Have you crossed anything off your winter bucket list? We are half-way through ours and next up is ice skating with friends.

Mr. Gabe, the Pied Piper of Takoma Park, is kicking off a weekly concert series for kids on Zoom today from 10:00-10:45 am. Mr. Gabe’s shows are interactive musical fun for toddlers and preschoolers.  He performs nursery rhymes, finger plays, traditional children’s songs, kid-friendly pop songs and originals from his two award-winning albums.  Kids will be encouraged to use their brains and move their bodies. To buy a ticket ($5), visit Mr. Gabe’s web site.  Subscriptions are also available ($20 for 12 shows). 

Boogie Babes will continue to host live virtual shows in 2021 starting with OH SUSANNAH! on January 21.  Join the live virtual show on the BOOGIE BABES or OH SUSANNAH! Facebook Pages and don’t forget to show your appreciation by leaving a tip during the show.

While the historic Noyes Library for Young Children in Kensington, Maryland, remains closed due to the pandemic, families can catch live virtual storytimes with D.C. stage actor and Kensington mom Karen Vincent. With a different theme each week, Vincent connects with children with her engaging reading and enthusiastic comments. The books selected appeal to kids of all ages, and have included Frog and Toad All Year by Arnold Lobel, The Magic Hat by Tricia Tusa and How Rocket Learned to Read by Tad Hills. The free virtual storytimes are on Facebook Live every Tuesday at 11am (EST) at facebook.com/MakeMoreNoyes. Each storytime lasts around 30 minutes. Post-event videos are also posted on the Foundation’s Facebook page. 

The National Portrait Gallery has a great YouTube channel. Enjoy weekly art workshops from the comfort of your own home. Each Friday, they post a video with a new activity or technique. Grab a family member or your roommates, or make a virtual date with a friend, and get creative with artist Jill Galloway. Artists of all ages and skill levels will enjoy creating art inspired by the Portrait Gallery’s collection.

My Gym Bethesda & Potomac have added new virtual classes, they also have small in-person classes. Click here for the full Zoom schedule and to sign up for a trial class.

Kiwi Co has some great DIY activities for you to do at home this weekend! You can get $10 off a Kiwi box by clicking here.

The NGAkids app contains eight interactive activities inspired by works in the collection of the National Gallery of Art, plus a sketchbook for freehand drawing. Fun for all ages, the app includes portrait, landscape, still-life, and collage activities, as well as several sections related to abstract art.
Download the free iPad app in the App Store.

Get ready for Valentine’s Day by participating virtually with Eliana’s Light in their annual card making event.

This week we published our winter bucket list while it was snowing and we have checked some off our list already {spoiler alert: some of our friends will be receiving holiday goodies from us this weekend} and we are delivering gifts for A Wider Circle this weekend also! Make sure to visit our winter posts for more festive and outdoor fun. It’s not too late to get a Christmas tree, there are plenty of places to go ice skating and of course this guide to all things holiday displays and markets has all of the information you will need to get out exploring.

Friday

6:00pm: A Christmas Story at the Wharf
The holidays are the perfect time to cozy up by a firepit with hot drinks and a classic holiday movie on the big screen. The Wharf brings a pop-up outdoor movie theatre on Transit Pier where you can enjoy all the Christmas classics. In advance of the event, reserve your fire pit, which seats up to four people. Drinks (both hard and soft) and snacks are available throughout the movie from Cantina Bambina.

6:30pm: Drive-In Movies at 12 days of CapRiv 
Back by popular demand, drive-in movies are returning, this time with a holiday twist! Grab the fam and head to the Akridge Lot for a showing of the classic It’s A Wonderful Life. $20 (excludes taxes & fees). All proceeds will benefit multiple food-support charities in the District. CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS

7:30pm: The Washington Chorus presents A Candlelight Christmas
TWC’s beloved annual holiday tradition returns in a series of livestreamed performances that celebrate the spirit of the Christmas season with joy, reflection, and plenty of holiday cheer.

Saturday

9:00am-5:00pm: Clean the Creek
Join Little Falls Watershed Alliance for an individual trash clean-up Saturday (and every Saturday – now 30th week! – over 300 bags of trash collected!)

2:00pm & 6:00pm: A Christmas Story at the Wharf
The holidays are the perfect time to cozy up by a firepit with hot drinks and a classic holiday movie on the big screen. The Wharf brings a pop-up outdoor movie theatre on Transit Pier where you can enjoy all the Christmas classics. In advance of the event, reserve your fire pit, which seats up to four people. Drinks (both hard and soft) and snacks are available throughout the movie from Cantina Bambina.

4:00pm: Letter to Santa Watercolor Workshop
Santa is pulling into The Station! Join Santa’s crafting workshop and unleash your inner elf with a Letter to Santa watercolor workshop. Pick up your complimentary crafting kit at The Station PLUS a $10 gift card from participating restaurants at The Station. Pick up your free watercolor kit at The Station on Saturday, December 19 from 11 AM – 2 PM and then tune in for a workshop at 4 PM with local artist and maker, Serena Martin Designs. 

6:00pm-8:00pm: Zoo Lights Express: Wards 7&8
the 24-foot ZooLights Express truck, festively decorated with light displays and featuring “Panda Claws,” will hit the road

6:30pm: Drive-In Movies at 12 days of CapRiv 
Back by popular demand, drive-in movies are returning, this time with a holiday twist! Sip on hot cocoa to-go while you watch fan-favorite Elf at the Akridge Lot. $20 (excludes taxes & fees). All proceeds will benefit multiple food-support charities in the District. CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS

7:00pm: Drive-in at Park Up: How the Grinch Stole Christmas
RFK hosts the drive-in, safely and has such fun holiday movies playing!

7:30pm: The Washington Chorus presents A Candlelight Christmas
TWC’s beloved annual holiday tradition returns in a series of livestreamed performances that celebrate the spirit of the Christmas season with joy, reflection, and plenty of holiday cheer.

9:00pm: Drive-in at Park Up: Polar Express
RFK hosts the drive-in, safely and has such fun holiday movies playing!

Sunday

10:00am-11:00am: Virtual Artful Conversation Family Program: Color Your Feelings!
Recommended for ages 7-12 with their adult companions. An adult is required to attend the session alongside the child(ren). During the December Artful Conversations sessions, we will create colorful works of art together.

10:30am-1:30pm: Jolly Jog at 12 days of CapRiv 
Throw on your best ugly sweater and join VIDA and Pacers at Yards Park for a holiday-themed fun run along the riverfront! After the jog, guests will be able to pick up a complimentary cocktail to-go from participating restaurants. Fun run groups will be limited to a max of 25 people to help maintain social distance. Registration is $20, and all proceeds will be donated to a local District charity. SIGN UP HERE

1:00pm-2:00pm: Virtual Artful Conversation Family Program: Color Your Feelings!
Recommended for ages 7-12 with their adult companions. An adult is required to attend the session alongside the child(ren). During the December Artful Conversations sessions, we will create colorful works of art together.

2:00pm: A Christmas Story at the Wharf
The holidays are the perfect time to cozy up by a firepit with hot drinks and a classic holiday movie on the big screen. The Wharf brings a pop-up outdoor movie theatre on Transit Pier where you can enjoy all the Christmas classics. In advance of the event, reserve your fire pit, which seats up to four people. Drinks (both hard and soft) and snacks are available throughout the movie from Cantina Bambina.

3:00pm: The Washington Chorus presents A Candlelight Christmas
TWC’s beloved annual holiday tradition returns in a series of livestreamed performances that celebrate the spirit of the Christmas season with joy, reflection, and plenty of holiday cheer.

5:30pm: Drive-in at Park Up: Elf
RFK hosts the drive-in, safely and has such fun holiday movies playing!

7:00pm: Handel’s Messiah
Celebrate the wonder and joy of Christmas with the Festival Choir and Orchestra of The National Presbyterian Church. Sing along at home with family and friends to a rebroadcast of last year’s presentation of Born for Us: Our Coming Savior in Handel’s Messiah. 

7:30pm: Drive-in at Park Up: The Nightmare Before Christmas
RFK hosts the drive-in, safely and has such fun holiday movies playing!

Plan ahead:
KID Museum is offering virtual Winter Break Workshops, December 28-30, for families looking to enhance the holidays (and maybe head off boredom?) We’ve scheduled fun, creative options for K-4th and 5th-8th graders at varying times throughout the day. From building a Rube Goldberg machine, to learning about coding, or designing a kinetic sculpture or video game, there’s a program for everyone. The price is only $15 for KID Museum members, $20 for nonmembers. See website for details and to register.

We are so excited to bring you a holiday themed weekend picks post. We really, really miss sending these out each week to you but have been encouraging everyone to stay safe and therefore not promoting much. However, as the holidays are near we know some families are looking for ways to get in the spirit. This weekend there are many virtual events as well as outdoor holiday activities so you do you and choose what you are comfortable doing or not doing. Be sure to visit our holiday guide for ongoing activities (not mentioned below but happening this weekend) from outdoor markets to light displays and more! And lastly, if you are stuck for gift ideas we put together a covid-era gift guide to help you shop for everyone on your list.

Friday
6:00pm: Movies at the Wharf– Elf
The holidays are the perfect time to cozy up by a firepit with hot drinks and a classic holiday movie on the big screen. Head to The Wharf throughout this holiday season for a pop-up outdoor movie theatre on Transit Pier where you can enjoy all the Christmas classics from your private firepit in front of a 20′ LED screen.

7:00pm: Drive-in- Maleficent
Pop-up drive-in at RFK.

6:00pm-8:00pm: ZooLights Express (Ward 3)
ZooLights will not be held on-site at the Zoo this year. Instead, the 24-foot ZooLights Express truck, festively decorated with light displays and featuring “Panda Claws,” will hit the road. See route online.

Saturday
12:00pm-5:00pm: DuPont Circle Holiday Pop-Up
The pop-up event will have approximately 35 vendors selling everything from jewelry to pottery, from paintings to scarves, to ferns and chocolates for all your holiday gift giving. Pop-up shops will be in front of the retail shops, so you can also check out fine art, imported food, shoes, etc. as you stroll Dupont Circle during the afternoon. 

2:00pm & 6:00pm:Movies at the Wharf– Elf
The holidays are the perfect time to cozy up by a firepit with hot drinks and a classic holiday movie on the big screen. Head to The Wharf throughout this holiday season for a pop-up outdoor movie theatre on Transit Pier where you can enjoy all the Christmas classics from your private firepit in front of a 20′ LED screen.

4:00pm: Wolf Trap sing-along
Kick-off the holiday season with family and friends with Wolf Trap’s Holiday Sing-A-Long From Home! Virtual performances on December 5 and 19, 2020, gathered safely with family, cocoa, and cookies.

6:00pm-8:00pm: ZooLights Express (Ward 4)
ZooLights will not be held on-site at the Zoo this year. Instead, the 24-foot ZooLights Express truck, festively decorated with light displays and featuring “Panda Claws,” will hit the road. See route online.

Sunday
10:00–11:00am: Make Room for Latkes!
Make your Chanukah de-light-ful at Make Room for Latkes! Receive a kit with supplies to play games, make a craft, and learn ways to make the Festival of Lights meaningful and joyful for your family. (Best for ages 3-8.) This is a virtual event. $10 per child; $20 per family.

10:00am-1:00pm: Deck the Yards
Ring in the holiday season with Deck The Yards. Families, roommates, and any household are invited to bring holiday cheer home from The Yards with a holiday treats perfect for a cozy evening at home. The grab-and-go stations will include seasonal treats and activities for the whole family, and even help out with deciding what to have for your next meal or snack! To support The Yards restaurants, a $20 gift card to any of the 20+ eateries will be part of the package to use on take-out or dine-in.

2:00pm:Movies at the Wharf– Elf
The holidays are the perfect time to cozy up by a firepit with hot drinks and a classic holiday movie on the big screen. Head to The Wharf throughout this holiday season for a pop-up outdoor movie theatre on Transit Pier where you can enjoy all the Christmas classics from your private firepit in front of a 20′ LED screen.

3:00pm: The Nutcracker Tea at Home
Join for a 40-minute Nutcracker experience featuring guest performances, interactive activities, the story of The Washington Ballet’s unique production of The Nutcracker, and behind the scenes interviews – all from the comfort of your home.

5:00pm: Drive-in- Karate Kid
Pop-up drive-in at RFK.

Plan ahead:
December 8, 4:00pm: Chanukah Grandfriend Cooking Together
Gather around the menorah for a multi-generational event for kids and their “grandfriends.” We will cook something, hear a story, and celebrate joyfully together.

Dec. 10 at 4:00pm: National Menorah Lighting on the Ellipse
Grab tickets in advance!

December 10: The Great Zucchini virtual show
40 minute show, perfect for children ages 2 to 7. Watch from any device with Zoom app. One ticket for your whole household.

Thursday–Friday, December 10–17, 5:30 PM (4:30 PM on Friday, December 11): 8 Nights of Lights

Friday, December 11, 11:00am: Author Talk: Happy Llamakah with Laura Gehl

In addition to outdoor day destinations, sunflower fields and pick-your-own fruits and veggies we have a good line-up to make your weekend complete.

All weekend:
Rooftop at Union Market Cookout Pop-Up
Friday // 4pm to 11pm
Saturday // 12pm to 11pm
Sunday // 12pm to 6pm
The grill is fired up on Union Market’s stunning rooftop, with a summer cookout pop-up all weekend long featuring bbq specials and refreshing cocktails. While enjoying the sunshine and good eats/drinks, take in the picturesque 360-degree views of the city.

Drive-in at RFK
Various showtimes as well as a variety of movies!

Rocklands Farm Winery
Join us this weekend for wine, cider, charcuterie & more! Outdoor seating, groups of 6 or less, mask must be worn inside and children are welcome.

Saturday
9:00am-5:00pm: Trash Clean-ups for Little Falls
Every month the Little Falls Watershed Alliance hosts a trash pick-up for the Little Falls Parkway and creek. They provide bins of plastic bags and gloves available at the corners of Dorset and Little Falls parkway and Mass Ave and Little Falls parkway. You are invited to take a bag, put on the gloves and find a spot that needs cleaning.  The Parkway is closed from Mass Ave to Arlington Blvd, so you can walk and clean!  Other spots to consider are along the Capital Crescent, the Little Falls Creek upstream and downstream from Mass Ave, Westland Middle School fields or the Willett creek behind Bethesda Pool.

4:00pm: Uncle Devin Park Pop-Up at Wolf Trap
Tune in for a Park Pop-Up with a streaming performance of Uncle Devin. Plan to spend some time with moving music in your own living room! Wolf Trap’s virtual Park Pop-Up series brings music and more straight to your home. Featuring local area artists, Park Pop-Up performances are recorded live at Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts and later streamed online. A part of Wolf Trap Sessions, these pre-recorded Park Pop-Ups bring a small piece of summer to your home.

Sunday
5:00pm: Laurie Berkner virtual family concert
Legendary children’s musician Laurie Berkner invites everyone to join her for a special “Dinosaur Beach Party” Virtual Family Concert. This LIVE interactive performance for the whole family will take place on Sunday.

Plan ahead:
Sign up to attend DC Public Schools Parent University for virtual informational sessions

August 11 ​at 5:00pm: Know Your Power: Open Mic Activity with Featured Poet and Live DJ Tuesday
Join Words, Beats & Life on the Library’s Facebook page for a live-streamed open mic where teens are invited to share art, music, and writing that they have created this summer. This is part of a special program series sponsored by Pepco, where teens can create entries for the Know Your Power a creative arts contest.

August 14: Strathmore’s 12th Annual Uke Fest

Reopened:
National Aquarium
Smithsonian National Zoo
Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center
National Gallery of Art 
DC Public Library (14 branches)
Adventure Park at Sandy Spring
International Spy Museum
National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden 
DC’s Museum of the Bible
U.S. National Arboretum
Glenstone Museum
The Carlyle House
The Lee-Fendall House Museum and Garden
George Washington’s Mount Vernon
The Cold War Museum
The Fauquier History Museum at the Old Jail
B&O Railroad Museum
The National Museum of Civil War Medicine
Hillwood Estate, Museum & Garden
Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens
Boathouses