I've officially started adding holiday events to the calendar, so check out some options and plan your holiday season.

I personally think Christmas should not be acknowledged until Thanksgiving has passed, but having gone to my first holiday market of the season last weekend, I also know that the world moves on without me!

Valerie

Things to Do in DC: Next 4 Weeks

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This Weekend

• Go back to the '70s with this Valley of the Dolls parody and sip cocktails while you're at it. 11/12-14. $20.
• ​Heurich House is decorated for the holidays, and you can get a decorated house tour starting Thursday. See the house from the perspective of the people who lived there. 11/14-12/13. $5.
• Come hike and see the beautiful monuments at night around the Mount Vernon Trail and under the moonlight. Friday 11/15. Free.
• Explore the natural world under the light of the full moon with forest bathing at the National Arboretum. Friday 11/15. $35.
• Don't miss this Tinder Live comedy show with Lane Moore where she swipes through dating profiles live on stage. Friday 11/15. $35.
• See the works of 100 artists around the DMV in one place at the 2024 Umbrella Art Fair. 11/15-11/17. Free.
• Join the Hip Hop culture experience in keeping the arts alive as Riddim and Poetry come to DC with interactive exhibits, panels, workshops, live music, poetry slams, and DJ battles. Saturday 11/16. $20.
• Learn more about history with a tour of the last fort left to defend DC during the Civil War with a Fort Stevens Tour. Saturday 11/16. $55 for nonmembers, but members get a free pass.
• Turn old records into vibrant sculptures to create Recycled Rhythms. Saturday 11/16. Donation.
• Get ready for the new season with a clothing swap at Right Proper. All genders and sizes. Saturday 11/16. Free (donation suggested).
• Connect with and preserve DC's Ethiopian heritage with the DC Ethiopian Archives Day. Hear stories, see rare artifacts, and digitize your own history. Saturday 11/16. Free.
• Vinyl lovers should check out the Mezzanine Record Fair, where you can buy, sell, and trade vinyl, tapes, and ephemera. Sunday 11/17. Free.

Next Week

• Listen to experts from Ford Theatre as they show 19th-century maps and photographs this coming Wednesday 11/20 for a Civil War Washington webinar. Free.
• Catch the holiday-themed happy hours at the rooftop bar from 7 to 9 PM and have fun with ICE! night from "A Charlie Brown Christmas" while you're there to relax. Thursday 11/21. Price varies.
• The DowntownDC Holiday Market (the one in Chinatown) is back, and it's the first year under new management. The churros will be back! Friday 11/22-12/23 (closed on Thanksgiving). Free.
• ​Learn about the streetcar lines that ran from the Treasury building downtown through Prince George's county through a walking tour of the missing segment. Saturday 11/23. Free.
• Enjoy Scandinavian staples and crafts at the Finn Spark Christmas Bazaar, with delicious Finnish food. Saturday 11/23. Free.
• Check out a self-love and gratitude-focused market right before the holidays, with lots of vintage and thrift vendors. Sunday 11/24. Free.

Further Out

• Join us for a volunteer shift to help prepare groceries for homebound, food insecure people in DC for Thanksgiving. Monday 11/25. Free
• Not sure what to do for Thanksgiving? Edgewood Community Farm is hosting an Orphansgiving potluck. They provide the turkey, you bring whatever you fancy. Thursday 11/28. Free.
• The DC Holiday Hunt is a scavenger hunt throughout DC neighborhoods for the holidays. Win prizes as you explore & support local businesses. 11/29-1/5. Free.
• Support the next generation of female rock stars at the Camper Cover Show featuring Outerloop, Lud Roes, Ari Voxx, and Chyna. Saturday 11/30. $12.
• Bring your dog to Dumbarton Oaks Park for a Rock Creek Park BARK Ranger swearing in ceremony. Saturday 11/30. Free.
• Take a historic trolley ride with (or without) Santa and a holiday model railroad at the National Capital Trolley Museum. Select dates Saturday 11/30-12/20. $13.
• It's the CityCenterDC tree lighting. Come celebrate one of the tallest Christmas trees in town be lit up. Saturday 11/30. Free.
• Don't miss this chance to see the queen of Christmas Mariah Carey live at her annual Christmas tour. Tickets might sell out soon! Sunday 12/1. $60+
• If you're a fan of theatre, there's an upcoming Broadway Show: A Beautiful Noise at the National Theatre featuring stories behind the songs that defined Neil Diamond's career. Runs from 12/3 to 12/8. $100+
• The National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony at the White House is an annual tradition (and source of commuter frustration). Thursday 12/5. Free.
• Explore the beautiful building of the National Academy of Sciences with their last science speakeasy of the year. Learn over cocktails and nibbles. These sell out quickly! Friday 12/6. $25.
• The Heurich House Christmas Markt only has small businesses. It's a week-long event this year, and if you go on weekdays, you can get a holiday house tour. 12/6-12/13. $8+.
• Lots of holiday festivities in Alexandria with the Alexandria Scottish Christmas Walk Parade and the Holiday Boat Parade of Lights. Saturday 12/7. Free.
• The Swedish Embassy (House of Sweden) hosts their holiday market and St. Lucia concert, the largest event they host each year. Tickets aren't yet available, but mark your calendar. Saturday 12/7. ~$10.
• If you love Talking Heads, the Start Making Sense tribute band will be back in the area and put on a really fun show. Friday 12/13. $20.
• After their holiday market, join in on the Cleveland Park Santa Bar Crawl. Costumes/ugly sweaters encouraged. Saturday 12/14.
• A John Waters Christmas is sold out, but if you want an irreverent celebration of love, check out A Date With John Waters on Valentine's Day in his home town of Baltimore. Friday 2/14.