THURSDAY, NOV. 23
NATIVE CINEMA SHOWCASE: Although we often see Thanksgiving as a celebration, it’s a dark reminder for many Native Americans of the arrival of settlers to North America and the centuries of genocide and oppression that followed. This Thanksgiving, the National Museum of the American Indian is celebrating Indigenous perseverance with the Native Cinema Showcase, with a selection of films available to stream for free through Friday. (Virtual; through Friday; FREE)
TROT FOR HUNGER: Some people like to wake up early on Thanksgiving and run three miles; the rest of us think that sounds like a nightmare. If you belong to the former camp, your best bet in D.C. proper is America’s Trot For Hunger, a 5K race starting at Freedom Plaza that raises money for So Others Might Eat. (Freedom Plaza; 7 a.m.; $15+)
TURKEY CHASE CHARITY RACE: If you’re in the Maryland area, another option is the Turkey Chase Charity Race, which raises money for the Bethesda Chevy Chase YMCA. The main event is a 10K race, followed by a 2 mile walk/run. If you’d like to participate from afar, you can download a remote racing app and register your virtual run. (YMCA Bethesda Chevy Chase; 8:30 a.m.; $50+)
ALEXANDRIA TURKEY TROT: For those looking to run in Virginia, the Alexandria Turkey Trot offers five flat miles of racing through the heart of Del Ray. This race welcomes everyone: competitive runners, walkers, families, and dogs. The race starts at 9 a.m. and raises money for ALIVE!, a local food bank. (George Washington Middle School; 9 a.m.; $20+)
MORE: Arlington Turkey Trot (Lyon Park; 8 a.m.; sold out), Virginia Run Turkey Trot (Centreville; 8 a.m. and 11 a.m.; $50), Y Turkey Trot Charity 5K (Various locations; 8:30 a.m.; $47), Fairfax Turkey Trot (Mantua; 9 a.m.; $35+)
FRIDAY, NOV. 24
HOLIDAY PARADE: They say you can start celebrating Christmas as soon as Thanksgiving is over, and Reston isn’t wasting a single day. Head to the Reston Town Center on Friday morning for its annual Holiday Parade, which welcomes the arrival of Santa and Mrs. Claus with a one-hour parade. The Clauses will return for a 6 p.m. tree lighting. (Reston Town Center; 11 a.m.; FREE)
F*** BLACK FRIDAY: Right Proper is not one to mince their words. Instead of indulging in Black Friday sales, the Shaw brewing company invites you to their F*** Black Friday Makers Market, featuring five local creators. Sip on a beer and support local businesses as you get some holiday shopping out of the way. (Right Proper Brewing Company; 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.; FREE)
A CHRISTMAS CAROL: Take a trip to the past, present, and future with Paul Morella, the local actor who will once again deliver his stunning solo rendition of Charles Dickens’s A Christmas Carol. Taking on over 50 characters, Morella’s performance honors how Dickens himself would tour the world reciting his story. (Olney Theatre Center; through Dec. 31; $45)
ENCHANT: Now that baseball season is over, Nationals Park is transforming into a winter wonderland. Enchant Christmas, a holiday lights spectacular, returns to the ballpark with a Reindeer Games theme. Opening this Friday, Enchant offers a winter village, ice skating, a kids zone and visits from Santa himself. (Nationals Park; through Dec. 31; $32+)
AMPL!FY: Ampl!fy: An Open Mic for the Culture, is back at Joe’s Movement Emporium for its second installment of the year, the Black Friday Issue. Hosted by local artist Shannon Ashlia, the open mic offers a space for local performers to express themselves amongst “food, fellowship and vibes.” (Joe’s Movement Emporium; 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.; $5+)
MORE: OptOutside Invasive Removal (Carter Barron Amphitheater; 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.; FREE), Professional Fighters League MMA (The Anthem; 5:30 p.m.; $1,750+), Mark Bryan of Hootie & The Blowfish & His Son Kenny (The Mansion on O Street; 7 p.m.; $50), Gianmarco Soresi (The Comedy Loft of DC; Friday 7:30 p.m. and 10 p.m.; Saturday 9:30 p.m.; $25)
SATURDAY, NOV. 25
SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY: After Black Friday comes Small Business Saturday, a day dedicated to celebrating and uplifting local businesses. If you’re looking to survey lots of businesses at once, check out Brookland Arts Walk’s Small Business Saturday extravaganza, or Anacostia Arts Center’s Black Market Creatives Showcase. (Various locations; all day; FREE)
CREOLE CHRISTMAS: A bit of New Orleans lands in D.C. this Saturday. Preservation Hall Jazz Band, the legendary jazz troupe founded in the French Quarter in the early ‘60s, is paying the Lincoln Theatre a visit. Get in the holiday spirit with the group as they present a Creole Christmas. (Lincoln Theatre; 8 p.m.; $55)
TREE LIGHTINGS: Get into the holiday spirit by attending a local tree lighting. Festive festivities kick off at City Market at O at 4 p.m., with the lighting taking place around 6:30 p.m. Another option is CityCenterDC’s lighting of its 75 foot tree, which features live music, face painters, holiday treats and more. (CityCenterDC and City Market at O; 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.; FREE)
MORE: Painting the Moment with Khalid Thompson (Rhizome DC; 2 p.m.; $10+), Beach Fossils (9:30 Club; 6 p.m.; $35), Butcher Brown (The Atlantis; 6:30 p.m.; $22), Alex Alavi & the Funky Breakfast (The Pocket; 7 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.; $15+), Liz Phair (The Anthem; 8 p.m.; $55+), A Chanticleer Christmas (George Mason University; 8 p.m.; $34+), Swept Away (Arena Stage; through Dec. 30; $102)
SUNDAY, NOV. 26
MOONLIGHT MONUMENT WALK: Take advantage of this weekend’s full moon by joining local organizations for this donation-based Moonlight Monument Walk. The one-mile walk will offer a chance to look at the monuments, as well as to gaze at planets and stars with a telescope. Plus, you’ll learn why November’s moon is called a Beaver Moon. (Theodore Roosevelt Island; 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.; donation)
PETE DAVIDSON: Comedy’s “it” boy, Pete Davidson, is coming to the Lincoln Theatre this weekend and there are still tickets available for his second show. On the heels of his semi-autobiographical series Bupkis, the edgy comedian and controversial heartthrob is returning to his roots and bringing his stand-up to venues across the country. (Lincoln Theatre; 10 p.m.; $52+)
MORE: Maggiano’s Chevy Chase Breakfast with Santa (Maggiano’s Little Italy Chevy Chase; 8:30 a.m. to 10:45 a.m.; $30), ETHEL and Robert Mirabal: The Red Willow (National Gallery of Art; 3 p.m. to 4:15 p.m.; FREE), Pressed Flower Holiday Ornaments Workshop (Shop Made in DC Georgetown; 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.; $40), A Canadian Brass Christmas (George Mason University; 4 p.m.; $41+)
