Wanderlist: 20+ Awesome Things to Do in DC in December

'Tis the season to be jolly

• Ho, Ho, Ho Holiday Highlights Guide
• DC Holiday Markets for Everyone (Naughty or Nice) on Your List
• Mini Itinerary: Kids' Christmas in the City 
• Mini Itinerary: Walking in a Winter Wonderland

We doubt many people are looking forward to the ubiquitous Zoom holiday office party this year. But the fun of the holidays is far from lost, and there are plenty of events around the DC area to be dazzled by Christmas light displays, show off your spirit, drink themed cocktails and shop small for everyone on your holiday list.

This is our favorite-est time of year, so we're gifting you with our biggest list yet of virtual and in-person winter activities to celebrate the season. There's something for all ages!

1. Shop local for gifts this year at in-person (socially distanced appropriate, of course) and virtual  holiday markets.
2. Enjoy the gooey goodness of making your own s'mores at Camp Wharf.
3. Get in the holiday spirit with festive events all month long, like Zoolights Express, holiday tea, twinkling garden lights, yetis and more!
4. Support local restaurants and dine at an unique outdoor dining experience.
5. Kick-back and celebrate the season with world-class holiday music, dance and plays, all from the comfort of home. Hip Hop Nutcracker, A Christmas Carol, Step Afrika's Magical Musical Holiday Step Show, and more are all going virtual this year; many performances are being offered free of charge but please donate to help pay performers and keep the venues for us to enjoy when it's safe to do so.
6. Santa brought an extra gift this year: Two places to watch new and holiday classic movies like Grinch, Home Alone and Bad Santa; Park Up drive-in theatre and  Holiday Movies at the Wharf with your own personal fire pit, drinks and food from Cantina Bambina.
7. There's no place like Georgetown for the holidays! Save and shop during the neighborhoods extended Small Business Saturday. Special promotions will be offered for two-weeks from Nov 28 to Dec 12, and there will be a Holiday Window & Streatery Competition for the entire month of December, so be on the lookout for festive décor as you traverse Georgetown’s historic streets.
8. Our friends to the north will hold a virtual tree lighting at the rotunda of the Embassy of Canada. Stay tuned to Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook as the embassy chronicles the tree's journey from Nova Scotia to Washington, along with other exciting content, in the build-up to the live virtual event. Dec 2, 6:30pm (online)
9. Grab a mug of cocoa and tune in for the virtual lighting of the National Christmas tree on Dec 3. Take in the grandeur of the towering conifer and the smaller trees decorated with handmade ornaments from 56 U.S. states and territories that surround it daily from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily throughout the holiday season; the tree itself is lit from 4:30-10 p.m. each day. 
10. Discover Conrad hotel's Apres Ski and enjoy a one-of-a-kind dining experience. Don your winter gear and snuggle up next to a fire pit as you enjoy hot toddy’s and delicious offerings in the Alpine-inspired hideaway. Dec 4 - 31
11. Celebrate the festivities of the season with a daily, rotating selection of 25 holiday cocktails thoughtfully crafted to warm the spirits at the Ritz-Carlton Georgetown.
12. Bake the season bright with Sprinkles' Bake Your Own (BYO) holiday cupcake kits. Choose from ready-to-eat, undecorated cupcakes or cupcake mix kits, complete with frosting, sprinkles and a keepsake spatula. There are also kits for shipping nationwide to share the fun with friends and family; make it a Zoom cupcake date!
13. Listen to live music (remember that?) by local musicians Rich Barry and Stephanie Mathias on the Plaza as you shop, dine and promenade through CityCenter; select dates in Dec.
14. Time to make the donuts! Learn to make donuts with Sixth & I's online class, Baking with Sonny's. Before each class, you’ll receive a list of ingredients, the full recipe, and a step-by-step photographed guide so you can bake along in real time during the class. Dec 6; tickets required, $30
15. Go on a holiday scavenger hunt with the kiddos or engage your inner child.
16. Skip Bon Appetit and look to the U.S. Botanic Garden for holiday-inspired recipes and cooking demos to dine in homemade style from cocktails, desserts and New Year's Day brunch. Dec 3, 24 and 31
17. Chanukah kicks off with the lighting ceremony of the world’s largest menorah on the White House Ellipse. Music from the United States Navy Band will add a soundtrack to the scene, which will include latkes, doughnuts, menorah kits and dreidels. COVID safety measures will be in effect. Dec 10, 4pm. Free
18. Deck the halls with DIY wreaths, hand-painted ornaments and pre-packaged cookies and hot cocoa to-go, and $20 restaurant gift cards at The Yards grab and go holiday stations. Dec 5, 10am - 1pm, $50
19. Take in holiday splendor when you can visit Marjorie Merriweather Post’s former home during the holiday season to view a bounty of Christmas trees all over Hillwood’s outdoor gardens, browse the popular gift shop, view a special exhibition or stop by the Merriweather Café.
20. Dive into the blue as ARTECHOUSE closes out 2020 by focusing on Pantone’s Color of the Year: Classic Blue. Crystalline dives into blue’s connection with earth, crystals and adventure through a wondrous castle and rooms filled with creative curiosities. Open now thru Jan 3, 2021
21. Missing Drink Company’s  Miracle on Seventh Street in Shaw? No need for tears. The popular popup is no more, but DC's Christmas Bar returns this year at ​Adams Morgan's “Miracle at Death Punch Bar. Now thru Jan 1
22. Do yourself a favor and get to know Robert Glasper. The Grammy-winning Hip Hop/jazz pianist, bandleader, and producer Robert Glasper brings his boundary-breaking style—reminiscent of legends like Miles Davis and Herbie Hancock—with his twist of Hip Hop, R&B, and rock. to Kennedy Center's Digital Stage. Dec 4 at 8pm; pre-order access, $20
23. Support those in need in the DC community. Winter Wonderland in NOMA provides opportunities to contribute to three local charities to bring food, warmth and holiday cheer to our neighbors that need a bit of extra help this holiday season. The season of giving will include virtual celebrations on social media, too.​
24. Don't miss "Paper Routes," the sixth installment in the ‘Women to Watch’ series at the National Museum of Women in the Arts. The exhibit showcases the ability of artists to use paper to create breathtaking installations, large and small. Open now thru Jan 18, 2021
25. Make plans to visit the reopened Phillips Collection and check out the "With Riffs and Relations" exhibit. The fascinating exhibit examines the relationship between the work of 20th and 21st century African American artists and the European modernists of the early 20th century. The exhibit features pieces by Romare Bearden, Renee Cox, Norman Lewis, Henri Matisse, Pablo Picasso, Carrie Mae Weems and many others. Open now thru Jan 3, 2021
26. Learn about the history and celebration of Christmas during the Federal period at the Dumbarton House. Enjoy a recorded tour and at home craft or select a private, guided tour of Dumbarton House with a member of museum staff. Dec 4 - 25; donations very much welcome
27. Get your holiday glow on at George Washington’s estate during Winter Glow. The upper garden and greenhouse will be illuminated in blue and lavender lights, patterns will grace Bowling Green and lanterns will guide the way through the Historic Area. Your journey will also be graced with holiday music and chats with soldiers at a recreated 18th century winter encampment. Aladdin the Camel ​will also be there! Dec. 11-13 & 26-28
28. Escape to the beach for the holidays! Well, kind of ... Tiki TNT is leaning into a Christmas in Hawaii theme with a “Tacky Ass” Tiki Christmas celebration. Expect a hodge-podge of decorative, tropical-inspired decor complete with snow machines and sip on holiday themed drinks served in Santa mugs, like Hot Pineapple Cider and Holiday Spectacular Punch. Now until Jan 6
29. Get dazzled by the lights as neighborhoods across DC adorn their “main streets” with colorful lights. Local vendors will be offering holiday specials and promotions throughout the month to encourage shopping locally. Enjoy holiday cheer in Columbia Heights, Mount Pleasant, Dupont Circle, Logan Circle, U Street and Woodley Park, and more. Votes can be cast for the best decorated corridor! Dec 1 - 31
30. Unleash your inner artist with a virtual paint session hosted live by ArtJamz. The paint session will guide you through creating classic seasonal scenes from the safety of your home. When you purchase a ticket, you’ll also be able to get a painting kit that can be shipped or picked up directly from ArtJamz. (8 p.m., $12.50 plus cost of supplies)
31. Experience Light Yards at The Yards Park! The annual holiday installation features the​ premiere​ of the “Stars” by Australian-based immersive light design sculptors ​Amigo & Amigo​. The larger-than-life stars feature dancing lights and play festive music, making for a perfect socially-distanced stroll. This free-to-all installation will begin on December 7th and be illuminated nightly from 6-10pm at The Yards.
    

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Curious? There's more!

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