Subscribe to The Weekend Scene newsletter to get our picks delivered straight to your inbox — every Wednesday
Happy Hanukkah to all who celebrate! Hanukkah starts on Sunday, and we’re just two weeks out from Christmas Eve. If you’re still looking for gifts (eight nights of them or otherwise), we shared extra markets at the bottom of this article.
Check your wish list twice and remember to stop by some holiday lights this year. From Zoo Lights to this weekend’s National Menorah Lighting, you’ll find dazzling holiday cheer at these 17 spots.
This weekend, you can volunteer at a moving holiday tribute to service members, bowl or skate with Santa and pucker up to help D.C. break a romantic world record under the National Mistletoe. Plus: A John Cena lookalike contest, free holiday music and more.
- Weekend weather: We’re keeping an eye on a chance for flurries, then light snow, but you shouldn’t have any problems getting out and about. Don’t forget a scarf, hat and gloves, though! Here’s the forecast.
Weekend highlights
Free pick
Wreaths Across America
Sat., 8 a.m., Arlington
🔗 Details
Thousands of holiday wreaths are set to be placed on graves at Arlington National Cemetery on Saturday in a momentous tribute to service members. As volunteers place each wreath, they’re asked to say the service member’s name out loud.
For decades, Wreaths Across America has come to Arlington National Cemetery with the goal of placing a wreath at every headstone.
The organization will bring volunteers to thousands of military cemeteries in a nationwide effort to honor fallen veterans and soldiers during the holidays.
If you want to help place wreaths, you must register and go through security. Wreath placement begins at 8 a.m.
Find cemeteries to volunteer at here.
Free & family-friendly
Bowl with Santa
Sat. and Sun., various locations
🔗 Details
Santa is coming early, delivering photo ops and free play time at Bowlero, Lucky Strike and AMF locations across the country!
Take a picture with Santa as he collects letters or strikes a pose on the lanes before enjoying the lanes and arcades.
Children can enjoy one game of bowling, plus time in the arcade, for free, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Here’s the full list of participating bowling alleys, including locations in Hyattsville and Temple Hills in Maryland, plus Annandale, Centreville, Leesburg and Sterling in Virginia.
Free pick
National Kiss Under the National Mistletoe
Sat., 3-6 p.m., Anthem Row
🔗 Details
You and your crush could be part of kiss-tory.
The Downtown D.C. Business Improvement District (BID) is hosting an event to try and break the Guinness World Record for most couples kissing under the mistletoe at once.
At least 488 pairs need to seal the record with a 7-second kiss under the National Mistletoe, a 600-pound ball of greenery, blooms, ribbons and a jingle bell that’s suspended 30 feet in the air.
The festivities begin at 3 p.m. with drinks, food, decor and live music to set the mood. Couple-wrangling begins at 4 p.m., and 5 p.m. is the time to pucker up.
If you want to help steal the world record title from St. Louis – and maybe try to redeem the District’s subpar romantic reputation – you must make it official by registering here.
Free pick
John Cena’s Final Match Official Fan Fest
Sat., 2-6 p.m., outside Capital One Arena
🔗 Details
We all know someone who looks like John Cena … right? No?
Well, ahead of the WWE star’s Final Match at Capital One Arena, a John Cena lookalike champion will be crowned.
It’s part of a free fan fest star before Cena concludes his year-long farewell tour right in D.C.
Even if you don’t look like Cena, enter the ring to send the wrestler well-wishes by making a sign or recording a video message. You’ll find live music and entertainment from Britt Waters and DJ Heat, as well as food trucks, along F Street NW between 6th and 7th streets.
Family-friendly
Skate With Santa
Sat., 2-4 p.m., Fort Washington, $6-$9 and $4 for skate rental
🔗 Details
Come in your festive attire to snap a pic with Santa at the Tucker Road Ice Rink. Skaters of all ages are invited out to enjoy an afternoon with Kriss Kringle himself, who we hear will appear on and off the ice.
Free pick
The JoGo Project
Sat., 5 p.m., Good Hope Neighborhood Recreation Center in Silver Spring
🔗 Details
Groove along as festive classics get a D.C. twist from jazz-infused go-go band The JoGo Project. The band’s founder and D.C. native Elijah Jamal Balbed was inspired by performing with the late Chuck Brown. If tickets to the high-energy show are sold out, note that walk-ups will be admitted if there’s space.
Winter Capital Art & Craft Festival
Fri. to Sun., Dulles Expo Center, $10 in advance or $12 at the door
🔗 Details
The Dulles Expo Center is turning into an IKEA, but not before one last hurrah that’s great for holiday shoppers. More than 300 artists were hand-picked to showcase wares including clothing, woodwork, jewelry and specialty foods.
Tickets are cheaper if you buy them in advance. Kids 12 and under can tag along for free.
Ice & Lights
Through Feb., Alexandria, $9-$24
🔗 Details
The Winter Village at Cameron Run has delights for every member of the family.
The Winter Village is packed with light displays perfect for photos. Don’t miss the 100-foot tunnel arch! Take some family selfies, then gather around a fire pit, get treats and do some shopping.
Take a spin on the ice underneath the stars from 5-10 p.m. daily through Dec. 30. Daytime skating (noon to 4 p.m.) will be available this weekend, plus every day from Dec. 20 to Jan. 4. It’s even open over Christmas and New Year’s! Note that ice skating tickets cost extra.
Concerts this weekend
Ducks Ltd., 7 p.m. Thursday, Songbyrd, $17/$20
Jangly pop rock in the vein of the recently popular again Dunedin sound (an early-’80s bridge between first wave post-punk and indie rock). The duo from Toronto have a twee skeleton beneath power pop flesh — bittersweet paired with their tendency for gloomy subject matter. This show celebrates the 25th anniversary of D.C. record label Carpark. Details.
Algernon Cadwallader, Friday, The Atlantis,
Hard to believe (and/or accept) emo’s been around long enough for its revivalists to be making 10-year comebacks, but that’s what AC’s been up to in recent years. The Philly suburbanites’ DIY sound fell in step with Midwestern emo in the mid-‘00s — but upbeat with math rock and post rock inclinations. (In other words, sounds like Cap’n Jazz.) This year brought the band’s first album in 14 years, and “Trying Not to Have a Thought” is among the best rock records of 2025. Details.
The Dream Syndicate, 8 p.m. Saturday, Union Stage, $40
Velvets-worshipping band came up in L.A.’s Paisley Underground wavering between hauntingly catchy tunes and guitar noise before getting more in step with ‘80s pop rock. Since reforming more than a decade ago, they’ve reexplored their roots but gone heavier and more psychedelic. And they still turn out catchy rock songs. Details.
More to do in D.C.
Theater – “An Irish Carol”: Dec. 11-28, The Keegan Theatre, $70 (for adults)
Dance – “NOËL”: Fri., Sat. and Sun., Dance Place (3225 8th St NE), $30 for standard ticket
Concert – Trisha Paytas’ “TRISHMAS LIVE!”: Fri., 7:30 p.m., The Anthem, $62+
Tingey Plaza Holiday Market: Fri. to Sun., The Yards, free
Saturday Morning Live! Presents Selections from The Nutcracker: Sat., 10 a.m., The National Theatre, free
Make It Mt. Pleasant Holiday Market: Sat., 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Lamont Plaza, free
Cleveland Park Winter Festival: Sat., noon to 5 p.m., Connecticut Avenue NW from Macomb to Porter, free
Yalda Market: Sat., 3-7 p.m., Brookland Arts Walk (716 Monroe St NE), free
Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington – The Holiday Show: Sat., Sun. and Dec. 20, Lincoln Theatre, $68.40
S.O.M.E. benefit feat. Pretty Bitter and more: Sat., 7 p.m., Songbyrd in Northeast, $15 donation suggested
Coyaba Dance Theater – Kwanzaa Celebration: Sat. and Sun., 2 p.m., Dance Place (3225 8th St NE), $30 for standard ticket
The Washington Chorus’ “A Candlelit Christmas”: Dec. 13-14 and 20-22, The Kennedy Center, $15-$99 (also see performances at Strathmore)
National Menorah Lighting: Sun., The Ellipse, free
Toys for Shelter Pets: Sun., 5-8 p.m., Hotel Hive in Northwest D.C., $15-$33.85
Concert – Andrea Bocelli: Sun., Capital One Arena, $119+
Ongoing winter favorites
Step Afrika!’s Magical Musical Holiday Step Show: Through 21, Arena Stage, $49+ (see website for discounts)
“A Christmas Carol”: Through Dec. 31, Ford’s Theatre, $42+
“The Nutcracker” by The Washington Ballet: Through Dec. 29, Warner Theatre, $63.50+
Sculpture Garden Ice Rink returns: Daily through winter, National Gallery of Art, $12-$15 admission and $7 skate rental
Light Yards: Through Jan. 2, The Yards Park, free
Season’s Greenings: Dino-Mite!: Through Jan . 4., U.S. Botanic Garden, free
Downtown Holiday Market: Through Dec. 23, F Street NW (between 7th and 9th streets), free
Winter Wonderfest: Through Dec. 30, Nationals Park, $29.50
ZooLights: Through Jan. 3, National Zoo, $9
Frosted at Franklin Park: Through Jan. 7, downtown D.C., free
Theater – “ho ho ho ha ha ha ha” with Julia Masli: Through Dec. 21, Woolly Mammoth, $49
“Elf on the Shelf”-themed holiday pop-up bar: Through Dec. 30, Morris American Bar, $15 non-refundable reservation fee
More to do in Maryland
Holiday Trains and Planes: Fri., 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., College Park Aviation Museum, $5 adults; $4 seniors; $2 students and free for children under 2
Takoma Park Gift Market: Fri., Ethan Allen and Carroll Aves., free
Concert – Earth, Wind & Fire: Fri. and Sat., The Theater at MGM National Harbor, $140+
Kwanzaa Celebration: Sat., 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Banneker-Douglass-Tubman Museum in Annapolis, free
BlackRock Center for the Arts Celebrates The Season market and music: Sat., noon to 4 p.m., Germantown, free
The Washington Chorus’ “A Candlelit Christmas”: Dec. 13, 4 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., Strathmore, $15-$89 (also see performances at the Kennedy Center)
Indoor Holiday Market at rio: Sat. and Sun., Gaithersburg, free
Meet N’ Greet Santa: Sun., noon, Commas Food Hall in Silver Spring, free
More to do in Virginia
Mount Vernon by Candlelight: Fri. and Sat. (plus Dec. 19 and Dec. 22-23), Mount Vernon, $41 (adult)
Old Town Alexandria Christmas Market and Holiday Craft Show: Sat., 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., John Carlyle Square, free
Kwanzaa Celebration: Sat., noon to 2 p.m., Alexandria Black History Museum, $15
Holidays in Purcellville – parade, market and more: Sat., various locations, free
Hillsboro Holiday Homes Tour: Sat., Hillsboro, $18-$28
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.
