A few things to know around DC:

• Southeast Tennis and Learning Center is expanding, with groundbreaking next Wednesday, increasing indoor tennis facilities in DC as well as outdoor tennis and pickleball. You can see the in depth plans here.
• It's cold 🥶 and getting colder. Expect more cold air and wind to come in this afternoon, making the windchill drop low. But, after this arctic blast, we're getting some warm weather coming Sunday.
• The metro is going to be all kinds of messed up December 20-30 if you're planning on travelling on the orange/blue/silver. Plan ahead for holiday travel.

Valerie

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!
​

This Week

Today

• 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.
• If you're a fan of Neil Diamond, there's an upcoming Broadway Show: A Beautiful Noise at the National Theatre featuring stories behind the songs that defined his career. Runs from 12/3 to 12/8. $100+.
• Watch this Mongolian Classic Concert Wednesday 12/4. Free.
• DC Gaming Group is hosting a switch + board game night with a random secret Santa exchange for some festive feels. Wednesday 12/4. Free.
• ​Enjoy a jamming session with four of DC's rising artists while raising funds for recovery efforts from the Hurricane Helene flood in Western North Carolina. Wednesday 12/4. $17 for advance tickets, and $20 at the door.

Thursday

• Share writing tips, give feedback, and learn from other fellow writers at the Library this Thursday 12/5. Free.
• There's a twice-a-month meetup for creative artists alike! Do your art projects and meet new artist friends. Thursday 12/5. Free.
• The National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony at the White House is an annual tradition (and source of commuter frustration). Thursday 12/5. Free.
• Learn how to make good cocktails and mixology secrets at this speakeasy experience. Thursday 12/5. $50.
• This month's book club theme is a romance trope. Discuss and read romance novels with other people at the Library this Thursday 12/5. Free.
• ​Play 2 hours of Spades at the library this Thursday 12/5. Free.
• Watch Charlie Chaplin's The Great Dictator where Chaplin switches between his two roles (the clownish dictator and the barber) and gives his famous speech. This Thursday 12/5. Free.
• The 40th Annual International LGBTQ+ Leaders Conference will be held in DC for a three-day equality conference, networking, and skill-building. Thursday 12/5. $275+ (free if you volunteer).

Friday

• Bring out your sweaters or wear your best holiday shirt for a hiking happy hour with fellow hikers from the NOVA Trailblazers - 20s - 40s Backpacking and Hiking group. Friday 12/6. 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.
• Meet people who are 40 and 50 years younger at this Gen X meetup with the 30s, 40s and 50s Going Out Group. Friday 12/6. Free.
• Join Late Morning DC Hikers at Prost as they celebrate a year of great late morning hikes. Meetup at Prost for food and drinks. Friday 12/6. Free.
• Lots of fun winter activities at Wundergarten this coming holidays like Krampusnacht, cozy fire pits, hot cocoa bar, pride night, and cabana rentals available. Friday 12/6 to Saturday 12/21.
• 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. Friday 12/6-12/13. $8+.
• Mark Twain was the talk of the town during the 1867-68 era of Washington, and this walking tour will tell you what happened. Friday 12/7. $20+.

Saturday

• ​Join hikers from Arlington Walk and Roll as they walk a 1.5 out and 1.5 back mile along the Potomac River. Saturday 12/7. Free.
• Lots of holiday festivities in Alexandria with the Alexandria Scottish Christmas Walk Parade and the Holiday Boat Parade of Lights. Saturday 12/7. Free.
• This season of giving, treat yourself to a day of pampering and shopping as Self-Care Blooms Here comes back to DC for a winter pop-up shop. Few tickets left! Saturday 12/7. Free.
• Over 60+ boats will pass through the Washington Channel for the Holiday Boat Parade and Party. Enjoy the festivities with karaoke, s'mores, fireworks, a Santa photo op, and party at the pier. Saturday 12/7. Free.
• Listen along 40 creative artists at the Catalytic Sound Festival with musicians like Josh Berman, Eli Wallace, and Ishmael Ali. Saturday 12/7. $20+
• 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.
• Celebrate La Noche De Las Velitas along 4th Street NE and enjoy sweet treats from Michelin restaurants on a first-come, first-serve basis. Saturday 12/7. Free.
• Make DIY wrapping papers with splatter paints for your holiday gifts. Saturday 12/7. Free.
• ​The Winter's Voice features three winter concerts by Sarah Quartel, Kevin Siegfried, and Matthew Nielsen. Saturday 12/7 to Sunday 12/8. Pay what you can.
• ​Find the perfect wine for your holiday celebrations and explore the taste of 30 fine sparkling wines. Saturday 12/7. $45.
• Want to sit down for coffee and chat? Meet new friends from the DC Coffee Club this Saturday 12/7. Free.
• Spend an afternoon of mind and muscle connection with Andres, Elias, and Sergio this Saturday 12/7. Free.
• ​Craft beautiful angels with Artist Tamara Thomas as she leads you through the workshop. Supplies provided. Saturday 12/7. Free.

Sunday

• You can visit the Season's Greenings in the morning and not have to wait for public opening hours for a sensory-friendly and more relaxed holiday experience. Only on Sunday 12/8. Free, but registration required.
• Eat brunch and jump from one bookstore to another with DMV Fantasy Romance Book Lovers. Sunday 12/8. Free.
• ​Meet dog lovers, pose with Santa in the holiday photo booth, and enjoy $5 craft beer specials. All proceeds benefit the Kingsman Dog Park. Sunday 12/8. $10 suggested donation.
• ​Paint ornaments, join the ugly sweater contest, and catch the winter specials from Calico's chef and bar director. Sunday 12/8. Free.
• Walk around Foggy Bottom to US Botanical Garden and meet new friends from the Hiking and Other Stuff community. Sunday 12/8. Free.
• You can see a BTS tour of Irish Railroad Workers Museum and have the managing director guide you through the lives of Irish communities in Baltimore. Sunday 12/8. $10+.
• ​Hear Travis Mitchell, local author of the book DC Cocktails, as he talks about these signature drink recipes in his conversation with David Strauss. Sunday 12/8. $12+.

Next Week

• Design your own moon-themed quilt block while learning about the history of sewing in space exploration with astronaut Karen Nyberg and get the chance to be selected for display at the Lunar Quilt at the Kennedy Center next spring. Submissions open through Tuesday 12/10. Free.
• See Estêvão Santos perform at the Embassy of Portugal and enjoy port wines and chocolates while you're there. Tuesday 12/10. Free.
• Sharon Robinson will help you create collage artworks in this 2-hour workshop at the Library. Tuesday 12/10. Free.
• If you love meteors, astronomy, and all things universe-related, you can go with other geeks from Geek Nite Out on an engaging astronomy talk plus a dinner option if you're interested. Thursday 12/12. Free.
• The DMV D&D Group will end the year with table-top roleplaying games and mingling with board game lovers. Thursday 12/12. Free.
• ​Craft your own scented candle for the winter holidays on Thursday 12/12. Free.
• ​Stroll around the National Mall with the Northern Virginia Hiking Club from the Garden, and Gallery to Lincoln Memorial, then stop for coffee and ice skating fun. Thursday 12/12. Free.
• 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.
• This artifact sketching workshop with Bilbeisi lets you draw an artifact from the Museum's new exhibition, Visible Vault. Saturday 12/14. $20.
• Haven't shopped for the holidays yet? Catch this Procrastinator's Holiday Market for last-minute gift shopping + free holiday train rides and raffles! Saturday 12/14. Free.
• Closet too full or boring? Swap your clothes, shoes, or accessories for gently used ones with Zen Swap. Saturday 12/14. Free.
• Shop with girls from The Comfy Connection for local and international holiday gifts and treats at the holiday market. Sunday 12/15. Free.
• Embrace the sounds of the holiday season as the talented DC Strings performs a Holiday Concert at the Congressional Cemetery Chapel. Sunday 12/15. Free.
• Off the Mall Tours has a 1.5-hour hotel walking tour that lets you walk through downtown DC hotels and learn their history. Sunday 12/15. $30.

Further Out

• Have a unique indoor winter fun as the National Building Museum turns to an ice skating rink this holiday season. Monday 12/16-1/4.
• ​Create memory ornaments by writing your 2024 memories on a clear bulb ball. Monday 12/16. Free.
• ​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+.
• ​Check out Cafe Unido in DC with coffee enthusiasts from the Espresso community, then go for beers at a brewery. Saturday 12/21. Free.
• End the year with a holiday skate party at Winter Wonderland. You can make crafts for winter gifts and cards, then take some with you. Saturday 12/21. Free.
• ​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+.
• 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.
• Join Anacostia Community Museum as they design Anacostia's 2025 goals on a vision board. Saturday 1/4. Free.
• ​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.
• ​Kelsea Ballerini is coming to DC for a live concert along with Maisie Peters and Marynn Taylor. Saturday 2/15. $55+.
• 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.

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