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If you're spending the week of Thanksgiving in the Washington, D.C., area, you have endless holiday fun to enjoy.
Even on Thanksgiving Day, you can visit Smithsonian museums, the National Zoo and several holiday light displays.
Plus, many of our favorite ice rinks are open for the season. Check out the National Gallery of Art’s Sculpture Garden rink, The Wharf’s ice rink and the Washington Harbour rink on the Georgetown waterfront in D.C.
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Other options include Rockville Town Square and Silver Spring’s Veterans Plaza in Maryland, or Westpost Outdoor Ice Skating at National Landing in Arlington. In Alexandria, The Winter Village at Cameron Run skating rink opens Friday.
Here's what to do this week in the Washington, D.C. area.
What to do in Washington, D.C.
The Scene
The most fun things to do and places to be in D.C., Maryland and Virginia
The Wharf Ice Rink opens: Weds., noon to 8 p.m., The Wharf, $25 for adult admission with skates
"Season's Greenings" holiday exhibit: Thurs., Nov. 28 to Jan. 5, U.S. Botanic Garden, free
Light Yards: Open nightly, 5-10 p.m., through Jan. 1, The Yards DC in Southeast D.C., free
Native American Heritage Day —Honoring Zitkala-Ša with Hoop Dancer Starr Chief Eagle: Fri. at 11:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 2 p.m. and 3 p.m., National Museum of the American Indian on the National Mall, free
Broadway Rave Feat. Ryan McCartan from Wicked: Fri., 9:30 Club, $20
Film with Live Orchestra: "Elf" in Concert: Fri., Sat. and Sun., The Kennedy Center, $34 to $99
DC Cocktail Week: Begins Fri., various restaurants in the District
The Black Market Creatives Showcase: Sat., 1-6 p.m., Anacostia Arts Center in Southeast D.C., free
Bridge District Holiday Tree Lot with free hot drinks: Nov. 30 to Dec. 1 and Dec. 7-8, Sandlot Anacostia, free entry
A Right Proper Makers Market & Beer Release: Fri., Right Proper Brewing Company in Northwest D.C., free admission
the charli parti: Sat., 10 p.m., 9:30 Club, $22
EU featuring Sugar Bear and The Chuck Brown Band: Sat., doors at 6:30 p.m., The Hamilton, $37.37 (including fees)
CityCenterDC tree lighting: Sat., 5-7 p.m., The Park at CityCenter, free
The Jinkx & DeLa Holiday Show: Sat., doors 6:30 p.m., The Lincoln Theatre, $49 to $299
The Washington Ballet's "The Nutcracker" (with a D.C. spin): Nov. 30 to Dec. 29, Warner Theatre, $62.50+
Qatar Grand Prix watch party at F1 Arcade: Sun., 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., 420 Penn Street NE, $43 (GA) or $131 (grandstand)
"A Charlie Brown Christmas" with Eric Byrd Trio: Sun., shows at 3 p.m. and 6:30 p.m., The Hamilton, $19.49-$31.18
Mariah Carey: Sun., 7:30 p.m., Capital One Arena, $59.95+
“A Christmas Carol”: Through Dec. 31, Ford’s Theatre, $37+
Frosted at Franklin Park: Illumination: Open 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. daily, 1315 I Street NW, free
Holiday caroling at the Willard InterContinental Washington, D.C.: Most nights through Dec. 23 from 6 p.m. to 6:45 p.m. and 7:15 p.m. to 8 p.m.
"Death on the Nile" By Agatha Christie: Through Dec. 29, Arena Stage
The Improvised Shakespeare Company: Nov. 29 to Dec. 23, Theater Lab at The Kennedy Center, $35-$54
What to do in Maryland
Winter Lights Walk & Wag: Mon, 6-9 p.m., Seneca Creek State Park in Gaithersburg, $10 per person (free for dogs and kids 3 and under)
Winter Lights Festival: Nov. 29 to Dec. 31, Seneca Creek State Park in Gaithersburg, $15-$25 per vehicle
25th Annual Gingerbread House Contest and Show: Noon to 5 p.m. on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from Nov. 29 to Dec. 15, Darnall's Chance House Museum in Upper Marlboro, $2 per person (free for kids 4 and under)
National Harbor Christmas Market and Holiday Craft Show Series: Sat., 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., free entry
Commanders vs. Titans: Sun., 1 p.m., Northwest Stadium in Landover
Holiday Movies on the Potomac – “The Muppet Christmas Carol”: Sun., National Harbor, free
“A Hanukkah Carol” (or “Gelt Trip! The Musical”): Through Dec. 22, Round House Theatre in Bethesda, $50+
What to do in Virginia
Winter Wonderland in the Little City: Tues., 5:30 p.m., Founders Row in Falls Church, free
Arlington Turkey Trot: Thurs., 8 a.m., Start Line at Lyon Park Community Center, $50 (adult)/$25 (children)
Plaid Friday: Alexandria’s Small Business Black Friday: Fri., Alexandria, free to participate
Reston Holiday Parade and tree lighting: Fri., parade at 11 a.m. and lighting at 6 p.m., Reston Town Center, free
- See also: Mini train rides, live entertainment and horse-drawn carriage rides
Holiday Tree Lighting + Santa Firetruck Parade: Fri., 6-9 p.m., Strawberry Park in Fairfax, free
Winter Glow: Sat. and Sun. (Plus Dec. 15-19 and 23), Mount Vernon, $54 (adult)
Old Town Alexandria Tuba Christmas: Sun., Old Town Farmers Market at 301 King Street, free
Holiday Bricktacular: Through Dec. 30, LEGO Discovery Center Washington, D.C. in Springfield, $25.99+
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