Events/Things To Do

The 10th Annual Adams Morgan Apple Pie Baking Contest and the 15th Annual Licking Creek Bend Farm Heirloom Apple Tasting returns to Adams Morgan on Saturday, October 28! The highly-anticipated community event will take place in front of The Line Hotel and directly across the street from the farmer’s market in Unity Park at Euclid and Champlain Streets NW.

Event highlights include an heirloom apple tasting and a homemade apple pie baking contest from residents in the neighborhood. Area bakers compete for the title of ‘Best Apple Pie’, and attendees can purchase pie slices for $6 each to support Jubilee Jumpstart, a neighborhood nonprofit that provides high-quality early childhood education with a focus on children and families with the least access.

The apple pie contest is judged by the following local pie lovers:

• Alaina James, Store Owner, Mixxed (opening soon in Adams Morgan)
• Phil Mendelson, Chairman, Council of the District of Columbia
• Brianne Nadeau, Councilmember, Ward 1
• Tom Sherwood, Analyst, WAMU-FM 88.5 Kojo Nnamdi Politics Hour; Contributing Writer, Washington City Paper
• Margaret Stevens, Commissioner, ANC 1C
• Eun Yang, NBC News4 Anchor
• Representative from Jubilee Jumpstart, early childhood education center

Event Schedule:

8am: Adams Morgan Farmers Market opens in Unity Park

10am: Heirloom apple tasting, presented by Michael Tabor of the Licking Creek Bend Farm

11am: Pie slices go on sale (available on a first-come, first-serve basis. They typically sell out quickly.)

11:30am-12:30pm: Apple pie contest judging begins

12:30pm: Apple pie contest winners announced

1pm: Market & festival ends

Additional Event Details: 

The event is free and open to the public. Each pie-baking contestant will make three homemade 9” pies from scratch (one for the judges, two for sale) and provide a list of their ingredients. Bakers compete for the top slot in five categories: appearance, filling, crust, overall, and People’s Choice. The People’s Choice category is voted on and scored by the public. A QR code is placed on each individual pie slice that is sold at the festival and the purchaser can score the pie slice they eat. Votes are tallied and the People’s Choice winner is announced later in the day. Winners in each category will receive a certificate, a mention on social media, and a 2 week CSA membership from Licking Creek Bend Farm. 100% of the proceeds from pie sales are donated to the local charity, Jubilee Jumpstart. Lots of Adams Morgan businesses will be offering apple-themed specials throughout the weekend for all to enjoy. Apple specials will be listed on the event website. The festival is hosted by the Adams Morgan Partnership BID and Licking Creek Bend Farm, in partnership with The Line Hotel. To learn more, visit AdMoAppleFestival.com.

Barbie Truck Dreamhouse Living Tour

Saturday, October 28
11:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Tysons Corner Center Plaza

Barbie is living the dream and cruising to Tysons Corner Center! Come check out the new Dreamhouse Living Tour with exclusive merch only available on the Barbie Truck Tour

CityCenterDC is thrilled to announce the return of its highly anticipated Annual Holiday Tree Lighting celebration, which coincides with the landmark project’s 10th anniversary, on Saturday, November 25th.

CityCenterDC is offering elevated moments and activities in honor of its 10th anniversary. In addition to its traditional tree-lighting festivities, CityCenterDC will expand the live performance by The Revels and offer an evening full of fun surprises for the whole family. The holiday and 10th-anniversary festivities begin at 5:00 p.m. and the Tree Lighting celebration begins at 6:00 p.m. in The Park at CityCenter, on the corner of New York Avenue NW and 11th Street NW.

In honor of its 10th anniversary, CityCenterDC has created a commemorative handmade, limited-edition ornament available for purchase throughout the holiday season. The brass beaded ornament features a festive version of the CityCenterDC logo on the center’s signature orange, and two prancing reindeer, which is a nod to the two 20-foot reindeer that grace the property each holiday season. All proceeds from the sale of the ornament, which retails for $50, will go to the Children’s National Hospital. Each purchase of an ornament will help ensure that every child receives the exceptional, compassionate care they deserve when it is needed the most.

“We are thrilled to kick off CityCenterDC’s year-long, 10th-anniversary celebration with our dazzling Holiday Tree Lighting. When CityCenterDC opened a decade ago, it transformed the face of downtown DC, creating not only an epicenter for luxury in the heart of the District but a community gathering spot where we’ve created beloved traditions and seasonal excitement throughout the years,” said Timothy Lowery, Vice President – Mixed-Use at Hines and General Manager of CityCenterDC. “It is our honor to spread joy to those in need by partnering once again with Children’s National Hospital. Your ornament purchase will not only add a little extra beauty to your own tree but provide critical funds for young patients at Children’s National.”

Emceed by NBC4 Anchor Eun Yang, this year’s 10th Annual Tree Lighting will feature an expanded and exciting program. In addition to the lighting of the 75-foot tree, The Revels will be back accompanied by a ten-piece band performing contemporary and classic renditions of holiday favorites, and the evening will wrap up with a sweet tooth lover’s surprise. Visitors can still enjoy crowd favorites such as a selfie station on CityCenter’s orange carpet, face painting and balloon animals, gourmet popcorn, cotton candy, and mini donuts.

To continue the holiday cheer throughout the season, CityCenterDC will debut Haute for The Holidays, a stunning tree installation in collaboration with Washington DC’s beloved artists Maggie O’Neill, Annie Broderick, and No Kings Collective. Each artist will create an interpretation of a festive holiday tree. Visitors can expect a mesmerizing display of 12-foot trees in various materials, textures, colors, and artistic styles. Each step will reveal a fresh artistic surprise and perspective, inviting visitors to go on a holiday journey. Visitors are welcome to explore enchanting displays starting the first week of December until January 7th.

Native Art Market

Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 2–3, 10 a.m.–5:30 p.m. 

National Mall

Make your holiday shopping special and support more than 30 award-winning Indigenous artists. Visit the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, D.C., and enjoy the museum’s annual Native Art Market.

This weekend event invites lovers of art and craftsmanship to meet Indigenous artists and learn about traditional arts and contemporary Native creativity. Visitors will have the unique opportunity to purchase handcrafted artworks, including beadwork, jewelry, paintings, photography, pottery, and sculpture.

Enjoy an electrifying performance by QVLN playing his own brand of dynamic world music on his blue violin. Throughout the day, DJ Sunny Z soundtracks your shopping spree.

Native Art Market

Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 2–3, 10 a.m.–5:30 p.m. 

National Mall

Make your holiday shopping special and support more than 30 award-winning Indigenous artists. Visit the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, D.C., and enjoy the museum’s annual Native Art Market.

This weekend event invites lovers of art and craftsmanship to meet Indigenous artists and learn about traditional arts and contemporary Native creativity. Visitors will have the unique opportunity to purchase handcrafted artworks, including beadwork, jewelry, paintings, photography, pottery, and sculpture.

Enjoy an electrifying performance by QVLN playing his own brand of dynamic world music on his blue violin. Throughout the day, DJ Sunny Z soundtracks your shopping spree.

HOLIDAY DISPLAY UNVEILING & LIGHTING EVENT

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 5 FROM 6-7:30PM

Plaza in front of Truist Bank located at the corner of Columbia and Adams Mill Roads NW

Celebrate the holiday season in Adams Morgan! On Tuesday, December 5 from 6-7:30pm, the community is invited to join in on the festivities as AdMo unveils the neighborhood’s newest interactive holiday display underneath a snow-filled sky. It’s the perfect place to take selfies or pose for a holiday card! Attendees can also listen to live music by local cover band, Gotcha Covered. Complimentary hot chocolate and cider will also be available on a first come, first serve basis. Family Friendly. Free. Open to the public.

This holiday season, Davio’s Northern Italian Steakhouse in Reston is throwing a house party: a gingerbread house party, that is! On Sunday, December 17th 2023, from 11:30am to 1:30pm, children of all ages are invited to participate in a one-of-a-kind workshop with Davio’s own pastry chef Emma Thomas!

Chef Thomas will lead the demonstration and workshop, teaching children how to decorate personalized gingerbread houses fit for the North Pole! The event is $55 per child (excluding tax and gratuity) and adult admission is free. Each participating child will receive one gingerbread house to decorate (with delectable decorations included), hot chocolate and lunch!

What to Expect:

Gingerbread houses ready for decorating

An array of candies, icing and edible decorations

A sprinkle of holiday spirit and lots of laughter

Highlights:

Personalized gingerbread houses to take home

Guided by our gingerbread expert Pastry Chef

Holiday music and festive atmosphere

Hot cocoa station for a sweet sip while you decorate

Kid’s Lunch Station Includes

Cheese & Tomato Pizza

Cheese, Tomato & Pepperoni Pizza

Crispy Chicken Sliders

Kobe Beef Sliders

Chicken Fingers

French Fries

WHERE: Davio’s Northern Italian Steakhouse | 1902 Reston Metro Plaza, Reston, VA 20190

WHEN: The workshop will be held on Sunday, December 17th from 11:30am 1:30pm

COST:        $55 per child includes gingerbread house and lunch. Secure your spot early and join us for a day of delicious creativity and holiday magic!

Ring in 2024 at the seventh annual Noon Yards Eve! The Yards is bringing back a family-friendly bash to finish out the year.

Celebrate with complimentary activities for kids of all ages including trackless train rides through The Yards, an inflatable slide and bounce house, glitter tattoo artists, carnival games, music by DJ Alex Love, crafts, The Uncle Devin Show, a magician, and more! Families can also take pictures in the photo booth and participate in the 2024-themed giveaways.

The event will culminate with the highly-anticipated countdown and balloon drop celebration at noon, allowing kids of all ages to ring in the New Year! Noon Yards is free to attend, but registration in advance is required on Eventbrite.

WHEN/WHERE:

• Sunday, December 31 | 10am – 1pm

• The Yards Sundeck | 355 Water Street SE, Washington, DC 20003