WHERE TO BE SCENE
Thursday, Dec. 7
11:00 AM, Brief Assembly Holiday Pop-Up Shop at Union Market, 1309 Fifth St. NE. Continues through Sunday. Savvy shoppers will have the chance to peruse an array of items perfect for gifting from more than 20 local and national brands. Continues Thursday-Sunday until Christmas Eve. Free, info.
5:00 – 8:30 PM, Phillips After 5 at The Phillips Collection, 1600 21st St. NW. These events typically sell out in advance! $12, info.
6:30 – 8:30 PM, Tudor Lights, a special holiday celebration at Tudor Place Historic House and Garden, 1644 31st St. NW. Sip, savor and socialize over hors d’oeuvres, seasonal confections, cocktails and other libations. 21+ only. $25, must RSVP.
Friday, Dec. 8
4:00 – 8:00 PM, Pop-up Ice Lounge at Park at CityCenter, 825 10th St. NW. Enjoy a life-size, modern, ice igloo made of 36,000 pounds of ice blocks. Free, info.
7:00 PM, In the Beginning Dance Party: Holiday Jam and Silent Disco at The Kennedy Center, 2700 F St. NW. Join the Kennedy Center for this free holiday jam and silent disco edition featuring iconic DJs. Enjoy the dance series showcasing pioneers, distinct voices and sonic interpretations of the beginnings of hip-hop. Free, no ticket required, info.
7:30 – 9:30 PM, Metropolitan Ballet Theatre’s 29th annual production of The Nutcracker at Robert E. Parilla Performing Arts Center, 51 Mannakee St., Rockville. Enjoy the full-length traditional staging featuring student and professional dancers, stunning costumes and scenery. $19, info.
Saturday, Dec. 9
10:00 AM – 6:00 PM, MetroCooking Showcase at the Washington Convention Center, 801 Mount Vernon Place NW. Enjoy a food-filled day out, including tastings, classes, celebrity chef book signings and 200-plus specialty food vendors in the exhibitor marketplace. $21.50, use code PUERTORICO to support World Central Kitchen, info.
11:00 AM – 4:00 PM, Celebration: Buddhist Journeys at Smithsonian Institution Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery. 1050 Independence Ave. SW. A special event about the Buddhist world, from India to China, Japan, Sri Lanka and beyond. Experience timeless artworks and performances. Free, info.
Noon – 10:00 PM, D.C. Santa Crawl 2017 at various participating area venues. Enjoy a refillable signature Santa mug, access to some of D.C.’s best bars, exclusive drink and food specials and a raffle entry to win great prizes. $30, info.
8:00 PM, Madison & Mistletoe at City Tavern Club, 3206 M St. NW. Three and a half hour open bar, hors d'oeuvres, a silent auction, photo booth and DJ Phlipz providing the beats. $85, info.
Saturday, Dec. 9 continued...
8:00 PM, Performance: The Real Americans at Atlas Performing Arts Center, 1333 H St. NE. Story inspired by 100 days traveling in a van through small-town America through the eyes of actor/journalist Dan Hoyle. $20 - $40, info.
Noon – 11:59 PM, Winterfest 2017 Launch at Wunder Garten, First and L streets NE. Guests will enjoy live music while munching on fare from one of Bon Appetit’s best new restaurants while sipping hot cocoa and tastings of winter beers, mulled wine and spiked hot chocolate. Continues through Dec. 17. Free entry, info.
2:00 – 8:00 PM, Ice Skating Rink at The Fairmont, 2401 M St. NW. The hotel’s interior courtyard will be transformed into a winter wonderland, including toasty fire pits and a 900 SF ice skating rink under the watchful eye of Santa Claus. $5 per hour of skating with skates, info.
Sunday, Dec. 10
10:00 AM – 9:00 PM, Fifth annual DC Firefighters Burn Foundation Tree Lot at Sixth Engine, 438 Massachusetts Ave. NW. Guests can choose from Fraser Fir and Douglas Fir Trees starting at $50, as well as tree stands, wreaths, garland and collectable FD ornaments. 100% of the proceeds will be donated to the DC Firefighters Burn Foundation.
Monday, Dec. 11
6:00 – 9:00 PM, Washingtonian’s Belvedere Bartender Battle at The Gryphon, 1337 Connecticut Ave. NW. Enjoy cocktails, light bites and the final round between three DMV bartenders in a “Chopped”-style mixology competition. Free, info.
Tuesday, Dec. 12
7:30 PM, Hip-Hop Nutcracker at Strathmore, 5301 Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda. This new take on a classic relocates the narrative from imperial Russia to present-day New York, making the Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy new again. $28 to $58, info.
4:00 – 10:00 PM, Dacha Holiday Market at Dacha Beer Garden, 1600 Seventh St. NW. Shop some of your favorite local brands while sipping on our homemade Glühwein and delightful Bulleit Bourbon Hot Cider! Free entry, info.
Wednesday, Dec. 13
5:30 PM, 21st annual Woodley House Movie Benefit featuring a special screening of Downsizing at Uptown Theater. Enjoy a special reception and screening benefiting the Woodley House programs to provide safe, affordable housing and supportive services to men and women living with mental illness in our community. $50+, info.
6:00 – 9:00 PM, Hanukkah Happy Hour (Off) the Hill: Time Hop at Decades, 1219 Connecticut Ave. NW. The largest Hanukkah happy hour in the D.C. area is moving from the Hill this year. $5, info.
6:00 – 9:00 PM, Taste for Toys Holiday Toy Drive at Edgar Bar & Kitchen, 1127 Connecticut Ave. NW. Bring a toy and enjoy a complimentary reception hosted by top culinarians and mixologists. All toys will be donated to the Children’s National Hospital, info.
