Weekend Roundup, Nov. 30 – Dec. 3
By • November 30, 2023 0 793
Are you ready for a wonderful weekend full of festive fun? So many options: if you want to get out and celebrate the season, including holiday shows with The Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington, The Four Seasons Light Up the Season, holiday markets with the National Museum of the American Indian and more. Also, don’t miss Georgetown’s premier holiday light-show festival, Georgetown Glow, beginning Saturday evening.
Georgetown Glow Begins
Don’t miss the big kickoff to the community’s annual holiday light exhibit. December 1 through January 7 from 5-10 p.m., enjoy national and international artists and their commissioned works all on display at outdoor locations throughout Georgetown. Also, don’t miss Glow Winter Chalet Shops, beginning every weekend starting Dec. 1. They’ll feature Howell’s Standard, Donna Faye’s Bakery and Mane Rhodes Soaps & Wellness. More information on Georgetown Glow can be found here.
Light Up Your Weekend with D.C. Holiday Lights
The District’s Main Streets and commercial hubs are in the midst of hosting “D.C. Holiday Lights.” Between now and Jan. 7, visit local neighborhoods to see twinkling lights and colorful decorations. You can cast your vote on who you think has the best decorations too. More information on D.C. Holiday Lights can be found here.
The District Holiday Boat Parade Sets Sail Saturday
Kick off the holidays season with the annual (and free!) event at The Wharf. Over 60 decorated boats will be paraded through The Washington Channel and on land, don’t miss activities for the whole family (holiday karaoke anyone?) At the end of the night, there will be fireworks too! More information can be found here.
See the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington’s Holiday Show
Beginning Saturday at Lincoln Theatre (with additional performances December 9 and 10) the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington’s holiday show takes the stage. Expect lots of sparkles, reindeer antlers, and appearances from the full chorus, soloists, ensembles and the GenOUT Youth Chorus. More information on how to get tickets can be found here.
From a previous GMCW Holiday Show. Courtesy Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington.
The Whitman-Walker Walk to End HIV is Saturday
From a previous Whitman-Walker Walk to End HIV. Courtesy Whitman Walker.
The 37th Annual Walk to End HIV is Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon at Anacostia Park. The event is one of the biggest HIV awareness events in the country, bringing out around 3,000 participants to the D.C. area. The walk begins at the Anacostia Park Roller Skating Pavilion and runs along the Anacostia Riverwalk Trail and eventually passes the John Philip Sousa Bridge and the 11th Street Bridge. More information on how to register can be found here.
Visit National Landing Lodge
From December 1-3, National Landing BID is introducing “The Lodge,” a ski-themed holiday festival. Head to Met Park for activities and food from National Landing’s businesses. The event is family-friendly, with “Bunny Hill,” a place for children to get glitter tattoos and face painting as well as train rides. Bring your pup too — the Blue Run has a must-visit dog bone bar and a pet caricaturist will be on hand. More information on the event can be found here.
National Landing mugs, perfect for sipping hot cocoa. Courtesy National Landing BID.
Visit the Four Seasons Hotel for a Teddy Bear Tea
The first Teddy Bear Tea of the season will be this Saturday (additional dates include the 9, 16, and 23) at noon. Enjoy classic teatime fare such as mini sandwiches, scones and petit fours, but don’t miss a room devoted entirely to desserts — there will also be cotton candy, holiday sweets and cakes. Musical entertainment will be on hand to delight children. A percentage of proceeds goes to Children’s National as part of the Seventh Annual Light Up the Season festival. More information on the tea can be found here.
Enjoy the Teddy Bear Tea at the Four Seasons Hotel. Courtesy Four Seasons.
Check Out ‘Through the African American Lens: Stamped from the Beginning’ with Oscar-Winning Director Roger Ross Williams
Friday at the Oprah Winfrey Theater at the National Museum of African American History and Culture, a screening of Academy Award-winning director Roger Ross Williams’ “Stamped from the Beginning” will take place. After the screening, stick around for a panel discussion with Dr. Kendi, Williams, Mara Brock Akil and more. The panel will also be livestreamed. It’s free, but registration is required. You can register here.
Standing ovation for Roger Ross Williams. Courtesy Roger Ross Williams on Instagram.
Visit Jackson Arts Center for Their Open Studios Event
Jackson Arts Center is hosting one of their biannual Open Studios events on Sunday afternoon. Guests are welcome to come view the studios, chat with the artists and do some shopping for holiday gifts too. More information on the event can be found here.
Painting by Jackson Arts resident artist, Kelly Dinglasan Minton. Courtesy Jackson Arts Center.
Visit the Native Art Market on the National Mall
See goods from 30 award-winning Indigenous artists at the Native Art Market this weekend. Visitors can learn about traditional arts and contemporary Native creativity. Opportunities to buy handcrafted artworks like jewelry, paintings, photography, pottery and sculpture will be available. There will also be a performance by QVLN. More information on the market can be found here.
“Winyan Wánakikśin” (Women Defenders of Others) buffalo horn belt, 2018. Made by Kevin Pourier (Oglala Lakota, b. 1958) and Valerie Pourier (Ogala Lakota, b. 1959). Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, South Dakota. 27/215.
All About Hallmark Movies with Smithsonian Associates
Smithsonian Associates is hosting a hybrid in-person and virtual event December 3. Educator and lecturer Stef Woods will explore why Hallmark Channel holiday movies are such a big business, their predictable, wholesome content (and fairytale formula) and lack of racial, religious and LGBTQ representation. After the lecture, in-person attendees can make their own holiday cards with card making instructor Karen Codogan while nibbling on seasonal treats. More information on how to register can be found here.
Courtesy Hallmark Entertainment/Everett Collection.
‘Tis the Season for Holiday Markets — and The Parks at Walter Reed Doesn’t Disappoint
Head to Marketplace Plaza this weekend for the Parks at Walter Reed’s holiday market. There will be carolers, a new 30-foot tree, crafts for kids, and 20 artisanal and maker vendors from around the region. The Parks are partnering with Housing Up, a local non-profit that helps vulnerable families for a holiday gift drive (participants are welcome to bring an unwrapped gift or make a donation). More information on the event can be found here.
Courtesy the Parks at Walter Reed.
The 39th Annual Night of Trees Gala Comes to the Omni Shoreham
The Night of Trees Gala is a D.C. holiday tradition that raises funds for Special Olympics athletes in the District. This year’s event is at the Omni Shoreham on Calvert St. NW on Saturday from 6 p.m. to midnight. There will be a live auction, tree viewing, cocktails, dinner and dancing. More information on how to get last-minute tickets can be found here.
City Ridge Lights Up Their Tree
If you are looking for a neighborhood tree lighting, City Ridge is hosting their second annual ceremony Saturday from 3 to 8 p.m. Visit the Great Lawn for a holiday market with URBNmarket, a performance from the Children’s Chorus of Washington, seasonal fare and more. More on the event can be found here.
Free Community Day at NMWA Saturday
The National Museum of Women in the Arts is hosting a free community day Sunday where admission is free to the museum. The recently reopened venue has exhibits on view including “The Sky’s the Limit,” “Hung Liu: Making History,” and more. More information on free community days can be found here.
Photo by Jennifer Hughes. Courtesy NMWA.
