Events/Things To Do

Inspired by the bustling open-air night markets of East and Southeast Asia, Peter Chang of DC’s No Kings Collective creative agency and Events DC are teaming up to create the first annual REDEYE Night Market on November 6 in Washington, DC. REDEYE will occupy four blocks of Pennsylvania Avenue NW from 3rd through 7th Streets NW and bring together over 50 treasured local vendors to showcase an array of food and beverages like one might find at a night market abroad, including Filipino pastries, Taiwanese shaved ice, bao and Korean fried chicken. In addition to sampling signature dishes from celebrated local restaurants including Incheon, Tiger Fork, Maketto, China Chilcano, Thip Khao, Nihao, attendees will enjoy cultural and musical performances throughout the evening. Admission is free of charge with food and beverages available for purchase.

The REDEYE, set for 4 pm to 11 pm, is intended to serve as a celebration of Washington, DC’s rich AAPI community and to acknowledge the challenges and economic disenfranchisement that impacted small businesses across the nation in the past year.

“This past year was especially challenging for the AAPI community, as well as for the food industry. The REDEYE is a celebration of what we are overcoming together,” says Chang.

“The REDEYE Night Market is an incredible opportunity to celebrate our city’s diversity and showcase DC’s dynamic hospitality offerings,” said Greg O’Dell, president and CEO of Events DC. “We are thrilled to bring together residents, visitors and the AAPI community for an exceptional experience of authentic cuisine and culture from some of DC’s most well-known restaurateurs and performers.”

For details and a list of participants and performances, please visit: https://theredeye.nokingscollective.com/

The REDEYE Night Market will be held in accordance with all health and safety protocols as outlined by the Executive Office of the Mayor and DC Department of Health.

Signature Holiday Events

Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony

Friday, November 19

6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Plaza

Free

Tysons Corner Center will kick off the 2021 Holiday Season with its annual tree lighting ceremony. The ceremony will include a special appearance from Santa, community performances, live music complimentary s’mores, hot chocolate station, kids crafts, outdoor specialty pop-up market featuring mall retailers, holiday sips from Barrel + Bushel, giveaways, and more.

• Come one, come all, the sideshow circus Side Yards is back this November! The family-friendly event features like performances from magicians, contortionists, fortune tellers, and more!

• Date: Friday, November 12 | 5:30 – 8:30 PM

Fairmont Washington, D.C. Georgetown is pleased to announce its 18th annual tree lighting ceremony in the hotel’s Courtyard  beginning at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, December 1, 2021,   Filled with tiny white lights and shimmering Christmas trees, the courtyard becomes a glittering crystal garden –  the perfect venue for holiday celebrations.

Families will take the chill off next to heaters as they listen to the award-winning Georgetown Visitation Madrigals perform holiday classics under the direction of  Director of Performing Arts, Neptune Pringle, III. Children will enjoy decorating holiday cards and all families will be entered to win prizes. Santa will make a special appearance with Georgie the hotel’s Canine Ambassador.  This year, all families are welcome to take a photo with Santa after the ceremony in his very own Santa Suite.

  Fairmont’s tree lighting ceremony, which is free and open to the public, will benefit Horton’s Kids*. There is no charge to attend Fairmont’s Tree Lighting. All families and guests are encouraged to bring a popular toy such as Legos, basketballs, footballs, dolls, books, games or arts and crafts. The donations will help spread holiday cheer to over 500 children, ages 5 – 18.

            To secure reservations for Fairmont’s tree lighting ceremony, please visit Eventbrite:  https://fairmontwashingtontreelighting.eventbrite.com

Fairmont Washington, D.C., Georgetown will also be accepting toy donations for Horton’s before and after the tree lighting ceremony from November 18th until December 14^th.

* Horton’s Kids empowers children growing up in one of Washington, DC’s most under-resourced communities so that they graduate from high school ready for success in college, career and life.    https://www.hortonskids.org/+

Breakfast with Santa
Saturday, December 4

9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.

Food Court, Level 3

Free

Families can enjoy some personal time with Santa by enjoying the center’s long-standing ‘Breakfast with Santa’ tradition. This must-attend event will feature a complimentary catered breakfast, kid entertainment, and a variety of family-friendly activities. Reservations are not required. Place settings are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Storytime with Santa

Saturday, December 11

9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.

Fashion Court, Level 1

Free

Who else is better to read all our favorite Holiday stories? Join us for an intimate story session with Santa for an experience your child will never forget while he reads many of our prized classics. Reservations are not required.

Sensory Santa

Sunday, December 12

9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.

Level 1, Fashion Court

Tysons Corner Center is pleased to partner with Cherry Hill photography and Autism Speaks to welcome children with special needs for a low impact, time with Santa. The mall will open its doors early, exclusively for families, and give them private time with the Big Man in Red. Reservations are not required.

La Famosa will partner with local rum distillery, Cotton & Reed, to host a holiday-themed coquito class and demo. Led by chef/owner Joancarlo Parkhurst and GM/Beverage Director, Phil Guernsey, the class will teach guests how to make Puerto Rico’s popular Christmas drink, coquito. Held at the Cotton & Reed Distillery on Sunday, December 12 at 1PM, the event includes:

• Demonstration of a no-cook coquito recipe
• Demonstration of a new seasonal cocktail, La Pera made with house-made spiced rum, fresh passionfruit and pear nectars, ginger beer, and grated nutmeg
• Seasonal bites from the La Famosa kitchen, including Coquito Bread Pudding (a new creation from Parkhurst not on the La Famosa menu), assorted Puerto Rican holiday cookies including Mantecaditos and Besitos de Coco, and Mezcla Sandwiches (mezcla is a cheese spread made with ham and pimento peppers)
• Take-home recipe cards for: Coquito, Pumpkin Spice Coquito, La Pera, Coquito Bread Pudding and Coquito Latte
• One 750 ml bottle of Cotton & Reed Mellow Gold Rum
• One bottle of La Famosa’s coquito base

Tickets, which can be purchased here, are available for $75 each.

• Families are invited to ring in the new year at DC’s best family-friendly celebration, Noon Yards! Noon Yards has interactive activities for every member of the family including crafts, kid-friendly activities, magicians, and a countdown to noon for young ones who might not make it to midnight!

• Date: December 31 | 10 AM – 1 pm