute to materials. (Sixth & I; 6 p.m.)
WINTER VIBES: Head to Busboys in Anacostia for the Winter Community Celebration & Open Mic featuring members of the “Elements of Light” performance troupe. The group, part of Fly by Light, the youth program from the One Common Unity nonprofit, will bring some holiday magic and promises “a cozy, bright community outlet to help carry you through the dark winter nights.” (Busboys and Poets Anacostia, 6 p.m.; donation suggested)
HOLIDAY DINNER PARTY: Enjoy dinner and a show with a concert from singer Matthew E. White and a tasting menu from Chef Marcelle Afram. Seasonal menu selections include smoked Gourd Moutabal, sumac and allspice seasoned Musakhan, and orange blossom cake, all served with Topo Chico. (Songbyrd Music House; 7 p.m.; $128.75)
DECEMBER BIKE RIDE: Get on your best ugly holiday sweater and join the latest DC bike party. Light up yourself and your bike as well to get through the dark. This ride is asking for donations to Remora House. (Dupont Circle Fountain; 7:30 p.m.; FREE)
MORE: Happy Little Winter Trees w/ Rachel Heiss (Shop Made in DC Georgetown; 5 p.m.; $41), John Whelan in Concert (Alexandria History Museum at the Lyceum; 7 p.m.; $20), Grassroots Comedy’s Super Spectacular Holiday Special (DC Improv; 7:30 p.m.; $15), Spanish Young Music Talent: Miquel Muñiz (Former Residence of the Ambassadors of Spain; 6:30 p.m.; FREE), Singles Tracking Dating Event + Fundraiser for So Others Might Eat (Metrobar; 7 p.m.; $5), Second Wednesdays: Jazz at the Kramer (Betty Mae Kramer Gallery at the Silver Spring Civic Center; 6 p.m.; FREE), Crank + Flo Album Release + Christmas Party (Takoma Station Tavern; 6 p.m.; $10), Rumor Has It (Sixth & I; 7 p.m.; $12)
THURSDAY, DEC. 15
CORDIALS TALK: Discover your new favorite spirit of the season: cordials. Learn about historic drink-making traditions from one of Maryland’s earliest cookbooks, A Quaker Woman’s Cookbook: The Domestic Cookery of Elizabeth Ellicott Lea, which dates back to 1845. Sample a few of the drink recipes and take home a guide on cordials. (Sandy Spring Museum; 6:30 p.m.; $25)
DRAG HOLIDAY SHOW: Witness RuPaul’s Drag Race winner Jaida Essence Hall taking the stage at Hotel Zena. Hosted by D.C.’s own Crystal Edge, the show includes other performances, a DJ, drink specials, and more. (Hotel Zena; 8 p.m.; $35)
CHANUKAH ON ICE: See the lighting of a six-foot Menorah at Pentagon Row before ice skating. Attendees can also enter a free raffle and purchase dinner like hot latkes, kosher hot dogs, and other refreshments. Admission includes skate rentals. (Pentagon Row Outdoor Ice Skating; 5:30 p.m.; $13)
ORAL HISTORY: Join a group of actors as they bring D.C. stories to life. Selected from both the DC Oral History Collaborative collection at the DC Public Library’s People’s Archive and Johnson’s Anacostia Unmapped project, the stories each discuss pivotal moments in the lives of their narrators. (Anacostia Arts Center Black Box Theatre; 6:30 p.m.; FREE)
MORE: In Focus: Kinship over the Centuries (National Portrait Gallery; 12:30 p.m.; FREE), National Symphony Orchestra performs Handel’s Messiah (Concert Hall at the Kennedy Center; 7 p.m.; $59), MoCo Underground Writer’s Showcase (Sandy Spring Museum; virtual; 7 p.m.; FREE), An Irish Carol 2022 (Keegan Theatre; 8 p.m.; $50), Spices 101: Cinnamon (Smithsonian Associates; virtual; 12 p.m.; $30), Mr. Grinch paint and sip (City-State Brewing; 7 p.m.; $22), Shelby Morgan // Cail // Love Fae (The Runaway; 8:30 p.m.; $12), Cheese & Beer Tasting with Right Proper (Craft Beer Cellar DC; 5 p.m.; $15), Comedy Shows Near Me (McGinty’s; 7:30 p.m.; $10), Cheers! Book Launch (City Tavern Club; 6:30 p.m.; $55), Swinging in the Season for a Jazzy Sinatra Christmas (In Bocca al Lupo; 7 p.m.; $14)
