Subscribe to The Weekend Scene newsletter to get our picks delivered straight to your inbox — every Wednesday
Yes, do call it a comeback weekend! The Smithsonian museums and National Zoo are starting to reopen. The Washington Spirit is trying to earn a spot in its second consecutive NWSL Championship. Plus, a Prince George’s County holiday tradition is returning with a new theme, and News4 had the first cameras inside.
The Chocolate and Coffee Festival is also back at the Dulles Expo Center. Speaking of buzzing, people have strong feelings after hearing that the festival is one of the last events in the space before it turns into an IKEA.
- Weekend weather: Frigid temperatures are easing up, and there’s no rain in sight. Here’s the forecast.
Weekend highlights
Museums begin to reopen
Through Mon.
Some of D.C.’s most popular museums are preparing to welcome visitors again now that the government shutdown is over.
- The U.S. Botanic Garden and Library of Congress reopened Thursday.
- On Friday, the National Museum of American History, the National Air and Space Museum, and the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Virginia will reopen.
- The National Zoo is set to reopen on Saturday. Remember, visitors need free passes to enter.
- All Smithsonian museums are set to reopen by Monday. Check each museum’s website for more details.
DC Holiday Market at Dupont Circle
Through Dec. 23, 11 Dupont Circle at New Hampshire Ave Street NW, free entry
🔗 Details
Shop from 35 small businesses selling candles, candy, imported crafts, jewelry, art, clothes and more. You can grab treats from Migue’s Mini Donuts and Drizzle To Go to sweeten your shopping experience.
The market is scheduled to be open from noon to 8 p.m. Monday to Friday and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. The market will be closed on Thanksgiving Day and Monday, Dec. 1.
This market is operated by Diverse Markets Management, which used to run the downtown D.C. holiday market near Gallery Place-Chinatown before Makers Show took over last year.
Free & family-friendly
Side Yards
Fri., 5:30-8:30 p.m., 355 Water St. SE
🔗 Details
Step right up! Lucha Libre Mexican-style wrestlers, magicians, contortionists, jugglers and sword swallowers are descending on The Yards for a night of sideshow-style fun.
Enjoy glow-in-the-dark giveaways, glitter tattoos, face painting, a live DJ and a photobooth as Side Yards celebrates 10 years of thrills for all ages.
Family-friendly
ICE! featuring The Polar Express
Nov. 14 to Jan. 4, National Harbor, various prices
🔗 Details
ICE! at Gaylord National is boarding The Polar Express this year. Step into a world filled with larger-than-you-can-believe ice sculptures, a world crafted by artisans who spend more than 12,000 hours carving the 2 million pounds of ice.
Walk through 10 scenes inspired by the classic Christmas story “The Polar Express,” and zoom by Glacier Gulch on one of five ice slides (including one that’s 20 feet tall!).
General admission starts at $41.49, but you can save up to 25% by using code MERRYDEALS25 when you book by Sunday. Gaylord National also offers packages that include hotel stays and special discounts for AAA members, teachers and military members. Find more info here.
- Make a day out of it: Gaylord National has a flurry of wintry activities, including Snow Flow Mountain tubing and holiday shows.
- Free pick: While you’re at National Harbor, catch the nightly holiday tree light show, fireworks every Saturday and holiday movies on Sunday. Here’s the full holiday schedule.
SNOWGLOW at The Dome pop-up
Nov. 15 to Jan. 4, Hi-Lawn, $23-$29 per person
🔗 Details
The new pop-up inside the 50-foot dome on top of Union Market is a space to cozy up with festive treats as holiday-themed artwork dances overhead.
The main draw is Australian artist Laura Alice’s illustrations projected across all 360 degrees of the dome, showing scenes of yuletide folklore, ice crystals, a Christmas tree and more holiday delights.
Retro neighborhood holiday party is this year’s theme – the vibe is all over the food and drink menu. Think punchbowls of spiced eggnog and marshmallow-topped cherry hot chocolates, plus cheese fondue and wagyu party meatballs.
It’s a cute spot for a whimsical date night, or an indoor holiday outing for the whole family (if you go to one of the all-ages afternoon matinees). Tickets include entry to the dome, a reserved table and a 90-minute experience inside.
- Free option: Hi-Lawn will also open a heated and tented Snowglow lounge that’s free and open to the public. With food and drinks available from Snowglow’s menu, it’s a good option for a happy hour where friends can filter in.
NWSL Semifinal – Washington Spirit vs Portland Thorns
Sat., noon, Audi Field, $29.30+
🔗 Details
The Washington Spirit made the National Women’s Soccer League Semifinal with a thrilling penalty shootout, and on Saturday, they’ll be trying to advance to their second consecutive NWSL Championship.
Wherever you’re cheering on D.C. – Audi Field’s cheap seats, the pitchside party or somewhere in the team’s Bar Network – show your spirit by wearing yellow.
DMV Chocolate & Coffee Festival
Sat. and Sun., Dulles Expo Center, $18 (GA)/$36 (VIP)
🔗 Details
Warm up with a cup of coffee or snack on some delicious chocolate at the DMV Chocolate & Coffee Festival!
Dozens of chocolate-makers, gourmet baristas and other vendors will be there, with some offering samples. Kids can stop by the coffee filter craft table while parents load up on stocking stuffers.
Concerts this weekend
Antibalas, 6:30 p.m. Friday, The Hamilton, $37.37 ($48.45 seated)
Afrobeat group carries on the tradition of Fela Kuti without simply trying to repeat him — and has been since before the icon started to receive his posthumous accolades. Opening is Black Masala, a jazzy, funky brass band that is one of the most energetic and entertaining live acts D.C. has to offer. Details.
Will Hoge, 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Jammin’ Java, $34
An actual Nashville native who sings Americana with authentic feeling and emotion. Fronting a rock band, he’s an alt-country authority. Opening is rootsy singer-songwriter Dave Hause, originally known for several Philly punk and hardcore bands from over the past couple of decades, notably The Loved Ones. Details.
Tom Morello and Friends, 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Lincoln Theatre, $56.35
The groundbreaking guitarist was as important to Rage Against the Machine’s singular sound as vocalist Zack de la Rocha. Not to be pigeonholed, Morello has played folk music as Nightwatchman, joined Soundgarden singer Chris Cornell in Audioslave, and came together with members of Rage, Public Enemy and Cypress Hill in Prophets of Rage. This tour with his Friends is billed as an electric show. Details.
The Saints, Union Stage, 7 p.m., $52
When The Ramones and Sex Pistols were blowing audiences away — and blowing out eardrums — with their fast, aggressive and really loud music in New York and London, respectively, The Saints were doing likewise in Australia before anyone put the punk rock label on anyone. D.C. punk supergroup Des Demonas — with eclectic influences including pop, blues, Afrobeat and psychedelic — opens the show. Details.
More to do in D.C.
Wicked Week at the Barrel House Cafe & Bar: Thurs. to next Tues., 1341 14th St NW, free entry
Side Yards: Fri., 5:30-8:30 p.m., 355 Water St. SE, free
Taylor Rave: Fri., doors at 9 p.m., Black Cat, $24.40
Concert – Wale: Fri., The Anthem, $61.25+
NWSL Semifinal – Washington Spirit vs Portland Thorns: Sat., noon, Audi Field, $29.30+
SNOWGLOW at The Dome pop-up: Nov. 15 to Jan. 4, Hi-Lawn, $23-$29 per person
Concert – Sarah McLachlan: Sun., The Anthem, $176+ (official resale)
Comedy – Samantha Bee – How to Survive Menopause: Sun., Sixth & I, $59.35
More to do in Maryland
Rockville Town Square Outdoor Ice Skating: Open Daily, 131 Gibbs St in Rockville, $11-$17
Museums & Makers Holiday Market: Thurs. to Sat., The Mansion at Strathmore, free; suggested donation of $10
Disney Channel Skate: Fri., 9:30-11:30 p.m., Herbert W. Wells Ice Rink in College Park, $6-$9 admission plus $4 skate rental
Comedy – Mike Epps: Fri. and Sat., The Theater at MGM National Harbor, $684+
ICE! featuring The Polar Express: Nov. 14 to Jan. 4, National Harbor, various prices
Holiday Arts + Crafts Market: Sat., Bowie Senior Center, free
Urban Wood Sale: Sat., 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Green Farm Maintenance Facility in Gaithersburg, free entry
Discovery Days – GIS and Maps: 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Gaithersburg Community Museum, free
Dinosaur Park Open House: Sat., noon to 4 p.m., Laurel, free
Diwali Festival: Sat., 3-9 p.m., BlackRock Center for the Arts in Germantown, free
Silver Branch Rockville Renfest: Sat., 7301 Calhoun Place in Rockville, free admission or $25 for “Royal Mug Bearer Pass”
Movies on the Potomac – “The Polar Express”: Sun., 2 p.m., National Harbor, free
Concert – Ludacris: Sun., The Theater at MGM National Harbor, $67.20+
More to do in Virginia
Reston Town Center Ice Skating: Ongoing, 1818 Discovery St. in Reston, $9+
Meadowlark’s Winter Walk of Lights: Through Jan. 4, Vienna, $20.85
Cuffing Season happy hour: Thurs., 5:30 p.m., Continental Pool Lounge in Rosslyn, $10 in advance, $15 at the door
A Drag Queen Christmas: Thurs., Capital One Hall, $47+
Bull Run Festival of Lights: Opens Fri., Centreville, $32.45 per car (save $10 with promo code EARLY25)
Tysons Corner Center Holiday Kick-off: Fri., 6-8 p.m., Penfed Plaza, free
“Wicked” drag brunch: Sat., 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., King & Rye in Alexandria, $33.28
DMV Chocolate & Coffee Festival: Sat. and Sun., Dulles Expo Center, $18 (GA)/$36 (VIP)
LOCO Cider Fest: Sat., noon to 6 p.m., Great Country Farms in Bluemont, $36 (adult)/$16 (child)
Tree lighting festival: Sat., 2-7 p.m., Village at Leesburg, free
Flower Bar Fun at Two Twisted Posts Winery: Sat., 1-3 p.m., Purcellville, $30
Ice & Lights – The Winter Village at Cameron Run: Nov. 15 to Feb. 28, Alexandria, $9-$24
Want to know what’s up for your weekend? Sign up for The Weekend Scene, our newsletter about events, experiences and adventures for you and for your family around the DMV.
Want more insights? Join Working Title - our career elevating newsletter and get the future of work delivered weekly.
