Seasonal & Holiday Activations: Lights, Markets, Pop Ups & More

It’s hard to believe that the holiday season is upon us - but it is! All the area light shows, skating rinks, holiday markets, teas, and pop-ups are back along with the cinnamon, sugar, and spice of the season specifically here to to tantalize all your senses:

I SEE THE LIGHTS: 

Garden of Lights at Brookside Gardens: Brookside Gardens has transformed into a magical winter wonderland for Garden of Lights from November 22nd - January 5th. Walk through the outdoor twinkling lights and glimmering displays. For more information, click here.

Bull Run Festival of Lights: Enjoy two and a half miles of holiday lights at the Bull Run Festival of Lights, open nightly from November 15th to January 5th, with time slots from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. or 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Tickets are $30 online or $40 at the door. Bus tickets are $75 (for fifteen or more passengers) on select dates. Save up to $10 by attending promotional nights and buying tickets online. To purchase a ticket, click here.

13th Annual Winter Walk of Lights at Meadowlark Botanical Gardens: Experience the magic of the season at Meadowlark Botanical Gardens with the 13th annual Winter Walk of Lights. This elegant half-mile garden trail is illuminated by countless sparkling lights, showcasing displays inspired by nature, winter, and holiday themes. Enhance your evening with a cozy hot beverage and cap it off by roasting marshmallows for s’mores; For more information, click here.

The Yards’ Light Yards: Enjoy holiday-themed cocktails in limited-edition glassware at participating restaurants, including Bammy’s, La Famosa, District Winery, Emmy Squared, and Agua 301. Celebrate the season at The Yards with Swinging Bells, a free art installation featuring five thirteen-foot-tall illuminated bells, perfect for family fun and festive photos. Visit the Sun Deck daily from 5:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m., through January 3rd. For more information, click here.

ZooLights at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo: Celebrate the holidays with ZooLights at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo, featuring dazzling lantern displays, festive pathways, live music, seasonal treats, and carousel rides. ZooLights runs every Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Monday from 5:00 - 9:00 p.m. and every Sunday from 5:00 - 8:00 p.m. from November 22nd - January 4th. Proceeds support animal care and conservation. For more information, click here.

Walkable Light Experience at Tyson's Corner: A stunning Walkable Light Experience on the Plaza, sponsored by George Mason University is coming to Tyson's Corner. Collaborating with Enchant DC, the center aims to create the largest free light experience in the DMV. This year, the Plaza will feature 11 new interactive light installations, providing even more opportunities for the community to celebrate and enjoy the holiday season. For more information, click here. 

MUSEUM VISITS: 

Visible Vault at National Building Museum: The National Building Museum has opened a truly special exhibition for all ages - VISIBLE VAULT: Open Collections Storage that will give visitors a whole new perspective on what it means to unlock history. VISIBLE VAULT will feature more than 2,500 artifacts that have previously been inaccessible due to their size, scope, and material complexity. This display represents highlights from the Museum’s massive collection of 500,000 artifacts and includes objects such as architectural blueprints and models, bricks, plaster molds, photographs, building fragments, toy collections, souvenir buildings, drafting tools and historical building equipment. In addition to custom display cabinetry, the exhibition contains numerous file drawers that visitors are encouraged to open to discover light-sensitive pieces like drawings, construction toys in their original boxes, and small items like product samples and dollhouse furniture. The Museum will regularly rotate artifacts to share new acquisitions and work contributed by its partners. More info here. 

Folger Frost Fair: The Folger Shakespeare Library today announced its first annual Folger Frost Fair, a winter celebration runs through January 5, 2025. During this time, winter greenery, lights, ornaments, and other festive elements will decorate the building. Docents and staff will be on hand to offer free pop-up talks about the Folger’s history and architecture, and complimentary activities for kids and adults will be offered throughout the month alongside longstanding Folger holiday traditions like Folger Consort’s holiday concert and Emily Dickinson Birthday Tribute Reading. The idea for the Folger Frost Fair was inspired by the frost fairs held in London when the River Thames completely froze in winters between the 1600s and 1800s. Londoners used the frozen river as an opportunity to take daily life to the ice—setting up stalls and booths selling food and drink and conducting commerce. People played games and held contests, and there were even printing presses on the ice from which souvenir postcards and prints were sold. More info here. 

Tingle Bells: An ASMR Holiday Special at Artechouse: In a sea of seasonal over-stimulation, ARTECHOUSE invites you to step into a world of serenity and sensory wonder with their new immersive holiday exhibition, Tingle Bells: An ASMR Inspired Holiday Special. Opening to the public on November 22, 2024, at ARTECHOUSE DC, Tingle Bells: An ASMR Holiday Special, will be an immersive digital exhibition designed to soothe your senses and warm your spirit. Inspired by the transformative power of Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response (ASMR), this one-of-a-kind, limited-run experience invites you to unwind in a sanctuary of sound and visuals designed to promote relaxation in the mind and body. Reserve tickets here.

Holiday Bricktacular at LEGO Discovery Center DC: Starting November 30th, LEGO Discovery Center DC will have a new event experience called Build To Give where families can create joy in the biggest donation of LEGO sets to children in need by building a LEGO heart. Other holiday happenings include the “Mini World DC Winter Wonderland”, featuring iconic holiday scenes and more. 

HOLIDAY POP-UPS & SEASONAL SETTINGS: 
 

Santa’s Slayin’ Sweets: This holiday season, Big Buns is bringing the festive spirit to life with an irresistible new dessert menu, Santa's Slayin' Sweets. Available for a limited time now through December 31st at Shirlington and One Loudoun locations, this holiday-inspired pop-up is set to delight dessert lovers of all ages. Try the gingerbread shake, the peppermint shake, and many more. eatbigbuns.com

Holiday Clock Tower Tea at Waldorf Astoria: For tea fans, The Waldorf Astoria has you covered this holiday season. Relish a leisurely afternoon tea experience in Peacock Alley’s atrium beneath the iconic Clock Tower. The holiday tea will feature Tea Sandwiches like Cucumber Caviar, Chicken Salad, Dill Smoked Salmon, Deviled Egg Carbonara, Whipped Miso Tahini, Gingerbread Scones, Chocolate Peppermint Macrons, Spices Cheesecake Tartlets and more. Tea selections have also been chosen for the season and the pièce de résistance? Premium Champagne Enhancements, where guests can choose from Billecart Salmon Champagne, Piper-Heidsieck Rosé Savage Brut Champagne or Krug Grande Cuvée Brut Champagne. More info here. 

Caroled at The Commodore: The Commodore is giving a special winter treat this holiday season with Caroled at the Commodore. Enjoy being haunted by three-spirited pop-up rooms... Christmas Past, Present, and Yet To Come... paired with spirited libations. 

Lulu’s Wine(ter) Garden (Patio Pleasures):  Lulu’s Winegarden has unveiled its annual holiday pop-up “Lulu’s Wine(ter)garden.” The Southwest-inspired U Street wine garden has once again transformed its entire space into a desert winter wonderland -- but new this year, you will find an expanded holiday cocktail menu and a more-decked-out-than-ever space, plus its beloved winter food specials and holiday wine boxes, returning through early January. More info here. 

Colada Shop’s Holiday Bar: Step into a festive Cuban wonderland at Colada Shop’s Holiday Bar pop-ups at their 14th St and Clarendon locations! Escape the winter chill and immerse yourself in a Havana-style holiday celebration featuring tropical decor and a lineup of creatively crafted cocktails.Sip on the Coquito Shooter, Rum Cider, Churro Manhattan, Cuba Libre Navidad, and more. Cocktails are $12+. 

Dreamland at Duke’s Grocery: Duke's Grocery invites guests to celebrate the season in awe-inspiring fashion with "Dreamland: The Narnia-inspired Bar" – a holiday pop-up returning to its Navy Yard location on Thursday, December 5th and running through the holidays. This will be the second iteration of Duke’s Grocery’s Dreamland, and like the first will provide guests with an unforgettable experience filled with wonder and holiday magic, this time with a lineup of Narnia-themed libations. For more information, click here. 

Swingers, the Crazy Golf Club’s, Winter Courtyard: In partnership with Campari, Swingers is transforming into an enchanting holiday setting this season. The space has been transformed into a magical winter wonderland with snow-dusted trees, twinkling fairy lights, festive decor, seasonal cocktails, light bites, a winter-themed prize wheel, and festive photo opportunities. For more information, click here.

HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS:

Visit MoCo’s Holiday Hub: Montgomery County, Maryland, offers a diverse range of holiday activities for residents and visitors alike. This season, Visit Montgomery has launched the "Holidays the MoCo Way" campaign, which includes a dedicated Holiday Hub at VisitMontgomery.com/Holiday. The Hub is designed to help visitors explore the county’s seasonal events, activities, and dining options. The Holiday Hub provides information on everything from seasonal activities to special offers and curated holiday itineraries. Visitors can enjoy holiday-themed events such as watching A Christmas Carol at Olney Theatre or strolling through Brookside Gardens’ "Garden of Lights," featuring over a million lights spread across 50 acres. For those looking for a drive-through experience, the Winter Lights Festival at Seneca Creek State Park offers a scenic view of illuminated holiday displays.
 

A Dickens Holiday in Middleburg: During the month of December the Town of Middleburg will transform into the ultimate holiday destination. The historic town, located in the heart of Virginia’s horse country, will sparkle with festive decorations during the holiday season. The town will also host family-friendly activities including a dog parade, a Dickens-themed festival, and much more. Find out more info here. 

Washington Ballet’s The Nutcracker: The Washington Ballet's holiday show features the Nutcracker. This D.C.-themed production features dancing cherry blossoms, cardinals, and famous figures like Betsy Ross, Harriet Tubman, and George Washington as the Nutcracker. Amidst the charming streets of Georgetown and cherry blossom trees, stunning dance performances and nods to DC’s rich history make this an unforgettable experience for all ages. The Washington Ballet’s The Nutcracker will transport audiences into a winter wonderland that has become a lasting holiday tradition not to be missed, through Decemebr 2024. Get tickets here. 

A Christmas Carol at Ford’s Theatre: Ford’s Theatre Director Paul R. Tetreault announced that Craig Wallace (Fences, Necessary Sacrifices, Death of a Salesman, The Guard, Driving Miss Daisy) will return to Ford’s to reprise the role of Ebenezer Scrooge for the company’s holiday production of A Christmas Carol. Also returning to A Christmas Carol are Kimberly Gilbert (The Trip to Bountiful, Born Yesterday, Jefferson’s Garden) as the Ghost of Christmas Present, Justine “Icy” Moral (Ragtime, Into The Woods) as the Ghost of Christmas Past and the Ghost of Christmas Future and Joe Mallon (Little Shop of Horrors, Shout Sister Shout, One Destiny) as the Clock Vendor.  Through December 31, 2024. More information here. 

The Darcy: From December 2nd - January 28th, the lobby of the hotel will transform into an Unapologetically DC LEGO Art Installation. You are invited to view the mind-boggling display of LEGO creations from Santa's festive preparations to a jaw-dropping replica of DC's iconic Pennsylvania Avenue, all crafted with the beloved little bricks. Visitors can embrace their inner child and cast their vote for their favorite masterpiece in person or on social media.

PUT ON YOUR SKATES: 

DowntownDC Holiday Skate Spectacular: Join the DowntownDC BID for the Holiday Skate Spectacular at the National Building Museum’s Great Hall from December 16th to January 4th. Enjoy free skating on an indoor synthetic ice rink daily from 12:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. (closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays). Bring skates or rent a pair for $5. Don’t miss special guest appearances, food, and family-friendly activities, including theme days. Skating is free and open to all. Click here to learn more.

Sculpture Garden: The DC Sculpture Garden ice rink reopens November 23, 2024–March 2, 2025 (weather permitting). Enjoy  Pavilion Café and pop-up performances from Team USA and local figure skaters at 7:00 p.m. with a meet-and-greet to follow. To purchase a ticket, click here. 

Washington Harbor: The Washington Harbor Ice Rink is officially open for the holiday season! Enjoy scenic view of the Potomac River, Kennedy Center, Key Bridge, and more while skating. For more information, click here.