What to Do in DC This Week: Meet Us at metrobar!

Snow on the ground, ugly sweaters in rotation, and the District is fully in holiday mode –
here’s what’s happening in DC this week before Christmas.

 

Meet Us at metrobar!

Join us this Wednesday for a crafty situation ✂️🍸

We’re hosting a Holiday Card Making Party complete with cocktails, chalets, and customized holiday cheer. Make cards for your people (or yourself!) using our full spread of crafting materials — or bring your own extras if you have a vision.

As a special perk, all attendees will unlock early access to our free Winter Guide with things to do in the DMV before it drops online ❄️

metrobar’s outdoor spaces have been winterized with firepits, patio heaters, and deck heat lamps, but we still recommend bundling up. Cocktails, mocktails, and on-site food options will be available throughout the evening.

RSVP HERE



SOME HIGHLIGHTS

Holiday Evening After-Hours at the Garden (12/16 + 12/18)
The U.S. Botanic Garden will stay open lateon Tuesday and Thursday, giving attendees the chance to enjoy live music & wander through the “Season’s Greenings: Dino-Mite!” holiday display featuring dinosaurs and DC landmarks made of plants, and G-gauge model trains. There will be hot chocolate, botanical mocktails, & snacks for purchase (5p – 8p, free)

Adults-Only Zoolights Date Night (12/17)
The National Zoo will be 21+ for the night with an adults-only holiday experience featuring light displays, nighttime strolling, & a complimentary drink (5p – 9:30p, $20)

Last Week to Shop the Holiday Popup (ends 12/20)
Browse WMATA’s holiday shop on the first floor of MLK Library & snag transit-themed gifts & merch before it closes for the season on Saturday (open 9:30a – 9:30p M-Thurs & 9:30a – 5:30p on Friday & Saturday)

Walk on the Wild Side: A Union Station Holiday Art Party (12/19)
Union Station turns into a holiday art playground with live activations, creative installations, music, & cocktails for a festive night that’s part gallery, part party (8:30p – 12a, free)

 
Discover more things to do in the DMV this week below:

ACTIVITIES + EXPERIENCES

12/19 – 12/21
KABU Grand Opening Weekend
A new restaurant & live music venue celebrates their grand opening at 17 K St NE this weekend


 

TUESDAY
West African Spirits Experience
The Continent | 6:30p – 8:30p, $72+
Will have guided tastings & paired dishes, heavy West African-inspired hors d’oeuvres, & an early release of the new Aphro Palm Spirit bottle

Heart Stealers: Arcade for a Cause
GameOn bar+arcade | 7p – 9p, $9
Gaming tournament 


 

WEDNESDAY
Home for the Holidays: A Dog Adoption Event
1400 Jefferson Dr SW | 4p – 8p, free

Eaton Festivus
Eaton House | 5p – 8p, free
Will have music, chair massages, art, a cocktail class, art & culture tours, & more. Will be collecting donations of women’s toiletries & books for the DC Books to Prisoners program

Reel Different: How the Grinch Stole Christmas
Eaton | 7p – 9:30p, $13
Holiday movie screening, will have games & activations


 

SATURDAY
Santa on the South Side
Ferebee Hope Rec Center | 12p – 4p, free
Family-friendly event with photos with Santa, holiday crafts, bike donations, & more

Photos with Black Santa
Mahogany Books in National Harbor, MD | 2p – 4p, free

Procrastinator’s Holiday Market
Kraken Kourts & Skates | 10a – 3p, free

Jingle and Mingle Holiday Party Bus
Departs from Oxon Hill Park & Ride in MD | 4p – 7:30p, $61
Women-only BYOB holiday ride with snacks & stops at festive locations 


 

SUNDAY
Caps & Cocoa Watch Party
The Wharf Ice Rink | 12p – 4p, free
Family-friendly event with discounted rates for ice skating, giveaways, holiday activities, & more

5th Annual A December to Remember Holiday Charity Event
Go-Go Museum & Cafe | 12p – 4p, free
Family-friendly event with toy giveaways, free haircuts & simple hairstyles, free food, activities, & more

The Dad Games
The St. James in Springfield, VA | 3p – 7p, free
Family-friendly Olympics-themed event for dads with music, food, kid-friendly activities, & challenges like Trash Can Basketball, One-Trip Grocery Gauntlet, a Diaper Change Face-Off, & more for competitors  

PARTIES + MIXERS

TUESDAY
‘Tis The Season to Give
Realm Rooftop Bar Lounge | 7p – 10p, free with RSVP
Accepting donations for families in Jamaica impacted by Hurricane Melissa


 

WEDNESDAY
WINTER WONDERLAND: Holiday Soiree + Toy Drive
The Continent | 6p – 10p, free with a new, unwrapped toy donation
Winter white & festive chic attire encouraged

R&B in The Basement
STFU | 8p, $13


 

THURSDAY
Holiday Hangout
Swingers | 7p – 10:30p, $13+
Will have mini golf, carnival games, & more

RnB w/ Me: Holiday Edition
On St. Elmo in Bethesda, MD | 7p – 12a, free

AFRO ROYAL Gala: An Upscale Afrobeats Experience
Officina | 9p – 12a, $25+
Formal attire required

Holiday Cocktail Party
a.lounge+bar in Alexandria, VA | $24+


 

FRIDAY
AyeItsTae presents Merry Rizzmas: Ugly Sweater Party
V14 Street Lounge | 10p – 3a, free

Elevate Ent x WithLoveDC: Knit Happens
Public Bar Live | 10p – 3a, $12+
LGBTQIA+-friendly ugly sweater party accepting toy donations for discounted entry

Boots & Denim
Tapers & Tequila in Rockville, MD | 8p – 1p, free
Held at a Black-owned barber shop & lounge, half off drinks until 11p for those in boots & denim

The Tall People Meetup
Park at 14th | 7p – 11p, free with registration
Mixer for tall men & women 

Ugly Sweater Skate Party
Kraken Kourts | 9p – 11:30p, $23+ 

Jake vs Joshua Fight Watch Party
Lucky Bar | 8p – 3a, free

DMV First Responders’ Annual Holiday Bash
The Westin DC Downtown | 8p – 1a, $50+
Will have live performances by Black Alley, Sirius Company, & more

FOR THE GIRLS
Saint Ex | 10p – 3a, $23+
LGBTQIA+-friendly dance party with an all-female DJ lineup

Jam Joint ft. DJs Yo Will! & Drew Kees
metrobar | 7p – 12a, free

Friday Night Brunch & Dinner Party ft. New Impressionz Live
Air Restaurant & Lounge | 10p – 3a, free until 12a with RSVP


 

SATURDAY
Midnite Mimosas: The Late Night Brunch Party
The Gathering Spot | 10p – 2a, $14+

ACT XXIV: A PARTY IN THE DISTRICT
Diosa | 10p – 3a, free before 11p with RSVP
LGBTQIA+-friendly

Sexy Santa Holiday Rooftop Take Over
WILD DAYS | 9p – 3a, free before 11p with RSVP

La Terrazza Ugly Christmas Sweater Party
Officina | 10p – 3a, free before 10:30p with RSVP

Santa Baby: An R&B Party
Karma | 9p – 2a, $23+ 


 

SUNDAY
The Funset: Holiday Edition
metrobar | 4p – 9p, free

Lucky Sundays Ugly Sweater Party
Lucky Bar | 5p – 11p, free

Church On Sunday: MUSCLECARS
Vera Cocina | 7p – 12a, $20+

CONCERTS + SHOWS

Through 12/21
Step Afrika!’s Magical Musical Holiday Step Show
Arena Stage | multiple showtimes, $50+



TUESDAY

El Cousteau
with Kelow LaTesha, Miles Ave & QPKO
Songbyrd | 7p, $26

Xaviersobased
Howard Theatre | 8p, sold out
Resale tickets $$

Hot 99.5’s Jingle Ball
Capital One Arena | 7:30p, $42+


 

THURSDAY
Jess Hilarious
DC Improv | 7:30p, $51+ 

Goofy’s Holiday Comedy Show
THRōW Social | 7p – 12a, free with RSVP
Hosted by Terry “Goofy” Jones


 

FRIDAY
Northeast Groovers
The Fillmore in Silver Spring, MD | 8p, $45+

Green Velvet
Soundcheck | 10p, $133
Live DJ set


 

SUNDAY
Estelle & Teedra Moses
Howard Theatre | 8p, $70+ 

Luther ReLives Holiday Show starring William “Smooth” Wardlaw
The Birchmere in Alexandria, VA | 7:30p, $71

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