FRIDAY, DEC. 8
BLACK RESTAURANT WEEK: Looking for some grub this weekend? Consider paying a visit to one of the D.C. area’s many Black-owned restaurants in celebration of Black Restaurant Week, which runs through Sunday. For ideas, consult DMVbrw’s in-progress directory of Black-owned eateries, which the organization expects to complete by February. (Various locations; through Dec. 10; prices vary)
VINTAGE MARKET: One person’s trash is another person’s holiday gift at the Vintage Market, which takes over Union Market’s Lab 1270 space this weekend. A collaboration between Jungli Vintage and Community Relics, the market will offer home goods, clothing, furniture, jewelry and more. (Union Market; Friday-Sunday; FREE)
HANUKKAH SKATE NIGHT: To celebrate the second night of Hanukkah, Canal Park Ice Skating is glowing up with Lights & Ice: Hanukkah Skate Night. In addition to a community menorah lighting, the event will offer music, hot cider, dreidels, donuts, glow sticks, gelt and more treats. (Canal Park Ice Skating; 6 p.m.-8 p.m.; FREE)
AMERICAN FICTION: Save $15 and head to the NMAAHC’s free screening of American Fiction, Cord Jefferson’s satirical indictment of the racism Black authors face in the publishing industry based on the 2001 novel Erasure by Percival Everett. Stick around after the film wraps for a post-screening discussion. (National Museum of African American History and Culture; 7 p.m.-10 p.m.; FREE)
MATT ROGERS: You may know him as one half of pop culture podcast Las Culturistas, but Matt Rogers is coming to town as the Pop Prince of Christmas. The comedian is touring his raunchy comedy-pop album Have You Heard of Christmas?, featuring music taken from his 2022 comedy special of the same name. (Lincoln Theatre; 7 p.m.; $39.50)
THE SOUNDS OF SILENTS: As Buster Keaton flounders about in the 1928 silent slapstick Steamboat Bill, Jr., pianist and composer Peter Tavalin will be improvising a live score on the spot at this installment of Takoma Park Community Center’s The Sounds of Silents. Though he’ll work solo, Tavalin will use a synthesizer to mimic the sound of an entire orchestra. (Takoma Park Community Center; 7:30 p.m. FREE)
MORE: Shop Made in Maryland: Grand Opening Weekend (College Park; Friday-Sunday; FREE), Writing Workshop Inspired by Kinship (National Portrait Gallery; 10 a.m.-12 p.m.; FREE), Columbia Heights Tree Lighting & Market (Columbia Heights; 4 p.m.-8 p.m.; FREE), Closing Reception for “Reconciliation (Disco)” (Mason Exhibitions Arlington; 5 p.m.-8 p.m.; FREE), Takoma Park Gift Market (Takoma Park; 5 p.m.-9 p.m.; FREE), Bethesda Art Walk (Bethesda; 6 p.m.-8 p.m.; FREE), Sungazer (The Atlantis; 6:30 p.m.; $25), Adwoa (The Pocket; 7 p.m.-10:30 p.m.; $18+), Alexandria Singers’ Holiday Pops concert (Washington Street UMC; Friday, 7:30 p.m., Saturday, 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.; $20-$25) Kinda Live Comedy Presents Holiday Party Extravaganza (Saloon; 7:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m.; $5), The Tale of the Fisherman and the Golden Fish (Synetic Theater; through Jan. 7; $25+), Holiday Pops: Songs of the Season (George Mason University; 8 p.m.; $65), Step Afrika!’s Magical Musical Holiday Step Show (Arena Stage; through Dec. 17; $76)
SATURDAY, DEC. 9
SNOW DAZE: Pair your holiday shopping with a local beer this weekend at Snow Daze, Aslin Beer Company’s annual winter market. Taking place at all Aslin locations — Herndon, D.C., Alexandria and Pittsburgh — the market will feature local vendors, cold beer and festive fun. (Aslin Beer Company; 12 p.m.-5 p.m.; FREE)
SANTA BAR CRAWL: Dust off your Santa hat and ugly sweater, because the Santa Bar Crawl is coming to town. After picking up your wristband and mug at Decades, stop at participating Dupont bars like Zebbie’s Garden, Twelve After Twelve, Rewind and more for $3 beers, $4 shots, $5 mixed drinks and other specials. (Dupont Circle; 2 p.m.-10 p.m.; $15+)
NAVIDAD FLAMENCA: Celebrate Christmas the Spanish way at Navidad Flamenca, a holiday show featuring the Furia Flamenca Dance Company and a rich cast of musicians. The jolly program will highlight Spanish holiday music and songs, or villancicos, along with flamenco dancing and a Puerto Rican parranda, which is similar to Christmas caroling. (Atlas Performing Arts Center; 4 p.m.-7 p.m.; $35)
TREE LIGHTING: The Fairlawn Citizens Association will light the Christmas tree in Fairlawn Park at the corner of Minnesota Avenue and the newly named Marion Barry Avenue SE on Saturday. It’s the 37th edition of the annual event; refreshments will be served after the lighting. (Fairlawn Park; 4 p.m.; FREE)
SHAKESPEARE EVERYWHERE?: In 2023, how and why should Shakespeare remain part of the artistic life in America? That’s the question at the center of this panel discussion between artistic directors from D.C. area theaters, which takes place this Saturday at Folger Theatre as part of this year’s Shakespeare Everywhere Festival. (Folger Theatre; 6 p.m.; FREE)
MORE: Art Enables & Friends Holiday Market (Art Enables; 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; FREE), Firsthand Experience: Decorative Papers (National Museum of Women in the Arts; 10 a.m.-3 p.m.; $25), Hero on Call (Cleveland Park Library; 10:30 a.m.-2 p.m.; FREE), Sing in the Holidays (National Gallery of Art; 11 a.m.-4:15 p.m.; FREE), Used Book Sale (Georgetown Neighborhood Library; Saturday 11 a.m.-4 p.m.; Sunday 1 p.m.-3 p.m.; FREE), Spark! Chevy Chase Winter Market & Small Business Party (Chevy Chase; 1 p.m.-5 p.m.; FREE), Hansel & Gretel (St. Thomas Episcopal Church; Saturday 3 p.m. and 7 p.m.; Sunday 3 p.m.; $59.50), Hip Hop & Craft Beer Bottle Share for Brothas & Craft Beer (ChurchKey; 3 p.m.-7 p.m.; FREE), Fashion & Philanthropy Gala (Kennedy Center; 6 p.m.; $150+), “Home Sweet Home” Opening Reception (Von Ammon Co.; 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.; FREE), Opening Reception & Artist Talk: Kendall Buster (Tephra Institute of Contemporary Art; 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.; FREE), Bach’s Christmas Oratorio (Music Center at Strathmore; 7 p.m.; $25+), It’s a Jazzy Christmas (McLean Community Center; 7 p.m.; $30), Noodles and Comedy (1914 by Kolben; 7 p.m.; $15), Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington, DC Holiday Show (Lincoln Theatre; 8 p.m.; $45), Annual Great Winter Gala (Studio52; 8 p.m.-12 a.m.; $80+), Madonna + Gaga + Britney + Kylie Dance Party (9:30 Club; 9 p.m.; $15)
SUNDAY, DEC. 10
HOLIDAY POTTERY SALE: Check some names off your holiday shopping list (or level up your own kitchen game) at District Clay’s Holiday Pottery Sale, which makes its return this weekend. Over 30 local potters will be selling their work, which you can browse while enjoying free drinks and snacks. (District Clay; Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; FREE)
KWANZAA CRAFTS: Kwanzaa is coming up, and Joe’s Movement Emporium is getting ready with KUUMBA: Kwanzaa DIY Crafts for Families. This family friendly event will feature two gift making opportunities: a candle-making workshop and an accessories and upcycling workshop. It also offers the chance to learn traditional South African dance techniques with the Taratibu Youth Association. (Joe’s Movement Emporium; 1 p.m.-5 p.m.; $15)
MARIACHI HERENCIA DE MÉXICO: Have yourself a mariachi Christmas this Sunday at George Mason University’s Center for the Arts, where Mariachi Herencia de México will bring a ranchera twist to Christmas classics. The Grammy-nominated group will play holiday classics like “Ave Maria,” “Feliz Navidad” and more. (George Mason University; 3 p.m.; $35)
RIGHT PROPER BIRTHDAY: Right Proper is celebrating its birthday in fashion. It’s been 10 years since the Shaw brewing company opened its doors, and they’re commemorating this weekend with a Right Proper Birthday Cabaret featuring an open bar, hors d’oeuvres, a buffet, and three cabaret singers performing tunes from Hamilton, The Color Purple and more. (Right Proper Brewing Company; 6 p.m.-9 p.m.; $90)
BROWNTOWN: Badar Tareen, a civil rights lawyer by day and a stand-up comedian by night, is the man behind Browntown, a showcase of comedians of color from D.C., New York and beyond. Featuring seven stand-ups, the Union Stage show will raise money for humanitarian relief in Gaza. (Union Stage; 6:30 p.m.; $20)
MORE: Montgomery Potters Winter Holiday Sale (Garrett Park Town Hall; Saturday and Sunday; FREE), Access to SPY: A Morning for the Neurodiverse Community (International Spy Museum; 8 a.m.-10 a.m.; FREE), Crafts of Cairo Sale (St. Mark’s Episcopal Church; 9 a.m.-6:30 p.m.; FREE), Bryant Street Brunch Club: Ugly Sweater (Bryant St. Market; 11 a.m.-2 p.m.; $25), Master Chef: Jerome Grant (Hill Center at the Old Naval Hospital; 11 a.m.-2 p.m.; $100), Mt. Pleasant Holiday Market (Lamont Plaza; 11 a.m.-5 p.m.; FREE), Winter Warmer Winter Market (Museum of Contemporary Art Arlington; 12 p.m.-3 p.m.; FREE), In Wonderland (The George Washington Masonic National Memorial; 12:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.; $15+), A Midwinter Feast (National Gallery of Art; 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.; FREE), Holiday Bash with the Capital Focus Jazz Band (Rosensteel Hall; 1:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m.; $22.50), Sweet was the Song (St. Ann’s Catholic Church; 3 p.m.; $40+), Woodley House Annual Movie Benefit (AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center; 7 p.m.; $75+)
