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What will the new year bring? In the first few weeks, we’ll not only see a state funeral and an inauguration, but:
- The Commanders in the NFL playoffs
- Pandas on display at the National Zoo (three weeks from tomorrow!)
- The Go-Go Museum fully open
All that before it's even time to make plans for cherry blossom season and WorldPride.
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4 things to know for the weekend
- Weekend weather: We're on snowflake watch! Also, it will be cold.
- The Wizards are trying something new for their Sunday game: Inviting dogs for Hoops & Hounds Night.
- Doing Dry January? Plant Magic Bottle Shop just opened in Union Market with a whole new world of non-alcoholic drinks.
- Sunday is National Birding Day! Two of our favorite wildlife-watching spots are Patuxent Research Refuge in Laurel or Huntley Meadows in Alexandria.
Free and cheap things to do
Those post-holiday credit card bills are coming! Luckily, D.C. is one of the best cities in the world for free and cheap fun (maybe we're biased).
- The Smithsonian museums are classic – but have you taken a guided tour?
- The National Museum of Women in the Arts also has free community days coming up on Sunday and Wednesday. We strongly recommend reserving tickets ASAP!
- If you're in Alexandria, stop by the Del Ray Artisans Gallery "Visual Humor" exhibit or the opening reception on Friday.
Here are some more ideas:
The Scene
The most fun things to do and places to be in D.C., Maryland and Virginia
Free pick
Kids Day at Washington Capitals practice
Sun., 10:30 a.m., MedStar Capitals Iceplex in Arlington
🔗 Details
Did you know that Washington Capitals practices are open to the public? This Sunday is also the perfect time to bring the whole family.
Kids Day will include free special activities, giveaways and an appearance by the Caps’ mascot Slapshot.
Bring your skates so you can hit the ice for a free skate after practice!
BTW: The Caps will also celebrate youth hockey players at Capital One Arena during their game on Saturday.
Free pick
First Friday Dupont: Art Walk
Fri., 6-8 p.m., greater Dupont Circle in NW
🔗 Details
Take a free, self-guided tour of some of Dupont’s most interesting museums and embassies at the inaugural First Friday of the year.
This month, visit the Korean Cultural Center to see how dozens of international content creators share their personal connections to Korea.
Other places to go include Studio Gallery, the Museum of the Palestinian People and Washington Center of ADA Art Gallery.
It’s also a good excuse to stop by The Ven at Embassy Row’s “The Wonders of DC Trees” during the exhibit’s last month.
Free pick
Free bluegrass & $3 beer night
Fri. and Sat., show 6 p.m.
🔗 Details
Come for the bluegrass, stay for $3 beers at this underground venue at The Wharf.
Rock Creek Revival and The Remington Rounders will perform on Friday. BILGEWATER and Big Thicket will take the stage on Saturday.
The King enters the ring
Elvis’ Birthday Fight Club
Fri. and Sat., Gala Hispanic Theatre, $34 to $45
🔗 Details
The zany wrestling show is back to celebrate what would be The King’s 90th birthday.
Get ready for several rounds of cartoonish fisticuffs featuring a secret list of celebrities, pop stars and politicians (well, impersonators) with burlesque breaks.
This year, Betty O’Hellno is jumping in the ring as co-host. Fun fact: Betty was the first drag queen to perform a half-time show at a Wizards game!
"Elvis Birthday Fight Club isn't for everyone,” producer Kate Taylor Davis said in a press release. “The show is coarse, silly, and subversive, with gratuitous nudity and a penchant for fart jokes. However, beneath all of that is some pretty smart humor and the show’s fans are extremely loyal.”
Shows will begin at 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. each night; it will also be in Baltimore Jan. 17-18.
Concerts this weekend
Motherfuckers JMB & Co., 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Rhizome, $10
Instrumental improv trio features Geologist of experimental band Animal Collective on hurdy gurdy. Details.
Low ticket warning: Tickets are moving for Mount Eerie at Atlantis on April 20. Woodsy, slightly ambient and very introspective folk music. Perfect for the intimate space of Atlantis.
Things to do in 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)
Museum events and experiences
- 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
Things 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
Things 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+
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