Fairmont Washington, D.C. Georgetown is pleased to announce its 19th annual tree lighting ceremony in the hotel’s Courtyard beginning at 5:30pm on Tuesday, November 29. Filled with tiny white lights and a shimmering Christmas tree, 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 families will be entered to win prizes.
Steve Chenevey, co-anchor on FOX 5 Morning and Good Day DC, will serve as the Master of Ceremonies. Santa Claus will make a special appearance with Georgie the hotel’s Canine Ambassador, and spend time listening to children’s Christmas wishes after the ceremony.
Fairmont’s tree lighting ceremony, which is free and open to the public, encourages all guests to bring a gift for Horton’s Kids* – 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:
Fairmont Washington, D.C., Georgetown will also be accepting toy donations for Horton’s before and after the tree lighting ceremony from November 18 until December 14.
* 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/
Christmas Sweater Party & Animal Welfare League of Arlington Fundraiser
This one is for all you cat lovers! Join Wilson Hardware on Thursday, Dec. 1 from 4PM-7PM for an Ugly Sweater Party & AWLA fundraiser. The event will include drinks, snacks, family photo opportunities, a raffle and even a few VIP feline guests. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at AWLA.org.
Special Community Program & Candlelight Vigil
The Corner at Whitman Walker
1701 14th Street, Washington, DC
5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
DC community is invited to honor and pay tribute to those lost during the HIV/AIDS epidemic. The program will include remarks and reflections from community members, Whitman-Walker leadership, Japer Bowles, Director of the Mayor’s Office of LGBTQ Affairs Office, and other notable guests and activations. Program begins at 6:00 p.m. at The Corner followed by a candlelight vigil outside the building.
Native Art Market
Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 3–4, 10 a.m.–5:30 p.m.
Make your holiday shopping special! Meet more than 30 award-winning Indigenous artists offering handcrafted traditional and contemporary artworks. The museum’s annual Native Art Market features works by Indigenous artists from the Western Hemisphere. The weekend event offers visitors a unique opportunity to purchase traditional and contemporary handcrafted artworks—including beadwork, jewelry, paintings, photography, pottery, and sculpture. In its 15th year, the Native Art Market invites art lovers of art and craftsmanship to meet Native artists and learn about traditional Native arts and contemporary Native creativity.
Artist Discussion: Ancestors Know Who We Are
Saturday, Dec. 3, 2–3 p.m.
Join five artists featured in the museum’s online exhibition Ancestors Know Who We Are for a discussion about Black-Native identity and its expression through art. Participating artists are Joelle Joyner (African American and Kauwets’a:ka [Meherrin] descent); Moira Pernambuco (African and Amerindian [Wapishana]); Paige Pettibon (Black, Salish, and white descent); Monica Rickert-Bolter (Prairie Band Potawatomi, Black, and German); and Storme Webber (Alaskan Sugpiaq [Alutiiq] and Black descent). Amber Starks, aka Melanin Mvskoke (Black/Muscogee Creek), moderates, with introductions by exhibition curator Anya Montiel (Mexican and Tohono O’odham descent).
The event will be livestreamed at AmericanIndian.si.edu/livestream.
Native Art Market
Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 3–4, 10 a.m.–5:30 p.m.
Make your holiday shopping special! Meet more than 30 award-winning Indigenous artists offering handcrafted traditional and contemporary artworks. The museum’s annual Native Art Market features works by Indigenous artists from the Western Hemisphere. The weekend event offers visitors a unique opportunity to purchase traditional and contemporary handcrafted artworks—including beadwork, jewelry, paintings, photography, pottery, and sculpture. In its 15th year, the Native Art Market invites art lovers of art and craftsmanship to meet Native artists and learn about traditional Native arts and contemporary Native creativity.
Sunday, December 4
World AIDS Day: A Time to Pause, Honor, and Resolve
Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History
10th St. & Constitution Ave. NW, Washington, DC
3:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Guest Speaker: Whitman-Walker Health CEO, Naseema Shafi
Each December the world pauses to observe World AIDS Day, honor those affected by HIV, and resolve to end the epidemic. Despite all the pharmaceutical tools available to stop new infections and halt the progression of HIV to AIDS, a situation still exists where the benefits are not being equally shared across racial, ethnic, and regional groups of people. Ending the HIV epidemic requires a commitment to reaching those at greatest risk of contracting the virus and removing the stigma, social, and economic barriers that culminate in continued transmission and lack of access to health care. This World AIDS Day we take stock of the U.S. HIV AIDS epidemic, celebrate those working to end the epidemic and assess the work yet to be done.
Whitman-Walker has been part of the fabric of Washington, DC, and nationally for almost 50 years as a first responder and care-provider for those living with HIV; a leader in LGBTQ care and advocacy; a research center working to discover breakthroughs in HIV treatment; and one of DC’s most trusted partners during the COVID-19 pandemic. Whitman-Walker envisions a society where all people are seen for who they are, treated with dignity and respect, and afforded equal opportunity to health and wellbeing.
Holiday Cocktail Classes
The Loft at Lena’s – Velvet & Rye
December 12 (Monday) & December 13 (Tuesday)
6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Lena’s Wood-Fired Pizza & Tap brings an interactive holiday experience for adults to enjoy. A cocktail class, taking place in Lena’s loft, Velvet & Rye located on the second floor to host a cocktail class for beginners and those wanting to learn a crafted mix drink happening on December 12 & 13 from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. The start of the class starts with a welcome cocktail for beginners and three other signature drinks to curate and learn. A starter and entree course meal is included in the package for $170 per person, which includes tax and tip. Interested parties must be 21 or older; to join the cocktail-making experience visit Eventbrite to register or visit Lena’s website for more information.
Holiday Cocktail Classes
The Loft at Lena’s – Velvet & Rye
December 12 (Monday) & December 13 (Tuesday)
6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Lena’s Wood-Fired Pizza & Tap brings an interactive holiday experience for adults to enjoy. A cocktail class, taking place in Lena’s loft, Velvet & Rye located on the second floor to host a cocktail class for beginners and those wanting to learn a crafted mix drink happening on December 12 & 13 from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. The start of the class starts with a welcome cocktail for beginners and three other signature drinks to curate and learn. A starter and entree course meal is included in the package for $170 per person, which includes tax and tip. Interested parties must be 21 or older; to join the cocktail-making experience visit Eventbrite to register or visit Lena’s website for more information.
The Commentary Social House will be launching a Craft Beer Dinner Series starting this January in partnership with Port City Brewing. Guests can enjoy their favorite beer and seasonal dishes while receiving expert tips on how to pair delicious craft beers with their next meal.
A portion of proceeds from the Craft Beer Dinners will be donated to Save the Children. The first dinner in the series will be in partnership with Port City Brewing on Thursday, January 19th from 7 pm – 9 pm. Executive Chef Francecil Ponte has collaborated with Port City Brewing to pair their seasonal and specialty brews with a five-course menu (see below).
Tickets for the Craft Beer Dinner event on January 19th can be found here.
