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Happy new year!
If you have time off this week, swing by a museum. Some cool exhibits will close down within the next few weeks.
Here's what to do this week in the Washington, D.C. area.
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What to do in Washington, D.C.
Museum exhibits ending soon
- Subversive, Skilled, Sublime: Fiber Art by Women: Through Jan. 5, Renwick Gallery, free
- William Gropper: Artist of the People: Through Jan. 5, The Phillips Collection, $20 (adult)
- Imprints in Time – rare books exhibit: Through Jan. 5, Folger Shakespeare Library, free
- An Epic of Kings: The Great Mongol Shahnama: Through Jan. 12, National Museum of Asian Art, free
- Gordon Parks: Camera Portraits from the Corcoran Collection: Through Jan. 12, National Gallery of Art, free
- Suchitra Mattai: Myth from Matter: Through Jan. 12, National Museum of Women in the Arts, $10+
- “Paris 1874: The Impressionist Moment”: Through Jan. 19, the National Gallery of Art, free
Last call for holiday lights and décor
- Light Yards: Through Jan. 1, The Yards Park, free
- ZooLights: Through Jan. 4, National Zoo in Northwest D.C., $6 per guest over the age of 2
- National Christmas Tree: Through Jan. 1, White House Ellipse, free
- Tingle Bells: An ASMR-Inspired Holiday Special at ARTECHOUSE: Through Jan. 5, 1238 Maryland Ave SW, $23.85+ for adults
- Seasons Greenings: Through Jan. 5, U.S. Botanic Garden, free
Get moving
- DowntownDC Holiday Skate Spectacular: Through Jan. 4, National Building Museum (401 F Street NW), free
- Sculpture Garden Ice Rink: Daily, National Gallery of Art, $12 ($6 for skate rentals)
- FITDC Fresh Start 5K: Weds., Registration opens at 9 a.m., Anacostia Park, free
Museum events and experiences
- Imani (Faith): Mime & Spiritual Dance Workshop with Crazee Praize: Weds., noon, Smithsonian's Anacostia Community Museum, free
- Phillips after 5: Start Fresh: Thurs., 5-8:30 p.m., The Phillips Collection, $20
- January Metro Minyan at the Capital Jewish Museum: Fri., 575 3rd Street NW, $18
- First Saturday: Impressionism: Sat., 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., National Gallery of Art, free
- Free Community Days at the National Museum of Women in the Arts: Sun., plus Jan. 8, 1250 New York Avenue NW, free
- Cine-Concert: The Adventures of Prince Achmed with live score: Sun., 2 p.m., National Gallery of Art, free
Arts, performances and music
- Sheryl Underwood & Friends: Fri. to Sun., DC Improv, $42+
- First Friday Dupont: Fri., 6-8 p.m., greater Dupont Circle in NW, free
- Elvis’ Birthday Fight Club: Fri. and Sat., Gala Hispanic Theatre, $34 to $45
- Short N’ Sabrina: A Sabrina Carpenter Dance Party: Sat., 9:30 Club, $20
- DC Salsa & Bachata Sunday Social: Sun., 8 p.m., Franklin Hall, $10 - $20
Sports
- Washington Capitals: Thurs. and Sat., Capital One Arena
- Washington Wizards: Sun., 6 p.m., Capital One Arena
More
- Plant Magic Bottle Shop grand opening: Thurs., 6-8 p.m., Union Market, $25
What to do in Maryland
Kids Paint + Glow Party: Saturdays, 2 p.m., Oblivion Art House in College Park, $12.51
Winter Lights Festival: Through Dec. 31, Seneca Creek State Park in Gaithersburg, $15-$25 per vehicle
Washington DC Temple Festival of Lights: Through Jan. 1, 9900 Stoneybrook Dr, Kensington, free
Festival of Lights: Through Jan. 1, 5-9:30 p.m. nightly, Watkins Regional Park in Upper Marlboro, $15 per car or van (if purchased online in advance) or $10 per person for a hay ride
The Princess Bride in Concert by the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra: Fri., Sat. and Sun., The Music Center at Strathmore, $34+
Garden of Lights at Brookside Gardens: Through Jan. 5, Wheaton, $10 per person
What to do in Virginia
Olde Year’s Day – family-friendly New Year’s activities: Tues., noon to 4 p.m., Torpedo Factory Art Center in Alexandria, free
First Night Alexandria: Tues., 2 p.m. to midnight, Old Town, free to $55
"Visual Humor" exhibit: Jan. 3 to Feb. 1, Del Ray Artisans Gallery, free (opening reception on Fri.)
Crafts & Cider: Fri., 6-9 p.m., Lost Boy Cider in Alexandria, free
Winter Block Party at McLean Community Center: Sat., 1-4 p.m., 1234 Ingleside Ave, McLean, free
Kids Day at Washington Capitals practice: Sun., 10:30 a.m., MedStar Capitals Iceplex in Arlington, free
Last chance: Winter Walk of Lights: Through Jan. 5, Meadowlark Botanical Gardens in Vienna, $18-$22
Winter Lantern Festival: Through Jan. 12, 2025, 8025 Galleria Drive, Tysons, Virginia, $16.99-$26.99
Ice & Lights-The Winter Village at Cameron Run: Through Feb. 23, Alexandria, Virginia, $8.55+
New Year's Eve
- Ringing in 2025 with the whole family? Our top picks are Noon Yards Eve, First Night Alexandria and Falls Church's Watch Night.
- Looking for a fun concert with wide-ranging appeal? Go old school cool with Peaches O’Dell and her 11-piece, big band orchestra at Black Cat's New Year's Eve Swing Ball. At The Anthem, Sammy Rae & The Friends blend indie rock band, jazz, soul and funk.
- Dance through the decades with cover bands including White Ford Bronco at The Lincoln Theatre or Uncle Jesse, a ‘90s and early aughts cover band at Farm Brew Live in Manassas.
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