TUESDAY, DEC. 26
ICE SKATING: Glide into the week with a visit to one of the area’s ice skating rinks. Cameron Run Regional Park, Canal Park, Enchant DC, Harris Pavilion, Merriweather District, Pentagon Row, the Sculpture Garden, Silver Spring, Rockville Town Square, the Washington Harbour and the Wharf are all open for business this week. (Various locations; Tuesday through Thursday; prices vary)
SWEET HOME HOLIDAY MENU: Craving a home-cooked holiday meal but don’t want to do any of the work? Chef Ramin Coles, of the National Museum of African American History and Culture’s Sweet Home Café, will make you feel right at home with this holiday menu featuring beef pot roast, smoked ham hock succotash, bourbon pecan pie and more. (National Museum of African American History and Culture; through Jan. 4; prices vary)
KWANZAA CELEBRATION: Christmas is over, which means Kwanzaa is starting. Learn about the African diaspora tradition at the Anacostia Community Museum, which hosts a storytelling kickoff on Tuesday, a Kwanzaa party on Wednesday and a mkeka mat-making workshop on Thursday. (Anacostia Community Museum; Tuesday through Thursday; 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.; FREE)
WASHINGTON WIZARDS: The days between Christmas and New Year’s might be quiet on D.C.’s streets, but they’ll be loud at the Capital One Arena, where the Washington Wizards have a handful of home games. They’ll face off against the Orlando Magic on Tuesday, and against the Toronto Raptors on Wednesday. (Capital One Arena; Tuesday and Wednesday; 7 p.m,; $20+)
MORE: Garden of Lights (Brookside Gardens; 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.; $10), The Winter Village at Cameron Run (Cameron Run Regional Park; through Jan. 1; $8+), Whoville Wicks Workshop (Synergy & Serenity; through Saturday; $52+), Trivia Night (Clyde’s Willow Creek Farm; 8 p.m. to 10 p.m.; FREE)
WEDNESDAY, DEC. 27
IMPROV FOR ALL: Improv curious? Local experts at the Washington Improv Theater will be hosting a donation-based Improv for All! Workshop at the Palisades Neighborhood Library this Wednesday. They promise a “high-fun, low-stress” environment for trying your hand at spontaneous, silly theater. (Palisades Neighborhood Library; 6 to 7:30 p.m.; donation based)
QUEER CORNHOLE TOURNEY: Get your game face on this Wednesday at as you are., which will be hosting Another AYA Queer Cornhole Tourney. Come with a two- to four-player team and $10 per player. The tournament starts at 6 p.m., with prizes for the top three teams. (as you are.; 6 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.; $10)
TERRARIUM IN A BOTTLE: Turn an old wine bottle into a brand-new terrarium at PlantHouse’s Terrarium in a Bottle Workshop. Your price of admission includes a repurposed bottle, your choice of three succulents, decor to personalize your creation, and a stand to show it off on. Wine is not included, but it’s available for purchase. (PlantHouse Alexandria; 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.; $35)
BEN WILLIAMS: Before attending the Juilliard School and winning a Grammy as a member of Pat Metheny’s Unity Band, jazz bassist Ben Williams was a kid growing up in D.C. and attending Duke Ellington School of the Arts. Catch the local musician for a hometown show at the Hamilton. (The Hamilton; 8 p.m.; $20+)
THE MAGIC DUEL: Two magicians duke it out for the title of D.C.’s best magician in The Magic Duel, a show that aims to make you gasp and make you laugh. This interactive performance invites its audience to choose magical challenges for the contest, and then vote electronically to determine the evening’s winner of the ‘Golden Wand.’ (Silver Spring Black Box Theatre; 8 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.; $45+)
MORE: Cosmetic Workshop (Elodie’s Naturals; 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.; $75), Family Paint Party (Bonchon Arlington; 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.; $39), Mateo Ferro (La Catrina Lounge; 8 p.m.; $20)
THURSDAY, DEC. 28
BEST MUSIC OF 2023: What do Bad Bunny, Drake, Taylor Swift and SZA have in common? They all came out with albums this year, and they’ll all be played at Songbyrd’s Best of 2023 Party along with other musicians who released music in 2023. Kicking off with a music video power hour, the party will be soundtracked by the year’s best indie, pop, hip-hop and more. (Songbyrd Music House; 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.; FREE)
OPERA ON TAP: ‘Tis the Season for opera at Wonderland Ballroom, courtesy of Opera on Tap, an organization dedicated to making opera accessible by putting on free shows in bars and other local venues. This Thursday’s show is a holiday spectacular, so bring your best ugly sweater. (The Wonderland Ballroom; 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.; FREE)
MORE: Level Up Your Miniatures Painting (Game Kastle; 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.; $45), Bela Dona (Piano Keys Restaurant and Lounge; 4 p.m. to 12 a.m.; $15), Black Professional Wellness Circle (Ivy Lounge Salon and Spa; 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.; $50), Hopin’ Mic: A Comedy & Storytelling Open Mic for Causes in Need (BloomBars; 7:30 p.m.; donation based), Jackie Fabulous (Crowne Plaza College Park; 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.; $25), Poetry Night Open Mic (Galactic Panther Art Gallery; 8 p.m. to 11 p.m.; $10)
