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.
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
The Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center (RRB/ITC) is hosting the 8th Annual Embassy Showcase, Winternational, from 11 AM – 3 PM, Thursday, December 5, 2019. Presented by World Trade Center Washington, DC (WTCDC), over 50 embassies will be participating in this year’s event.
Last year, more than 4,000 guests attended this lively midday celebration of international culture, travel, tourism and trade. This year, there will be many opportunities for 1:1 interviews with diplomats, embassy exhibitors, sponsors and attendees. The free festival features a bustling global marketplace with more than 50 embassies promoting their countries through vibrant and interactive displays of visual art, food, handcrafts as well as travel and tourism.
The RRB/ITC is a preeminent forum in the heart of the nation’s capital advancing international commerce and cross-cultural dialogue. As a seamless, unifying framework, it provides a platform for building connections, fostering diplomacy, growing businesses, and creating a more prosperous U.S. and global economy. WTCDC oversees the trade mission of the RRB/ITC, exclusively managed by TCMA (A Drew Company). The event is free and open to the public.
WHAT: Winternational – 8Th Annual Embassy Showcase
WHO: WTCDC and the following Embassies:
Afghanistan, African Union, Armenia, Australia, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belgium, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Bulgaria, Cabo Verde, Cameroon, Cote d’lvoire, Czech Republic, Egypt, El Salvador, Eritrea, European Union, Fiji, Gabon, Georgia, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guyana, Haiti, India, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Malaysia, Malawi, Malta, Mexico, Moldova, Morocco, Myanmar, Nepal, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Oman, Paraguay, Panama, Peru, Philippines, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, St. Kitts & Nevis, Tajikistan, Turkey, Uganda, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Vietnam.
WHEN: Thursday, December 5, 2019 11:00am – 3:00pm ET
WHERE: Atrium and Atrium Hall
Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center
1300 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, DC
HOW: Free & Open to the Public. Ticket registration requested here.
Sofitel Hotels & Resorts around the world are celebrating Christmas with Art de Noel, reinforcing the Christmas spirit with a global event uniting all the hotels worldwide around one theme expressing ‘Live the French Way.‘
At Sofitel Washington DC Lafayette Square, La Nuit de Noël Haute Couture – a night of French fashion will take place in the presidential suite on Thursday, December 5th from 6:00 to 8:00 pm.
Whimsically decorated for the Christmas holiday, the presidential suite invites all guests and visitors to live the French way with a night of shopping for French couture and accessories presented by Ella-Rue* while sipping on sparkling glasses of Moët Chandon.
Ella Rue’s Krista and Alexa are experts at curating and pairing past designer pieces with current fashion creating the perfect French wardrobe.
Alexa, Chanel, Dior and Tiki are some of the couture designs being presented along with classic and nouveau accessories
In further celebration of Art De Noel, the hotel’s lobby and restaurant, Opaline Bar & Brasserie, will be also be whimsically decorated for the season.
There is no charge for Sofitel’s La Nuit de Noël Haute Couture Nuit, for reservations, please visit Eventbrite at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/la-nuit-de-noel-haute-couture-tickets-83842225353
Marjorie Post and Marie Antoinette: A Story of American Taste
Wednesday, January 8, 2020, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Chief Curator Wilfried Zeisler will explore the lesser known early collecting period of Marjorie Merriweather Post in the context of American taste, shedding new light on several works from Hillwood’s French art collection.
4155 Linnean Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20008
Winter Blast: A Family Day of Native Games
Saturday, Jan. 25, 10:30 a.m.–5 p.m.
This free family-friendly event celebrates Indigenous games from the Arctic to Argentina. Visitors can meet Talibah Begay (Navajo) as she shares a traditional Navajo shoe guessing game. Leihua Stewart (Native Hawaiian) teaches traditional Hawaiian games. Participants can learn to play Bolivian games with Julia Garcia (Aymara). The day features hands-on activities and “make-and-takes.”
The 16th Annual Alexandria Warehouse Sale returns to on Saturday, February 8, in the heart of Old Town. Deemed in the region the longest-running boutique driven warehouse sale, the popular mid-winter event will take place at the Westin Hotel located in the Carlyle District of Old Town Alexandria. The fun, yet casual, free to enter event will include a variety of new boutiques and retailers not only located in Alexandria, but throughout the Metro region.
2020 Participating Boutiques include (as of January 8):
Clothing
CCH Collection
Dresscode Style
J McLaughlin
Mission Edit
Pacers
Periwinkle
Sara Campbell
Scout & Molly’s Boutique (Annapolis, Bethesda, One Loudon, Reston locations)
The Hive
TSalt
Vintage Mirage
WRABYN Boutique
Jewelry/Accessories/Beauty
Cara Hosiery
Eye2Eye
Mystique Jewelers
Nourish & Refine
Queen Bee Designs
She’s Unique
The Way U Shop
Wear Ever Jewelry
Home
Patina Polished Living
Kids
Monday’s Child
Shoes
Bishop Boutique
Eight Royale
Sassanova
The Shoe Hive
The event will also have a variety of promotional activities such as:
- In-line Giveaways & Prizes from participating boutiques;
- Mind the Mat – complimentary pilates classes between 8 a.m. – 9 a.m.;
- AR Workshop Alexandria – Get Crafty! AR Workshop is popping by again with another crafty DIY Make & Take Station! Stop by between 8:00 am-10:00 am and make a mini wood sign you will get to take home. If you missed out last year, they’ll be raffling off another Chunky Knit Blanket Workshop (valued at $85)! Purchase a $5 raffle ticket for a chance to win a seat in an upcoming class! Raffle Winner will be announced at 10:00. Seats are first-come, first-served and while supplies last.
- Penny Post will be on hand to entertain the crowds with button making and pencil embossing. You can also write a letter to a friend and tell them what great deals you found at this year’s warehouse sale!
- Salon DeZen – Complimentary glitter and mini braid bar from 8:00 a.m – 11:00 a.m.
Deal seekers will find the very best from Alexandria’s and the region’s finest retailers and indie brands with various brands of clothing, shoes, jewelry, home furnishings and more up to 80 percent off retail prices. Experienced sale shoppers line up early in the morning hours to get first grabs at top label merchandise, and throughout the day the sale has a steady pace of shoppers. Folks that decide to wait until the last few hours of the sale can score even more markdown deals with merchants looking to move seasonal merchandise.
The event is also giving away early entry into the Warehouse Sale to four lucky shoppers. The pass will be good for yourself and a guest to enjoy the sale a full hour before the doors open to the public. Contest ends midnight on Thursday, February 6. Lucky winners will be notified on February 7th. Visit www.AlexandriaWarehouseSale.com or Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/ALXWarehouseSale/ for details.
Shoppers can enjoy ample street parking and $5 garage parking at select garages surrounding the Westin Alexandria (visit website for location details). The Westin will also offer a shuttle the King Street Metro starting at 7 a.m.
Multimedia play: Hear Me Say My Name
Saturdays: Feb. 15, 22, and 29, 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.
Rasmuson Theater
“I am not your mascot, and I don’t live in a tipi. See me for who I am, hear me say my name.” How do stereotypes of American Indians, prejudice, and identity shape the discussion of what it means to be a young person in our country today? This original multimedia play, created in collaboration with Smithsonian Associates Discovery Theater, tackles America’s assumptions about American Indians and starts a conversation with audiences reclaiming rich history, challenges, hopes, and dreams. After the play, the audience is invited to explore the museum’s Americans exhibition to learn more.
This program is generously supported by the Rasmuson Foundation. Free; first-come, first-served seating. No registration is required.
Opening and Screening
Thursday, Feb. 20
The annual Mother Tongue Film Festival, presented by the Smithsonian’s Recovering Voices program, celebrates the United Nations’ International Mother Language Day by showcasing recently produced feature and short-length films about the cultural richness of Indigenous and endangered languages. Recovering Voices, a collaboration of the National Museum of Natural History, the National Museum of the American Indian and the Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage, partners with communities around the world to revitalize and sustain endangered languages and knowledge. Full schedule will be available https://mothertongue.si.edu/
