Things I'm Talking About

• Looking for hobbies without screens? I'm writing up places where you can learn a new hobby that doesn't involve being on your phone. So far, I have focused on hobbies I have some experience with:
  • ​Mosaics classes (this is my new hobby)
  • ​Pottery & ceramics classes​
  • ​Knitting & crochet classes​
  • ​Photography classes​
• At 9:00 PM tonight, go to soberride.com to get a Lyft code for $15 credit. Limited codes available.
• The Washington Monument is being lit up with light projections for New Years, and there will be fireworks at midnight on the Mall this year.
• You know the scene in Pluribus in the first episode where the guy licks the doughnuts? Those are from Sandy Pony Donuts, which has locations in Annapolis and the Delaware beaches. WTOP made a video about it.
• Georgia Avenue Thrift Store plans on closing February 21st.
• Premium subscribers: this weekend, you'll get a chance to win tickets to the Thank Me Later Comedy Show and +CloseFriends: The Finale Party on Jan 9. Keep an eye out of an email with instructions on how to enter!

Valerie

Give your opinion, and check back next week for the results.

Last week, I asked: What are you planning to do for New Years Eve? You responded:

• Stay home (71.7%)
• Go to a friend's or to family (15.1%)
• Go to dinner at a restaurant (7.5%)
• Go to a bar or restaurant for a party (5.7%)

New League. New Friends.

Whether you’ve never played or can’t stop dinking, the Silly Pickles Pickleball Ladder League at Kraken Kourts in DC is built for all levels. Each week, you’ll get fresh matchups, friendly competition, and a guaranteed good time—no partner needed.

✔️ 8 weeks of play
✔️ 1-hour game slot each Sunday
✔️ They handle subs + schedules. You just show up.

Pickleball, people, and post-game hangs.
​👉 Use code GETSILLY-VALERIE to get $10 off​

Tried & True features your favorite go-to restaurants that have been around for a while and serve you consistently good food.

This Week's Feature: Duffy's

"Duffy's in its several iterations….The current location is fantastic. They show every NFL game, the wings are great, and there's a bin of coloring books for your kids. It's truly a neighborhood bar." Bob

Locations: 2153 P St NW and 1901 C Street SE
​Website​

😋 What is your favorite tried and true restaurant?

Where do you find yourself going back time and time again? Reply and let me know to be featured and share the love for a local DC restaurant.

✨ Premium subscribers: Events calendar is here!

Now you can search and filter events by category, date, and my top recommendations, as well as see it in an easier to read list view or on a calendar. Choose between a monthly or weekly view.

And it's mobile friendly! Go check out all the events.

Our premium subscribers get the full event list (250+!), weekly updates, and VIP access to exclusive Not Bored in DC events.

Looking for something specific? Check out these options:

• ​Museum parties & happy hours​
• ​Hidden gem theaters​
• ​Holiday & winter bars around DC​
• ​Ways to disconnect in DC​
• ​Mosaics classes
• ​Pottery & ceramics classes​
• ​Knitting & crochet classes​
• ​Photography classes​

• 🤸 Find a calm way to welcome 2026 with Free New Year’s Eve Community Reflection + Restorative Yoga at Josephine Butler Parks Center. Bring something meaningful for reflection, enjoy gentle yoga, and share a midnight toast on Wednesday 12/31. Free.
• 🍲 Ring in 2026 with endless mussels and bubbly at Granville's New Year's Eve feast where you get two hours to eat as many mussels as you want in every flavor they make. Get a welcome glass of bubbly or order other menu items too if you're still hungry. Wednesday 12/31. $42.
• 🖌️ Celebrate Kwanzaa with hands-on art workshops at the National Museum of African Art, where you can crochet, make masks, and create dot paintings while exploring the seven principles of the holiday. Plus there's a scavenger hunt to guide you through the galleries! Wednesday 12/31. Free.
• 🤸 Ring in 2026 with paddles and pizza at this New Year's Eve Pickleball Party where you can play until midnight. Courts are open for over four hours, so bring your competitive spirit and appetite! Wednesday 12/31. $40.
• 🍾 Ring in 2025 at MXDC's New Year's Eve party with a live DJ, drink specials until 11pm, and a 5-hour cash bar to keep the celebration going. You'll get the full countdown experience with bubbly and dancing until 2am on the popular 14th Street corridor. Tuesday 12/31. $25.

• 🎭 Elvis' Birthday Fight Club 2026 is back with cartoon-like violence, Elvis-themed burlesque, and ridiculous matchups you never knew you needed to see. Think My Little Pony vs Leatherface but make it a birthday party for The King. Thursday 1/1. $34+
• 🤸 Start 2026 right with the 12th Annual FITDC Fresh Start 5K crossing the beautiful Frederick Douglass Bridge. Kick off the new year with your family and neighbors while getting those endorphins flowing! Thursday 1/1. Free.
• 🏞️ Start the new year right with this 50th annual New Year's Day hike along the C&O Canal Towpath where you can walk at your own pace and turn around whenever you want. Work off holiday treats while meeting fellow hikers who've been keeping this tradition alive since 1975. Thursday 1/1. Free.
• 🏞️ Shake off that NYE hangover with a New Year's Day hike at Scott's Run Nature Preserve. Start 2026 feeling fresh and energized! Thursday 1/1. Free.

• 🖼️ Get ready for a nostalgia trip at this Toy Stories art exhibit opening reception where local artists celebrate the toys that made childhood magical. You'll meet the curator and artists while checking out pieces that span everything from Batman to board games. Friday 1/2. Free.
• 🍲 Learn about Greece's amazing wine renaissance while tasting six distinct Greek wines with Wine Director Erin Dudley at Planet Wine. You'll get the full story on how Greek winemaking has totally transformed beyond just Retsina, plus cheese pairings and bottle discounts. Friday 1/2. $46.
• 🕺 Get your laugh on at DC's Best Comedy Show on 14th and U Street where talented comedians will have you cracking up all night. Perfect spot to hang with friends and discover your new favorite comic. Friday 1/2. $23+.
• 🕺 Get ready for Drag Bingo DC where fabulous drag queens host bingo games with hilarious commentary, stunning performances, and actual prizes you can win. Friday 1/2. $36 + 2 drink minimum.
• 🧠 Experience a traditional cacao ceremony and sound healing session led by Curandera Jenny Perez, where you'll drink ceremonial-grade cacao to open your heart and then relax with soothing vibrational instruments. It's a two-hour journey that combines ancient healing traditions with modern wellness practices. Friday 1/2. $88.
• 🎭 Get ready to laugh until your sides hurt at this queer comedy showcase at As You Are featuring eight local queer and trans comedians. Friday 1/2. $15 advance, $20 door.

• 🤓 Solve a mysterious maritime murder in "Return of the Obra Dinn" where you play detective on a ghost ship that returned to port with no crew. If you're a mystery fan, you'll love a discussion on clues and theories with fellow gamers. Saturday 1/3. Free.
• 📖 Howard Wuelfing is sharing stories from his new book that captures DC's punk scene through his original 1970s and 80s fanzines covering Bad Brains, Black Flag, and more. Perfect for music history buffs who want the real story behind the legendary underground scene. Saturday 1/3. Free.
• 🤸 Join the District Running Collective for weekly Saturday morning runs at Union Market where all paces and experience levels are welcome. Perfect way to start your weekend and meet some cool people who love to move. Saturday 1/3-3/14. Membership required ($141+).
• 🖌️ Pour Up and Paint at Atlas Brew Works is perfect for unleashing your inner artist while sipping craft beer with friends. Whether you're a painting pro or total beginner, it's all about having fun and letting your creativity flow. Saturday 1/3. $30.
• 🍱 The country's #1 vegan BBQ joint is popping up at DC Brau with fried chickun, smoked meats, and beer-cheese battered Beyond Burgers that'll make you forget it's all plant-based. Perfect for anyone curious about vegan comfort food or already obsessed with it. Friday 1/3. Free entry.
• 🖌️ Share your poetry and get feedback from fellow writers at this bi-weekly workshop in Chinatown. You'll start by discussing a published poem together, then everyone gets about 10 minutes to share their own work or just listen if you prefer. Saturday 1/3. Free.
• 🍾 New Year, No Sleep party at Death Punch brings the real New Year's energy to Adams Morgan with Blossom espresso martinis, pool tables, and back-to-back DJ sets. Because who wants to party hard on a Wednesday anyway? Saturday 1/3. Free.
• 🕺 Two award-winning magicians throw down in The Magic Duel at Pinstripes Georgetown, a 90-minute comedy magic battle where you'll pick sides and cheer for your favorite. Expect mind-bending tricks, hilarious roasting, and plenty of audience participation. Saturday 1/3. $40+.

• 🖼️ Last chance to see this exhibition celebrating a century of Black arts education in DC, plus you can make a vision board for 2026 while you're there. Reflect on the past and plan ahead with good food and community. Sunday 1/4. Free.
• 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Plant Swap Day at Atlas Brew Works is the perfect excuse to trade plants, make friends, and maybe discover your new favorite beer. You don't need to bring anything to participate, just show up ready to chat about plants and maybe take home something green. Sunday 1/4. Free.
• 🤸 Practice yoga beneath 75-foot Corinthian columns at the National Building Museum followed by a sound bath with crystal bowls and gongs. Your ticket includes museum admission plus discounted ice skating afterward during their Winter Skate Spectacular. Sunday 1/4. $35.
• 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Girls' brunch at The Pembrooke where you'll sit at cozy tables of 6 and connect with new girlfriends over good food and easy conversation. You'll need to join their WhatsApp group to secure your OpenTable reservation spot. Sunday 1/4. Free to join (food ~$40-70).
• 🤓 Root is calling all woodland strategists for an epic asymmetric board game where you'll play as cats, birds, or forest rebels battling for control. Each faction has totally different rules and strategies, so every game feels fresh. Sunday 1/4. Free.
• 🤓 Perfect way to spend a Sunday afternoon: learn American Mahjong or jump into open play at Calico with a drink, spring rolls, and 15% off food included. Enjoy a fun, social game night that welcomes everyone from total beginners to seasoned players. Sunday 1/4. $45+.

🤫 Psst! I couldn't fit everything in this issue. See 90 events happening this weekend and next week like:

• More New Years options
• Sunrise yoga with views of DC
• Cult classic The Room screening with special guest Greg Sestero
• Learn to mend your clothes
• Crafting galore

Click the Login link below the form and use the email you're subscribed with.

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Our premium subscribers get the full event list (250+!), weekly updates, and VIP access to exclusive Not Bored in DC events.

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Know of something cool happening? Submit an event for consideration!

* Items marked with an asterisks contain affiliate links (for which I earn a small commission at no additional cost to you) or sponsored. Events are featured based on if I find them interesting and think others will too, regardless if they are affiliate or sponsored.