Don't forget that the metro is having major disruptions starting on Friday through December 30! The blue/orange/silver will be shut down through major parts of the city in 2 phases.

December 20 - December 26 map/closures:

December 27 - December 30 map/closures:

Valerie

Give Back This Holiday Season 💖

Thank you to all the volunteers who came out to help at Capital Area Food Bank on Saturday! You sped through sorting the donations, and your help was so appreciated!

I'm participating in a fundraiser for Capital Area Food Bank, and would welcome any donations (or teammates!) to help raise funds to keep people fed in 2025. Demand for food assistance continues to grow, and we want to feed as many as possible.

Historic Photo of the Week

Girls playing baseball on the Mall, 1919

Things to Do in DC: Next 4 Weeks

I'm continuing with highlighting more events that are put on regularly to help you not only meet new people but have a regular space for you to hang out.

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

Today

• Don't miss one of DC's favorite holiday traditions of a festive brass at The Washington Chorus' "A Candlelight Christmas" tonight 12/18. $15+.❄️
• There's a happy hour for all singles in their 30s and 40s. Ladies, come early and find your wingwoman if you don't like coming alone. Wednesday 12/18. $25.
• Make snowglobes, paint ornaments, build a macrame christmas tree, or create a gingerbread house doormat at the Holiday Crafts Night.Wednesday 12/18 and Friday 12/20. Free to join, $10+ for featured crafts.❄️

Thursday

• Have drinks and connect with people from the Green Drinks DC community who care about the environment. Thursday 12/19. Donation.
• There are treats and activities for all things "C" like cookies, cocoa, and crafts. Thursday 12/19. Free.
• Join the Adventuring LGBTQ+ Outdoors Club for a 5-mile hike around Penn Ave as you enjoy the sights of Christmas trees around DC. Thursday 12/19. Free.
• Six local restaurants in the neighborhood are mixing up their most creative seasonal drinks just for you. Stop by each one of them for a taste of a full-sized cocktail. Thursday 12/19. $25.
• Enjoy unique indoor winter fun as the National Building Museum turns to an ice skating rink this holiday season. Closed on Tuesdays and Wednesday but open until Saturday 1/4.❄️

Friday

• DC Gaming Group is hosting a popup gaming speakeasy featuring kinetic and stacking games plus hops water and yeast beer for some liquid courage. Friday 12/20. Free.
• ​Top comedians are coming to join Santa in bringing you a fun and laugh-filled Christmas. Friday 12/20. $16.
• Want to see how your life looks in cartoons? Let a professional teach you cartooning using the Peanut creator, Charles M. Schulz's style. Friday 12/20. $68.
• Be part of Haiti's fanal art culture which is a lantern crafted like home and the tasting of their Soup Joumou. Friday 12/20. Donation.
• Spend a pre-Christmas special with The Craft Cocktails Club at Vue Rooftop to enjoy a holiday selection of craft cocktails. Friday 12/20. Free.❄️
• Bring a friend or neighbor to this Sing-A-Long for holiday caroling and enjoy a cup of hot chocolate or apple cider. Friday 12/20. Free.❄️
• Experience everything Havana, Latin, and Salsa with your friends or meet new ones this Friday 12/20. $20+.
• ​Annie Costia Beat Ya Feet is a holiday stage play that features music, friendship, and high-energy performance. Friday 12/20 to Sunday 12/22. $60+.❄️
• Call your besties for a girls' night out in the city and make crafts, arrange flower bouquets, sing karaoke, grab small bites, or more! Friday 12/20. $50.

Saturday

• If you love trees or just want to be with nature this holiday, this Winter Solstice gathering will help you unwind through nature walks, conversations, tree hugs, tea, and a little crafting. Saturday 12/21. Free.❄️
• ​Check out Cafe Unido in DC with coffee enthusiasts from the Espresso community, then go for beers at a brewery. Saturday 12/21. Free.
• Poetry lovers from the DC Poetry Workshop Group lets you regularly share published poems or bring your own work for feedback. Saturday 12/21. Free.
• Need new jewelry or planning to give one? Make your own this Saturday 12/21. $10 suggested donation.
• Hikers from the Alexandria Area Walking & Hiking Group will do a Christmas walk around the city and the National Mall. Saturday 12/21. Free.❄️
• Get your affordable and best book finds at this Friends Book Sale. Saturday 12/21. Free.
• ​Craft scented soaps and learn molding basics with award-winning local artist and author Rain Young. Saturday 12/21. Free.
• Spend a calm Saturday feeling the stillness and peace of winter through music, readings, and visual art at the Whispers of the Solstice. Saturday 12/21. $45.❄️
• End the year with a holiday rollerskate party at Winter Wonderland. You can make crafts for winter gifts and cards, then take some with you. Saturday 12/21. Free.❄️

Sunday

• The Hiking and Other Cool Stuff group is doing another easy 3-mile hike at Wheaton Regional Park. This Sunday 12/22. Free.
• ​Relax with downward yoga then have a good sip of your preferred midday drink. Sunday 12/22. $20.
• Bring your tree ornaments for a painting party this Sunday 12/22. Price starts at $5+.❄️
• Drink, chat, and meet new Gen X friends from the Generation X Going Out group as they go out for Thai food and a round of shots this Sunday 12/22. Free.
• No camera? Join Sierra Club Potomac Region Outings (SCPRO) in a photography class as they learn how to use their cell phones to take awesome outdoor pics. Sunday 12/22. $2 suggested donation.
• The DowntownDC Holiday Market (the one in Chinatown) is closing soon and is now through Monday 12/23 (closed on Thanksgiving). Free.❄️

Next Week

• ​The Bagel Ball lets you meet and hang with other Jews on Christmas Eve with DJ beats, drink specials, and bagel snacks served all night long. Tuesday 12/24. $18+.❄️
• Come join this Friendsmas dinner party next Wednesday 12/25. $10.❄️
• This 2-hour workshop lets you personalize your own barspoon and learn mixology basics. Friday 12/27. $85.
• ​Ease & release all your tensions through breathwork and Hatha yoga. Perfect for finding that inner peace before 2025 starts. Saturday 12/28. $40+.
• No New Year's resolution yet? Join others in manifesting a good year and creating a 2025 vision board with a delicious brunch made by Chef Gigi. Saturday 12/28. $60.
• Visualize your manifestations with a holistic vision boarding workshop - perfect for anyone looking to express their personal, spiritual, and professional goals for the year ahead. Expect a guided meditation, vision boarding activity, and mindful exercise. Saturday 12/28. $50.
• This holiday workshop series lets you craft holiday charcuterie boards and learn wine pairings + serving tips and tricks to impress your guests. Bring a workshop buddy to save on two tickets! Saturday 12/28. $105.❄️
• Listen to this Chanukah story trail of "If the Candles Could Speak" then watch a giant gelt drop after. Sunday 12/29. Free.❄️
• ​Glow and flow with yoga, pilates, meditation, journaling, and some personal aura photos to cherish. Sunday 12/29. $35+.
• Did you know DC had hidden bikeway treasures? Try this smart-guided selfie cycle tour around parks and riverfronts to appreciate their history. Note: there's a little climbing involved, but you can start at your own pace. Sunday 12/29. $29.

Further Out

• ​Paint art while sipping wine from Grand Cata and an expert artist guide your every strokes. Monday 12/30. $55.
• Relive old Paris on New Year's Eve at the Boudoir Bohéme Masquerade Ball and meet the most infamous figures at the time. Tuesday 12/31. $60.
• Welcome the year with a productive hike along Georgetown together with hikers from Sierra Club. Great to shake off the cozy holiday mood and start your year productive! Wednesday 1/1. Free.
• For New Year's Day, join Mayor Bowser's 11th Annual FITDC Fresh Start 5K for a fun fitness activity. Run, walk, or cheer - whatever fits your pace. Wednesday 1/1. Free.
• ​DC Reads will feature three DMV authors and their latest works through virtual book clubs, author meet and greet, and a grand panel at the Library. Best to get your copies in advance! Starts January. Free.
• Join Anacostia Community Museum as they design Anacostia's 2025 goals on a vision board. Saturday 1/4. Free.
• DC Code and Coffee invites all the dev-curious, aspiring, and professional developers for a code and coffee session on Saturday 1/4. Free.
• Dancers from leading ballet companies, acclaimed poets, and a jazz ensemble will perform an In the Round show at the Arena Stage. Also, get a chance to have a free chat with artists before the show! Saturday 1/4. $50+.
• Enjoy frost fair activities at Folger Shakespeare Library as they set up free history pop-up talks, press demos, and holiday activities for kids and adults. Runs now until Sunday 1/5. Free.
• ​Christmas Bird Count is the longest running community science bird project where bird lovers help gather data on bird populations. Counts take place on one day between Thursday 12/14 and Friday 1/5. To participate, sign up for a count site near you at christmasbirdcount.org.
• ​The Season's Greenings holiday display is back with model trains, holiday decorations, and DC landmarks built using plants from Conservatory. Open now until Sunday 1/5, except on 12/25.
• 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.
• What's your new goal this 2025? Share your resolutions and the exciting things you're bringing into your life next year with the Thinkers and Drinkers International community. Tuesday 1/7. Free.
• Get your early bird tickets for the whole weekend of Mindful Drinking Fest. Expect a community of mindful drinkers and healthy non-alcoholic cocktails to enjoy, perfect for Dry January. Friday 1/10-Sunday 1/12. $50.
• ​Watch 5 ballet dancers bring the story of Sleeping Beauty to life through traditional ballet and a glow-in-the-dark show. Friday 1/10. $48+
• ​Rebel with a Clause is a new film and documentary created by a grammar expert featuring fun and myth-busting grammar habits on Friday 1/10. $10.
• Embrace this year's leather lifestyle at Mid-Atlantic Leather Weekend as DC's first major LGBTQ+ event. Happening soon on Friday 1/10 to Monday 1/13. $28+.
• Listen to Brooke Shields as she shares her thoughts on aging as a woman with Dr. Sharon Malone. Monday 1/27. $45.
• 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.
• ​Kelsea Ballerini is coming to DC for a live concert along with Maisie Peters and Marynn Taylor. Saturday 2/15. $55+.
• ​Go ice skating at this rooftop bar in Baltimore with an option to rent a cabana with s'mores. Available now until Sunday 3/16/25. $35 for 90 minutes of ice skating.

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