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.
Xmas Fitness Event
Wednesday, December 19
8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m
Level 1, Interior Bloomingdale’s Entrance
This year, get a head start on the holiday feast recovery for a fun, fitness filled event that will have you feeling toned headed into the big day.
11:30 a.m. The REACH
Dance Fitness
Part of our new Dance Wellness Series! Try on different styles of dance while beating the winter blues in these fitness-focused classes held the first Saturday of the month, November 2019 through March 2020. Each class will be offered in collaboration with a local dance fitness professional or organization. All experience levels welcome and celebrated.
Tickets: $10
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.”
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.
Rise, shine and become one with yourself at 12 Stories’ morning of self-care on Sunday, February 16 from 11am to 1pm, featuring a holistic pop-up yoga class, post-sweat social hour, candle-making course and more. Come down to The Wharf’s hottest nightlife destination (75 District Square SW) to enjoy:
- An hour of rooftop yoga taught by Abby Paterson, known for her soulful, breath-centric flow. (Class space will be first-come-first-served and the first 25 guests to RSVP will be gifted yoga mats to take home.)
- A post-sweat social hour, including specialty cocktails made with BarSol Pisco and light bites set against 12 Stories’ unparalleled views of the D.C. skyline.
- A body scrub and affirmation candle-making course, led by Kita Love.
- Additional pampering with a $10 mini hydrojelly facial mask by licensed esthetician Georgia Ruggiero of Georgia Leith Skin Care Studio.
The chance to win a beauty raffle valued at $150!
Tickets are $20 and to snag yours, visit the Eventbrite link here. (Remember, this event is 21+)
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/
