Area families looking to celebrate New Year’s Eve without staying up until midnight have plenty of kid-friendly options across the region. Nycci Nellis from TheListAreYouOnIt.com shared a lineup of daytime and early-evening festivities including The Yards DC’s noon balloon drop with DJ, bounce houses and train rides, West Falls Church’s bubble-filled celebration, Cracking Courts & Skates’ daytime balloon drop, and LEGO Discovery Center’s popular noon LEGO ball drop with sparkling cider. Families can also enjoy the full-evening experience at First Night Alexandria with live music, dance parties, and performances throughout Old Town. On New Year’s Day, families can kick off 2026 with festive brunches across the area. Highlights include Matt & Tony’s in Del Ray offering brunch, dinner and at-home kits, IAGU on Capitol Hill serving traditional “lucky” dishes like hoppin’ John and deviled eggs with caviar, and Medium Rare’s legendary pajama brunch complete with prizes. Timber Pizza is welcoming kids in pajamas with free pizza, while Pastis at Union Market features a New Orleans-style Cajun brunch. For classic Southern good-luck fare, By You Bakery offers black-eyed peas, collards and cornbread. For those wanting to celebrate in style, Caravan is hosting a bottomless Moët three-course brunch, and jazz fans can head to Dolphin for a New Year’s Day jazz brunch.

As Washington, D.C. gets ready to welcome 2026, Nycci Nellis of TheListAreYouOnIt.com shares her top New Year’s Eve picks, noting that nearly every restaurant is offering something special this year. Highlights include Aqua Bisteca’s indulgent multi-course dinner with truffles and caviar, Blue Duck Tavern’s jazz-filled lounge with champagne, Aperó’s cozy champagne and caviar experience, and Cheesesteak’s Alpine fondue night. Caillou in Dupont Circle will host a seven-course Filipino tasting menu, while Selva’s late seating includes access to its upstairs nightclub. Staying in? Amparo Fondita offers tamales by the dozen, Makoto has festive sushi boxes with lucky soba noodles, and Perry’s is serving a reimagined Japanese New Year’s menu. For dancing, options include RDC’s rooftop party, Bar Bizarre with live music, Barrel House Café’s Cirque du Luxor, ChurchKey’s all-inclusive beer bash, the Green Zone’s Arab reggaeton night, Hyland’s heated rooftop dome at Union Market, and Le Pop’s underground vinyl lounge. Nycci reminds guests to book fast—many of these celebrations are already filling up.

As many people embrace a fresh start in the new year, Dry January continues to gain popularity as a way to reset habits and refocus on wellness. Nycci Nellis of TheListAreYouOnIt.com explains that the movement isn’t about deprivation, but rather intention—highlighting benefits like improved sleep, increased energy, and clearer mornings. She emphasizes that cutting back doesn’t have to mean cutting out social life, as bars and restaurants across the DMV are stepping up their zero-proof offerings. From Bresca’s buzz-free cocktail pairings and Primrose’s creative green tea and cherry blossom mocktails, to Tiffany’s Bar & Bistro’s Mediterranean-inspired “Rosetta Stone” and Silver Lyan’s alcohol-free house classics, local spots are crafting layered, thoughtful drinks that mirror the full cocktail experience. Wellness destinations like Balian Springs and Vietnamese favorite NUE are also offering functional, flavor-forward mocktails using CBD, adaptogens, and Southeast Asian fruits and spices—proving that Dry January can still be just as festive and flavorful as any other month.

Hanukkah begins this Sunday at sundown and runs for eight nights, and there’s no shortage of family-friendly ways to celebrate across the DMV. Nycci Nellis of TheListAreYouOnIt.com shares highlights including the National Menorah Lighting at the Ellipse on December 14, Westfield Montgomery Mall’s menorah lighting and festival on December 15, Old Town Alexandria’s six-foot menorah lighting the same day, and the Mosaic District’s glow-and-dance menorah lighting on December 17. Favorites throughout the week include Hanukkah in the Dark at Theater J, a kid-friendly musical, Hanukkah Story Time at the Capital Jewish Museum, the festive “Fried & Festive” party at Sixth & I, and the beloved Hanukkah Story Trail with a Giant Gelt Drop in Lincoln Park, where chocolate coins rain down from a fire truck.

WTOP’s Mark Lewis welcomed listeners into a festive Friday morning as the region gears up for Hanukkah, beginning at sunset this Sunday and running through December 22, with Nycci Nellis of TheListAreYouOnIt.com sharing a delicious roundup of what’s cooking across DC. From latkes at Baked by Yael and menorah cake pops to mini sufganiyot at All Day by Capitol Hill, DIY holiday kits from Vanessa Shabbat, creative dishes and even a sufganiyot cocktail at Baba, and Silver & Sons’ elevated Hanukkah menu, the city is full of flavor. Add in pop-up bar fun like Ivy & Coney’s life-size “Shot-nora,” Hanukkah happy hours at Hook Hall, and plenty of food-and-drink traditions, and there’s no shortage of ways to celebrate.

DC Cocktail Week is back, celebrating the anniversary of the end of Prohibition with a weeklong showcase of the region’s top bartenders, chefs, and beverage teams. Featuring more than 130 participating bars and restaurants across the DMV, the event offers exclusive cocktail and bite pairings at a set price through Sunday. Highlights this year range from decadent wagyu-infused cocktails to nostalgic mini martini pairings, along with special events like tastings, classes, pairing dinners, rooftop parties, and the grand finale—the DC Bartenders Guild’s 16th Annual Repeal Day Ball. Full details and participating locations can be found at dccocktailweek.com.

As Thanksgiving approaches, communities across the DMV are stepping up to give back, offering support through meals, warm clothing, and vital resources for those in need. Nycci Nellis of The List Are You On It shared several standout initiatives highlighting the region’s generosity. In Baltimore, Goodwill will host its 68th Annual Thanksgiving Dinner and Resource Fair at the Baltimore Convention Center, serving thousands of neighbors a full holiday meal while also providing winter coats, job training resources, and volunteer opportunities. In Adams Morgan, Popole Restaurant Group is collecting coats, hats, gloves, and scarves through December 14 at Lapis, with donations supporting refugees and local families in need. Another beloved tradition returns to Cleveland Park, where Medium Rare hosts its free Thanksgiving turkey fry for the 18th year. Community members can bring a thawed turkey (up to 10 pounds) to be fried at no cost, continuing a tradition born from the simple idea that not everyone has access to an oven. The event has grown into a true community gathering, drawing people from across the region year after year. Finally, Food & Friends will deliver more than 4,600 Thanksgiving meals across the DMV, powered by hundreds of volunteers helping with meal prep and deliveries. From coats to turkeys to full holiday meals, these efforts reflect the heart of the season—neighbors coming together to support one another through food, warmth, and community.

The latest Michelin Guide delivered little change for the Washington, DC dining scene this year, with no new stars awarded across the region. The most notable shift came from The Inn at Little Washington, long celebrated as the area’s only three-star destination, which was downgraded to two stars—ending a distinction it has held since Michelin’s arrival in the region in 2016. Speaking with Nycci Nellis of TheListAreYouOnIt.com, the takeaway was clear: while the Michelin news was subdued, it does not reflect a lack of excellence in the DC area. Nycci emphasized that the region’s dining scene remains exceptionally vibrant, with innovative newcomers and consistently strong legacy restaurants continuing to raise the bar—regardless of Michelin recognition. She also questioned Michelin’s transparency and suggested the guide may have overlooked deserving establishments this year. Despite the absence of new stars, there were bright spots. Michelin’s Bib Gourmand selections—highlighting outstanding food at accessible prices—expanded to include neighborhood favorites such as Your Only Friend in Shaw and Pho Exotic in Bloomingdale, reinforcing the depth and diversity of the local food landscape. In short, while Michelin may have been quiet, DC’s culinary momentum is anything but.

Join Nycci Nellis as she brings her signature energy and insider expertise to WTOP for this Halloween 2025 segment! From spooky sips and creative culinary treats to the hottest happenings around the DMV, Nycci breaks down everything you need to make your Halloween weekend delicious, festive, and unforgettable. Perfect for food lovers, event seekers, and anyone looking to celebrate the season in style.

In this Halloween 2025 WTOP segment, Nycci Nellis dishes on the best ways to celebrate the spooky season across the DMV. From festive food and drink recommendations to can’t-miss events, parties, and local happenings, Nycci brings her insider knowledge and signature flair to help listeners plan the ultimate Halloween weekend. Perfect for anyone craving seasonal bites, creative cocktails, and all things festive.