Events/Things To Do

Gelato Festival America is coming to Washington D.C., September 7^th and 8^th to City Market at O. Join Washington’s Italian community and come out to celebrate authentic Italian gelato. Along our journey to find the best gelato in America, international gelato artisans will gather in the capitol to prepare original flavors fresh in the world’s largest frozen dessert laboratory on wheels. Guests enjoy all-you-can-eat gelato while participating in the Eating Contest, Carpigiani Gelato University, Kids Jury and other activities for the whole family then vote for their favorite flavors to win the Gelato Festival Gold Medal.

Gelato Festival America is coming to Washington D.C., September 7^th and 8^th to City Market at O. Join Washington’s Italian community and come out to celebrate authentic Italian gelato. Along our journey to find the best gelato in America, international gelato artisans will gather in the capitol to prepare original flavors fresh in the world’s largest frozen dessert laboratory on wheels. Guests enjoy all-you-can-eat gelato while participating in the Eating Contest, Carpigiani Gelato University, Kids Jury and other activities for the whole family then vote for their favorite flavors to win the Gelato Festival Gold Medal.

Bring the whole family—including pets!—to support Smithsonian conservation efforts all over the world at The Fast & the Fierce 5K, sponsored by Aegis Project Controls. Friends of the National Zoo will host its second annual race for wildlife at Freedom Plaza in downtown Washington, D.C., Saturday, Sept. 14.

Like the inaugural run, the event focuses on a Conservation Nation rhino project. This year, the race will raise funds for black rhinos in South Africa, where researchers hope to learn critical information about how the species’ diet impacts its immune system and ability to reproduce as its numbers dwindle in the wild.

Costumes are encouraged, but not required, and the 5K will be followed by a short afterparty featuring an award ceremony honoring winners in all categories, including top runners by age group, stand-out pups and stellar outfits.

“Run or walk, fundraise, wear a fun costume or just cheer on fellow conservationists from the sidelines—support wildlife conservation however you can. Your pet can even register for their own fundraising page,” said Lynn Mento, Executive Director of Friends of the National Zoo.

Though race day might be months away, conservationists don’t have to wait to make a difference for animals. Participants can create their own page now atwww.fonz.org/5k to fundraise for Conservation Nation, a Friends of the National Zoo initiative that supports global wildlife projects to save endangered animals.

In addition to creating their own pages, supporters can set goals and win prizes for reaching milestones. Those who can’t attend can still sign up for free as a virtual runner, fundraising and helping to save rhinos from the comfort of their own couch.

Registration closes at noon on Friday, Sept. 13. Fundraising proceeds will directly benefit rhinos and Conservation Nation projects across the globe, including those that focus on marine mammals in Peru, tapirs in Paraguay, Meadowlarks in North America and elephants in Myanmar.

Go to www.fonz.org/5k for more information or to register.

Downtown DC’s newest pop up arts market launches as Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center (RRB/ITC) hosts Capital Arts Collective. The series kicks off on June 20 and continues through September every third Thursday of the month from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm. Locals and passersby can shop and explore a curated selection of items by the area’s most talented creatives, including everything from jewelry, paintings, candles, custom designed items, home goods, and more.

Capital Arts Collective aims to celebrate and support the local art scene. The RRB/ITC is excited to welcome homegrown artisans to Wilson Plaza; with plenty of seating and eateries it’s the perfect place for art enthusiasts of all ages, to grab lunch, browse and shop from the best creators in the DMV area. Capital Arts Collective is a program of RRB/ITC and is sponsored by TCMA (A Drew Company).

View this summer’s artists: https://itcdc.com/capital-arts-collective/

What: Capital Arts Collective (#CapitalArtsCollective)

When: June 20, July 18, August 15, & September 19, from 10 am- 2 pm.

Where: Wilson Plaza at Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center
1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Metro: Federal Triangle Station

Who: Free and open to the public

Old Town Cookie Crawl Saturday, November 23, 2019
11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Admission: $20 registration fee
Select participating businesses. Various locations throughout Old Town Alexandria

Kick-off the holidays early during Old Town Business’s first annual Old Town Cookie Crawl. Receive a commemorative tin and stop by all 15 stores on the crawl to receive a cookie at each location. Participating stores range from Bellacara and AR Workshop, to The Old Town Shop and The Shoe Hive. It’s fun for the whole family and a great way to explore Old Town’s walkable shopping district. A full listing of participating stores is located on the Old Town Business website.

Native American Heritage Day: Family Fun Day

Friday, Nov. 29; 10 a.m.–4 p.m.

National Museum of the American Indian, Washington, D.C.

The museum’s unique family celebration of Native American Heritage Day showcases Native culture through interactive dancing, games, storytelling, hands-on activities and make-and-takes, as well as music and dance presentations. The program features the Dineh Tah Navajo Dancers throughout the day. Join the museum in recognizing the many contributions of Native Americans to all aspects of life in the United States.

Small Business Saturday Scavenger Hunt
Saturday, November 30
Starting at 11:00 a.m.
Select Participating Businesses
Old Town Business proudly presents the first-ever Small Business Saturday Scavenger Hunt.  Shop and dine in Old Town on November 30 starting at 11 am until close and get your map stamped to win the grand prize.  Visit 10 of your favorite businesses to be entered to win. No purchase is necessary. Every stamp after your first 10 is another entry into the raffle. Shoppers can download their map on the Old Town Business website or pick up one in the participating businesses below.  

Scavenger Hunt Participating Businesses Includes:

Gold works

Fibre Space

Penny Post

Threadleaf

Red Barn Mercantile

The Hour

Bellacara

Ten Thousand Villages

Bishop Boutique

The Light Horse Restaurant

The Dog Park

The Shoe Hive

The Hive

Monday’s Child

Pizzeria Paradiso
3 Sister’s Boutique

The Lucky Knot

Old Town Books

The Christmas Attic

Chadwicks Restaurant

Haute Dogs & Fries

For more information about these holiday events, visit OldTownBoutiqueDistrict.com or Old Town Business.com.

On Tuesday, December 3, 2019 at 6:00 p.m. in the Main Hall of Union Station, a consortium of partners, including the Royal Norwegian Embassy, the Norwegian-American Chamber of Commerce—Mid-Atlantic Chapter, Washington Performing Arts, Union Station, and exclusive media partner WHUR 96.3 FM, will present the annual Norwegian Christmas Tree Lighting to the people of Washington, D.C. This beloved holiday event, which attracted 5,000 guests in 2018, is presented free to the public and will feature performances by The String Queens, whose members have collaborated with artists such as Ledisi, Janelle Monáe, and Common, and the Washington Performing Arts Children of the Gospel Choir.

In one of Washington’s most popular holiday traditions, which began in 1997, Norway will present a Christmas tree to the people of Washington, D.C., in recognition of the strong friendship between Norway and the United States, and in gratitude for America’s assistance during and after World War II. The theme for this year’s tree is the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. These goals address the challenges we face as a global community and the 2030 target for achieving them. Specially designed ornaments and signage will represent the goals.

Complete Schedule of Events

Norwegian Christmas Tree Lighting (6:00 p.m.)
Featuring The String Queens, the Washington Performing Arts Children of the Gospel Choir, and a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus. The 30-foot tree is decorated with 20,000 lights and ornaments representing all 17 of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Norway’s ambassador to the United States, Kåre R. Aas, will light the tree with a special guest, Member of the Norwegian Parliament Linda Helleland.

Free, registration encouraged | Family-friendly

Location: Union Station, 50 Massachusetts Ave NE, Washington, DC 20002

bit.ly/UnionStationHoliday-19