Things to Do

DC Cocktail Week, Embassy Receptions, Holiday Boat Parades: Things to Do: 11/29 – 12/5

Plus 10 Pop-Up Markets to Check Out, Art Gallery Openings, and Martha Stewart

 

Happy Post-Holiday-Wow-It’s-Monday? Monday,ย 

And Happy Hanukkah ๐Ÿ•Ž to my fellow Washingtonians!

My name is Jade Womack ๐Ÿ‘ฉ๐Ÿป , and I am so excited to be writing theโœจ Things to Do Newsletter โœจ for Washingtonian. Since 2019, I have been running an events blog called Clockout DC (@clockoutdc), and as a local–I love sharing all the unique and diverse events this area has to offer.ย ย 

This newsletter looks a little different from what youโ€™re used to, but donโ€™t worry! Each week youโ€™ll still get two event-packed newsletters, one with all the events of this upcoming week (aka this newsletter below that *includes* weekend events) and another newsletter about โ€˜Last Minute Weekend Ideasโ€™ (aka I need some quick plans! ๐Ÿค  ).ย ย 

So, what should you do Nov. 29 – Dec. 5.?

For your convenience, this newsletter includes emojis to help you during these unprecedented times:ย 

  • The ๐Ÿ›‹ indicates an event is happening in-person inside.
  • The ๐ŸŒฒ indicates an event is happening in-person outside.ย 
  • The ๐Ÿ’ป indicates an event is happening virtually.ย 
  • And lastly, the ๐Ÿ†“ indicates an event is free.ย 

top picks of the weekย 

  1. Make the Gin Rickey Proud.๐Ÿธย  This week is the annual DC Cocktail Week which means all around the city are cocktail + bites specials. [My ๐Ÿ‘€ s are on this Baijiu cocktail + fried chicken sandwich one tonight at Queen’s English (Mon, ๐Ÿ†“ entry, ๐Ÿ›‹, Park View)]. BUT there are also a plethora of cocktail classes. For example, thereโ€™s a Holiday Cocktail Masterclass (Tues, $50, ๐Ÿ›‹, Logan Circle) and a Bourbon Whiskey Cocktail Class (Sun, $60, ๐Ÿ›‹, Arlington).ย 
  2. Bring a Can of Food to ‘The Giving Tree.’ ๐Ÿฅซ Every year the National Building Museum has their CANstruction event to benefit the Capital Area Food Bank. Vote for your favorite childrenโ€™s book-inspired construction with a canned food donation (Mon, ๐Ÿ†“ , ๐Ÿ›‹, Penn Quarter). You can also volunteer at the Capital Area Food Bank with Sixth and I on Thursday.ย 
  3. Emerging Female Filmmakers + Embassy Receptions. ๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ท๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡พ The GALA Hispanic Theatre is showing six films ย as part of their ‘Latin American Innovation’ film festival (Wed-Sun, $10 each, ๐Ÿ›‹, Columbia Heights) Go to the showing of ALELร (Thurs, $10, ๐Ÿ›‹, Columbia Heights) and attend a reception courtesy of the Embassy of Uruguay and the Embassy of Argentina.
  4. Chainsaws, Ice Picks, and other tools. ๐ŸงŠ Watch a live ice sculpting demonstration at the Bethesda Winter Wonderland (Sat, ๐Ÿ†“ย  entry, ๐ŸŒฒ, Bethesda).
  5. Mental Health & The Holidays. ๐Ÿง  Before the self-described โ€˜art/retail/gathering spaceโ€ the Twelve closes at the end of the year, join mental health support specialist Ahyana King (Thurs, ๐Ÿ†“ , ๐Ÿ›‹, Union Market)ย  on how to navigate the holiday season.
  6. Over 60 Boats Decorated with Lights. ๐Ÿ›ฅ The Wharf gives us many traditions, like the Weiner 500, but this one has fireworks (Sat, ๐Ÿ†“ , ๐ŸŒฒ, The Wharf). Or see another boat parade at ย Old Town Alexandria (Sat, ๐Ÿ†“ , ๐ŸŒฒ, Alexandria).
  7. Shop in Your Pajamas this Weekend! ๐Ÿ› Get your seasonal shopping done at various holiday pop-up markets in Dupont (Sat, ๐Ÿ†“ย  entry, ๐ŸŒฒ, Dupont), the Dupont Underground (Sat, ๐Ÿ†“ย  entry, ๐Ÿ›‹, Dupont), Silver Spring (Sun, ๐Ÿ†“ย  entry, ๐ŸŒฒ, Silver Spring), Washington and Liberty High School (Sat, ๐Ÿ†“ย  entry,๐ŸŒฒ, Arlington) the Old Town Manassas Christmas Fair (Sat, ๐Ÿ†“ entry, ๐ŸŒฒ, Manassas), or Park View (Sat, ๐Ÿ†“ย  entry, ๐Ÿ›‹, Park View). There is also an Outdoor Hanukkah Bazaar (Thurs & Sun, ๐Ÿ†“ย  entry, ๐ŸŒฒ, Cleveland Park) and the Mosaic Holiday Village (Sat-Sun, ๐Ÿ†“ย  entry, ๐ŸŒฒ, Mosaic District). This year, the Heurich Christkindlmarkt is back in person (Fri-Sun, $10 general admission if purchased in advance, ๐ŸŒฒ, Dupont). Wear your pajamas (but isn’t that our regular post-2020 attire?) at Pajamarama (Sun, ๐Ÿ†“ย  entry, ๐Ÿ›‹/๐ŸŒฒ, Takoma). Remember the ongoing Tenley Winterfest and the Downtown Holiday Market.

everything else this weekย 

  • Peace, Love, & Light ๐Ÿ•ŽFor those celebrating Hanukkah there are a variety of events happening.ย 
  • The Traffic Will Be Terrible, But LL Cool J will Be There. ๐ŸŽ„ I volunteered with the National Park Service this past Saturday to decorate the state and territory trees in front of the White House. The trees be โ€œofficially litโ€ (Tues, ๐Ÿ†“ , ๐ŸŒฒ, National Mall) (note: it’s not open to the public), andย CBS will broadcast the 2021 ceremony on Sunday. BUT I suggest going in-person some other time because the Presidentโ€™s Park closes around 10 or 11pm most days and is quite magical.ย 
  • Date Night Ideas For “The Best City for Dating.” ๐Ÿ’˜ Play some board games, but boozy (Sun, ๐Ÿ›‹, $10 cover, Capitol Hill). Get yourself some warm glow, and volunteer to clean up trash (Sun, ๐Ÿ†“ , ๐ŸŒฒ, Shaw). Maybe Madonna can give some wisdom at Black Cat’s ย 80โ€™s Holiday Extravaganza(Fri, $15, ๐Ÿ›‹, 14th St.). If youโ€™re missing Zoolights consider this Friday Night Lights Light Show (Fri, ๐Ÿ†“ , ๐ŸŒฒ, Union Market) or Light Yards (starts Wed, ๐Ÿ†“ , ๐ŸŒฒ, Navy Yard). I triple dog dare you to watch A Christmas Story (Fri & Sun, $8 for adults, ๐Ÿ›‹, Capitol Hill). Go ice skating too?
  • Everyone Likes Local Art. ๐Ÿ–ผ Stop by the closing of the HELLO! Pop-up exhibit (Sat, ๐Ÿ†“ , ๐Ÿ›‹, Georgetown) which showcases ten DC-based artists. Watch a camera demonstration by Joanne McKone (Fri, ๐Ÿ†“ , ๐Ÿ›‹, Rockville). Or attend the opening of the exhibit, โ€œThe Edge of the End of Everythingโ€ (Fri, ๐Ÿ†“ , ๐Ÿ›‹, Petworth) featuring the work of Zsudayka Nzinga. Thereโ€™s also the opening exhibit of โ€œThe Vanishing Halfโ€ (Fri, ๐Ÿ†“ , ๐Ÿ›‹, Adams Morgan) curated by four Asian American artists.
  • Embassy Events are Back. ๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ Listen to Music from Spain (Tues, ๐Ÿ†“ , ๐Ÿ›‹, Columbia Heights) or watch the film Adolescentes (Mon, ๐Ÿ†“ , ๐Ÿ›‹, Glover Park).
  • Ornaments, Wreaths, and Beaded Christmas Spiders? ๐Ÿ•ท๐ŸŽ Thereโ€™s a class on how to make a beaded Christmas spider (Thurs, ๐Ÿ†“ , ๐Ÿ›‹, Georgetown)— I have never heard of this before but I am now intrigued! Is the future of holidays–fusion? Is this ‘Nightmare Before Christmas’ but IRL? (If you go, do report back). Or instead, make ย felted poinsettia ornaments (Sun, $55, ๐Ÿ›‹, Georgetown), modern holiday hoop wreaths (Thurs, $85, ๐Ÿ›‹, Georgetown), and a holiday wreath building (Wed, ๐Ÿ›‹, $60, ๐Ÿ›‹, Union Market). Or do some general holiday crafting (Sat, ๐Ÿ›‹, $25, Alexandria) or practice your holiday hand lettering (Thurs, $45, ๐Ÿ›‹, Takoma).
  • โ€œVibrations. Powerzones. Blocks.โ€ ๐Ÿ“š What makes the language of a cult? (Wed, ๐Ÿ†“ , ๐Ÿ’ป).ย 
  • Drink Wassail! Go back to the Federal period and try a historic holiday punch (see: wassail!) (Fri, $22, ๐Ÿ›‹, Georgetown). Or if you prefer the Victorian era instead, visit the Lee-Fendall house for a candlelight tour (Sat, $10 adult, ๐Ÿ›‹, Alexandria).ย 
  • ย Sample from over 50 local restaurants. Join Martha Stewart, Carla Hall, and the foodie community at MetroCooking DC (Sat-Sun, $21.50 general admission, ๐Ÿ›‹, DC Convention Center). There are a variety of cooking classes and workshops from holiday cupcake decorating ($60) to scratch pasta making ($80). You can also spend your time at an unlimited beer garden ($52) or watch cooking demo’s from local chefs such as Kevin Tien, Danny Lee, or Erik Bruner-Yan.
  • For Those with Little Ones. ๐Ÿงธ Join a family-friendly story hour about The Ninth Night of Hanukkah (Sat, ย ๐Ÿ†“ , ๐Ÿ›‹, Edgewood), an outdoor showing of the Polar Express (Sat, ๐Ÿ†“, ๐ŸŒฒ, Rockville), and a Nutcracker Family Celebration (Sat, ๐Ÿ†“ , ๐Ÿ’ป). The White House Historical Association is having a Childrenโ€™s Book Festival (Fri, ๐Ÿ†“ entry, ๐Ÿ›‹, Downtown). The African American History and Culture Museum will be discussing winter celebrations (Fri, ๐Ÿ†“ ,๐Ÿ’ป) and demo-ing a holiday-hug craft. Smithsonian also has this โ€˜Winter at Homeโ€™ 40-page activity guide which may interest you. And for those looking to โ€œmeet new mom friends,โ€ย  the โ€˜DC Area Momsโ€™ group is meeting for a wreath-making workshop (Sun, $55, ๐Ÿ›‹,ย  Bethesda).ย 
  • A Non-Alcoholic Partyโ€ฆin DC?! ๐Ÿฅณ Enjoy this booze-free holiday party (Fri, $85, ๐Ÿ›‹, Cleveland Park). For those looking for more sober options, consider stopping by Disco Mary.
  • Before Music was Made Solely for TikTok Dances. ๐ŸŽง As a millennial, I feel the need to share thereโ€™s a 2000s Hip-Hop dance party (Fri, ๐Ÿ†“ , ๐Ÿ›‹, Union Market). ย 
  • In case you are still looking for a New Yearsโ€™ Eve Kiss. ๐Ÿ’‹ Thereโ€™s speed dating (Wed, $20, ๐ŸŒฒ with ๐Ÿ›‹ after-party, Ballston).ย 
  • Santa, but for your Pandemic Puppy. ๐Ÿฆฎ๐ŸŽ… My pitbull rescue and I will be meeting Santa (Sat, $30, ๐ŸŒฒ, Union Market). Check this list for places humans can meet Santa.
  • For Book Lovers. Thereโ€™s a Winter Holiday Party (Thurs, ๐Ÿ†“, ย ๐Ÿ›‹, Capitol View) and a many used book sales in the area: thereโ€™s one in Cleveland Park (Sat, ๐Ÿ†“ entry, ย ๐Ÿ›‹), one in Springfield (Thurs-Sun, ๐Ÿ†“ entry , ย ๐Ÿ›‹), one in Falls Church (Fri, ๐Ÿ†“ entry , ย ๐Ÿ›‹), one in Reston (Thurs, ๐Ÿ†“ entry , ย ๐Ÿ›‹).ย 
  • The D.C. โ€œSmall Talkโ€ Section. ๐Ÿ› Learn about the past and future of abortion (Mon, $12, ๐Ÿ›‹, Dupont Circle), the corruption in America (Mon, ๐Ÿ†“ , ๐Ÿ’ป), or an overview of the Gaza Conflict of 2021 (Tues, ๐Ÿ†“ , ๐Ÿ’ป).ย 
  • The Fifty-First State. ๐Ÿ  Discover the contemporary music scene in D.C. (Mon, $25, ๐Ÿ’ป, D.C.) or take a guided Tour of the Historic St. Annโ€™s Church (Sat, ๐Ÿ†“ , ๐Ÿ›‹, Tenleytown). Or order a scavenger hunt box and explore the cityโ€™s pressing food issues facing D.C. through the eyes of Carla Hall.
  • It’s like traveling, but with wine ๐Ÿท Thereโ€™s a class on the wines of Tuscany (Wed, ๐Ÿ›‹, $45, Capitol Hill). Besides the cocktail classes related to DC Cocktail Week, thereโ€™s a class on making non-alcoholic holiday drinks (Wed, $80, ๐Ÿ›‹, Shaw).
  • Prioritizing Indigenous Communities. โญ๏ธ How can museums prioritizing these voices in curating exhibits? (Fri, ๐Ÿ†“ , ๐Ÿ’ป).
  • Battle of the Britneys.๐Ÿณ๏ธโ€๐ŸŒˆ Join Red Bear Brewing for a drag competition (Fri, ๐Ÿ†“ , ๐Ÿ›‹) to find the best Britney! The winner of the competition will win a ticket to the new Spears musical.
  • Make Gifts for Others or For Yourself. ๐ŸŽ Learn how to make a lavender eye pillow (Wed, ๐Ÿ†“ , ๐Ÿ’ป) or a screen print poster (Sun, $60, ๐ŸŒฒ, Union Market).ย 
  • Meditating, Tarot, Self-Care.๐Ÿ”ฎ Join a groovy movement meditation (Sat, ๐Ÿ†“ , ๐Ÿ›‹, Shaw) or uncover journaling, crystals, and tarot (Tues, $38, ๐Ÿ›‹, Cleveland Park).
  • A Tribute to Chadwick Boseman.โœจ Take a trip to Wakanda (Mon, ๐Ÿ†“ , ๐Ÿ›‹, Penn Quarter).
  • Progress is impeded by persistent discrimination. โœŠ End the stigma (Wed, ๐Ÿ†“ , ๐Ÿ’ป) this year on World AIDS Day.ย 

Thanks for reading and let me know what you think of this newsletter!ย 

Your Neighbor,

Jade (@clockoutdc)

Jade Womack is an energy economist by day, and an events blogger by night. She started her blog, Clockout DC, when she was moonlighting as a bartender in 2019. She grew up in Arlington, and currently lives in Adams Morgan with her dog.