Goodbye 2023, and hello 2024! As we enter the new year, it’s time to make new goals, see new places, and try new things. Thankfully, Washington, D.C., is the perfect city for doing all of the above! So we’ve rounded up the best happenings and experiences occurring this January so you can set your resolutions into motion, indulge in some fun, and kick your new year off right!
1. Catch a concert at your favorite local venue
- The Anthem: Oliver Tree (Jan. 24), Grace Potter (Jan. 27)
- 9:30 Club: The Floozies (Jan. 12), Magic City Hippies (Jan. 14), Briston Maroney (Jan. 26 & 27).
- Echostage: Nora En Pure (Jan. 6), ARMNHMR (Jan. 12), Loud Luxury (Jan. 19 & 20), Diesel AKA Shaq (Jan 27)
2. Step into history at Titanic The Exhibition
A unique interactive and educational experience, Titanic The Exhibition enables its visitors to learn about the “unsinkable” ship in a way they never have before, with personal items and stories of actual passengers and crew that were on board the ship that fateful day, and of course, a handful of fully recreated interior settings of the ship!
3. Experience legendary art in 3D at Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience
Available to visit through January, this is one of the most unique experiences that art lovers in D.C. need to experience before it ends. The immersive experience takes you through a 360-degree digital show that recreates eight of the most iconic paintings from legendary Dutch painter, Vincent Van Gogh, in a way that lets you walk directly into each masterpiece!
4. Delight at the sights of this Winter Lantern Festival
The popular Winter Lantern Festival is bringing its stunning display to the DMV, setting it aglow in a sight that’s not like any other! After dazzling New York City with 150,000 annual guests, 3 years in a row, the Winter Lantern Festival is now in the DMV.
Location: 8025 Galleria Drive, Tysons, VA 22102
5. Stimulate your sense at Dopamine Land
Step into a multi-sensory immersive experience that combines media, technology, and play all into one place to create a memorable occasion perfect for a time with friends, family, date night, or any other occasion you can think of honestly!
Location: 5333 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, DC 20015
6. Indulge in local cuisine at D.C.’s Winter Restaurant Week
What’s better than dining at some of D.C.’s best restaurants for hard-to-beat prices—lunch and brunch at $25 per person and dinners ranging from $40-$55 per person—offering you the chance to dine in (or out) from Jan. 15-21!
7. Stimulate your senses by dining in the dark
Looking for an exciting surprise? What’s more exciting than a blindfolded dinner? Dining in the Dark allows you to pick a surprise three-course meal based on your dietary preferences (green for vegan, blue for seafood, or red for meat) that will stimulate your senses!
8. Illuminate the night with Georgetown GLOW
For the Ninth year, Georgetown will alight with the holiday spirit thanks to Georgetown GLOW. Open until Jan. 7, the beloved D.C. neighborhood will be illuminated with stunning light art installations!
9. Relax to the sounds of classical music by candlelight
The Fever Originals Candlelight series is the perfect way to unwind. You can lose yourself in classical renditions of your favorite tunes amid soft candlelight. With multiple genres and musical themes to choose from, there’s bound to be a concert that’s perfect for you!
- Candlelight: A Tribute to Beyoncé
- Candlelight: Legends of R&B
- Candlelight: A Tribute to Taylor Swift
10. Hit the ice at one of these magnificent skating rinks
The weather is getting colder, winter is upon us, and what better way to take it all in than with a favorite winter pastime: ice skating! Luckily, there are a number of easily accessible ice rinks around Washington, D.C., and the surrounding area. Check out some of our favorite ice rinks below, and you can find the full list here:
- National Gallery and Sculpture Garden Rink
- Washington Harbour Ice Rink
- The Wharf Ice Rink
11. Walk amongst the prehistoric at Dinos Alive: An Immersive Experience
Have you ever wished you could interact with dinosaurs or maybe your kids just can’t get enough of them? Well, now is your chance to see them “alive”! This exhibit features 80 prehistoric specimens and even a virtual aquarium so you can interact with these magnificent creatures from millions of years ago.
12. Cozy up inside one of the Watergate Hotel’s charming igloos
Cocktails, cozy blankets, and igloos? Yes, please! Winter and cozy season are upon us, and it’s the perfect time to enjoy the many awesome winter setups the city has to offer, including the Watergate Hotel’s enchanting igloos!
13. Experience Shakespeare like never before
“All the world’s a stage,” and Drunk Shakespeare D.C. is hitting the stage like you’ve never experienced before! Grab a drink yourself and watch five classically-trained (and intoxicated) actors attempt to recreate some of Shakespeare’s most famous works to hilarious results!
14. Hit the gas at the Washington, D.C., Auto Show
Gearheads, rejoice! The Washington, D.C., Auto Show is coming to the Walter E. Washington Convention Center from Jan. 19-28, bringing 600 new models from 30+ car manufacturers to check out!
15. Visit the LuminoCity Winter Light Festival before it leaves town
What better way to wrap up the holiday season on a high than to visit one of the most unique and beautiful light displays in the D.C. area? The LuminoCity Winter Light Festival is leaving D.C. this January on the 15th and there’s no certainty right now that it’ll be back any time soon, so be sure to visit while you can!
16. Celebrate the Lunar New Year at the Kennedy Center
Usher in the “Year of the Dragon” on Jan. 27th by celebrating at the Kennedy Center with live performances!
17. Keep cozy with one of these delicious hot chocolates
As the weather begins to get colder and we wake to frost layering the ground and cars, we’re officially entering hot chocolate season! A tasty, chocolatey cup of sweet goodness is key to keeping warm during cold D.C. winters and even boosting one’s intelligence! Here’s a sneak peek of some of our favorite D.C. spots to grab a cup of hot chocolate, and you can find the full list here:
- L.A. Burdick
- Colada Shop
- Sticky Fingers Diner
18. Spend a day wandering around Georgetown
From historic homes and petite coffee shops to high-end waterfront dining and great happy hour deals, Georgetown has it all! Founded in 1751, an entire 40 years before Washington, D.C., itself was established, Georgetown makes for a great glimpse into the District’s past and present!
19. Experience the wonder of ARTECHOUE’s Beyond the Light exhibit
Experience breathtaking digital art in 3D at this immersive one-of-a-kind art exhibit that is unlike any other! Worth the visit this experience is a perfect gift for friends, family, and even loved ones.