Weekend picks in and around Washington, DC

This week we published our winter bucket list while it was snowing and we have checked some off our list already {spoiler alert: some of our friends will be receiving holiday goodies from us this weekend} and we are delivering gifts for A Wider Circle this weekend also! Make sure to visit our winter posts for more festive and outdoor fun. It’s not too late to get a Christmas tree, there are plenty of places to go ice skating and of course this guide to all things holiday displays and markets has all of the information you will need to get out exploring.

Friday

6:00pm: A Christmas Story at the Wharf
The holidays are the perfect time to cozy up by a firepit with hot drinks and a classic holiday movie on the big screen. The Wharf brings a pop-up outdoor movie theatre on Transit Pier where you can enjoy all the Christmas classics. In advance of the event, reserve your fire pit, which seats up to four people. Drinks (both hard and soft) and snacks are available throughout the movie from Cantina Bambina.

6:30pm: Drive-In Movies at 12 days of CapRiv 
Back by popular demand, drive-in movies are returning, this time with a holiday twist! Grab the fam and head to the Akridge Lot for a showing of the classic It’s A Wonderful Life. $20 (excludes taxes & fees). All proceeds will benefit multiple food-support charities in the District. CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS

7:30pm: The Washington Chorus presents A Candlelight Christmas
TWC’s beloved annual holiday tradition returns in a series of livestreamed performances that celebrate the spirit of the Christmas season with joy, reflection, and plenty of holiday cheer.

Saturday

9:00am-5:00pm: Clean the Creek
Join Little Falls Watershed Alliance for an individual trash clean-up Saturday (and every Saturday – now 30th week! – over 300 bags of trash collected!)

2:00pm & 6:00pm: A Christmas Story at the Wharf
The holidays are the perfect time to cozy up by a firepit with hot drinks and a classic holiday movie on the big screen. The Wharf brings a pop-up outdoor movie theatre on Transit Pier where you can enjoy all the Christmas classics. In advance of the event, reserve your fire pit, which seats up to four people. Drinks (both hard and soft) and snacks are available throughout the movie from Cantina Bambina.

4:00pm: Letter to Santa Watercolor Workshop
Santa is pulling into The Station! Join Santa’s crafting workshop and unleash your inner elf with a Letter to Santa watercolor workshop. Pick up your complimentary crafting kit at The Station PLUS a $10 gift card from participating restaurants at The Station. Pick up your free watercolor kit at The Station on Saturday, December 19 from 11 AM – 2 PM and then tune in for a workshop at 4 PM with local artist and maker, Serena Martin Designs. 

6:00pm-8:00pm: Zoo Lights Express: Wards 7&8
the 24-foot ZooLights Express truck, festively decorated with light displays and featuring “Panda Claws,” will hit the road

6:30pm: Drive-In Movies at 12 days of CapRiv 
Back by popular demand, drive-in movies are returning, this time with a holiday twist! Sip on hot cocoa to-go while you watch fan-favorite Elf at the Akridge Lot. $20 (excludes taxes & fees). All proceeds will benefit multiple food-support charities in the District. CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS

7:00pm: Drive-in at Park Up: How the Grinch Stole Christmas
RFK hosts the drive-in, safely and has such fun holiday movies playing!

7:30pm: The Washington Chorus presents A Candlelight Christmas
TWC’s beloved annual holiday tradition returns in a series of livestreamed performances that celebrate the spirit of the Christmas season with joy, reflection, and plenty of holiday cheer.

9:00pm: Drive-in at Park Up: Polar Express
RFK hosts the drive-in, safely and has such fun holiday movies playing!

Sunday

10:00am-11:00am: Virtual Artful Conversation Family Program: Color Your Feelings!
Recommended for ages 7-12 with their adult companions. An adult is required to attend the session alongside the child(ren). During the December Artful Conversations sessions, we will create colorful works of art together.

10:30am-1:30pm: Jolly Jog at 12 days of CapRiv 
Throw on your best ugly sweater and join VIDA and Pacers at Yards Park for a holiday-themed fun run along the riverfront! After the jog, guests will be able to pick up a complimentary cocktail to-go from participating restaurants. Fun run groups will be limited to a max of 25 people to help maintain social distance. Registration is $20, and all proceeds will be donated to a local District charity. SIGN UP HERE

1:00pm-2:00pm: Virtual Artful Conversation Family Program: Color Your Feelings!
Recommended for ages 7-12 with their adult companions. An adult is required to attend the session alongside the child(ren). During the December Artful Conversations sessions, we will create colorful works of art together.

2:00pm: A Christmas Story at the Wharf
The holidays are the perfect time to cozy up by a firepit with hot drinks and a classic holiday movie on the big screen. The Wharf brings a pop-up outdoor movie theatre on Transit Pier where you can enjoy all the Christmas classics. In advance of the event, reserve your fire pit, which seats up to four people. Drinks (both hard and soft) and snacks are available throughout the movie from Cantina Bambina.

3:00pm: The Washington Chorus presents A Candlelight Christmas
TWC’s beloved annual holiday tradition returns in a series of livestreamed performances that celebrate the spirit of the Christmas season with joy, reflection, and plenty of holiday cheer.

5:30pm: Drive-in at Park Up: Elf
RFK hosts the drive-in, safely and has such fun holiday movies playing!

7:00pm: Handel’s Messiah
Celebrate the wonder and joy of Christmas with the Festival Choir and Orchestra of The National Presbyterian Church. Sing along at home with family and friends to a rebroadcast of last year’s presentation of Born for Us: Our Coming Savior in Handel’s Messiah. 

7:30pm: Drive-in at Park Up: The Nightmare Before Christmas
RFK hosts the drive-in, safely and has such fun holiday movies playing!

Plan ahead:
KID Museum is offering virtual Winter Break Workshops, December 28-30, for families looking to enhance the holidays (and maybe head off boredom?) We’ve scheduled fun, creative options for K-4th and 5th-8th graders at varying times throughout the day. From building a Rube Goldberg machine, to learning about coding, or designing a kinetic sculpture or video game, there’s a program for everyone. The price is only $15 for KID Museum members, $20 for nonmembers. See website for details and to register.