Dec
1
Tue
Fairmont Tree Lighting @ Fairmont Hotel
Dec 1 @ 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM

Fairmont’s  12th Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony

Tuesday, December 1, 2015

5:30 – 7:00 pm.

Fairmont Hotel – 2401 M Street, NW

Family photos with Santa & Rudolph

Refreshments,

Entertainment by Georgetown Visitation Madrigals

holiday crafts

U.S. Marine Corps Presentation of Colors

Free and open to the public

Guests are asked to bring a toy for Toys for Tots

Dec
5
Sat
Smithsonian Holiday Festival @ National Mall
Dec 5 @ 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
The Smithsonian will host a free, two-day festival Saturday, Dec. 5, and Sunday, Dec. 6, from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on the National Mall to kick off the holiday season. A wide selection of festive events, activities and seasonal décor will be available at participating museums and galleries. The festival will also feature performances by Members of the Singing Sergeants with Combo and the U.S. Air Force Max Impact Band, and free screenings of Frank Sinatra’s film Pal Joey.
Other highlights include Family Day activities at the National Air and Space Museum where aspiring pilots can build a biplane ornament, make a comet to take home and sample astronaut food like freeze-dried ice cream at the museum store. At the National Museum of American History, visitors can learn how Moravian Stars are made, sample chocolate during a demonstration by American Heritage Chocolate and visit C-3PO, who is temporarily back on display. The Arthur M. Sackler Gallery will feature a hands-on activity where visitors can make their own Sōtatsu-inspired fans in the ImaginAsia classroom.
To see the full list of family-friendly activities, gift-wrapping, trunk shows, performances and book signings, visit www.si.edu/events/holiday.
Participating museums include the National Museum of American History, National Air and Space Museum, National Museum of Natural History, Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, Smithsonian American Art Museum, National Museum of the American Indian, Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, National Museum of African Art, National Postal Museum and the Smithsonian Castle.
Dec
6
Sun
Smithsonian Holiday Festival @ National Mall
Dec 6 @ 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
The Smithsonian will host a free, two-day festival Saturday, Dec. 5, and Sunday, Dec. 6, from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on the National Mall to kick off the holiday season. A wide selection of festive events, activities and seasonal décor will be available at participating museums and galleries. The festival will also feature performances by Members of the Singing Sergeants with Combo and the U.S. Air Force Max Impact Band, and free screenings of Frank Sinatra’s film Pal Joey.
Other highlights include Family Day activities at the National Air and Space Museum where aspiring pilots can build a biplane ornament, make a comet to take home and sample astronaut food like freeze-dried ice cream at the museum store. At the National Museum of American History, visitors can learn how Moravian Stars are made, sample chocolate during a demonstration by American Heritage Chocolate and visit C-3PO, who is temporarily back on display. The Arthur M. Sackler Gallery will feature a hands-on activity where visitors can make their own Sōtatsu-inspired fans in the ImaginAsia classroom.
To see the full list of family-friendly activities, gift-wrapping, trunk shows, performances and book signings, visit www.si.edu/events/holiday.
Participating museums include the National Museum of American History, National Air and Space Museum, National Museum of Natural History, Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, Smithsonian American Art Museum, National Museum of the American Indian, Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, National Museum of African Art, National Postal Museum and the Smithsonian Castle.
Dec
9
Wed
Mt. Vernon Triangle FREE Santa Celebration @ 5th & K Streets NW, Washington, DC
Dec 9 @ 4:30 PM – 6:30 PM

The Mount Vernon Triangle Community Improvement District (MVT CID) is pleased to present its annual Santa Celebration on the plaza at 5th & K Streets, NW in Washington, DC from 4:30 to 6:30 pm on Wednesday, December 9th.

The Santa Celebration is free and open to the public and will feature:

  • FREE photo opportunity with Santa for kids, dogs, and adults
  • Hot chocolate with fun, seasonal toppings provided by the MVT CID and Le Pain Quotidien
  • Fresh, hot popcorn courtesy of 5th Street Ace Hardware
  • Brazilian Cheesecake bites courtesy Texas de Brazil
  • Holiday cookies courtesy of the City Vista Safeway
  • House-made dog treats courtesy of A Baked Joint

The event will also serve as a collection point for new, unwrapped toys for Central Union Mission’s Operation Christmas Miracle. More information about toy donations available at: http://www.missiondc.org/christmas/

 

Dec
10
Thu
Rosslyn 3rd Annual Holiday Market @ Gateway Park
Dec 10 @ 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM

The 3rd Annual Holiday Market will return to Rosslyn from 10 am to 6 pm on Thursday, Dec. 10 and 10 am to 8 pm on Friday, Dec. 11. The Rosslyn Business Improvement District (BID) will host the third annual neighborhood holiday market and celebration in Gateway Park, which will feature a host of unique and local vendors.

This year’s event will kickoff on Dec. 10 with a number of family friendly activities including winter-themed crafts and games, along with photos with Santa from 4:00 to 6 pm. There will be live jazz music and an assortment of food, including from local food truck, Killer Tomato Pies, onsite from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., as well as Rosslyn restaurant Bistro 360, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Thursday’s activities will also include a special Pop-Up Boot Camp at noon designed to help attendees start the holiday season guilt-free. A professional trainer will lead participants through High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) – an exciting and intense cardio workout designed to burn as many as 1,000 calories per class. Registration for the event is free and the first 45 registrants will receive a free Rosslyn BID water bottle and a voucher for $3 off beer or wine at the Holiday Market. For more information and to register, visit: http://www.rosslynva.org/holidaybootcamp

On Dec. 11, the Holiday Market will continue with a live jazz performance and fares from local food trucks Fusion Confusion and Killer Tomato Pies from 11:00am to 2:00pm. More adult-oriented festivities will continue that evening, with a live performance from popular local cover band Jeff From Accounting, complete with beer and wine sales from Washington Wine Academy from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. New to this year’s event, Friday’s celebration will conclude with a bonfire and D.J. in Gateway Park West from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m., with hot food, wine and beer available for purchase.

In the spirit of the holidays, Rosslyn BID will also be overseeing its annual clothing drive, which will run through Dec. 11.  Gift-wrapped donation boxes will be placed in the lobbies of buildings throughout the neighborhood, and all clothing collected will be donated to Arlington Street People’s Assistance Network (A-SPAN), a non-profit group that seeks to meet the needs of local homeless people. A-SPAN will have a booth at the market to raise awareness surrounding the initiative.

“You bring the chestnuts and we’ll bring the open fire,” said Mary-Claire Burick, president of the Rosslyn BID. “Having the largest park in Arlington available to host the Holiday Market lets us do some fun and creative things you don’t always see at other holiday markets.”

The Holiday Market showcases high quality items from a variety of vendors and holiday shoppers are able to browse everything from innovative jewelry and sweet treats to handmade clothing.

Additional Holiday Market vendors include Baby Hats Shoes and More, Switchwood, The Board Bus, Courtney Gillian, Popcorn Queens, Black Pug Smokehouse, Peruvian Trends, Pezzi Unici, Stella & Dot, Jinsei Juice, Was Paper and more!

A full list of vendors and details on the Rosslyn Holiday Market can be found at http://www.rosslynva.org/HolidayReady

##

Feb
6
Sat
Crafty Bastards Cabin Fever @ Hecht Warehouse at Ivy City
Feb 6 @ 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM

Why wait for the fall to get Crafty? Washington City Paper is expanding its popular Crafty Bastards Arts & Crafts Fair with a second installment this winter. The inaugural Crafty Bastards Cabin Fever will take place on Saturday, Feb. 6, 2016, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Hecht Warehouse at Ivy City (1401 New York Ave. NE) in Washington, D.C.

The one-day indoor winter fair will feature handmade products and wares by 100+ select artists and crafters from around the country, including several first-time Crafty Bastards like:

–       Hell Razor for Men of Washington, DC (www.etsy.com/shop/hellrazorformen)

–       Harper Macaw from Washington, DC (https://harpermacaw.com)

–       Raisa Antonia from Hancock, NH (http://www.raisaantonia.com)

–       North End Bag Company from Virginia Beach, VA (http://www.northendbagco.com)

–       Lewis and Pine from Brooklyn, NY (www.lewisandpine.com)

–       West Oak Design from Wyndmoor, PA (www.westoakdesign.com)

In order to make your Cabin Fever shopping experience enjoyable, entry times will be staggered based on ticket type. Tickets can be purchased in advance online via the Washington City Paper website. 

VIP Tickets – $25: Gain exclusive access to Crafty Bastards Cabin Fever for an extra hour of shopping and no lines before the Crafty-loving masses arrive. VIP ticket also includes one bagel, a mimosa, and a Crafty Bastards Cabin Fever tote bag. VIP Entry begins at 10 a.m.

Savvy Shopper Tickets – $15: Enjoy shorter lines and a complimentary Crafty Bastards tote bag with entry starting at 11 a.m.

Early General Admission – $10: Gain access to all vendors beginning at 1 p.m.

Late General Admission – $5: Gain access to all vendors starting at 3 p.m.

Last Call General Admission – $5: Gain access to all vendors starting at 5 p.m.

Kids 12 and under are free. Visit www.washingtoncitypaper.com/craftybastards for advanced tickets, a complete gallery of all Crafty Bastard Cabin Fever vendors, and more, including details about complimentary shuttle service from the NoMA metro stop provided by the Hecht Warehouse.

About Crafty Bastards Arts & Crafts Fair

Over the past 12 years, hundreds of Crafty Bastards have sold countless pieces of handmade “craftiness” at the Crafty Bastards Arts & Crafts Fair. The fair has been selected as one of Washington’s Top 100 Events by BizBash and was voted by Washington City Paper readers as the Best Arts Festival in its annual Best of D.C. poll. For more information about the annual Crafty Bastards Arts and Crafts Fair, please visit www.washingtoncitypaper.com/craftybastards/.

 

#CraftyBastardsCabinFever

Mar
26
Sat
5th Annual Madame Tussaud’s Easter Egg Hunt @ Madame Tussaud's
Mar 26 @ 8:00 AM – 9:30 AM

In celebration of Easter and a White House tradition started by the 19th US President, Rutherford B. Hayes, Madame Tussauds Washington, DC is hosting its fifth annual Easter Egg Hunt. The fun family event will take place in The President’s Gallery, offering a fun and educational “eggs-ploration” through American history, on Saturday, March 26th from 8:00a.m. – 9:30a.m. at the attraction, located at 1001 F Street, NW (corner of 10th & F Streets).

For those unable to attend the Easter Roll at The White House, tons of eggs will be hidden throughout the President’s Gallery at Madame Tussauds, waiting to be discovered by guests as they interact with and enjoy wax figures of all 44 US Presidents.  Once children have collected all the empty eggs, they can trade them in at the end for an Easter Gift Bag full of fun treats (one bag per child). Guests may bring their own baskets, however bags will be available.

Price of admission includes full access to Madame Tussauds Washington, DC, an Easter egg hunt through the Presidents Gallery, 1 gift bag per child, a meet and greet with the Easter Bunny, access to face painting, activities, and Easter crafts. This year, Madame Tussauds has also partnered with Wildlife Adventures to bring a unique petting zoo into the attraction.

Because this is one of Madame Tussauds Washington, DC’s most popular events, tickets are available online only.  For more information or to reserve your group’s tickets, visit event page website  or call 1(800) 823-9565.

 

DATE:                    Saturday March 26, 2016

 

TIME:                    8:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.

                                Three Sessions with Limited Availability: 8:00, 8:30, 9:00

                                *Tickets are available online only!

 

PLACE:                  Madame Tussauds Washington, DC

                                1001 F Street, NW

Washington, DC  20004

 

COST:                    $25 – Ages 13 and Older

                                FREE – Ages 12 and Under

*Please note there is a limit of three children for every one adult.

Reserve tickets online here: https://www2.madametussauds.com/washington-dc/en/tickets/

Apr
16
Sat
National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade
Apr 16 @ 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM

The National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade® presented by Events DC will take place Saturday, April 16 from 10 a.m. to noon, rain or shine. One of the Festival’s largest events, the Parade runs along Constitution Avenue from 7th to 17th Streets, NW. The Parade, hosted by ABC-7/WJLA-TV anchors Alison Starling and Leon Harris, will feature celebrity entertainment, helium balloons, characters, floats, marching bands and other performers. Local ABC affiliate WJLA will air the Parade locally in a delayed telecast from noon to 2 p.m. The Parade will be nationally syndicated to audiences across the country through the support of Events DC.

 

Celebrity talent and exciting Parade elements include:

 

  • Carrie Ann Inaba, Dancing With the Stars Judge
  • Cast members from the award-winning hit musicalJersey Boys
  • Pop sensation Tiffany
  • Chart topping artist and The Voice contestant Sisaundra Lewis
  • R&B Grammy-nominated artist and DC native Raheem DeVaughn
  • Latin vocal group Viva Mas, who recently performed for Pope Francis
  • Washington Redskins Cheerleaders
  • Miss America 2016 Betty Cantrell
  • Local talent, including winners of the third annual Sing Into Spring Competition and the Washington Performing Arts Men and Women of the Gospel Choir

 

 

TICKETS & TRANSPORTATION: Free and open to the public. Limited Prime Grandstand seats are on sale now and can be purchased atnationalcherryblossomfestival.org/parade2016. The Grandstand section offers reserved seating along Constitution Avenue between 15th and 17th Streets, NW. Group tickets for 10 or more are also available. Standing along the Parade route is free between 9th and 15th Streets, NW and open to the public. Radio personality and local favorite Loo Katz from WASH-FM host from a second performance area located near the Parade’s finish.

 

The event is Metro-accessible via the Archives-Navy Memorial stop on the Yellow/Green lines or Federal Triangle on the Blue/Orange lines. The Parade is presented by Events DC and supported by DowntownDC Business Improvement District, ANA, Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, NHK World, DARCARS – the official vehicle provider for the Parade, MGM National Harbor, Microsoft, Washington Post, Busch Gardens Williamsburg, CSI Printing and Graphics, SUBWAY® Restaurants, CitySights DC, NEWSEUM, Dunkin’ Donuts,  and media partners ABC7/WJLA-TV, WASH-FM, and The Washington Informer. The Parade is being funded partially through the District of Columbia Executive Office of the Mayor – Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development.

 

 

The National Cherry Blossom Festival is the nation’s greatest springtime celebration. The 2016 Festival, March 20 – April 17, includes diverse and creative programming promoting traditional and contemporary arts and culture, natural beauty, and community spirit. Visit nationalcherryblossomfestival.org or call 877.44.BLOOM for more information and find us on Facebook (CherryBlossomFestival), Twitter (@CherryBlossFest), and Instagram (@CherryBlossFest).

 

Apr
18
Mon
Italian Carabinieri Band FREE Concert @ Kennedy Center
Apr 18 @ 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM

The famous Carabinieri Band – one of the greatest military orchestras in the world, founded in 1820 – will play at the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. on April 18, 2016 in a free concert honoring defenders of the cultural heritage of humanity. In what promises to be a not-to-be-missed-event, 90 musicians in their distinctive uniforms will bring to life traditional marches as well as modern and classical music in the majestic Concert Hall. The rich repertoire will include the national anthems of Italy, the United States and the European Union, as well as music by Sousa, Dvorak, and Puccini.

 

“We warmly invite all lovers of culture to join us in this international musical tribute to the defenders of human heritage, in one of the most beautiful venues in America” said the Ambassador of Italy to the United States, Armando Varricchio. “We are very grateful to the Kennedy Center for giving our talented Carabinieri Band the opportunity to perform in the splendid Concert Hall, in an event which is free and open to the public. Today, after the recent horrific attacks to our culture and some of our fundamental values – just think of Paris, Tunis and Brussels, to mention but some – it reminds us of the importance of defending culture, and our very way of life, in its entirety”.

 

The concert is organized by the Embassy of Italy in Washington D.C. in partnership with the Italian Institute of Culture in Washington D.C., with the generous support of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and Banca Intesa Sanpaolo. It is part of the “Protecting our Heritage” initiative, a program supported by UNESCO and organized by the Washington Network of the European Union National Institutes of Culture (EUNIC), under the 2016 Italian presidency, in order to raise awareness on the need to act against the growing threats posed to cultural heritage by wars, international terrorism, criminal organizations, climate challenges – or more simply, by neglect.

 

The concert will also recognize the exceptional work of the Italian Carabinieri both in fostering peace and protecting cultural heritage  worldwide: they will be part of UNESCO’s “blue helmets for culture” program, thanks to a Memorandum of Understanding signed on February 16, 2016 in Rome by the Italian Foreign Minister Paolo Gentiloni and by Irina Bokova, the Director-General of UNESCO.

 

About the Carabinieri Band

The Carabinieri Band was founded in 1820 when the then Royal Carabinieri Corps assembled a group of buglers for the first time. In 1862 this became a fanfare, and by 1920 had developed into a full Band contingent of the Carabinieri Force. Under the direction of Maestro Luigi Cajoli the Band became famous for its quality of style, and in 1916 it travelled abroad for the first time for a series of concerts for injured allied soldiers. It performed with great success in Paris, and was highly acclaimed by the press. Many other prestigious tours abroad followed, from Europe to North and South America, the Middle East and Japan. Maestro Luigi Cirenei, who was a pupil of Pietro Mascagni, succeeded Cajoli in 1925. He improved the artistic skills of the Band and composed “LA FEDELISSIMA” the march theme adopted by the Carabinieri Force. Other band directors included: Maestro Domenico Fantini (1947), Maestro Vincenzo Borgia (1972) and Maestro Massimo Martinelli (2001), who is the present Director. The Carabinieri Band, with 103 musicians, each one an expert in a particular instrument, interprets the most famous compositions with a rich repertoire ranging from traditional military marches to modern and classical music.

The event will be held on Monday, April 18, 2016 at 6:00 p.m. and is free and open to the public.  RSVP here http://iicwashington.info/events/20160418/rsvps/

 

Apr
29
Fri
Georgetown French Market
Apr 29 @ 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
The annual Georgetown French Market will be returning on Friday, April 29 through Sunday, May 1The outdoor bazaar – now in its 13th year – will span across Georgetown’s Book Hill neighborhood between P Street and Reservoir Road NW, and allow attendees the opportunity to eat, drink, and shop the best of local French culture.
Attendees will enjoy deals throughout the weekend (e.g., 15%-30% off select Olive Oil Co. items, $5 crepes at Café Bonaparte, and up to 75% off French antiques at Moss & Co.), as well as live entertainment and special activities (e.g., rotating musical performances, a Parisian photobooth for pups, complimentary bike tune-ups).
Opening Dates & Hours:
  • Friday, April 29 –  10 a.m to 5 p.m.
  • Saturday, April 3010 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Sunday – May 1, 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.