Our end-of-the-week picks for Dec. 20-22
We've gathered up some fun things to do in DC this weekend. You can also read what else is going on during the week and throughout the month.
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Friday
Season's Greenings – Through Jan. 5, 2025
Trade in your dreams of a white Christmas for something even better – a green Christmas. At this year's Season's Greenings exhibit at the U.S. Botanic Gardens, displays will feature not only holiday lights, but thousands of poinsettias, unbelievable plant-based sculptures of DC landmarks, a circuit of model trains and pollinators galore. The exhibit also includes a spectacular addition: a Blue Rooster model by designer Brian Sentman created in honor the famous Hahn/Cock sculpture located on the roof of the National Gallery of Art's Eats Building. Tickets are not required.
Free Admission
U.S. Botanic Garden, 100 Maryland Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20001
Christmas Illuminations at Mount Vernon
George Washington’s estate knows how to celebrate the holiday season like few other locales in the area. Tour the gorgeous mansion, witness chocolate-making demonstrations, visit a winter market and hang out with the estate’s favorite pet, Aladdin the Camel. To cap it off, enjoy an incredible fireworks display along the Potomac River.
Tickets
3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway, Mount Vernon, VA 22121
The Dance Institute of Washington: The Spirit of Kwanzaa
The Atlas Performing Arts Center hosts The Dance Institute of Washington’s longest running show this December. The Spirit of Kwanzaa is a cultural arts celebration that focuses on the agricultural ceremonies of Africa and highlights the holiday’s principles through dance, songs, live drumming and spoken word performances. This year’s theme, FOR THE CULTURE, serves as a call to reclaim African heritage as a unifying force.
Tickets
Atlas Performing Arts Center, 1333 H Street NE, Washington, DC 20002
A Christmas Carol
Acclaimed actor Craig Wallace assumes the role of Ebenezer Scrooge in a lavish Victorian-style musical production of Charles Dickens’ timeless classic, the staging of which is a time-honored holiday tradition in the nation’s capital. Scrooge’s riveting journey alongside the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future is a joy even if you’ve experienced it a hundred times before – especially in one of the world’s most historic theaters.
Tickets
Ford’s Theatre, 511 10th Street NW, Washington, DC 20004
Step Afrika!’s Magical Musical Holiday Step Show
DC’s Step Afrika!, the first professional company dedicated to the tradition of stepping, puts on a holiday extravaganza at the illustrious Arena Stage this December. The family-friendly show will combine clapping, stomping and stepping for a dazzling array of percussive dance. Furry friends from the animal kingdom and a dance party hosted by DJ Nutcracker are also on the docket.
Tickets
Arena Stage, 1101 6th Street SW, Washington, DC 20024
National Symphony Orchestra: Handel’s Messiah
This holiday epic, which explores the story of Jesus Christ as the Messiah, is performed at the Kennedy Center each year. The National Symphony Orchestra will be joined by standout singers and will be conducted by Baroque authority Masaaki Suzuki at the beautifully decorated Concert Hall to tell Handel’s riveting tale through song.
Tickets
The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, 2700 F Street NW, Washington, DC 20566
The Slackers
Over the course of their 30-plus years in the music industry, The Slackers have been anything but what their name would imply. With 15 albums and countless singles under their belt, the ska group – who also weave in elements of rock, funk, soul and reggae – have exposed the genre to thousands of fans. Their energetic live show at the Black Cat is not to be missed.
7 p.m. | Tickets
Black Cat, 1811 14th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009
Annie Costia Beat Ya Feet
DC Black Broadway presents Annie with a go-go spin this holiday season. Annie Costia is a lovable foster kid who resides in a Southeast DC orphanage with five of her friends as she searches for her parents. During her search, she accidentally runs into a rich prince, helps save his political career and introduces the lucky man to the Don’t Mute DC Movement. In return, the prince teaches Annie Costia about his own culture during an unforgettable adventure filled with DC’s signature sound, go-go.
Tickets
Lincoln Theatre, 1215 U Street NW, Washington, DC 20009
Saturday
DowntownDC Holiday Skate Spectacular
The DowntownDC Business Improvement District (BID), the National Building Museum and Events DC have arranged to offer a free indoor synthetic ice rink set in the museum’s Great Hall. Be there for special guest appearances, food and lots of fun family activities. Skating is free and skates can be rented for just $5. There will also be special skating sessions for toddlers and young children as well as themed skate nights. Note that the rink will be closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
More Information | Free Admission
National Building Museum, 401 F Street NW, Washington, DC 20001
DowntownDC Holiday Market – Final Weekend
This year's edition of the DowntownDC Holiday Market will occupy the street and sidewalk on F Street between 7th and 9th Streets, NW. Now in its 20th year, its bright lights bring Penn Quarter and Chinatown to life, providing a holiday spark to the neighborhood. The DowntownDC BID has partnered with The Makers Show to revitalize the market. The spacious, open-air village is free and open to the public, opening just ahead of Thanksgiving on Nov. 22 (closed on Thanksgiving Day) and closing for the season on Dec. 23.
12-8 p.m. daily | Free admission
F Street between 7th and 9th Streets NW, Washington, DC
ARTECHOUSE
Tingle Bells: An ASMR-Inspired Holiday Special
Join ARTECHOUSE for a holiday celebration where tradition meets innovation. The warmth of the holidays is reimagined through cutting-edge digital artistry. Let Tingle Bells be your space for reflection, relaxation and the rediscovery of joy. Step into a world of serenity and sensory wonder this holiday season with an immersive digital exhibition designed to soothe your senses and warm your spirit. Use the code 'AEF10' at the link below.
Tickets
ARTECHOUSE, 1238 Maryland Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20002
ZooLights
Join the thousands of visitors who make ZooLights, powered by Pepco, a part of their annual holiday tradition. The event includes live music performances, tasty winter treats and plenty of opportunities for holiday shopping. Environmentally friendly LED lights and dozens of glowing animal lanterns transform the Smithsonian's National Zoo into a winter wonderland. Note that timed passes are required. Admission is just $6.
Hours & Admission
Smithsonian’s National Zoo, 3001 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
All the Devils Are Here: How Shakespeare Invented the Villain
Shakespeare is alive and well in DC this December; this is very much not “the winter of our discontent.” Add a little fright to your experience of the Bard when you catch Grammy winner Patrick Page moving through portrayals of more than a dozen of Shakespeare’s villains in this 90-minute one-man show. Each performance is followed by a talk-back with Patrick Page.
Tickets
Shakespeare Theatre Company, Klein Theatre, 450 7th Street NW, Washington, DC 20004
& Juliet
Fresh takes on much-loved classics are in no short supply this winter. If you want to know what happens in the “happy ending” version of Romeo and Juliet (which doesn’t mean “happily ever after”!), this retelling is not to be missed. Follow Juliet in her new beginning as imagined by the Emmy Award-winning writer from Schitt’s Creek.
Tickets
The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, 2700 F Street NW, Washington, DC 20566
The Second City’s Dance Like There’s Black People Watching – Final Weekend
From the creators of Black Side of the Moon and She the People comes a highly anticipated new production at Woolly Mammoth Theatre. The Second City returns with an exclusive new show created just for Woolly Mammoth filled with rising stars, hilarious songs and sketches and razor-sharp satire, all together in a perfect improv package.
Tickets
Woolly Mammoth Theatre, 641 D Street NW, Washington, DC 20004
Sunday
DC Holiday Market at Dupont Circle – Final Weekend
Make your way to the 1500 block of 19th Street NW for the DC Holiday Market at Dupont Circle, which will feature 30-plus small businesses with artisans, boutique brands, worldwide handcrafts and unique gift items from Nov. 22 to Dec. 23 (closed on Nov. 28). The market (which used to be situated Downtown) brings its signature style, local performers, bright festive décor and popular holiday treats, including Migue’s Mini Donuts and the Capital Candy Jar’s hot roasted nuts. The neighborhood will also host its holiday pop-up on Dec. 7 and 8.
11 a.m. to 8 p.m. | Free Admission
1500 Block of 19th Street NW, Washington, DC
National Museum of African American History and Culture
In Slavery's Wake
The National Museum of African American History and Culture's new exhibit offers a dynamic mix of history, art and media. Visitors can observe connections between Black freedom-makers across time and join in a global conversation on the continued impacts of slavery and colonialism. The multi-lingual experience features 100 objects, 250 images and 10 multi-media interactives and films.
10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily | Reserve Timed Passes
Smithsonian National Museum of African American History & Culture, 1400 Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20560
Death on the Nile
Agatha Christie’s adored Hercule Poirot solves a love triangle/murder mystery at Arena Stage. This adaptation marks Ken Ludwig’s fourth premiere at the venue and Hana Sharif’s DC directorial debut. Get ready for a night of intrigue and action. Select shows on Dec. 11, 12, 18 and 19 include a post-show conversation.
Tickets
Arena Stage, 1101 Sixth Street SW, Washington, DC 20024
Leopoldstadt
Shakespeare Theatre Company’s Harman Hall stages Tom Stoppard’s Tony and Olivier Award-winning play with direction from Carey Perloff. Leopoldstadt unfolds over nearly 60 years, following a Jewish family through their assimilation into Viennese culture, the outbreak of two World Wars and the devastating aftermath of the Holocaust.
Tickets
Harman Hall, 610 F Street NW, Washington, DC 20004
Life of Pi
Based on Yann Martel’s beloved novel, this Tony- and Olivier-Award-winning play will leave you exhilarated. Shipwrecked in the Pacific Ocean, 16-year-old Pi must survive on a lifeboat with four hungry animal companions, Royal Bengal tiger included. A singular story of hope and perseverance, the stage adaptation uses world-class puppetry and stunning visuals.
Tickets
The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, 2700 F Street NW, Washington, DC 20566
Places to Stay
Need some inspiration for a place to stay in between events? Washington, DC is filled with a multitude of hotels to fit your needs. Whether you are looking for that specialty boutique hotel or booking at your favorite hotel brand, Washington, DC's booking engine has it all. Find your stay today!
Do you know where you’ll be dining pre- or post-event? From pop-up restaurants to award-winning hot spots to laid-back food halls, our DC food guide is perfect for helping you plan a more memorable experience.
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