Dec
31
Sun
Noon Yards Eve! @ The Yards Sundeck
Dec 31 @ 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM

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

Jan
27
Sat
Krewe of Pyros 8th Annual Mardi Gras Ball @ Walter E. Washington Convention Center
Jan 27 @ 7:00 PM – 11:59 PM

The Krewe of Pyros presents the 8th Annual Mardi Gras Ball on Saturday, January 27, 2024 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. The 2024 entertainment line-up is FIYAH featuring Carl Thomas, DJ Mannie FreshBe’la Dona Band and DJ Polo 504.

The Events DC Super Lounge will feature four-time GRAMMY nominated recording artist Raheem DeVaughn.

This event supports the Krewe of Pyros Foundation’s Pipeline Scholarship Program.

Formal attire required for entry: Tuxedo and Floor Length Gowns

This is a 3-day event and your ticket purchase includes:

  • The Captain’s Welcome Party – Friday, January 26th  at Throw Social
  • The 8th Annual Mardi Gras Ball – Saturday, January 27th
  • The President’s Thank You Party – Sunday, January 28th at Zebbie’s Garden

At the Ball you will enjoy an open bar, live entertainment, and a delicious three-course meal! NOTE: When purchasing your tickets, you will be required to select your choice of entrée. You will also have an opportunity to enter any food allergies. The Menu:

  • Entrée Choice 1:  Roasted Chicken and Shrimp, with Tomato Etouffee, Dauphinoise Potatoes, Winter Squash, and Baby CarrotsEntrée Choice 2:  Braised Beef Short Ribwith Dauphinoise Potatoes and Collard Greens
  • Entrée Choice 3:  (Vegan) Chickpea Cake, with Warm Salad of Brussels, Broccoli, and Peas with Harissa and Mint Chutney
Feb
3
Sat
Lunar New Year at National Museum of Asian Art @ National Museum of Asian Art
Feb 3 @ 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM

The Smithsonian’s National Museum of Asian Art has announced its 2024 family festival commemorating Lunar New Year, a celebration of the arrival of spring and the beginning of a new year on the lunisolar calendar. The event takes place Feb. 3, 11 a.m.–4 p.m. It is free and open to the public.

This year’s Lunar New Year festival will celebrate the year of the dragon. It will consist of performances, talks, tours, hands-on activities and more. The full schedule is available online. The museum also offers many resources to learn about Lunar New Year on its website such as virtual tours of related collections, lesson plans and webinars.

About Lunar New Year
Commonly known as the Spring Festival in China, Lunar New Year is a 15-day celebration marked by many traditions. The Lunar New Year’s Eve reunion dinner is the highlight that kicks off the holiday, a feast with a spread of symbolic dishes, such as a whole fish representing abundance, that bring good luck and fortune. The 15th and final day of the holiday is the Lantern Festival, during which people have tangyuan, or sweet glutinous rice balls, and children carry lanterns around the neighborhood at night to mark the end of the celebration.

In the Chinese zodiac, 2024 is the year of the dragon. Different regions across Asia celebrate Lunar New Year in many ways and may follow a different zodiac. Many Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders do not observe the Chinese/lunar zodiac.

Feb
10
Sat
Lunar New Year at Tiger Fork w/ Lion Dancers @ Tiger Fork
Feb 10 @ 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM

Hong Kong-inspired Tiger Fork in Blagden Alley is once again celebrating Lunar New Year (year of the Dragon) from February 9 through February 18. Tiger Fork will serve of a special a la carte menu of symbolic Cantonese dishes for both dine-in and takeout, each representing a specific virtue to bring good luck for the coming year. And during dinner service on two Saturdays, February 10 & 17, the festive restaurant will host traditional Lion Dancers, performing ceremonies to bring prosperity and good fortune in 2024.

In addition to most of Tiger Fork’s regular menu offerings, Executive Chef Simon Lam has created several dish specials, each designed to bring good luck in the New Year (traditional examples include dumplings symbolizing wealth, noodles for long life, and fish bringing surplus). Available either a la carte (ranging from $9-$35) or as a tasting menu for two ($136), dishes include:

Pork Dumplings (wealth)

Napa cabbage, edamame puree, herb oil

Jian Diu (togetherness)

fried glutinous rice sesame balls

Yu Sheng (prosperity)

noodles, seasonal vegetables, sea urchin, fish roe

Yu (abundance)

steamed whole fish, soy fish broth, aromatic herbs

Year of the Dragon (luck)

battered lobster, soy gravy, pan fried egg noodles

Throughout the celebration, dine-in guests will receive a traditional red envelope with their checks. During Lunar New Year, bright red envelopes are traditionally gifted to friends and family. Guests can fill them with money, gifted to symbolize good wishes and luck for the new year ahead.

And traditional Chinese lion dancers from Tai Yim Kung Fu will perform on several nights during dinner service (Sat. February 10 at 7:30pm, and Sat. February 17 at 5pm and 7pm) for guests in the dining room and just outside the restaurant in historic Blagden Alley — a customary ceremony which signifies prosperity, luck and good fortune.

Tiger Fork’s Lunar New Year specials will all be available for dine-in, and some for takeout/delivery.

WHEN:       Food Specials: Friday, February 9 through Sunday, February 18 (food specials)

Lion Dancing: Saturday, February 10 (7:30pm) and Saturday, February 17 (5pm, 7pm)

 

WHERE:     Tiger Fork

922 N Street NW

Washington, DC 20001

 

Feb
17
Sat
Lunar New Year at Tiger Fork w/ Lion Dancers @ Tiger Fork
Feb 17 @ 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM

Hong Kong-inspired Tiger Fork in Blagden Alley is once again celebrating Lunar New Year (year of the Dragon) from February 9 through February 18. Tiger Fork will serve of a special a la carte menu of symbolic Cantonese dishes for both dine-in and takeout, each representing a specific virtue to bring good luck for the coming year. And during dinner service on two Saturdays, February 10 & 17, the festive restaurant will host traditional Lion Dancers, performing ceremonies to bring prosperity and good fortune in 2024.

In addition to most of Tiger Fork’s regular menu offerings, Executive Chef Simon Lam has created several dish specials, each designed to bring good luck in the New Year (traditional examples include dumplings symbolizing wealth, noodles for long life, and fish bringing surplus). Available either a la carte (ranging from $9-$35) or as a tasting menu for two ($136), dishes include:

Pork Dumplings (wealth)

Napa cabbage, edamame puree, herb oil

Jian Diu (togetherness)

fried glutinous rice sesame balls

Yu Sheng (prosperity)

noodles, seasonal vegetables, sea urchin, fish roe

Yu (abundance)

steamed whole fish, soy fish broth, aromatic herbs

Year of the Dragon (luck)

battered lobster, soy gravy, pan fried egg noodles

Throughout the celebration, dine-in guests will receive a traditional red envelope with their checks. During Lunar New Year, bright red envelopes are traditionally gifted to friends and family. Guests can fill them with money, gifted to symbolize good wishes and luck for the new year ahead.

And traditional Chinese lion dancers from Tai Yim Kung Fu will perform on several nights during dinner service (Sat. February 10 at 7:30pm, and Sat. February 17 at 5pm and 7pm) for guests in the dining room and just outside the restaurant in historic Blagden Alley — a customary ceremony which signifies prosperity, luck and good fortune.

Tiger Fork’s Lunar New Year specials will all be available for dine-in, and some for takeout/delivery.

WHEN:       Food Specials: Friday, February 9 through Sunday, February 18 (food specials)

Lion Dancing: Saturday, February 10 (7:30pm) and Saturday, February 17 (5pm, 7pm)

 

WHERE:     Tiger Fork

922 N Street NW

Washington, DC 20001

 

Feb
24
Sat
Make-A-Wish Mid-Atlantic Wish Ball @ Waldorf Astoria
Feb 24 @ 6:00 PM – 11:59 PM

On Saturday, February 24, 2024, Make-A-Wish Mid-Atlantic will host its annual Wish Ball at the elegantly restored Waldorf Astoria, Washington, D.C.  This annual event, which attracts more than 650 guests each year, raises awareness & funds for life-changing wishes for local children in the Washington, D.C., Northern Virginia and Maryland region who are battling critical illnesses.  Founded in 1983, the Mid-Atlantic chapter has granted over 11,000 since its inception. Wish kids face any number of critical illnesses such as cancer, pediatric AIDS, Spinal Muscular Atrophy, Duchene’s muscular dystrophy, kidney and heart disease. Every year, 450 local children are expected to receive a diagnosis that makes them eligible for a wish, and no child is turned away.  For every wish granted, at least one more local child is waiting.

Join for a fun and inspirational night of great food and wine, entertainment by Lucy Black Gold, live & silent auctions, and inspirational wish stories.  Tickets are priced at $500 per person with sponsorship packages ranging in price from $5,000 to $50,000.  Tickets & sponsorship packages are available for purchase at About Wish Ball (wishballmidatlantic.org)

 

WHEN:          Saturday, February 24, 2024, from 6 p.m. to 12 Midnight.

WHERE:       The Waldorf Astoria, Washington, D.C. is located at 1100 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20004.  Room reservations for Wish Ball attendees can be made here.

WHO:            Co-Chairs for 2024 Wish Ball: Katherine & Benjamin Berman and Sophie & Stephen LaMontagne, Georgetown Cupcake and Laura Szlavin Niamien & Joel Niamien, Wish Parents, Szinc Consulting LLC Walton Enterprises

Mar
7
Thu
N Street Village 25th Anniversary Gala @ Marriott Marquis
Mar 7 @ 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM

Honoring Peter Shields & Ace Werner

May
11
Sat
White House Spring Garden Tour @ White House Gardens
May 11 @ 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM

White House Gardens Tour will take place Saturday, May 11th and Sunday, May 12th.

The tours are open and free to the public with daily timed tickets.

How to tour the gardens: The National Park Service will distribute free, timed tickets each day (May 11th – 12th) beginning at 8:30 AM ET, while supplies last. Tickets will be distributed outside the White House Visitor Center at 1450 Pennsylvania Avenue NW.

Space is very limited for this highly anticipated event, so please plan accordingly.

You must have a ticket in order to join the tour. White House Spring Gardens Tour Saturday, May 11th and Sunday, May 12th 10:00 AM to 4:30 PM ET

About the White House Rose Garden: First imagined in 1902, the White House Rose Garden is one of the most recognizable landscapes in the world. Throughout history, the garden has served as a prominent place for celebrating and marking important American milestones. The White House Gardens Tour is highly anticipated by visitors and Washingtonians alike.

May
12
Sun
White House Spring Garden Tour @ White House Gardens
May 12 @ 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM

White House Gardens Tour will take place Saturday, May 11th and Sunday, May 12th.

The tours are open and free to the public with daily timed tickets.

How to tour the gardens: The National Park Service will distribute free, timed tickets each day (May 11th – 12th) beginning at 8:30 AM ET, while supplies last. Tickets will be distributed outside the White House Visitor Center at 1450 Pennsylvania Avenue NW.

Space is very limited for this highly anticipated event, so please plan accordingly.

You must have a ticket in order to join the tour. White House Spring Gardens Tour Saturday, May 11th and Sunday, May 12th 10:00 AM to 4:30 PM ET

About the White House Rose Garden: First imagined in 1902, the White House Rose Garden is one of the most recognizable landscapes in the world. Throughout history, the garden has served as a prominent place for celebrating and marking important American milestones. The White House Gardens Tour is highly anticipated by visitors and Washingtonians alike.

May
19
Sun
Old Town Festival of Speed & Style @ Lower Blocks of King Street around Market Square area
May 19 @ 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM

The Old Town Festival of Speed & Style, known as one of the most prestigious and premiere car events on the East Coast, returns to Alexandria on Sunday, May 19, 2024, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Presenting sponsor Burke & Herbert Bank, returns for the fifth year in a row to support the signature event that stretches across lower King Street and the surrounding side streets near Old Town’s waterfront, to showcase rare and exotic cars.

The Festival has garnered tens of thousands of spectators to the lower King Street area, doubling foot traffic to local businesses, generating widespread media coverage, and raising money for Alexandria-based nonprofits. The event is a high-sensory spectacle for participants, spectators and car enthusiasts, allowing them to experience the “Speed & Style” variety of exotic supercars and vintage motorcycles rarely seen sitting still for up-close viewing.

Center-stage at noon, a unique Fashion Demonstration will be hosted by Maria Elizabeth of Alexandria-based Salon DeZEN. Maria will discuss the elegance and importance of natural fashion and its profound impact when paired with beautiful automobiles. An award presentation highlighting cars judged to be the finest in 11 categories, will immediately follow the Fashion Demonstration.

“We’re thrilled to be the title sponsor of the Old Town Festival of Speed & Style for the fifth straight year,” said David P. Boyle, chair, Burke & Herbert Financial Services Corp. “As Alexandria’s hometown bank, being a part of bringing a festival of this magnitude to the heart of our city and right outside the doors of our historic Headquarters means a lot to us. We couldn’t be happier that Alive! and Community Lodgings – two valued local organizations – will benefit from the proceeds.”

New for this year, the event will include pre-war exotic cars, a myriad of different sponsors showcasing their goods under canopies strategically dispersed throughout the Festival area, and live rock and jazz music provided by two well-known local bands. 

 

 

EVENT DETAILS

What: 5th Annual Old Town Festival of Speed & Style, Presented by Burke & Herbert Bank

When: Sunday, May 19, 2024

Where: Lower Blocks of King Street around Market Square area (200-500 blocks of King Street, and the 100 blocks of North and South Fairfax St.; North and South Royal St.; and North and South Pitt St.)

Time: 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Website: https://www.festivalspeedstylealex.com/

Cost: Free – open to all!

Weather Plan: Rain or shine