This week will be one of the busiest weeks for things to do in D.C. and its surrounding area! With Thanksgiving right behind us, the holidays approaching quickly, and Winter weather starting to really hit us, this week is full of fun things to get you out of the house and can guarantee you a good time!
1. Check out the “Season’s Greenings” holiday display at the U.S. Botanic Garden
The U.S. Botanic Garden’s “Season’s Greenings” display is back again this year and you will be able to visit it until it closes for the season on January 1st, 2024. The display blends nature and art in a beautiful way, taking recycled plant parts and using them to recreate some of D.C.’s most iconic monuments and buildings!
In addition to the incredibly iconic plant-based sculptures, there is also a G-gauge model train display that circulates the exhibit throughout the day between 10 am and 5 pm. While you definitely can’t miss this if you’re a plant person or a fan of trains, this is still an experience that everyone in D.C. should take in at least once!
Location: 100 Maryland Avenue SW
2. See Dave Chappelle perform live at Capital One Arena
An icon of comedy, Dave Chappelle’s live performances are a rare event that doesn’t come to town very often. If you are a comedy fan who enjoys the edgier side of this art form, then this may be a show you don’t want to miss.
Location: 601 F Street NW
3. Check out the Museum of Failure before it leaves D.C.
The Museum of Failure is one of our favorite museum experiences in the D.C. area at the moment, but it’s not going to be around for much longer! This unique exhibit is filled with some of the most eyebrow-raising and belly-laugh-inducing products that have failed or flopped in the past, which we think can serve as a rather unique source of inspiration.
The Museum of Failure is leaving D.C. after December 10th, so be sure to check it out before it’s too late.
Location: Georgetown Park, 3270 M Street NW
4.Pull together your most elegant all-white outfit for the Winter Wonderland Ball
The Winter Wonderland Ball in Bowie, MD lets you have a blast and party like royalty for a good cause this weekend as you get to participate in a children’s toy drive for charity. The iconic winter-themed party for charity is complete with an open bar, live DJ, and roaming photographers to be sure you get the full VIP experience.
Location: M Lounge Events, Bowie, MD
5. Get in the spirit of the holidays by enjoying the National Harbor’s waterfront festivities.
If you haven’t gone already, National Harbor offers an incredible amount of festive fun less than an hour away from the D.C. city center. From the nightly tree lighting show complete with a theme song recorded by the United States Air Force Band to the fireworks going off every Saturday until December 30th at 5:30 pm, this is definitely this harbor is the place to be for the holiday season.
Additionally, right in the same area is ICE! at Gaylord National Resort, giving you the opportunity to walk through over 2 million pounds of carved ice fashioned into iconic holiday scenes.
Location: 165 Waterfront Street, National Harbor, MD
6. Check out the D.C.’s Downtown Holiday Market
Even the Grinch himself would have a good time at D.C.’s Downtown Holiday Market! This market is open from 12 pm to 8 pm every day on F Street NW, from 7th to 9th Streets NW. Whether you just want to go for a walk or feel like knocking some holiday shopping off of your to-do list, this is definitely something you should do this week if you haven’t already.
Location: F Street NW, from 7th to 9th Streets NW
7. Take a cooking class and learn how to make homemade empanadas like a pro
Looking for something unique to do with your friends or maybe want to make a memorable date night with your significant other? Why not make it a fun evening with this cooking class by learning how to make handmade Argentine-style empanadas? The class includes all the resources you need so you don’t have to bring anything but a good attitude and an appetite!
Location: Galería at La Cosecha, Washington D.C.
8. Enjoy an afternoon tea at Kingbird in The Watergate Hotel
With the Winter weather rolling in and a forecast for the season that’s predicted some rather significant snowfall, there’s something special about taking the time to enjoy a proper afternoon tea service. At the Watergate Hotel’s Kingbird, you can enjoy bottomless tea with their classic tea service spares no detail when making you feel like royalty.
Location: 2650 Virginia Ave NW
9. Experience a unique holiday light show at LuminoCity Winter Light Festival
Officially here for the season, the LuminoCity Winter Light Festival is about an hour from D.C. but definitely worth the trip! The town of Gaithersburg, MD is a beautiful spot to spend an evening and this seasonal light festival is such an incredible way to get into the holiday spirit.
Location: Montgomery County Fair: 501 Perry Parkway, Gaithersburg, MD 20877
10. Witness the 101st annual National Christmas Tree lighting ceremony
This Thursday, November 30th, is going to be the 101st annual lighting ceremony of the National Christmas Tree at the Ellipse in President’s Park. For the first annual event since the tree-lighting tradition eclipsed the century mark, the National Park Service and National Park Foundation have ensured that this year’s ceremony is going to be a can’t-miss! The ceremony will be hosted by Mickey Guyton and will feature a long list of performers that are sure to make this a memorable event.
However, if you can’t make it, don’t fret, a full recording of the tree-lighting ceremony will be broadcast on TV on CBS on December 15th.
Location: The Ellipse in President’s Park