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Oh, Christmas tree… Oh, tumbling National Christmas Tree! How we hope you’re not a metaphor for our holiday season. ICYMI: The National Tree fell over on Tuesday. You saw that, right?
However, like something out of a Hallmark movie, the tree was lifted back up that night. The National Park Service said the show must go on for Thursday evening’s tree lighting ceremony, and it did.
The tree opened to the public Saturday, but locals know to wait out the initial rush. We’ll share pro tips next week in The Weekend Scene newsletter.
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Heads up, Metro riders: Board those gingerbread-wrapped trains and buses now. Metro says it will temporarily shut down Red Line service at three downtown stations in from mid- to late December – yep, in the middle of the holiday market, ice skating and Caps season.
The National Landing Lodge
📅 Fri. to Sun.
📍 Arlington, Virginia
💲 Free
🔗 Details
Metropolitan Park is not only hosting a local artist market, but a whole ski-themed holiday festival with axe throwing, pet caricatures, a s’mores hut and spiked hot chocolate at The National Landing Lodge. There will be glitter tattoos, train rides and Santa for kids, too.
Sparkle Mart: Juried Art and Craft Fair
📅 Sat. and Sun.
📍 Greenbelt Community Center (Greenbelt Community Center, 15 Crescent Road, Greenbelt, Maryland)
💲 Free entry
🔗 Details
Nearly 80 local artists and artisans will offer handmade gifts, including clothes, toys, prints, housewares and even seasonings.
On Saturday, the market will be open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Go early for the youth craft sale (10 a.m. to noon) and a Santa visit, or 1-3 p.m. for live music from Seth Kibel and Friends. Shoppers can also enter a free drawing for a chance to win $50 in Art Bucks to spend on Sunday.
Sunday’s hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and the Greenbelt Farmers Market will be outside until 2 p.m.
Shop the Red Line
Bop between many markets with holiday party vibes all along the Red Line, to the Downtown Holiday Market and beyond.
- Explore pop-ups in Dupont Circle, Cleveland Park, Van Ness and Tenley's WinterFest on Saturday, plus the two-day URBNmarket and tree lighting festivities at City Ridge, a 15-minute walk from Tenleytown.
- Dupont will be bustling with the Ven at Embassy Row’s market featuring photos with Santa (Sat., noon to 5 p.m.) and the German-style Heurich House Chriskindlmarkt (Fri. to Sun., $12 for adults).
- Hop off at Judiciary Square to shop Indigenous artists from the western hemisphere at the National Museum of the American Indian’s Native Art Market (Sat. and Sun.).
- The Holiday Market at The Parks (Sat., 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.) is a 15-minute walk from the Takoma Park station.
- Swing by Silver Spring’s Christmas Market with more than 80 vendors (Sun., noon to 4 p.m., Veterans Plaza).
Georgetown Glow
📅 Began Fri.
💲 Free
🔗 Details
Georgetown Glow has returned for its ninth season through the first week of 2024. Beautiful art pieces will be lit outside for you to enjoy at five main areas below M Street. They even have a handy map.
Local artists make up a large portion of the displays, but Georgetown Glow also attracts international offerings.
If you’re down to spend a few bucks, pair the free experience with walking tours, a cookie tour on Dec. 9 and other special events.
The light and the crisp night air will make for social pics that pop.
Santa Fly-in
📅 Sat., 10 a.m.
📍 College Park Aviation Museum in College Park, Maryland
💲 $5
🔗 Details
The only thing better than meeting Santa to share Christmas wishes is to watch the big man himself fly in from the skies.
Santa is set to arrive at the College Park Aviation Museum via the magic of air travel between 10 and 10:15 a.m. After that, little ones can enjoy crafts and activities while waiting to take a photo with Santa (If you want a photo, make sure to schedule a timeslot by emailing collegeparkaviation@pgparks.com).
Festivities are scheduled to continue until 4 p.m.
Alexandria Scottish Christmas Walk Parade
📅 Sat., 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
📍 Old Town
💲 Free
🔗 Details
It’s Alexandria’s Biggest Holiday Weekend (we’re spilling details on the Holiday Boat Parade below!) and this tradition ages like good cheese.
Both Scottish dogs and Scottish clans dressed in tartans will parade through Old Town with pipe and drum bands. Here’s a map of the parade route.
Now in its 52nd year, the parade celebrates the merchants of Scottish heritage who founded Alexandria and city’s namesake family.
Holiday Boat Parade
📅 Sat.
📍 Old Town Alexandria and The Wharf
💲 Free
🔗 Details for Alexandria and The Wharf
The Potomac River and Washington Channel are getting lit!
Dozens of boats competing to win prizes for their décor will journey from Alexandria to The Wharf on Saturday evening. Whatever floats your boat, this big party on both sides of the water is sure to have something for you.
The parade begins along the Old Town Alexandria Waterfront about 5:30 p.m., traveling from Waterfront Park to Ford’s Landing Park near the Woodrow Wilson Bridge. Visit Alexandria has pro tips on viewing locations.
Boats are set to arrive in the Wharf about 7 p.m., and Tommy McFly will emcee the parade! Scope out your viewing spot using this map.
A fireworks salute at 8 p.m. and two stages with live music from 6-9 p.m. round out the night on the Southwest Waterfront.
Both locations have tons of pre-parade fun planned, including beverage gardens and kid-friendly activities.
- Dockside Festivities at Alexandria’s Waterfront Park run 1-8 p.m., and the Canal Center Holiday Art Mart will be open 3-9 p.m.
- The Wharf kicks things off at 6 p.m. with activities including ornament decorating, karaoke and Jack Daniel’s sampling.
If you want to be extra, CityCruises has a on-the-water watch party starting at $60.
College Park Winter Wonderland Holiday Market and Tree Lighting
📅 Sat., Dec. 2, 4-8 p.m.
📍 Plaza at City Hall, College Park, Maryland
💲 Free
🔗 Details
While you’re not browsing Made in Maryland vendors, explore the festival including live music, carolers, arts and crafts and a petting zoo.
The festival leads up to an appearance by Santa at 5 p.m. before the holiday tree lighting ceremony at 7:30 p.m.
Food and drink vendors will be on hand to fuel your holiday outing.
Cocktail Week
📅 Through Tues.
📍 100+ restaurants and bars
💲 Deals about $10-$22
🔗 Details
It’s Cocktail Week, as declared by… cocktail creators. Cheers!
There are pairings of bites and beverages all around the area.
For example, Makers Union, Hen Quarter, Milk & Honey and The Delegate let you choose between four festive cocktails (pictured above), plus an appetizer for $20.
Many favorites like Service Bar, Taqueria Xochi, Mozzeria and more are hosting special events along with deals.
The D.C. area’s restaurant association encourages folks to belly up responsibly for some holiday cheer.
Concerts this weekend
Velocity Girl, 8 p.m. Friday, Black Cat, $25 (advance)/$30 (day of)
Originating at the University of Maryland in the late 1980s, Velocity Girl put out three LPs of noisy-but-dreamy indie rock in the 1990s. They recently reunited after more than 20 years to the Black Cat’s 30th anniversary party, and lucky for D.C. they aren’t done yet. Tuscadero, another classic D.C. indie rock band from the ‘90s, opens. Details.
Deafheaven, 8 p.m. Saturday, Howard Theatre, $39.50-$65
Post-metal band that perfected a blend of black metal and shoegaze is touring for the 10th anniversary of the stunning “Sunbather” LP. Details.
Jon Spencer, 7 p.m. Sunday, Fillmore, $29.50
The legendary punk behind Pussy Galore, the Blues Explosion, Heavy Trash and the Hitmakers opens this show for the union of acclaimed modern blues rockers Samantha Fish and Jesse Dayton, whose recent first collaboration Spencer produced. Details.
New Wet Kojak, 5:30 p.m. Sunday, Black Cat, $25
More ‘90s indie rock revival at the Cat this weekend. The post-hardcore offshoot of Girls Against Boys is playing its first shows in more than 20 years. Details.
List: More things to do in D.C.
World Aids Day Cabaret celebrating Elizabeth Taylor
Fri., 7 p.m., The Corner in Northwest D.C., $50 (includes a cocktail)
Piñata Making Workshop with a Twist
Sat., 1 p.m., 670 Rhode Island Ave NE, $35-$40
FYI: Bilingual English and Spanish
🍸 HdF presents: Kevin Aviance
Sat., Republiq Hall in Northeast, $25+
Winter Festival at the National Arboretum
Sat., 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., The National Arboretum's New York Avenue parking lot, free
Sidewalk Engineering: Take it Apart!
Sun., 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Adams Morgan, free
List: More things to do in Maryland
🎄 Chevy Chase Lake tree lighting
Thurs., 5:30-8 p.m., Chevy Chase Lake Terrace, free
Washington D.C. Temple Festival of Lights
Opens Thurs., 9900 Stoneybrook Dr, Kensington, Maryland, free
Deco the Halls - Greenbelt Museum Evening Open House
Fri., Greenbelt Museum, free (all ages welcome)
Bethesda Winter Wonderland
Sat., 1-4 p.m., free
“The Nutcracker” with The National Ballet Company
Sat., 8 p.m., Prince George's Publick Playhouse in Hyattsville, $20-$25
DC South Asian Film Festival
Fri. to Sun., various venues, screenings $15, passes $25-$60
Merriweather District Holiday Market
Fri. to Sun., Color Burst Park in Columbia, free
List: More things to do in Virginia
💡 Neabsco Boardwalk Holiday Walk of Lights
Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays through Dec. 17, plus Dec. 12 and Dec. 20-23, Woodbridge, free
McLean Holiday Art & Crafts Festival
Fri. to Sun., McLean Community Center, $5; free for children under 12
Fairfax City Holiday Market
Fri. to Sun., plus next weekend, Old Town Square, free
Leesburg's Holiday Tree Lighting
Sat., 6-7 p.m., Town Green on Market Street, free
Tea with Santa at Hank's Oyster Bar Old Town
Sundays through 12/17, plus 12/23, $65 per person
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