Let the Holiday Festivities Begin
With Thanksgiving on Thursday and Black Friday the day after, there are plenty of opportunities this weekend to get a jump on your holiday shopping. Also, Friday will be the first tree lighting of the season in the Shaw section of the city at City Market on O. On Saturday, Macy’s at Metro Center will unveil its holiday windows with music, celebrities and other festivities. And if you already need a break from holiday festivities, the D.C. Craft Beer Festival will be at the convention center on Saturday.
Silver, Yellow and Green line trains will operate regular weekend intervals. The Blue Line will operate on a regular weekend schedule, except at the Franconia-Springfield station where trains will run every 20-25 minutes between 9 a.m.-9 p.m. on Saturday. Red Line trains will operate every 16 minutes with additional trains providing service every 8-10 minutes between Grosvenor and NoMa-Gallaudet from 9 a.m.-9 p.m. The Vienna and Dunn Loring station on the Orange Line will be closed, and busses replace trains between West Falls Church and Vienna beginning at 12:01 a.m. Saturday through closing Sunday. Riders should add an additional 25 minutes between Vienna and West Falls Church. Riders should allow 15 minutes per stop on busses stopping at Dunn Loring. On a bright note, Metro announced that maintenance would be suspended over the Thanksgiving weekend.
ICE! is back at Gaylord National Resort with a Frosty the Snowman theme. (Photo: Gaylord National Resort)
ICE!
ICE!, the life-sized ice show is back at Gaylord National Resort featuring Frosty the Snowman, everyone’s favorite snowman. Carved from over 2 million pounds of colorful ice, enjoy larger than life scenes from the classic tale, slide down two-story high ice slides and watch artisans in action at the new Frostbite Factory, an interactive live carving area. As part of Christmas on the Potomac, the Gaylord atrium is also transformed into a winter wonderland with a free nightly indoor snowfall at 6, 7, 8 and 9 p.m., more than 2 million lights that illuminate the glass atrium and outdoor garden areas, the free fountain show with the water and lights “dancing” to the music of the Christmas story at 7 and 9 p.m. and classical Christmas carols at 6 and 8 p.m. There is also a 60-foot-tall Christmas tree made of synthetic “candy” glass suspended from the center of the atrium. Photos with Santa start at $25 and are available through Christmas Eve from 1-8 p.m. Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturdays, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday, 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Nov. 27-27 and Dec. 12, 22-23 and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on Christmas Eve.
Through Jan. 4 at Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center, 201 Waterfront St.,Oxen Hill in National Harbor. Adult tickets range from $21-$34 and childen’s tickets range for children 3-11 range from $14-$28 depending on dates. Tickets and the schedule are available here.
Sugarloaf Crafts Festival
More than 400 artisans are selling their wares this weekend at the Sugarloaf Crafts Festival in Gaithersburg. (Photo: Sugarloaf Crafts)
The Sugarloaf Crafts Festival is back featuring a wide range of hand-crafted items from more than 400 artisans. Items include pottery, sculpture, glass, furniture, photography and much more. There will also be live demonstrations from artists on artistic works such as copper spinning, wheel thrown pottery, wood turning, jewelry making and more. The Festival of Foods will also be at the festival and will have free samples of a selection of jellies, pastries, drink mixes, desserts and more from gourmet chefs that will be available for purchase.
Nov. 21 and 22 from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and Nov. 23 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. at the Montgomery County Fairgrounds, 16 Chestnut St., Gaithersburg. Tickets are $8 online and $10 at the door; children under 12 and parking are free.
Holiday Shops
Shoppers will find 60 unique boutiques at the Junior League of Washington’s Holiday Shops. (Graphic: Junior League of Washington)
The Junior League of Washington’s annual fundraising event, Holiday Shops, features more than 60 unique specialty boutiques from across the country. Last year, the event raised nearly $140,000.
Nov. 21 from 11 a.m.-7 p.m., Nov. 22 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Nov. 23 from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at The Spinx Club, 1315 K St. NW. Tickets are $5.
The Shaw neighborhood will light its Christmas tree Friday. (Graphic: City Market at O Street)
Shaw Holiday Tree Lighting
Join Roadside Development, the residents of City Market at O and D.C. officials for the first annual Shaw Holiday Tree Lighting in celebration of City Market at O’s one-year anniversary. The community program will feature free family activities and crafts, performances by local artists, and the tree lighting ceremony. The event also includes a toy drive to benefit the Children’s National Medical Center Holiday Toy Store, a pop-up holiday store within the hospital so parents of patients can find gifts for their children.
Nov. 21 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at City Market at O, 815 O St. NW. The tree lighting is at 6:45 p.m. Admission is FREE!
Scottie Dog Prize Hunt
Twenty stuffed Scottie dogs are hidden in Old Town and Delray areas of Alexandria, each with a prize. (Photo: Visit Alexandria)
Alexandria is kicking off the shopping season with a little merriment by launching a city-wide Scottie Dog Prize Hunt with a variety of gifts up for grabs valued at over $800. The week leading up to Black Friday and Small Business Saturday, Visit Alexandria will hide approximately 20 black stuffed Scottie dogs wearing bandannas throughout Old Town and Delray. Dogs will be packaged in clear weatherproof containers. Each dog will have a prize description attached to it including gift certificates to local restaurants, gifts from boutiques or tickets to area attractions. Individuals who find a Scottie dog can claim their prize at the Alexandria Visitor Center, 221 King St. in Old Town. Throughout the week, Visit Alexandria will post clues on their social media channels of where the little Scotties might be.
Nov. 22-28 in Old Town and Delray areas of Alexandria. Participation is FREE!
48th GPNS Craft Fair
The Garrett Park Nursery School Craft Fair is back Saturday and Sunday. (Graphic: Garrett Park Nursery School)
Montgomery County’s largest non-profit craft fair, the Garrett Park Nursery School Craft Fair is back and larger than ever with more than 70 handmade crafters, food trucks, children’s activities and more.
Nov. 22 from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. and Nov. 23 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. at Historic Garrett Park Town Hall, 10814 Kenilworth Ave., Garrett Park. Admission is FREE!
Icelandic Christmas Bazaar
Gifts from Iceland are available at the Icelandic Christmas Bazaar. (Photo: Icelandic Association of Washington, D.C.)
Icelandic hot dogs are a big draw at the Icelandic Association of Washington’s annual Icelandic Christmas Bazaar, along with hearty, heavyweight woolen sweaters, jewelry and linens. For Icelandic expats, this is the perfect chance to stock up on sodas such as Appelsin or chocolate Freyju Hrís candy. The cafe sells open-faced sandwiches and crepes, while coffee and hot chocolate are free.
Nov. 22 from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. at the American Legion Post 177, 3939 Oak St., Fairfax. Admission is FREE!
Macy’s Christmas Windows
Macy’s at Metro Center will unveil its holiday windows on Saturday. (Photo: Downtown D.C.)
It wouldn’t be the most wonderful time of the year without Macy’s spectacular window displays. Join them for the unveiling, then stick around for a lineup of star-studded performances and festive fun. American Ballet Theatre’s Misty Copeland and Fox 5’s Allison Seymour count down the grand revel with the Ballou High School Marching Band and Santa Claus himself. Stick around the main state for performances by recording artist Mali Music and The Voice contestant Ddendyl, The Washington Performing Arts’ Children of the Gospel Choir and excerpts from The Nutcracker by The Washington Ballet. Afterwards, head inside for an afternoon of excitement and holiday joy. On the main floor, warm up and reinvigorate with a toasty beverage. In the second floor men’s department, meet Mali Music and Ddendyl and get their autographs. In the third floor women’s department, meet American Ballet Theatre soloist Misty Copeland and get a copy of her book Life in Motion: An Unlikely Ballerina and a voucher for a pair of tickets to The Nutcracker with a purchase of $100 or more. Finally, in the lower level home department, enjoy an afternoon of family fun with the Newseum. Snag a photo with Santa himself, then, get creative at a crafts table where kids can participate in Frozen activities like Olag “Build a Snowman.”
Nov. 22 beginning at 2 p.m. at Macy’s Metro Center G Street entrance. Admission is FREE!
D.C. Craft Beer Festival
Seventy-five breweries will sample 150 beers at the D.C. Craft Beer Festival Saturday. (Photo: D.C. Craft Beer)
Sample 150 offerings from 75 breweries at the D.C. Craft Beer Festival, which turns its focus to brisk winter beers. The event also includes beer-focused seminars exploring different facets of the beverage’s origins and a craft beer concierge to answer questions about the eclectic selection.
Nov. 22 from 2-4:30 p.m. or 7-9:30 p.m. at Tickets include unlimited two-ounce tastings from 2 to 4:30 p.m. or 7 to 9:30 p.m. at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, is $49-$65. Get tickets here. The event, at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, 801 Mount Vernon Place NW. General admission tickets are $49 and includes unlimited beer tastings, a souvenir tasting glass and access to the seminars and craft concierge; and VIP tickets, with an extra hour of tasting prior to the general public, are $65 here.
What to Do with Thanksgiving Leftovers
Blue Duck Tavern chef Ryan LaRoche demonstrates how to use leftover turkey. (Photo: Food Network)
Blue Duck Tavern’s new executive chef Ryan LaRoche usually works with luxury fare, but at the “What to Do with Thanksgiving Leftovers” Park Hyatt Masters of Food & Wine, he’ll discuss how to make something delicious with simpler, timely ingredients: Thanksgiving leftovers. In a hands-on class, guests will learn how to make turkey dumpling soup using organic, free-range turkey. While the soup cooks, guests will join LaRoche at the chef’s table to snack on Thanksgiving Day staples including roasted Brussel sprouts served with poached eggs, pickled onions and an heirloom apple, served with a glass of wine. Once the soup is ready, guests will delight in their hard work followed by cranberry sauce hand pies and pumpkin pie milkshakes.
Nov. 22 from 3-5 p.m. at Blue Duck Tavern, 1201 24th St. NW. Tickets are $65 inclusive here.
MythBusters: Behind the Myths
Adam Savage (left) and Jamie Hyneman bring MythBusters to the Warner Theatre. (Photo: MythBusters)
Jamie Hyneman and Adam Savage are bringing their long-running Discovery Channel series MythBusters to the people. What’s special about the MythBusters: Behind the Myths tour is that, for the first time, fans have the chance to join the duo onstage and help with one of their wacky experiments. During the show, Savage and Hyneman will also share MythBusters video clips and behind-the-scenes tales.
Nov. 23 at 3 and 7 p.m. at Warner Theatre, 513 13th St. NW. Tickets range from $47.50-$67.50.
Editor-in-Chief Mark Heckathorn is a journalist, movie buff and foodie. He oversees DC on Heels editorial operations as well as strategic planning and staff development. Reach him with story ideas or suggestions at dcoheditor (at) gmail (dot) com.
