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The weather is turning wintry. And whether you're on snowflake watch or considering hibernating for cherry blossom season, the best parts of the season are coming.
The switch is flipped and D.C. is going all-out for winter. The National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden's ice rink reopens Saturday, and the downtown area is welcoming two holiday markets... and there's tea to spill about that.
But first, the DMV has to cheer on the Washington Spirit in their first NWSL Championship appearance since they won in 2021.
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4 things to know about the weekend
- Weekend weather: After a nasty Friday, the weather will be better. Here's the forecast.
- Something “Wicked”: Cynthia Erivo’s Elphaba and Ariana Grande’s Glinda arrive on big screens this weekend. With these "Wicked' parties, drag brunch and more, you can journey to Emerald City.
- These holiday markets provide a great opportunity to shop from local artists while getting into the holiday spirit.
- ICYMI: These holiday light displays will brighten up your November nights.
The best parts of winter: Holiday markets and skating
Free pick
Downtown DC Holiday Market
Opens Fri., F Street between 7th and 9th Streets NW
🔗 Details
D.C.’s most famous holiday market is returning to its usual spot outside the National Portrait Gallery/Smithsonian American Art Museum with more than 100 vendors. This year, it’s run by Brooklyn-based Makers Show.
What else is changing? Expect a larger footprint that extends into F Street, more food options, extra kids’ activities and a Winter Chalet bar by Dirty Habit at Hotel Monaco, DowntownDC BID’s Ebony Walton told us.
It's open noon to 8 p.m. daily Nov. 22 to Dec. 23, except Thanksgiving Day.
Free pick
DC Holiday Market
Opens Fri., 19th Street NW (north of Dupont Circle)
🔗 Details
The DC Holiday Market will take over part of 19th Street near the Kramers bookstore. Diverse Markets Management, a D.C.-based company that ran the Downtown Holiday Market for years, is hosting.
Expect more than 30 vendors and holiday treats from Migue’s Mini Donuts and the Capital Candy Jar.
It’s open Nov. 22 to Dec. 15, except Thanksgiving Day. Hours are noon to 8 p.m. on weekdays, and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.
ZooLights
Nov. 22 to Jan. 4, National Zoo in Northwest D.C., $6 per guest over the age of 2
Details
See lantern versions of your favorite zoo animals, enjoy live music, ride the Conservation Carousel and shop for treats and gifts after-hours at the National Zoo.
ZooLights will be open on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights through Jan. 4, plus Thursday, Dec. 19, Monday, Dec. 23, Thursday, Dec. 26 and Monday, Dec. 30.
Heads up: ZooLights doesn’t feature real animals, and all indoor exhibits will be closed.
Parking costs $30 per vehicle. The National Zoo is easily accessible by Metro. Use the Cleveland Park or Woodley Park-Zoo stops.
Sculpture Garden Ice Rink
Opens Sat. starting at 11 a.m., National Gallery of Art, $12 ($6 for skate rentals)
🔗 Details
One of the “looks-just-like-a-Hallmark-movie” spots is gliding into our calendar.
The rink at the National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden is truly magic in the evening with twinkling lights or during the day with views of the garden against a National Archives backdrop.
To celebrate opening day on Saturday, the rink will feature pop-up performances figure skaters from Team USA starting at 11 a.m.
Let us nerd out about the ice itself: The quality of the surface is painstakingly maintained. While we can’t speak for other skate spots, the NGA does it right. Look to the Pavilion Café to make spirits bright.
Pro Tip: If you’re toe pick curious, Tommy hit the ice with the resident instructor Emme Porter on how to survive your first frozen endeavor without embarrassing yourself.
Washington Spirit’s NWSL Championship watch parties
Game on Sat. at 8 p.m.
🔗 Details
The Washington Spirit are headed to the National Women’s Soccer League championship!
The Spirit will face the top-seeded Orlando Pride this Saturday at 8 p.m. in Kansas City, but you can cheer on the team from home.
Ten bars in the Spirit Bar Network plan to show the game, including as you are., the LGBTQIA+ bar in Capitol Hill, and Solace Brewing locations in Falls Church and Sterling. Here are all the details.
- metrobar is hosting an official watch party with DJ Nah FR, face painting, giveaways and more a short walk from the Rhode Island Ave-Brentwood Metro station. Free tickets are required.
- Bluejacket in Navy Yard will serve $10 liters and hype up Trinity Rodman with a Holy Trinity special – a Bluejacket Double, fries, and a Lost Weekend for $15.
- The Roost, a food hall near the Potomac Ave Metro station, will have $5 draft and $10 food specials.
Here's how to watch the NWSL final from home.
Concerts this weekend
Craig Finn, 8 p.m. Friday, Miracle Theatre, $35
The frontman of the Springsteen-chasing trad rockers The Hold Steady and the Costello-in-the-’80s-ish Lifter Puller takes a more subdued and introspective approach to his solo work. Evocative storytelling and his signature spoken word vocals. Details.
Velocity Girl, 8 p.m. Saturday, Black Cat, $30
Originating at the University of Maryland in the late 1980s, Velocity Girl put out three LPs of noisy-but-dreamy indie rock in the 1990s. They recently reunited after more than 20 years. D.C. power pop band Bad Moves opens with its big and bouncy sound that begs you to dance. Details.
A.C. Newman, 9 p.m. Saturday, Miracle Theatre, $40
The frontman of power pop perfectionists The New Pornographers tours for the 20th anniversary of his solo debut, “The Slow Wonder,” an album teeming with hooky riffs. Details.
Things to do in D.C.
“A Christmas Carol”: Nov. 21 to Dec. 31, Ford’s Theatre, $37+
Downtown DC Holiday Market: Opens Fri., F Street between 7th and 9th Streets NW, free entry
DC Holiday Market: Opens Fri., 19th Street NW (north of Dupont Circle), free entry
ZooLights: Opens Fri., National Zoo, $6 per guest age 2 and up
Sarah Silverman: Postmortem: Fri., 8 p.m., The Kennedy Center Concert Hall, $67.85+
Frosted at Franklin Park: Illumination: Open 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. daily starting Fri., 1315 I Street NW, free
Tingle Bells: An ASMR-Inspired Holiday Special at ARTECHOUSE: Opens Fri., 1238 Maryland Ave SW, $23.85+ for adults
A Night in Oz: a Wicked Celebration with Live Music and Cocktails: Fri., 6-11:30 p.m., metrobar in Northeast D.C., free
Dinosaur Live improv with Paul Scheer, Rob Huebel, and Jason Mantzoukas: Fri., Lincoln Theatre, $35-$65
Sculpture Garden Ice Rink reopens with pop-up performances: Sat. starting at 11 a.m., National Gallery of Art, $12 ($6 for skate rentals)
Free dance classes by The Lion’s Den DMV: Sat., 10:30 a.m., 11:45 a.m. and 1 p.m., Skylight Pavilion, free
Ukrainian Christmas Bazaar: Sat. and Sun., Ukrainian Catholic National Shrine of the Holy Family in Northeast, free entry
Washington Capitals vs. New Jersey Devils: Sat., 7 p.m., Capital One Arena, $65+
City Ridge's Tree Lighting Extravaganza: Sat., 4-8 p.m., 20 Ridge Square NW, free
MALINDA: Look At You Now Tour (early show): Sat., 6 p.m., 9:30 Club, $35
White Ford Bronco: DC's All '90s Band (late show): Sat., 10 p.m., 9:30 Club, $25
Green with Envy "Wicked" theme party: Sat., 8-11:30 p.m., Wunder Garten in Northeast D.C., free
The Wharf ice rink preview: Sun., noon to 6 p.m., 970 Wharf St SW, free for Southwest residents
Things to do in Maryland
“A Hanukkah Carol” (or “Gelt Trip! The Musical”): Through Dec. 22, Round House Theatre in Bethesda, $50+
Commanders vs. Cowboys: Sun., 1 p.m., Northwest Stadium in Landover
Holiday Movies on the Potomac – “Arthur Christmas”: Sun., National Harbor, free
Winter Lights' Sip & Sparkle: Sun., 6-9 p.m., Seneca Creek State Park in Gaithersburg, $35 per person ($20 if not participating in tastings)
Things to do in Virginia
The JoGo Project: Fri., 7 p.m., Capital One Hall in Tysons
Old Town Cookie Crawl: Sat. and Sun., Old Town Alexandria, $50
Mosaic Holiday Village Weekends by URBNMarket: Sat. and Sun., plus Dec. 14-15, Mosaic District in Fairfax, free
Let’s Get Wicked Party: Sat., 1-5 p.m., Lost Boy Cider in Alexandria, free
Alexandria Cider Festival: Sat., The Lloyd House, $25-$55
Occoquan Holiday Tree Lighting: Sat., 5-9 p.m., 314 Mill Street, free
Alexandria Holiday Tree Lighting: Sat., 6-8 p.m., Market Square in front of City Hall, free
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