Food is now a main dish as opposed to something served on the side to musical performances at Strathmore in Bethesda, Maryland.
The Prelude Buffet is a reserved-seat dining option for select Music Center performances with multiple courses served off a seasonally changing suppertime menu.(Courtesy Deb Lindsey)
The Prelude Buffet is a reserved-seat dining option for select Music Center performances with multiple courses served off a seasonally changing suppertime menu.(Courtesy Deb Lindsey)
Food is now a main dish as opposed to something served on the side to musical performances at Strathmore in Bethesda, Maryland. The recently launched Prelude Buffet is the venue’s new dining concept that hopes to keep guests coming back for more.
The Prelude Buffet is a reserved-seat dining option for select Music Center performances with multiple courses served off a seasonally changing suppertime menu.
It will differ from the existing Allegro Kitchen, which is located on the Promenade Level in the Music Center, in that it will be “elevated,” “more relaxed” and “chef-driven,” according to Drew Martorella, Strathmore’s chief operating officer.
“Strathmore strives to have just tremendous impact in the region … and we hope that the Prelude Buffet is just part of the larger story about Strathmore, which is about being a place that is welcoming to everyone, that is a home of artistic excellence, and now a place that is a home of culinary excellence,” Martorella said.
The Prelude Buffet costs $45 in advance and $50 on the day of. Find the full list of performances that will accompany the Prelude Buffet on Strathmore’s website.
Chez Joey Cupid Karaoke Ahead of Valentine’s Day, belt out your favorite love songs and duets at Sid Gold’s Request Room in Northeast D.C. as part of Arena Stage’s “Chez Joey” Cupid Karaoke event. The free event is Friday.
LOLLIPOP D.C.: The Ultimate Techno Edition LOLLIPOP D.C. is presenting a techno show with DJ Hyperactive and Luis Miranda of Tronic LA. This live EDM party is hosted at La Fabrica in Northeast D.C. on Saturday. Tickets cost approximately $30.
Braille Class The Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library is hosting a beginners’ level braille class that will go through the braille alphabet. Learn more about how to work with a slate and stylus and how to use a Perkins Brailler Saturday.
D.C. Independent Film Festival The oldest independent film festival in the District, the D.C. Independent Film Festival, returns on Wednesday and runs through Feb. 16. This in-person event presents feature-length and short films from a variety of genres, including fiction, documentary, shorts, web series and animation. Prices vary.
Maryland
“The Enchanted Mermaid” Starting Saturday, Beale Street Puppets presents a family-friendly show with Bunraku-style puppets and elaborately built miniature castle and interior sets. This production of “The Enchanted Mermaid” is based upon the Walter de La Mare 1927 short story, “Lord Fish.” The show runs through March 1 at Glen Echo Park in Glen Echo, Maryland.
Bianca Del Rio Known for winning the sixth season of RuPaul’s Drag Race, drag queen Bianca Del Rio is coming to The Theater at MGM National Harbor Saturday for a live performance. Tickets start at approximately $55.
“Little Miss Perfect” Joriah Kwamé’s song, “Little Miss Perfect,” went viral on TikTok, and he’s now set to launch a musical of the same name at Olney Theatre Center starting Sunday. Running through March 8, the story is focused on high school kids who seek to escape a small Midwestern town.
“Nothing Up My Sleeve … Simple Deceptions” Master illusionist Dendy and acclaimed playwright and director Aaron Posner collaborated on a “part dazzling magic act, part deeply personal journey” at Round House Theatre. This production, titled, “Nothing Up My Sleeve … Simple Deceptions,” includes magic tricks, audience interaction and “mind-bending surprises.” The show runs from Wednesday through March 15.
Virginia
Chocolate Lovers Festival For its 34th year, the Chocolate Lovers Festival in Fairfax, Virginia, is back Friday through Sunday. The event is more than just indulging in chocolate tastings, including chocolate bar-making activities and children’s performances.
Frosty Brew Thru In Fredericksburg, Virginia, the Frosty Brew Thru event offers attendees access to samples of exclusive craft beer, wine, cider and other spirits. The event is happening at the Fredericksburg Fairgrounds Saturday with tickets that cost $30 in advance or $40 at the door.
Have an event you’d like featured in WTOP’s Things to do in the D.C. area weekly guide? Let us know!
Get breaking news and daily headlines delivered to your email inbox by signing up here.
With not all cups are created equal, WTOP’s Michelle Goldchain searched throughout the District for some of the most thoughtful and flavorful spins on hot chocolate.
This page contains a video which is being blocked by your ad blocker. In order to view the video you must disable your ad blocker.
Where to sip DC’s 5 best hot chocolates
With winter in full swing in the nation’s capital, it’s likely your temptation for something warm and rich is in full gear and, of course, hot chocolate fits the bill. But, not all cups are created equal.
WTOP’s Michelle Goldchain searched throughout the District for some of the most thoughtful and flavorful spins.
From dark sipping chocolates to gently spiced versions and cocktail-adjacent pours, WTOP spent weeks tasting D.C.’s hot chocolate scene to find the best of the bunch.
Consider this your guide to where to warm up, slow down and savor one of winter’s simplest pleasures:
Bourbon Steak’s Hot Chocolate Experience 2800 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, D.C.
The presentation alone makes this hot chocolate more memorable than most. A cart arrives tableside, complete with a teapot pour and a chocolate decoration inside the glass meant to appear like the Four Seasons logo.
The chocolate is luscious without being too thick or heavy, and guests can opt to add liquor: either Bowman Brothers Bourbon or Macallan 12 Scotch. It’s finished with whipped cream, chocolate curls and candy-cane sprinkles for a celebratory feel.
For those who want a cup that truly warms from the inside out, L.A. Burdick’s spicy and dark hot chocolate delivers.
The chocolate is rich, dark and thick, with a light sprinkle of cayenne pepper that adds a gentle heat without overwhelming the drink. For those who’d prefer to avoid the lingering spice, there are other options that include hot chocolates made with Burdick’s signature dark, milk or white chocolate.
Prost’s Fernet Hot Chocolate 919 5th St. NW, D.C.
The seasonal Fernet Hot Chocolate cocktail leans minty and sweet, though not excessively so.
It’s a comforting option for cold nights with homemade cocoa, Fernet and Genepy liquors, and mint syrup, topped with a mint whipped cream.
Pitango’s Sipping Chocolate Multiple locations
Expectations were high here, and they were exceeded. Pitango offers both a dark, luscious sipping chocolate, as well as a traditional hot chocolate that combines the sipping chocolate with steamed milk.
Tryst’s Four Specialty Hot Chocolates 2459 18th St. NW, D.C.
Tryst offers four specialty hot chocolates: Thin Mint (peppermint), Funfetti (birthday-cake inspired), Chai (cinnamon-forward and well spiced), and Classic, which comes topped with a vanilla marshmallow.
The chai hot chocolate stands out, with pronounced cinnamon and warming spice that makes it especially comforting.
Yellow’s Baklava Hot Chocolate Multiple locations
Yellow’s baklava hot chocolate is made with orange blossom and can be ordered with whole or oat milk. The citrus notes are strong and distinctive, making this a good choice for those who enjoy orange paired with chocolate.
Springbone Kitchen’s Bone Broth Hot Chocolate is thick and indulgent and more on the heavy side. (Courtesy Springbone Kitchen)
It’s a unique take that stands apart from more traditional cups.
Maison Bar à Vins’ Verte Chaud 1834 Columbia Rd. NW, D.C.
This boozy hot chocolate is strong on the alcohol but still balanced and enjoyable. Sipped in the bar’s dimly lit, cozy setting, it feels especially comforting on a cold winter night.
The Chartreuse liqueur adds an herbal note, and a non-alcoholic version is also available.
Springbone Kitchen’s Bone Broth Hot Chocolate 1426 Wisconsin Ave. NW, D.C.
This is one of the thickest and most indulgent cups on the list. The chocolate is very dark and rich, made from a classic chicken broth with grass-fed whole milk and chocolate chips, plus a spice mix.
Collagen marshmallows, sold separately, melt almost instantly when added. It’s deeply satisfying, though quite heavy.
Grounded: Plant Shop, Cafe, & Wellness Studio’s Earl Grey Hot Chocolate 1913 Martin Luther King Jr Ave. SE, D.C.
The Earl Grey hot chocolate, topped with a toasted marshmallow, balances tea and chocolate flavors well. The bergamot notes are clearly present without overpowering the cocoa.
Even when delivered, it can hold up nicely and is worth seeking out in person or at home.
Colada Shop’s Hot Chocolate is well-spiced and warming from the inside out. (Courtesy Colada Shop)
Colada Shop’s Hot Chocolate Multiple locations
This hot chocolate is well-spiced without going overboard, with subtle warmth that may include cinnamon.
The drink hits a sweet spot: not too thick, not too dark and not overly sweet. It’s a classic, comforting cup that will appeal to those who want something familiar rather than experimental.
Marshmallows are optional.
Whitlow’s Frostbite Fighter Multiple locations
The Frostbite Fighter combines Rumple Minze and Irish cream with hot cocoa, finished with an amaretto whipped cream.
The drink is available at both the U Street and Wharf locations, and it’s an effective way to fend off the cold.
Stable D.C.’s Scoggi Twist 1324 H St. NE, D.C.
This Swiss restaurant offers the Scoggi Twist on its dessert menu.
Made with hot Caotina chocolate, chocolate liqueur, mint and whipped cream, it leans more chocolate-forward than minty and avoids a strong alcohol presence. It’s a satisfying and well-balanced way to end a meal.
Pascual’s Mexican Hot Chocolate 732 Maryland Ave. NE, D.C.
Pascual’s hot chocolate features mezcal, dark Mexican chocolate, cinnamon, vanilla, piloncillo and milk. The drink is rich and layered, with gentle smoke from the mezcal and warming spice throughout.
The Hot Chocolate Ritual at the Rosewood Hotel is only available in CUT Above, in the penthouse level. (Courtesy CUT / Rosewood)
CUT Above’s Hot Chocolate Ritual 1050 31st St. NW, D.C.
The penthouse restaurant in the Rosewood Hotel, CUT Above, offers a “Hot Chocolate Ritual” with three options.
Gingerbread Bliss combines Valrhona cocoa with Ron Zacapa 23; Pierre Ferrand Curaçao, gingerbread cookie and a cinnamon stick; S’more the Merrier with Valrhona cocoa, Laphroaig 10, marshmallows and a graham-cracker cookie; and, Sip & Savor, which pairs Valrhona cocoa with chocolate-chip cookies, whipped cream and dehydrated orange.
Guests can also add spirits for an extra fee.
The “Hot Chocolate Ritual” is not available in CUT, the ground-floor restaurant in the same building.
Barrel House Cafe & Bar’s The Gnome’s Grog 1341 14th St. NW, D.C.
The Gnome’s Grog is cozy and indulgent with warm hot chocolate spiked with rum, finished with whipped cream and a drizzle of chocolate sauce.
This hot chocolate is typically only sold in the morning when Barrel House operates as a cafe.
Honorable mention: Baked & Wired’s marshmallows 1052 Thomas Jefferson St. NW, D.C.
Despite having some of the best cupcakes in the region, Baked & Wired’s hot chocolate is fairly classic and not the most memorable when compared to some of the other options on this list.
Even so, don’t skip the large, homemade marshmallows, which are sold separately and are the real standout at this cafe.
Get breaking news and daily headlines delivered to your email inbox by signing up here.
Looking for a scare? The “Paranormal Activity” franchise hits the stage at D.C.’s Shakespeare Theatre Company with a two-hour theatrical experience packed with suspense and supernatural thrills. See more events around the D.C. area in this week’s Things to Do guide.
The approximately two-hour play is an original story set in the world of the film series. Travis Knight, assistant director and actor in “Paranormal Activity,” told WTOP that presenting a play in the horror genre presents unique challenges.
“There’s something very (magical) about it. There’s this sense of increasing the danger for everybody in the room, and it is a uniquely difficult challenge, but it’s very fun,” said Knight, who mentioned that the show is working with Tony Award-winning illusions designer Chris Fisher.
Fisher previously worked on productions, such as “Harry Potter & The Cursed Child” and “Stranger Things: The First Shadow.”
“I think whether you’re a horror lover or not, it is a spectacle. It is a fun night in the theater. The audience reactions are incredible,” Knight said.
The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, which is the largest modern dance company in the nation, is performing at the Warner Theatre this Friday. The 11-performance engagement includes performances like “Embrace” by Fredrick Earl Mosley, among others. The AAADT is also performing on Saturday, Sunday, and additional future dates.
‘Chez Joey’
Inspired by John O’Hara’s novel, Arena Stage is presenting “Chez Joey,” starting this Friday. The story, set in 1940s Chicago, is co-directed by Tony Award-winning choreographer Savion Glover and actor, director and producer Tony Goldwyn. “Chez Joey” runs through March 15.
Creature Feature
Rhizome D.C. is hosting an open stage drag show on Saturday, hosted by Exquisite Corpze. This show may contain adult themes, and tickets cost $5 to $15 on a sliding scale.
The Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library is hosting a film screening and discussion of the documentary “Barry Farm: Community, Land, and Justice” on Monday. The film showcases a “local example of a community that consistently persisted in the face of insurmountable obstacles.” Register ahead of time on the D.C. Public Library website.
Maryland
The Maka Sticks, The Soularites and Haplophyrne
Quarry House Tavern in Silver Spring, Maryland, is hosting several local bands this Saturday for a live show. The bands include The Maka Sticks, The Soularites and Haplophyrne. General admission costs approximately $19.
Baltimore Symphony Orchestra
The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra is headed to the Music Center at Strathmore for a concert featuring music by Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 4 and Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 4. The event is on Saturday. Tickets start at around $48 and go up to $75.
‘On The Black Hand Side’
The art exhibition opening for “On The Black Hand Side” at Joe’s Movement Emporium is this Sunday. The exhibition in Mount Rainier “pays tribute to the gestural representations of love, spirituality, creativity, respect, dignity, and recognition within Black American cultural traditions.” Also, expect an artist talk on March 4. The event is free to attend.
Virginia
Cabin Fever Film Festival
The ninth annual Cabin Fever Film Festival is returning to Purcellville, Virginia. As the town’s only film festival, the family-friendly event is hosted Friday and Saturday with voting possible for the audience to choose their favorite for award consideration. The event costs $10 to attend on Friday and $5 to attend on Saturday.
Snowflake Ball
In Lovettsville, Virginia, expect a Snowflake Ball this Saturday that invites families to come and enjoy the event in their fanciest attire. Crafts at the event include a wand-making station and a tiara/crown-making station. Light refreshments will be served. It costs $15 to attend.
K1 Speed’s Virginia State Championship
Rev up your engines this Sunday for the K1 Speed’s Virginia State Championship. The go-kart races found here include two two-lap qualifying sessions and one 12-lap race. The event is located at K1 Speed Dulles in Sterling, Virginia.
Have an event you’d like featured in WTOP’s Things to do in the D.C. area weekly guide? Let us know!
Get breaking news and daily headlines delivered to your email inbox by signing up here.
Start the year strong by heading to The Yards in Southeast D.C. for pop-ups, tours, workshops and physical group activities.
Start the year strong by heading to The Yards in Southeast D.C. for pop-ups, tours, workshops and physical group activities at the “Fresh Start Series at The Yards.” This monthlong series of events is meant to cultivate the best intentions for the new year.
The upcoming events include a giveaway cart pop-up at District Winery with a complimentary glass of wine for the first 30 guests on Jan. 15, plus skin consultations and samples from Silver Mirror.
On Jan. 20, VIDA is hosting a grocery tour with a guide on how to build a shopping cart that supports personal health goals. Following the tour will be light bites and club information back at VIDA. The luxury gym chain is also hosting a heated yoga session on Jan. 22 for all levels, including beginners. Smoothies and light bites will be available after the yoga session as well.
If you’re interested in goal-setting for 2026, Steadfast Supply is hosting an intentional vision-setting workshop with vision boards on Jan. 21. The curated collage process is accompanied by a grounding exercise and guided prompts.
Steadfast Supply is also hosting a hands-on workshop, where guests will paint and personalize a terracotta planter, then plant a seed paired with a meaningful intention. This event is on Jan. 28.
The final event in the series is on Jan. 29 at Maman, with a workshop dedicated to bullet journaling. A complimentary glass of wine is included.
All classes are complimentary with RSVP and include special perks and in-store offers just for participants. Registration requires a refundable $15 hold for a spot, which will be returned upon check-in.
Eastern Standard Time & Black Masala Come to Pearl Street Warehouse this Saturday for a brassy, bold live show. Black Masala, which describes itself as “part of the new generation of go-anywhere brass bands,” is co-headlining alongside jazz and reggae musicians Eastern Standard Time. Tickets cost $24.
Textiles 101 Pop-Up: Mending The George Washington University Museum and the Textile Museum are hosting a “mini workshop” this Saturday that focuses on simple mending techniques. Participants are welcome to bring one or two of their own clothing items or use the materials provided to learn need-to-know tips. The event is free to attend.
Queer Country Learn about long, often-hidden presence of LGBTQ+ performers in country music with this Profs & Pints event, hosted by Tanya Olson, a cultural critic and lecturer at the University of Maryland. The event on Monday is hosted at Penn Social in D.C. and costs approximately $15 to attend.
Maryland
Wheel for Beginners For those who would love to venture into pottery, but don’t know where to start, the Clay Coven Pottery Studio in Savage, Maryland, is offering a beginner-friendly workshop. This event is spread across eight weeks every Tuesday evening from Jan. 13 through March 3, and is perfect for those in need of a deep dive on how to center, throw, trim and plan projects. The course fee of $400 includes the cost of the clay, studio time and kiln firings.
Michael McSweeney Next Wednesday, enjoy the original musical compositions of drummer and percussionist Michael McSweeney and his band, Costas Colectivo, at The Mansion at Strathmore. McSweeney and his band draw on the musical cultures that have fueled modern day salsa and Latin music. This concert in North Bethesda, Maryland, costs $36 to attend. There is also a free or “choose what you pay” workshop hosted by McSweeney coming up on Jan. 21 that requires prior registration.
‘Amy Sherald: American Sublime’ Get the chance to see some early, rare and notable works of Amy Sherald in “American Sublime.” This ongoing exhibit traces the evolution of the artist with 38 paintings created from 2007 to the present. It is located inside the Baltimore Museum of Art and requires ticket reservations that cost $18 with discounts for seniors, active-duty military, students, youth and children.
Virginia
Second Saturday Sungazing Observe the sun safely with a filtered telescope outside the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Virginia. This program takes place regularly on the second Saturday of each month. Admission is free, but parking costs $15.
Rock the Rink Skate and Watch Party Don your favorite Washington Capitals gear, and head to the Reston Town Center Ice Skating Pavilion for Rock the Rink. This Friday, the event in Reston, Virginia, offers the ability to skate while watching the Capitals’ away game on a big screen. Expect discounts and giveaways for those who wear Caps gear, plus a live DJ and fire pits. RSVPs are encouraged.
‘Snow Days’ Exhibit Starting Friday, more than 150 new artworks from 40 local artists are on display at the McLean Art Society’s January Show and special “Snow Day” exhibit. This Friday is the opening reception, which is free to attend, with complimentary wine and seasonal refreshments offered.
Have an event you’d like featured in WTOP’s Things to do in the D.C. area weekly guide? Let us know!
Wonder, a tech-driven food hall concept, uses a single kitchen to serve over 20 concepts. With plans to vastly grow by 2027, it seeks to reshape the dining experience with technology and scale.
This page contains a video which is being blocked by your ad blocker. In order to view the video you must disable your ad blocker.
Wonder food hall opens in Alexandria’s Potomac Yard
At a time when several food halls across the D.C. region closed last year — The Block in Annandale, Virginia, The Heights in Chevy Chase and Solaire Social in Silver Spring, Maryland — one food hall chain keeps expanding in the D.C. region.
Wonder is opening a new location in Alexandria’s Potomac Yard neighborhood on Jan. 9, marking its 10th establishment in the Washington-Baltimore area. Other recent Wonder openings have included the 14th Street location in July 2025, as well as in West End and Navy Yard.
Wonder’s approximately 3,400-square-foot location in Potomac Yard offers dishes by concepts tied to celebrity chefs like Bobby Flay, Marcus Samuelsson and Michael Symon. The wide-ranging menu ranges from barbecue to Mexican and Greek dishes, and beyond.
While Wonder markets itself as “a new kind of food hall,” it doesn’t resemble a traditional one. Instead of several stalls being found under one roof, it has one service counter and several digital ordering tablets with one kitchen that serves over 20 concepts.
Is the food hall trend fading or being reshaped?
Kris Gobeil, market director for Wonder, told WTOP that Wonder doesn’t fit the definition of a ghost kitchen, because “a ghost kitchen is where you’re running something out of your kitchen that you don’t want anyone to know about.”
“What we’re doing is something very different,” Gobeil said. “We are very much the opposite. We want everyone to know all about our amazing menus.”
And more Wonder locations are on the way. This year, there are locations slated for Annapolis and Frederick in Maryland.
Washington Business Journal reported that a location at the Parks at Walter Reed in D.C. is also planned, although Gobeil wouldn’t confirm. “At this stage, I’m not going to say just yet,” he said.
Don’t expect growth expectations to temper down any time soon.
In an interview with CNBC, Wonder founder and CEO Marc Lore said the plan is to grow from just over 90 locations today to 400 by 2027.
With the goal of having both tech and food support one another, the rise of Wonder is punctuated by several acquisitions over the past few years: meal-kit company Blue Apron in 2023; Grubhub in 2024; independent media firm Tastemade in March 2025; and, most notably, robotics company Spyce in November 2025.
Wonder’s latest acquisition of Spyce, from Sweetgreen, will result in testing out a bowl-making robot in New York City next year. The goal with Spyce is to eventually automate “almost everything,” including beverages, fryers and high-speed ovens, as reported by Restaurant Business.
Lore’s background is inherently focused on tech, not restaurants, as he was the former president and CEO of Walmart U.S. eCommerce and previously the CEO and co-founder of Quidsi, the parent company of a family of websites that included Diapers.com.
But, his hopes are high for his multi-restaurant ordering platform to transcend.
“This is not taking existing equipment and using robots to replace humans,” Lore told CNBC. “This is about creating new equipment to do new things that humans wouldn’t be able to even do.”
In the end, Wonder’s appeal to diners is “(allowing) guests to truly order what they’re looking for, what they’re craving without having to compromise,” Gobeil said.
The taste test
But for any food business concept, the real test is: How is the food?
Christina Tkacik, a food reporter for The Baltimore Banner, reviewed the Wonder location at Canton Crossing in Baltimore, Maryland, and didn’t hold back.
Tkacik wrote she “hated” the food served, and that even the best dishes reminded her of “something I might eat on an airplane.”
The Wonder food hall in Baltimore currently has a 3.5 rating on Yelp, while the Wonder in D.C.’s 14th Street and College Park, Maryland, sites each have a 2.7 rating on Yelp.
In response to these criticisms, Gobeil said:
“We’re obviously still learning. Feedback is still coming in. There’s not necessarily something we’re going to do differently. We’re just going to keep growing and learning from each steppingstone. Obviously, the feedback that we’ve gotten for those locations, we’re already trying to address and continue to bring out that amazing experience that we’re able to do at other locations as well.”
Gobeil did not address any specific criticisms found on Yelp, and did not clarify exactly how those lower-rated locations are attempting to improve.
Whether reviews are glowing or critical, Wonder’s expansion shows no signs of slowing. The question now is whether scale and technology can ultimately win over diners as quickly as investors.
Elvis’ Birthday Fight Club headlines a lengthy lists of things to do during the first weekend of the new year in the D.C. area. See the full list.
A fight between Miss Piggy and Steven Segal at the Elvis’ Birthday Fight Club event. (Courtesy Stereo Vision Photography)
A fight between Miss Piggy and Steven Segal at the Elvis’ Birthday Fight Club event. (Courtesy Stereo Vision Photography)
The celebrity death match-inspired, part-battle-part-burlesque extravaganza, known as Elvis’ Birthday Fight Club, is back this week at the GALA Hispanic Theatre in D.C.
Don’t expect actual boxing at this fight club. Instead, the choreographed fights tend more to the cartoonish and comedic — alongside occasional stripteases. Fighters vary each year, and in the past, there have been battles between the Supreme Court vs. The Supremes, Princess Leia vs. Xena: Warrior Princess and Freddie Mercury vs. the queen of England.
Betty O’Hellno, hostess at Elvis’ Birthday Fight Club, said the event has been going on for 15 years now. Following the events from Thursday through Saturday at the GALA Hispanic Theatre, the Creative Alliance in Baltimore, Maryland, is hosting the show on Jan. 9, 10, 16 and 17.
Find out about other upcoming shows for Elvis’ Birthday Fight Club on Astro Pop Events.
Aspiring Writer’s Circle If you’re a writer — or an aspiring one — the D.C. Public Library hosts a creative writing-focused group every first and third Thursday of the month for writers to share what they are working on and even request feedback. For this virtual event, all genres are welcome.
Bluegrass Festival Union Stage is hosting a free Bluegrass Festival with bands Split String Soup and Radish. The event is on Friday. While admission is free, all tickets are first come, first served.
D.C. Dating Live! Singles (or couples looking for a thrilling, comedic show) should head to the Howard Theatre for a live dating show where “real singles” from the audience get to engage in challenges, Q&As and the potential to find their spark. The event is Saturday with tickets that cost approximately $33 per person. The first 200 singles to arrive get a free drink.
Modern Calligraphy for Beginners At Atlas Brew Works’ Bridge District location in Southeast D.C., learn the basics of modern calligraphy, while using a pointed dip pen and ink. If pretty lettering is your style or goal, this workshop on Saturday costs $65 per person.
“What We Know About Snow” This upcoming Profs & Pints lecture at Penn Social dives into a meteorologist’s take on the science of snow and snowstorm prediction. Get a better understanding of all things snow with help from Jeffrey Halverson, professor of geography and environmental systems at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County and a severe storm expert with The Washington Post’s Capital Weather Gang. The event on Monday costs approximately $15 to attend.
“A Puzzling Swap!” Take a puzzle or leave a puzzle at the Takoma Park Neighborhood Library this Tuesday. A table on the first floor of the library will offer old and new puzzles available for swapping with neighbors.
Maryland
Book talk: “Descenes and Discords: An Anthology” Two influential punk and postpunk community fanzines, called Descenes and Discords, used to be distributed across D.C. in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Writer and musician Howard Wuelfing has chronicled both zines in his recently published book, “Descenes and Discords: An Anthology,” while providing new commentary on their creation and impact. On Saturday, People’s Book in Takoma Park, Maryland, is hosting a free, in-person event with first-come, first-served seating for the public to learn more about Wuelfing’s new book.
Cash on the Nail’s Record Release D.C.-based punk rock trio Cash on the Nail is hosting a record release alongside two other bands, Czonka and Fashion Crime, on Saturday at the Quarry House Tavern in Silver Spring, Maryland. Tickets cost roughly $19.
“ICE!” Catch the last few days of the Gaylord National’s annual “ICE!” exhibit through Sunday. The Christmas exhibit features large-scale ice sculptures that depict scenes from the film “The Polar Express.” Families can also enjoy ice tubing lanes.
Virginia
New Year’s Day Trash Cleanup At Belle Haven Park, the Friends of the Mount Vernon Trail are hosting a trash pickup early Thursday. Volunteers should come with water, gloves, long sleeves and pants.
Winter Fest Bundle up, because Lorton, Virginia’s Mason Neck State Park is hosting a nature exploration Thursday with family-friendly hikes, crafts and campfires.
“Toy Stories” The Del Ray Artisans Gallery in Alexandria, Virginia, has an opening reception for their “Toy Stories” art exhibit this Friday. The exhibit highlights local artists with a theme on “celebrating the toys we cherished as kids.” The gallery is free and open to the public. The exhibit runs through Jan. 31.
Have an event you’d like featured in WTOP’s Things to do in the D.C. area weekly guide? Let us know!
Here are 15 soups and stews from local restaurants in the D.C. area that should appeal to spoon-clutching diners in need of something warm and comforting.
This page contains a video which is being blocked by your ad blocker. In order to view the video you must disable your ad blocker.
15 superb soups and stews worth slurping in the DC area
As winter settles over the D.C. region, the brisk chill of the air may bring forth a longing for one specific dish. WTOP has rounded up 15 soups and stews from local restaurants in the District and beyond that should appeal to spoon-clutching diners in need of something warm and comforting, nostalgic and familiar or even indulgent and revelatory.
Below are 15 soups and stews worth slurping right now in the D.C. area. For bowls of warmth, depth and a good excuse to linger a little longer over lunch or dinner this winter, check out these restaurants — but know that many of these dishes are temporary additions to the menus, so don’t expect all of them to last once the season is over.
Completed tableside, this soup features a mushroom-forward dashi with a silky foam of root vegetables arracacha and parsnip. It’s served over tender fresh fava beans sautéed with a Japanese togarashi blend featuring ground red chili, roasted orange peel, black and white sesame seeds, hemp seed, ginger, nori, poppy seed, and yuzu peel. The dish is complemented by crisp fried sweet plantains, and on top of it all, an “onion ash.” It’s a mouthful to describe, but when guests do get a mouth full of this soup, it’s earthy, a touch sweet and totally satisfying. Oh, and in case you didn’t realize it, there is no meat in this dish, but you won’t miss it.
Shamim Popal, executive chef at Lapis, told WTOP that Lapis is “a family restaurant” that strives for authenticity in its Afghan flavors, while employing modern techniques. There are several soups on the menu worth trying, including nask with yellow lentils, potatoes, celery and carrots, and its chicken soup, with potatoes, carrots, turnips and dill. But Lapis’ aush is a hearty, homey dish determined to delight diners with rice noodles, kidney beans, ground beef, dill and labneh. It’s a filling, creamy and spicy soup that doesn’t leave diners feeling too heavy after.
The duck wonton tortilla soup at Paraíso. (Courtesy Paraíso)
Duck wonton sopa de tortilla at Paraíso 1101 Pennsylvania Avenue SE, Unit 1, D.C.
In Capitol Hill, the Mexican restaurant, Paraíso, is serving up standout dishes like branzino a la brasa, half-roasted chicken with a house-made mole negro, a wide array of tacos and, most importantly, the duck wonton sopa de tortilla. With a deeply flavorful tres chiles broth, this aromatic soup offers ground duck and chicken wontons, topped with avocado, crema and a queso cotija. Give it a sip, and learn why this restaurant is known as paradise.
Shoyu ramen at Daikaya 705 6th St NW, First Floor, D.C.
This Japanese noodle shop offers several varieties of deeply flavorful bowls of ramen, including shio (a clear, golden broth), mugi-miso (a barley miso broth), and a tomato curry ramen (a “slightly exotic” dish blending miso with tomato and a hint of curry). For guests uncertain of which to try, consider the shoyu, which offers a broth with a soy sauce that’s blended with the shop’s Chintan stock with flavors of toasted garlic. The egg-based noodles used are imported from Sapporo, Japan, and are topped with bean sprouts, ground pork, chashu, scallions and nori, with the option to load it up with more toppings like onsen eggs or pork belly.
Soupe à l’oignon at Minetta Tavern 1287 4th Street NE, D.C.
Whether you’ve lived in France, traveled there or have dreamed of a vacation in the country for all of your life, the French onion soup at Minetta Tavern can appeal to all, but most especially those who prefer their onions caramelized and their cheese oh so gooey. Certainly, this is the standard dish that diners at this restaurant recommend, but that’s because it’s perfectly done. What more could you want?
The Ukrainian borscht with pampushka at Ruta. (Courtesy WTOP/Michelle Goldchain)
Ukrainian borscht with pampushka at Ruta Various locations
Ruta, the first Ukrainian restaurant in the D.C. area, has high pride in its borscht. The dish tops its menu with the option for a green borscht — with sorrel, spinach, chicken eggs, potato and vegetables — or a classic Ukrainian borscht with pampushka (or a small, yeast-raised bun) and a dollop of tangy sour cream on the side. Diners can opt for either beef or a vegetarian version of this dish. The hot, red brothy soup is perfect for a brisk winter’s evening.
Anyone who knows soup knows Pho 75 has lasted 40 years in the local restaurant industry because they’re experts in their field. Since its founding in 1985 by two Vietnamese refugees, Pho 75 has brought some of the best pho to the D.C. region. Their soups can be served with a choice of eye-round steak, brisket, skirt flank, soft tendon, beef stripe or meatballs, plus bean sprouts, fresh basil leaves and a squeeze of lemon. Just be sure to bring your dollar bills with you as this is a cash-only establishment.
The hot ebi tempura udon soup at Sushi Taro. (Courtesy WTOP/Michelle Goldchain)
Hot ebi tempura udon soup atSushi Taro 1503 17th Street NW, D.C.
It’s, of course, in the name, but diners won’t go wrong with ordering sushi at Sushi Taro. But for those who need a respite from the cold weather, the ebi tempura soup is worth consideration. This soup can be served hot or cold and with udon or soba noodles. My preference is hot and with udon as the udon noodles are thicker and chewier, giving more heft to the dish, while soba noodles are more delicate and made from buckwheat flour, offering a nuttier, earthier flavor. Sushi Taro also offers a kamo nanban soup with roasted duck.
Gazpacho de remolacha at Jaleo 480 7th Street NW, D.C.
Any D.C.-area soup roundup is incomplete without a gazpacho from chef and humanitarian José Andrés. Andrés is a James Beard award-winning chef and one of the most influential people in philanthropy, according to Time Magazine. He is most notably the founder of the not-for-profit food relief organization, World Central Kitchen. With all this said, Andrés’ most famous gazpacho recipe is actually thanks to his wife. The Spanish chef credits her as being the developer of the recipe that he is famous for. Whether the dish found in the Penn Quarter restaurant, Jaleo, is identical to the one Andrés’ wife makes at home is unknown to me (Tichi, my schedule is open for you!). And, really, it might seem counterintuitive at first to eat a cold soup in the winter, but I implore you to not rebel against delicious things in life. Give it a whirl!
The chicken noodle soup at Unconventional Diner. (Courtesy Unconventional Diner)
Since opening eight years ago, Unconventional Diner has kept its chicken noodle soup on the menu this whole time. The mainstay has proven to be worth the longevity, in part thanks to the twists made to the dish. It includes matzo balls, house-made chicken stock, and the fresh macaroni pasta is house-made by sister restaurant L’Ardente, according to Ricardo Ibarra, executive chef at Unconventional Diner. The pleasant soup is rich with chunky pieces of pulled chicken and vegetables like carrots and celery.
Tom yum seafood soup at Rimtang 1039 33rd Street NW, D.C.
Rimtang, a Thai restaurant that opened recently in Georgetown, has a tom yum seafood soup on the menu that is worth searching for. While the most expensive dish served at $30 (even higher than the “hot and spicy” soup with pork ribs), this herby, seafood soup is worth a mention. Ingredients in this clear broth include shrimp, squid, clams, mushroom, cilantro, cilantro, holy basil and a bit of Thai chili. If you’d prefer other dishes on the menu, consider the spring rolls or the panang curry.
The porcini mushroom and roasted chestnut soup at Fish Shop. (Courtesy WTOP/Michelle Goldchain)
Porcini mushroom and roasted chestnut soup at Fish Shop 610 Water Street SW, D.C.
This modern, seafood-centric restaurant revels in oysters, mussels, “trout tartare tots” and other dishes. But if you’re in search of a soup that is earthy in all the right ways, consider the porcini mushroom and roasted chestnut soup. The soup includes thinly sliced raw mushrooms as well as walnut oil. If I could recommend an accompaniment, the house-made, buttered focaccia pairs well with this dish.
Cardoon soup at Annabelle 2132 Florida Avenue NW, D.C.
Depending on the season, the kind of soups or stews guests can expect at Annabelle can vary, but this winter, it’s the cardoon soup that shines. The dish at the modern American restaurant in Kalorama is seemingly simple with a minimal amount of ingredients: vegetable stock, whole eggs, Parmesan cheese, lemon oil and, of course, cardoons. For those unfamiliar, cardoons taste earthy and nutty like slightly bitter artichoke hearts, while looking like celery. Annabelle Executive Chef Michael Fusano told WTOP, “A lot of people don’t use cardoons, or I think they’re kind of afraid of it.” This can be due to how the ingredient is temperamental to grow depending on the environment, but he said it’s a “nice starter, especially during the cold weather.”
The pistachio soup at Joon. (Courtesy Joon)
Ghormeh sabzi or pistachio soup at Joon 8045 Leesburg Pike, Suite 120, Vienna, Va.
It’s a difficult task to pick just one, so WTOP has listed two soup dishes at the elevated Persian restaurant, known as Joon, that are worth considering. First, the ghormeh sabzi, a dish which is often called Iran’s national dish, is a stew that features beef and beef marrow simmered with fresh herbs, dried lime, and leeks, served alongside saffron-steamed chelow rice with crispy tahdig. Najmieh Batmanglij, co-founder of Joon, said her version is unique in that she uses pomegranate as a garnish for the soup, plus “just a touch” of grape molasses to add some sweetness.
For the pistachio soup, Batmanglij told WTOP that her kitchen team makes a chicken stock combined with cumin, ginger, and garlic with ground-up and whole pistachios mixed with saffron and “sour orange juice” for flavor, altogether garnished with crispy onions. The soup is nutty, creamy, and seemingly simple, but packed with flavor.
Get breaking news and daily headlines delivered to your email inbox by signing up here.
From Dec. 27 through Feb. 9, the National Building Museum is hosting an indoor synthetic ice-skating experience to keep the holiday spirit going into the new year.
The National Building Museum’s Winter Skate Spectacular is a unique indoor skating experience hosted in the museum’s Great Hall.(Photo courtesy National Building Museum)
The National Building Museum’s Winter Skate Spectacular is a unique indoor skating experience hosted in the museum’s Great Hall.(Photo courtesy National Building Museum)
Keep the holiday spirit going into the new year with the National Building Museum’s Winter Skate Spectacular. Running from Dec. 27 through Feb. 9, the museum’s Great Hall is hosting an indoor synthetic ice-skating experience.
This second year of the Winter Skate Spectacular includes early hours for younger skaters, themed nights, plus festive snacks and drinks. There are also lively after-hours events planned for adults.
Aileen Fuchs, president and executive director of the National Building Museum, said this event also coincides with the installation of a public artwork suspended above the Great Hall, called “The Wave.” The massive work measures 55 by 180 feet, led by Catholic University of America professor Tonya Ohnstad in collaboration with students and industry partners.
“It’s going to be a really spectacular, beautiful element, we think, for our visitors who are often excited to experience architecture and design in new, fun, cool ways,” said Fuchs.
Tickets for the skating experience cost $20 for adults and $17 for youth, seniors and students.
Holiday Record Swap and Vinyl Market Add some new tunes to your music collection. In Northeast D.C., metrobar is hosting a record swap and market. The event is free to attend.
MLK Bargain Basement Books & Shop The Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library is selling used books and library merch with proceeds going directly to the MLK Library Friends. The event is this Saturday. Can’t attend? The Tenley-Friendship Neighborhood Library is also hosting a book sale with donated titles on Friday.
Kwanzaa and “Kujichagulia” at Anacostia Community Museum The Playback Theatre is hosting an interactive Kwanzaa experience at the Anacostia Community Museum where audience members are invited to share real-life moments that are turned into dynamic theatrical performances. The event on Saturday is free to attend.
“Family Day: Winter Wishes” In the Great Hall of the Library of Congress’ Thomas Jefferson Building, expect a family-friendly seasonal celebration where guests can use winter-themed imagery from the Library’s collection to create holiday cards or bookmarks. The event is free, but tickets are required.
D.C. Gals Vision Board Night Get ready to manifest your dreams by heading to SALAZAR in Northwest D.C. on Tuesday for a vision board night. Tickets cost approximately $13 per person.
New Year’s Eve Swing Ball Still need New Year’s plans? Head to Black Cat to see musical performances from Peaches O’Dell and Her Big Band Orchestra, plus Tony Anthony & His Malvivants. Tickets cost roughly $42. For more New Year’s Eve parties to consider, check out WTOP’s guide.
Maryland
Special Saturday Night Open Mic Night The Hyattsville, Maryland, location of Busboys and Poets is hosting an open mic on Friday with professional spoken word performers, open mic rookies and musicians. Tickets cost approximately $7 in advance and $8 at the door.
A Dickens Literary Tea For those who’d love to discuss “A Christmas Carol” or anything else regarding Charles Dickens, the Elkridge Furnace Inn and Garden House in Elkridge, Maryland, has an afternoon tea planned with delectable treats inspired by the English novelist’s literary works. Tickets for the event on Monday cost approximately $70.
Adobo’s NYE Kiss 2025 goodbye at The Fillmore in Silver Spring, Maryland. This New Year’s event is hosted by the Adobo DMV multicultural experience with DJ sets by Pedro Night. The event costs approximately $35 per person.
Virginia
Mamma Mania! For lovers of ABBA, the State Theatre in Falls Church, Virginia, has the tribute band, Mamma Mania!, performing Saturday. Tickets cost $22 ahead of time or $25 on the day of the show.
Holiday Hoedown Jammin Java at Vienna, Virginia, has the blues and roots band, The Nighthawks, performing this Saturday as part of their Holiday Hoedown event. Tickets for the event cost $27 per person.
Holiday For The Hounds On Saturday, Shipgarten has a paws-itively pup-friendly holiday celebration planned. Expect a dog park, homemade treats from doggie vendors, games and contests, as well as a special dog menu. Human companions can also enjoy over 40 breweries to sample from, plus pics with Santa.
Have an event you’d like featured in WTOP’s Things to do in the D.C. area weekly guide? Let us know!
Get breaking news and daily headlines delivered to your email inbox by signing up here.
Over 55 local musicians are coming together in Vienna, Virginia, for Jammin Java’s annual holiday tradition to host the Santa Clauster-f@%! Holiday Spectacular.
Over 55 local musicians are coming together in Vienna, Virginia, for Jammin Java’s annual holiday tradition to host the Santa Clauster-f@%! Holiday Spectacular.
Despite the name, the sing-along concerts are great for all ages and all beliefs in what Todd Wright, the creator of the event, describes as “controlled holiday chaos.”
Wright said the event on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday involves musicians who are assigned holiday songs, but who don’t rehearse until on the night of in front of the audience. He said it results in a “glorious train wreck” that has been so popular that the shows often sell out.
This is the event’s 23rd year, and already the Monday event is sold out. The other two highly anticipated evenings on Sunday and Tuesday have limited tickets remaining. Tickets are available on Jammin Java’s website for $27 per person.
A live music event with punk, metal and more Rhizome D.C. has a variety of live musical performances planned for Friday, ranging in genres from grunge-punk to “weirdo hypnosis tape noise” and beyond. All proceeds benefit the Miss Major Alexander L. Lee TGIJP Black Trans Cultural Center. Tickets cost approximately $22.
Cleveland Park Santa Bar Crawl Head to Cleveland Park for a neighborhood-wide bar crawl with exclusive specials and lots of holiday cheer. This event is on Saturday with costumes and ugly sweaters encouraged. Tickets cost approximately $28.
Rock’n’Shop The Black Cat is hosting a holiday market with local crafters, record dealers, shops, junk sellers and great music from live DJs. This event is free. For more holiday markets to consider, check out WTOP’s guide.
Santa Visits Frosted D.C.’s Franklin Park has a holiday celebration planned for Saturday where families can take photos with Santa Claus and other holiday characters. Attendees of this free event can also expect holiday carolers, a life-size ice sculpture carving demonstration, as well as hot chocolate and apple cider.
Maryland
Make Your Own Ornaments Shop Made in Maryland’s College Park location is helping attendees of this hands-on workshop bring a personal touch to their Christmas trees this year. Expect materials provided in this workshop, which costs approximately $13. The event is on Thursday.
Kerplunk! Free Family Art Drop-In Every Saturday, Creative Alliance in Baltimore, Maryland, hosts a free art drop-in, called “Kerplunk!” where families can create seasonal crafts and art projects based on current exhibitions. This weekend, the event is themed around “salt dough cookie ornaments.”
Santa Social The Urban Winery in Silver Spring, Maryland, has a holiday event planned for Sunday with a whole lot in store: wine specials, cookie decorating, games, hot drinks, a photo booth and a moon bounce for children. The event is free to attend.
Virginia
Christmas Illuminations at Mount Vernon On Saturday and Sunday, head to Mount Vernon for a display of festive lights and fireworks over the Potomac River. At the family-friendly event, guests will also be able to talk to soldiers at an 18th-century winter encampment and meet Aladdin the Camel. Tickets cost $58 for adults and those ages 12 and up and $36 for children under the age of 12.
Another Night of All Doom Metal Arts Herndon has a lineup of four doom metal bands set to perform on Sunday in Herndon, Virginia. The event has a $10 general admission with a $5 requested donation for nonperishable food.
A Christmas Brass Spectacular For a top-notch brass musical performance, don’t miss The Capitol Bones All-Brass Big Band with Lena Seikaly at The Birchmere in Alexandria, Virginia. The event is on Monday with tickets priced at roughly $40.
A Kid’s Cookie Decorating Class Celebrate the holidays with a family-friendly cookie decorating class, hosted by Cake-wich Craft on Tuesday. The event in Old Town Alexandria, Virginia, includes four cookies for decorating, all the sprinkles and other supplies attendees may need, a cup of hot cocoa and an additional mini sugar cookie for snacking on. The class costs roughly $28 per person.
Have an event you’d like featured in WTOP’s Things to do in the D.C. area weekly guide? Let us know!
Get breaking news and daily headlines delivered to your email inbox by signing up here.
The Capital Art and Craft Festival is back this weekend with more than 300 juried artists at the Dulles Expo Center in Chantilly, Virginia.
The Capital Art & Craft Festival features over 300 artists. (Courtesy Capital Art & Craft Festivals)
The Capital Art & Craft Festival features over 300 artists. (Courtesy Capital Art & Craft Festivals)
One of Northern Virginia’s largest winter markets returns this weekend. The Capital Art and Craft Festival features more than 300 juried artists at the Dulles Expo Center in Chantilly, Virginia.
From Friday through Sunday, expect everything from glass and metal works to jewelry and clothing to pottery and printmaking.
“We also have specialty food vendors who have wonderful items, all kinds of pastries, cheeses, dips, sauces that make wonderful presents as well,” said Judy Spargo, the director of the Capital Art and Craft Festival.
This is the sixth year that the event has been hosted at the Dulles Expo Center. Due to the venue’s impending closure at the end of the month to make way for a new Ikea store, the Capital Art and Craft Festival event will debut at a new venue in 2026, which Spargo said will be announced “soon.”
Sake & Wine: Holiday Soirée In collaboration with D.C. Sake cō and The Wine Concierge, the two organizations are planning an evening of wine and sake tastings at the rooftop of Skyline 609 in Northeast D.C. The approximately $92 ticket includes tastings of four wines and four sakes in a festive setting. The event is Thursday.
“An Irish Carol” The Keegan Theatre in Dupont Circle is presenting an homage to the Charles Dickens’ classic, this time set in a modern Dublin pub, following “a wealthy pub owner who has lost touch with his own humanity.” “An Irish Carol” is running through Dec. 28 with tickets that cost $65 for adults, $54 for students and those under 25 and $54 for seniors ages 62 and above.
“The Holiday Show” by the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington, D.C. On Dec. 13, 14 and 20, the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington, D.C. is hosting a holiday extravaganza with soulful arrangements of holiday carols at the Lincoln Theatre. Tickets for the 90-minute show start at approximately $32.
Main Hall Holiday Market From Wednesday, Dec. 17 through Saturday, Dec. 20, the Main Hall of Union Station is hosting over 40 vendors, artists and makers, perfect for holiday shopping. Foods like baklava from The Persian Table and other treats from RavenHook Bakehouse are also planned for the market. The third annual Main Hall Holiday Market is free and open to the public. For more holiday markets to consider, check out WTOP’s guide.
Drink up at the Elf on the Shelf Pop-up Bar The Morris American Bar in Mt. Vernon Triangle is decorated from floor to ceiling with holiday decor to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the book, “The Elf on the Shelf.” This pop-up, made in partnership with Versus and The Lumistella Company, features themed drinks like the minty “Nice-tini” and the creamy, coconutty “Snow Surprises.”
Maryland
Holiday tree lighting and fireworks At National Harbor in Maryland, head to the heart of the Waterfront District for festive fireworks and a holiday tree light show Saturday.
Kwanzaa Celebration Celebrate Kwanzaa at the Banneker-Douglass-Tubman Museum in Annapolis, Maryland, on Saturday. The event includes art and moderated discussions, music, food and a Black-owned vendors market. The event is free and open to the public.
Bowl with Santa Have some fun with Santa Claus this Saturday and Sunday in Maryland at various AMF and Bowlero locations. Families who attend this event get to enjoy festive photos, bowling, arcade games and special giveaways. Find a list of participating locations here.
Virginia
Holiday Blues-A-Palooza Jammin Java in Vienna, Virginia, is hosting a holiday music performance with a focus on the blues on Sunday. The event features Deanna Bogart, Jenny Langer, the Eric Scott Band and Jonathan Sloane. Tickets cost $46.
Sid Satellite & the Ripple at Galaxy Hut Galaxy Hut in Arlington, Virginia, is hosting two bands Sunday. Headlining is the psychedelic rock trio, Sid Satellite & the Ripple. Also featured are the “carousel punks” Boy Meets Pearl, a band that offers modern takes on sea shanties, circus waltzes and Victorian music hall sing-a-longs. Tickets are $10 at the door.
Chanukah Festival This Monday, The Lyceum in Old Town Alexandria, Virginia, is hosting a Chanukah Festival with a lighting of a giant, 6-foot-tall menorah, plus festive music as well as food and drinks like potato latkes and hot cocoa to get in the holiday spirit. The event is free and open to the public.
Have an event you’d like featured in WTOP’s Things to do in the D.C. area weekly guide? Let us know!
Get breaking news and daily headlines delivered to your email inbox by signing up here.
Those looking for a holiday paradise should keep an eye on this winter carnival that is on its way to D.C. The inaugural Winter Wonderfest at Nationals Park opens Friday and runs on select dates through Dec. 30.
Tubing at Winter Wonderfest at Nationals Park.(Courtesy of Magic Ice)
Tubing at Winter Wonderfest at Nationals Park.(Courtesy of Magic Ice)
Those looking for a holiday paradise should keep an eye on this winter carnival that is on its way to D.C. The inaugural Winter Wonderfest at Nationals Park opens Friday and runs on select dates through Dec. 30.
The experience hosts a variety of activities, including a 100-foot tubing slide, a winter train ride, LED seesaws, a nine-hold putt-putt course and a snowball throwing challenge.
The outdoors event is held on the field and is tailored for all ages, though the Après Chalet by Fireball with a “hidden speakeasy” is restricted to guests ages 21 and older.
Jonathan Stahl, vice president of Nationals Park events, said some of the food and drink items to look forward to include roasted nuts, funnel cakes, hot cocoa in specialty mugs that can be spiked if desired, savory hand pies and “classic ballpark fare.” The speakeasy is also restricted to up to 50 guests with “some of the best mixologists in Washington.”
General admission tickets are roughly $30 per person. Food, beverages and retail items are available for additional purchase.
Here’s what else is happening in the D.C. area:
DC
‘Season’s Greenings: Dino-Mite!’
The U.S. Botanic Garden is hosting its annual “Season’s Greenings” exhibit; but this time, it will host more than just holiday decor and D.C. landmarks made from plants. It will also showcase displays of dinosaurs made from plant parts as well. Note that the outdoor train display only runs during certain hours. There is no admission fee and no tickets are required. The exhibit runs through Jan. 4, 2026.
Folger Frost Fair
Starting Friday, the Folger Shakespeare Library is hosting a monthlong winter festival with holiday music and free activities. The Folger Frost Fair, which runs through Jan. 4, 2026, includes Christmas carols, tributes to Emily Dickinson’s 195th and Jane Austen’s 250th birthdays, plus an Austen afternoon tea. Families can also get excited for craft stations, storytimes and wintry treats at Quill & Crumb cafe.
Native American Heritage Day
Join the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian on Friday to celebrate Native American Heritage Day. The museum is hosting award-winning hoop dancer Joseph Secody, who will demonstrate the power and art of the Hoop Dance. There are three free chances to see the performance throughout the day.
Punk Rock Karaoke
If you’re a fan of belting out tunes from bands, such as 100 Gecs, Bad Moves, Ekko Astral and other punk rock bands, don’t miss Black Cat’s punk rock karaoke event on Friday. Tickets cost $15 in advance and $20 at the door.
Rhizome D.C. is hosting a Trans Writing Workshop on Sunday that covers topics, such as “how to help maintain focus and writing inspiration during such stressful cultural times.” The free workshop is tailored for trans, nonbinary and Two-Spirit writers of all experience levels.
This Saturday, shop at the Takoma Collective Fall Market to buy the works of local artists, creators and makers. The event is on Laurel Avenue in the heart of downtown Takoma Park, Maryland. For more holiday markets to consider, WTOP has you covered with over 30 mapped across the D.C. area.
A Swingin’ Little Christmas! Starring Jane Lynch
Once again, actress Jane Lynch is hosting a jazzy musical show, called “A Swingin’ Little Christmas,” at the Music Center at Strathmore in North Bethesda, Maryland. The event is on Saturday with “late ’50s, early ’60s style” music reminiscent of Frank Sinatra and Andy Williams. Hear Lynch’s full interview with WTOP to learn more about the event.
AFI European Union Film Showcase
For its 38th year, the AFI European Union Film Showcase features a mix of international film festival award winners as well as new talents to offer a variety of film screenings worth attending. The event spans from Dec. 3 through 21 at the AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center in Silver Spring, Maryland.
Virginia
Jimi Hendrix Birthday Celebration
Celebrate the music and legacy of Jimi Hendrix through blues, rock and soul live performances at Jammin Java this Friday. The Vienna, Virginia, venue is hosting the Jonathan Sloane and the Bobby Thompson Band with tickets that cost $27 per person.
Mount Vernon by Candlelight
Learn about the holiday traditions of 18th-century Virginia at Mount Vernon during a candlelit guided tour that explores the first and second floors of George Washington’s mansion, Mount Vernon. General admission for this Friday’s and Saturday’s event costs approximately $41 per person for adults and those above the age of 12 or $33 for those under the age of 12.
Have an event you’d like featured in WTOP’s Things to do in the D.C. area weekly guide? Let us know!
Get breaking news and daily headlines delivered to your email inbox by signing up here.
The District’s National Zoo is glowing again thanks to the return of ZooLights. The event runs on winter evenings from Nov. 21 through Jan. 3, 2026.
A lit-up panda display dazzles visitors under a brightly colored banner of flowers at ZooLights at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute. (Courtesy Roshan Patel, Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute)
A lit-up panda display dazzles visitors under a brightly colored banner of flowers at ZooLights at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute. (Courtesy Roshan Patel, Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute)
The National Zoo is glowing again thanks to the return of ZooLights. The 17th annual event runs in D.C. on winter evenings from Nov. 21 through Jan. 3, with 1 million twinkling, environmentally-friendly LED lights, over 100 glowing animal lanterns and a festive atmosphere.
Those who attend can enjoy a heated lounge with a bar for hot cocoa or adult beverages, while families can take part in a train ride that makes its way around Lion-Tiger Hill. Carousel rides are also available.
“It is one of the most magical ways to see the zoo,” said Nikki Mounts, director of business operations at the National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute. “This is a beloved D.C. holiday tradition where you can come to the zoo and it’ll be lit up and magical and just a time to have Instagrammable moments or make core memories with your family.”
A new feature at this year’s ZooLights is “Date Night,” which is an adults-only evening on Dec. 17. Prices for this night increase to $19 per person; the ticket cost includes one alcoholic beverage.
Otherwise, general admission costs $9 per person with parking available at $30 per vehicle. No animals will be on exhibit during ZooLights.
Mounts said she anticipates more than 100,000 visitors will attend ZooLights this year.
Umbrella Art Fair More than 100 artists are coming together at a free art fair, from Friday through Sunday. The Umbrella Art Fair includes workshops, a walking tour and a “game panel” focused on indie game developers. The event is free to attend.
Employees Only speakeasy pop-up at Bourbon Steak Bourbon Steak is hosting a two-night collaboration with New York City’s speakeasy, Employees Only, on Friday and Saturday. The speakeasy is listed as one of The World’s 50 Best Bars and has been for 10 consecutive years. At this event, guest bartender Frank “Maldonado” Kurt is bringing five famed Employees Only craft cocktails to D.C. alongside Bourbon Steak lead bartender Engi Alebachew. The event does not require tickets or reservations and is available on a first-come-first-served basis.
D.C. Punk Rock Flea Market On Saturday, shop at the D.C. Punk Rock Flea Market at St. Stephens in Northwest D.C. The market is free to attend, but it is requested to bring goods for a canned food drive that will benefit We Are Family D.C.
Flower Potluck Northwest D.C. cafe Doubles is hosting one last Flower Potluck events this year on Saturday. The potluck invites the public to bring foraged or store-bought flowers and a vessel with the goal of creating a flower arrangement. Food and beverages are also available for purchase.
Falling for Myself Market With size-inclusive vendors available, Femme Fatale D.C.’s Falling for Myself Market is a celebration of fashion, art and “empowering activities” that promote self-love. The free event is on Sunday.
Light Yards Coming up soon is the annual winter extravaganza known as Light Yards. The family-friendly art installation, which runs from Nov. 25 through Jan. 1, features an interactive holiday light installation. The event is free and open to the public.
Maryland
Afrobeat Dance Essentials Immerse yourself in African dances at Mount Rainier’s Joe’s Movement Emporium. This Friday, the all-ages event allows the public to learn popular West African dance steps and Igbo cultural dance. The ticket price is “pay-what-you-wish,” starting at $5.
“A Christmas Carol” Get your tickets while you can for Olney Theatre Company’s production of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol.” This version takes a twist on the classic by having actor Michael Russotto host a one-man show as he portrays nearly 50 characters on his own during the performance. The production runs from Nov. 28 through Dec. 28.
Holiday Art Show & Sale Glen Echo Park’s annual Holiday Art Show & Sale is back and running through Jan. 4, 2026. Expect a variety of art mediums, including photography, jewelry, painting as well as holiday ornaments. For more holiday markets, check out WTOP’s holiday market guide.
Virginia
Hardwired: The Tribute to Metallica The Metallica tribute band, Hardwired, is performing on Thursday at the State Theatre in Falls Church. Tickets cost $21.50 in advance or $24.50 on the day of the show. Dinner reservations are available for an additional $12.
Alexandria Cider Festival The historic Lloyd House in Old Town Alexandria is hosting the Alexandria Cider Festival, which includes cider tastings, live music, tavern games and a food truck. Tickets cost $55 per person or $25 for designated drivers. The event is on Saturday.
Winter Lantern Festival At Lerner Town Square in Tysons, celebrate the holiday season with hundreds of lanterns lit up with LEDs along an illuminated, winter-inspired night walk. Tickets to this Winter Lantern Festival include access to a high-energy acrobatic show. Ticket prices vary.
Have an event you’d like featured in WTOP’s Things to do in the D.C. area weekly guide? Let us know!
Get breaking news and daily headlines delivered to your email inbox by signing up here.
Instead of working several hours or days ahead to prepare a feast, consider allowing a local restaurant or two to lend a helping hand.
This year, keep Thanksgiving preparations stress-free.
Instead of working several days ahead to prepare a feast, consider allowing a local restaurant or two to lend a helping hand. There are so many options (and price points) to consider this year, with the option to go traditional with the typical, yet still delectable, turkey or offer a surprise to your guests by instead opting for a Peking duck, BBQ or maybe a whole-fried chicken. Or skip the bird altogether and consider a vegetable Wellington!
Find some of these and many other memorable Thanksgiving specials in the D.C. area available below:
For those seeking some tradition at the table
For a full spread of holiday goodies, Matt & Tony’s in Alexandria, Virginia, has several packages and brunch kits available to-go. Consider the “Thanksgiving Feast for Two,” which costs $90 and includes a peppered turkey breast and confit turkey leg and thigh with a smoked turkey gravy, plus several sides, including a chicken chorizo stuffing, a Chianti cranberry sauce and a green bean casserole, among others. Orders must be scheduled for either Nov. 26 or Nov. 27. There is also a $50 “Morning After Brunch Kit for Two” with cheddar and scallion biscuits, whole eggs, your choice of breakfast meat, home fries, masa pancakes and more. Matt & Tony’s also has several drinks and cocktails available as add-ons, priced between $20 to $25.
Modern American restaurant The Duck & The Peach in D.C. has two Thanksgiving packages worth considering. With a preorder deadline on Nov. 24 and a pickup on Nov. 26, the offerings at this restaurant are largely familiar, but there are a few curveballs sure to excite guests. The “Feast” package, which feeds five to six people for $300, includes a rotisserie turkey roulade with za’atar and fennel stuffing, as well as roasted Brussels sprouts with candied lemon and mint, toasted garlic green beans, cranberry sauce and a goat butter mashed potatoes, among other dishes. There is also the “Just the Sides” package, which doesn’t include the turkey roulade, but still feeds five to six for $170. For those who’d prefer to purchase different dishes on their own, it’s available to purchase a la carte as well.
Modern Mediterranean restaurant Tiffany’s Bar & Bistro in D.C. has a wallet-friendly takeout special that costs $150, serving four to six people. The feast is available through Nov. 23 with cornbread with Aleppo-honey butter, Brussels sprouts with a sumac-whipped feta and a sourdough mushroom and feta stuffing, plus a half turkey. Diners can upgrade to a whole duck for $50 or add a chocolate mousse pie for an additional $45. Orders are available for pickup on Nov. 27.
For a deal that’s hard to beat, Carmine’s in Penn Quarter is serving up a take-home feast for pickup on Nov. 26 and 27 that amount to $30.62 per person. The Thanksgiving package costs $245, able to feed up to eight people, with an 18-pound turkey with sausage and sage stuffing, a homemade cranberry sauce, Brussels sprouts, string beans, baby carrots, sweet potatoes and mashed potatoes with a choice of apple or pumpkin pie.
Serve a Southern-inspired feast this year, courtesy of Kinfolk in D.C. Their Thanksgiving to-go package includes a slow-smoked turkey or a deep-fried turkey with add-ons like a whole-fried chicken with harissa honey, or beef brisket or pork baby back ribs. The standard to-go package costs $159, able to serve four, with customizable options on the fixings. The preorder deadline is Nov. 24.
Guests at 2 Fifty around the regioncan consider Thanksgiving options like smoked turkey, brisket, sausages and classic sides like mac ‘n cheese, banana pudding and sweet potato mash. Less typical, but extra delicious options also include a box of smoked brisket tamales or a whole rack of ribs. Each option is available a la carte and varies in price. Pickup is available on Nov. 26 at the restaurant’s D.C. and Riverdale Park, Maryland, locations.
Amparo Fondita’s Thanksgiving to go menu is inspired by Mexican flavors. (Courtesy Amparo Fondita)
For those craving twists on American classics
The Parisian bistro at The Wharf, Bistro du Jour, has a French-inspired Thanksgiving meal available for pickup and delivery. Consider the oh-so-affordable $39 Thanksgiving feast, which includes a roasted turkey breast, dauphinoise potatoes, sautéed green beans, chestnut stuffing, turkey gravy and cranberry sauce. Also available is a roasted pumpkin soup for $11 and an apple pie with a brown butter streusel for $10.
Vietnamese restaurant Moon Rabbit in D.C. has a take-away Thanksgiving menu for four that is chock-full of tasty bites that will be sure to make this holiday season more memorable than the last. The main course is a five-spice turkey breast with gumbo gravy and several sides, including but not limited to, a crawfish cornbread stuffing, green beans with Chinese sausage, white pepper and miso mashed potatoes and curry spice Parker House rolls with condensed coconut milk butter. The dessert included is a sweet potato pie with a tamarind dulce de leche sauce. Each box is priced at $295 with a la carte add-ons available. Orders must be placed by Nov. 21 with pickup on Nov. 26.
For Latin American flavors, don’t miss Amparo Fondita’s to-go Thanksgiving feast. The dinner features a 24-hour brined, slow-roasted and sustainably grown turkey served with a black mole sauce. There are five sides, which include a sweet potatoes with salsa negra, roasted acorn squash salad, Rancho Gordo beans and 20 hand-pressed blue corn tortillas. The sweet included is a flan that can serve four. Guests of the D.C. restaurant can also order carrot cake, caviar with sopecitos, and margaritas to enhance their dinner. Each meal, which includes a $25 gift card for a future visit, is priced at $275. Preorder by Nov. 21 for pickup on Nov. 26.
Another notable option for a Latin American touch on this Thanksgiving can be found at Mi Vida. The menu, available for pickup or delivery, includes butternut squash soup, heritage turkey with a creamy rice stuffing, a guajillo-sweet potato gratin and an agave-caramelized Brussels sprouts, among other sides, and an apple pie with a pineapple-caramel sauce. The pavo relleno is priced at $39, while the other two vegetarian options are $10 each.
Skip the turkey, and instead serve Peking duck. Phillippe Chow at The Wharf is selling a Peking duck this Thanksgiving that can serve up to five people, paired with a plum sauce and house-made pancakes with the option of lettuce cups. This takeout deal costs $120. Orders must be placed 72 hours in advance for pickup on the day before Thanksgiving.
For $49, at-home diners can enjoy The Grill’s comforting Thanksgiving dinner with dishes like a confit leek and fromage blanc-stuffed turkey roulade with a smoked mushroom stuffing, sweet potato, haricot vests and a cranberry sauce and a turkey gravy. The familiar flavors of the season can also be enjoyed with a warm apple cider doughnut served with pumpkin ice cream and bourbon apples, sold at $11. The Grill at the Wharf also has a butternut squash soup with a cranberry-ginger chutney and toasted pecans available for $12. Pickup and delivery is available on Nov. 27.
If Italy is singing to you this year, head to Chinatown’s Centrolina for Italian twists on the typical Thanksgiving meal. Available for pickup on Nov. 27 or delivery on Nov. 26, the menus signature dishes like the “Turkey Duo,” which is a porchetta-style breast and marsala-braised leg, alongside sides such as sage stuffing and pumpkin tortelli with butter and sage. Finish the meal with Pumpkin Pie with meringue or dirty chai tiramisu. Preorders must be in by Nov. 23.
Bring a Michelin star, Persian-inspired flair to this year’s Thanksgiving table, courtesy of Joon in Tysons Corner, Virginia. Joon’s Thanksgiving feast can feed five to six guests with half an 18-pound brined and par-cooked heritage turkey with the option to upgrade to a whole turkey for an additional $150. This package includes one rice dish, plus classic stuffing, cardamom-spiced sweet potato casserole with a brown butter streusel, grilled butternut squash with dates and walnuts, creamed spinach, among others. Options for a la carte desserts are an apple tarte Tatin or a chocolate and kataifi pie or a Persian love cake with a rosewater glaze, pistachio and lemon curd. The Thanksgiving package costs $325, but for those looking to save this year, several dishes and cocktails can be ordered a la carte.
For “Swediopian” flavors, consider ordering from Marcus D.C.Chef Marcus Samuelsson’s Northeast D.C. restaurant is selling a to-go kit with blue cornbread with bergere honey, Chuck B’s Roast chicken with roasted carrots and tarragon jus, a little gem salad with roasted garlic dressing and cornbread gremolata, collard greens and roasted sweet potato with crème fraîche and bergere. Marcus D.C.’s Thanksgiving kits are available for preorder before Nov. 26 by calling (202) 280-2288 during business hours.
If a vegetable-forward feast sounds up your alley, the Michelin-starred D.C. restaurant, MITA, is serving up a hassle-free Thanksgiving feast with pickup on Nov. 27. Some of the notable dishes include a vegetable Wellington with maitake mushrooms and sides like a brussels sprout casserole, a warm wild rice salad and a pumpkin cheesecake with candied pecans. There are packages that serve two people for $315 or packages that serve four people for $470. Orders can be made via OpenTable.
For those with a sweet tooth
Manifest 002 in D.C. has a limited run of pies, each priced at $50. Available for pickup only on Nov. 25 and 26, the three pies to choose from include a Dutch caramel apple crumble, a toffee pumpkin pie with dulce de leche or a chocolate cream pie. Each eight-inch pie serves between eight to 12 people.
At both of their McLean, Virginia, and North Bethesda, Maryland, locations, Sunday Morning Bakehouse has pies available for preorder for Thanksgiving. With a deadline of Nov. 23, the pies available on Nov. 26 are a Valrhona Blond Dulcey apple tart, pecan pie and pumpkin pie. Each is priced between $36 to $40 and feeds up to 10 people.
CUT, Chef Wolfgang Puck’s Georgetown restaurant, is inviting the public to end their Thanksgiving feasts on a sweet note. The public has the opportunity to preorder handcrafted desserts created by Chef Ligia Barros, such as an apple crumble with brown sugar oats, a pumpkin-spiced Basque cheesecake with caramelized apples and cranberry compote, a vanilla and peanut butter St. Honoré cake with caramelized choux puffs and a gluten-free black forest Yule log. Prices start at $75 with pickup on Nov. 26 and 27 and Dec. 24.
Minimalist D.C. bakery, Seylou, has a variety of sweet and savory dishes worth a preorder or two. Consider their apple pie, squash pie or pecan pie, all priced at $46. There is also a 12-pack of dinner rolls for $26 or a five-pack of apple cider doughnuts for $23.
For loaves galore, Riverdale, Maryland’s Manifest Bakery is ready for Thanksgiving preorders with pickup on Nov. 26. There are a wide variety of breads, rolls, biscuits, sweets and pies to consider. Also available are “festy packs,” which include goat cheese, chicken liver mousse, marinated beets and more. The deadline to preorder is Nov. 22.
One of D.C.’s most beloved bakeries, Bread Furst, has an “Everything But the Bird” dinner special available, which can serve four to six people for $249. Available for pickup on Nov. 26 and 27, this special has a variety of starters, sides and sweets to choose from, including an apple pie, bourbon pecan pie or pumpkin pie. “The Bird,” a one-pound herb-roasted turkey breast, is available as an add-on for an additional $28. The deadline is Nov. 17.
Get breaking news and daily headlines delivered to your email inbox by signing up here.
Experience the best of D.C. this week with the fourth annual Four Seasons Wine & Dine in Georgetown, featuring celebrity chefs like Michael Mina and Antonia Lofaso, curated wine tastings, and a four-course dinner benefiting cancer research at MedStar Health.
The Four Seasons D.C. Wine & Dine event is hosted across two evenings with proceeds going to MedStar Health. (Courtesy Four Seasons)
The Four Seasons D.C. Wine & Dine event is hosted across two evenings with proceeds going to MedStar Health. (Courtesy Four Seasons)
An exceptional food and wine experience is uniting with philanthropy at the Four Seasons in D.C.’s Georgetown neighborhood this week. The fourth annual Four Seasons D.C. Wine & Dine event spans two days with a cocktail reception and a seated dinner with the goal to benefit cancer research at MedStar Health.
While highlighting the fight against cancer, the fundraiser showcases the talents of premier chefs, winemakers and distillers. The event on Thursday features “chef action stations,” passed hors d’oeuvres, and curated wine and spirit tastings. The day’s event features Chef Michael Mina, James Beard award-nominated David Burke, Top Chef alum Antonia Lofaso and Bourbon Steak Executive Chef Quentin Welch.
On Friday, the four-course dinner is curated by Bella Oaks, Kinsman Eades, Laurent-Perrier, Lost Mountain Vineyards, Rudd Estate and Williams Selyem, followed by a dessert and spirits lounge with Rare Character Whiskey, The Macallan and IWA Sake of Japan.
Michael Mina, the chef, founder and executive chairman of Mina Group, told WTOP in a written statement: “Partnering with MedStar Health allows us to support vital research that directly impacts people in the D.C. community. … For me, food has always been about connection, and this event is an extension of that, offering a way for our industry to use what we do best to move the needle for a cause that matters.”
Bourbon Steak head sommelier Winn Roberton said part of what makes the event unique is how intimate it is, saying that Thursday’s event will give you “the chance to talk to the winemakers at a little bit more length or talk to the chefs at their stations at a little more length, rather than just being in a mass sea of people, trying to bump elbows.”
“Wine and Dine is really a showcase of how food and wine can be used for good,” Roberton said. “It’s just something that’s very meaningful, and we’re just really happy to do it every year at this point.”
Alison Roman Author, cook and grocery store enthusiast Alison Roman is headed to Sixth & I for a conversation about her newest cookbook, “Something From Nothing.” Hosting the conversation is Hanna Rosin, a senior editor at The Atlantic, host of “Radio Atlantic” and the author of “The End of Men.” Admission costs approximately $20 with first-come first-served seating.
Pottery on the Hill From Friday through Sunday, the annual Pottery on the Hill show and sale is back at the Hill Center at the Old Naval Hospital in the Capitol Hill neighborhood. Friday’s preview reception is ticketed and costs $45 in advance or $50 on the day of the event, while admission for Saturday and Sunday is free. Throughout the event, expect demonstrations and conversations about the works by the potters.
Five Minute Horror Film Fest Halloween may be over, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the scarier things in life any other time of the year. The Shaw (Watha T. Daniel) Neighborhood Library is hosting a Five Minute Horror Film Fest this Saturday, with each flick created during the third cohort of DC Public Library’s filmmaking workshop series.
The Washington Spirit’s semifinals game The Washington Spirit, D.C.’s National Women’s Soccer League, is headed to the semifinals this Saturday. They’re hosting the opposing team, the Portland Thorns, at Audi Field. Tickets are still up for grabs, starting at roughly $50 per person.
Mezcal With Friends Pascual, one of the most respected Mexican restaurants in the District, is hosting a collaboration dinner on Monday with Fabiola Padilla, founder of Mexico’s Bekeb, which is one of the “Top 50 Bars” in North America 2025 and 2024 by 50 Best. The culinary experience entails a curated tasting menu featuring three signature cocktails, alongside à la carte tacos from Pascual chef Isabel Coss and cocktails inspired by Padilla. Tickets are available via Resy, priced at $120 per guest, plus tax.
“Ho ho ho ha ha ha ha” Through Dec. 21, head to the Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company for Julia Masli’s chaotic, comedic and unpredictable holiday show that covers everything from family meltdowns to gift-related despair “with no script, no plan, no guarantees.” Tickets for “Ho ho ho ha ha ha ha” start at approximately $49 per person.
Maryland
Museum Shop Holiday Market The Strathmore’s Museums & Makers Holiday Market is kicking off the holiday shopping season with three days of one-of-a-kind gifts that bring together the area’s top museum shops and local artisans. The free event spans from Thursday through Saturday with a $10 suggested donation for entry. For more holiday markets to consider throughout the region, check out WTOP’s holiday market guide.
“ICE!” Starting Friday, Gaylord National at National Harbor is hosting dazzling displays, tempting treats, holiday shows and other festive activities as part of the annual “ICE!” show. This year, the larger-than-life ice sculptures feature characters and scenes from the film, “The Polar Express.” The event runs through Jan. 4, 2026.
Ride For Your Life For its fourth year, the region’s largest bike ride dedicated to street safety is back. Ride For Your Life is a 10-mile “slow ride” that starts at Downtown Bethesda and ends at the Lincoln Memorial. Those who can’t ride can still participate in a one-mile walk from the Foggy Bottom Metro station in D.C. Rider registration for the event on Sunday is free.
Local Short Film Showcase Discover new emerging talents at the AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center’s Local Short Film Showcase this Monday. Tickets cost approximately $23 per person.
Virginia
DMV Chocolate & Coffee Festival The Dulles Expo Center in Chantilly is hosting the DMV Chocolate & Coffee Festival this Saturday and Sunday. The event offers over 200 exhibitors who offer products like teas, soaps, candles and other gifts, plus classes and presentations, arts and crafts for kids, demonstrations and photo-ops. Ticket prices vary.
Yoga in the Galleries Enjoy a 60-minute yoga session at the Museum of Contemporary Art Arlington on Saturday. After the event, guests are invited to linger with a journal for doodling, drawing or meditating. Tickets start at approximately $15 per person.
“Emerald Evening” at Honor Brewing Company Celebrate the arrival of the film, “Wicked: For Good,” at Honor Brewing Company in Sterling with an event featuring painting activities, a light charcuterie spread, drinks (i.e., beer, wine, cocktail or a mocktail) and a screening of the first film, “Wicked.” The “Emerald Evening” event on Tuesday costs approximately $45 per person.
Have an event you’d like featured in WTOP’s Things to do in the D.C. area weekly guide? Let us know!
Get breaking news and daily headlines delivered to your email inbox by signing up here.
One of the biggest, boldest and most delicious food events in the D.C. region is back and being hosted this Thursday at The Anthem.
The Capital Food Fight, hosted by D.C. Central Kitchen at The Anthem in D.C. (Courtesy Deb Lindsay)
The Capital Food Fight, hosted by D.C. Central Kitchen at The Anthem in D.C. (Courtesy Deb Lindsay)
One of the biggest, boldest and most delicious food events in the D.C. region is back and hosted this Thursday at The Anthem. The Capital Food Fight returns for its 21st year with tastes from dozens of the D.C. area’s top restaurants along with a thrilling stage show.
This year’s chefs who are competing in a culinary battle include Julie Cortes of KAYU, Dina Daniel of Fava Pot, Matt Price of Fraiche and Suresh Sundas of Daru and Tapori. Some of the celebrity chefs making an appearance this year also include Amanda Freitag, Eric Adjepong and Spike Mendelsohn, among others.
Guests can also enjoy arcade games, a “roaming photo booth,” a Topo Chico Ranch Water station and more, according to Mel Gold, director of communications and marketing at D.C. Central Kitchen.
“So lots of really cool, fun things to eat, drink and play during the battles,” he told WTOP.
Hosted by D.C. Central Kitchen, the mission of the Capital Food Fight is to raise funds that will combat hunger and poverty through job training and job creation. In this past year, over $900,000 was raised thanks to this event, which went directly into funding the D.C. Central Kitchen’s efforts.
HBCU First LOOK Film Festival Students and graduates of historically Black colleges and universities have united to elevate up-and-coming storytellers. The HBCU First LOOK Film Festival includes classes, panels, workshops and networking opportunities, all located at Howard University’s Blackburn Center. The film festival runs from Thursday through Saturday. Ticket prices vary.
“Lie Low” Solas Nua, a D.C.-based Irish contemporary arts organization, is hosting the North American premiere of “Lie Low,” a play by Ciara Elizabeth Smyth that is “a dark comedy about trauma, the lies we tell ourselves, and the outrageous ways our brains work. Or don’t.” The production is running at the Atlas Performing Arts Center from Nov. 6 through 23.
Half and Half Market The Femme Fatale D.C. store is hosting a pop-up vintage market on Saturday for the public to discover jewelry, paintings, stickers, prints and a mix of vintage and upcycled clothing. Visitors of the Half and Half Market also get access to flash tattoos, piercings, a screen printing workshop (registration required) and a caricature portrait booth. Tickets are free.
100th Birthday Memory Making The Mount Pleasant Neighborhood Library is celebrating its 100th birthday all month long. This Saturday, the library is teaching the public the best practices of personal archiving, while offering information on resources available at Memory Lab, The People’s Archive and the D.C. History Center.
D.C. Beer Fest Nationals Park is bringing back the D.C. Beer Fest with over 80 breweries, 200 beers, food trucks, bands and dueling pianos in tow. The event on Saturday costs $55 for general admission and $90 for VIP admission.
International Arts & Crafts Market On Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, head to the World Bank on H Street NW for a festive, multiday shopping experience to get a head start on the holiday season. Vendors at the International Arts & Crafts Market plan to sell crafts, handmade jewelry, colorful housewares, Turkish towels and more.
Maryland
“Hello, Dolly!” This classic 1964 musical is all about “love, second chances and the magic of an adventure to the big city.” The musical is centered around a matchmaker in search of a match for a miserly character, named Horace Vandergelder. “Hello, Dolly!” runs at the Olney Theatre Center from Nov. 6 through Jan. 4 of 2026. Audiences of all ages are welcome, though “if this were a film, it would be rated PG,” according to the Olney website. Tickets start at around $45.
Tribute to Erykah Badu & Jill Scott This event is a tribute to the queens of Neo Soul, Erykah Badu and Jill Scott. Located at the Bethesda Theatre, expect some of their most popular songs, performed by Virginia native Angelica Baylor. The event is on Friday with tickets that start at roughly $40.
Nerd Cabaret The Silver Spring Black Box is hosting a nerdy cabaret this Saturday featuring a medley of iconic musical TV episodes and opening themes. Tickets start at approximately $60.
Virginia
Alexandria Film Festival Through Sunday, the 19th annual Alexandria Film Festival has more than 60 films expected to make their debut with half made by local filmmakers. Each showcase in Alexandria, Virginia, is priced at $15. Furloughed federal government workers impacted by the shutdown are offered complimentary tickets.
Northern Virginia Christmas Market For its 32nd year, the Northern Virginia Christmas Market promises over 300 fine artisans from more than 30 states, offering a diverse selection of goods, including pottery, jewelry, stained glass, wood, photography and fiber arts. The event runs from Friday through Sunday. Tickets cost $9, while children under 12 can enter for free.
Pickle & Grilled Cheese Festival For its second year, this briny, cheesy festival is prepared to offer guests a variety of vendors and food trucks to make the event a truly dill-icious time. Expect pickle tastings, pickle beer and cider and also pickle-themed activities. The Pickle & Grilled Cheese Festival is this Saturday at the Fredericksburg Fairgrounds in Fredericksburg, Virginia. Tickets cost $30 per person.
Have an event you’d like featured in WTOP’s Things to do in the D.C. area weekly guide? Let us know!
Get breaking news and daily headlines delivered to your email inbox by signing up here.
Singing Tiger is a new restaurant and karaoke destination in Union Market District that is ideal for customers hungry for belting out tunes and chowing down on Pan-Asian food.
This page contains a video which is being blocked by your ad blocker. In order to view the video you must disable your ad blocker.
Singing Tiger blends bold Pan-Asian bites with karaoke nights in Northeast DC
Quietly roaring into the Union Market District neighborhood in Northeast D.C. is Singing Tiger. The recently opened restaurant and karaoke destination is ideal for customers hungry for belting out tunes and chowing down on Pan-Asian food.
Housed in the lower level of the Hotel Nell and with an entrance visible from a narrow alleyway, Singing Tiger houses three private karaoke rooms: one which can hold up to six guests and two which can hold up to 10 guests.
The restaurant is dimly lit with an outdoor courtyard in the center of the space, lined by paper lanterns. Near the entrance is an omikuji tree, which is traditionally found in Japanese shrines and temples in order to hang fortunes and wishes written on strips of paper.
Singing Tiger’s food menu comes with cold bites like Kokoda, which is a fish ceviche, or warm apps like chicken karaage, Korean fried chicken wings or lemongrass chicken gyoza. Diners can also expect skewers of tsukune, or ground chicken, plus grillfed shrimp or wagyu short rib steak.
Noodle dishes, rice bowls and plates with bao buns round out the menu with sweets that include halo-halo and a warm ube ice cream bun.
The drink menu at Singing Tiger includes cold and hot sake options (including a sake flight), soju and a variety of cocktails, including zero-proof drinks. One of the flashier drinks is the “Mango Inferno,” a drink that is set aflame after mixing Casamigos Reposado Tequila with ancho reyes verde, Thai chili, mango miyazaki puree, pineapple, lime juice and agave.
“You can come, and you can eat dinner, you can have cocktails, or you can just sing karaoke — or you can do all three,” said Eric Lawson, director of food and beverage at Singing Tiger.
“We want to set ourselves apart as (a) destination … for the food and the cocktails first and foremost. And then the karaoke rooms are just another added amenity that you can cap off the night with.”
In the Union Market District, those who love to perform behind a mic can also head to Sid Gold’s Request Room or the recently opened honky tonk bar, Desert 5 Spot.
Singing Tiger is located at 411 New York Ave. in Northeast D.C.
Get breaking news and daily headlines delivered to your email inbox by signing up here.
Singing Tiger is a new restaurant and karaoke destination in Union Market District that is ideal for customers hungry for belting out tunes and chowing down on Pan-Asian food.
This page contains a video which is being blocked by your ad blocker. In order to view the video you must disable your ad blocker.
Singing Tiger blends bold Pan-Asian bites with karaoke nights in Northeast DC
Quietly roaring into the Union Market District neighborhood in Northeast D.C. is Singing Tiger. The recently opened restaurant and karaoke destination is ideal for customers hungry for belting out tunes and chowing down on Pan-Asian food.
Housed in the lower level of the Hotel Nell and with an entrance visible from a narrow alleyway, Singing Tiger houses three private karaoke rooms: one which can hold up to six guests and two which can hold up to 10 guests.
The restaurant is dimly lit with an outdoor courtyard in the center of the space, lined by paper lanterns. Near the entrance is an omikuji tree, which is traditionally found in Japanese shrines and temples in order to hang fortunes and wishes written on strips of paper.
Singing Tiger’s food menu comes with cold bites like Kokoda, which is a fish ceviche, or warm apps like chicken karaage, Korean fried chicken wings or lemongrass chicken gyoza. Diners can also expect skewers of tsukune, or ground chicken, plus grillfed shrimp or wagyu short rib steak.
Noodle dishes, rice bowls and plates with bao buns round out the menu with sweets that include halo-halo and a warm ube ice cream bun.
The drink menu at Singing Tiger includes cold and hot sake options (including a sake flight), soju and a variety of cocktails, including zero-proof drinks. One of the flashier drinks is the “Mango Inferno,” a drink that is set aflame after mixing Casamigos Reposado Tequila with ancho reyes verde, Thai chili, mango miyazaki puree, pineapple, lime juice and agave.
“You can come, and you can eat dinner, you can have cocktails, or you can just sing karaoke — or you can do all three,” said Eric Lawson, director of food and beverage at Singing Tiger.
“We want to set ourselves apart as (a) destination … for the food and the cocktails first and foremost. And then the karaoke rooms are just another added amenity that you can cap off the night with.”
In the Union Market District, those who love to perform behind a mic can also head to Sid Gold’s Request Room or the recently opened honky tonk bar, Desert 5 Spot.
Singing Tiger is located at 411 New York Ave. in Northeast D.C.
Get breaking news and daily headlines delivered to your email inbox by signing up here.
Lovers of indie bookstores and spine-chilling festivities should head to Fright Fête at Lost City Books in D.C.’s Adams Morgan neighborhood this Friday.
Lovers of indie bookstores and spine-chilling festivities should head to Fright Fête at Lost City Books in D.C.’s Adams Morgan neighborhood this Friday.
This is the fifth Fright Fête hosted on Halloween by Lost City Books. At the event, guests can expect costumes, dancing, snacks and refreshments, a live DJ and even free flash tattoos.
“It’s great if you already have plans on Halloween, but maybe this can be like a first stop for you and a friend … before going on to the next thing. Some people who love indie bookstores and maybe don’t go to house parties in that kind of way — they’re welcome to stay at Lost City the whole night,” said Jonny Teklit, events manager at Lost City Books. “We just try and make it fun. We try and make it a party that we as staff would want to attend as well.”
Tickets to the Fright Fête cost roughly $53 per person.
Nightmare on U Street Get boo-zy this Halloween at Whitlow’s on U Street. This Friday, expect the bar to be filled with live music, specialty drinks and a $500 prize for the winner of their costume contest. Those who arrive between 9 p.m. and 10 p.m. also get a free JELL-O shot.
D.C. Zinefest Head to the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library on Saturday for the annual celebration of zines, known as D.C. Zinefest. The festival is being hosted on the fourth and fifth floors with workshops hosted in The People’s Archive in the library.
Fall Family Fun Day For some of the best seasonal, family-friendly fun, the Brookland Arts Walk is hosting a puppet show on Saturday along with a photo booth and other activities.
Adams Morgan PorchFest One of the city’s biggest neighborhood music festivals is back for the fall season. Adams Morgan PorchFest is being hosted at dozens of businesses with over 100 bands participating.
Día de los Muertos The Wharf is celebrating Día de los Muertos this Saturday in partnership with the Mexican Cultural Institute and Fiesta D.C. The family-friendly festival includes live music, cultural performances, a Modelo beer garden, face painting and sugar skull decorating.
Maryland
Ball-o-ween/Baddie-ween The Bethesda Theater is hosting a Halloween costume party, called Ball-o-ween/Baddie-ween, with sounds from Dylan Ali, the Styles Band, Tyra the Zombie, and Stardust, with headliner TikTok star and rapper Adamn Killa. Tickets cost $35.
“Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror” The Mansion in North Bethesda, Maryland, is hosting a live music screening of the 1922 film, “Nosferatu,” accompanied by Strathmore’s very own AIR musicians. The event is this Saturday with tickets that cost approximately $35 per person.
Carla Hall on “Carla and the Tin Can Cake Party” This Sunday, celebrity chef and TV star Carla Hall is hosting a story time at People’s Book in Takoma Park, Maryland, to read her book, “Carla and the Tin Can Cake Party.”
Virginia
Halloween Dog Costume Contest Lost Boy Cider in Alexandria, Virginia, is celebrating the spookier things in life with pups this Friday. Their Halloween dog costume contest includes more than just prizes. The public can also enjoy special cider releases and Thai food on site.
Taylor-Ween: A Taylor Swift Halloween Dance Party The Fearless Eras, performers who are “not just a cover band — it’s an experience,” are performing at the State Theatre in Falls Church this Friday. The cost is $20 per person.
Halloween Night of Devilish Music Jammin Java in Vienna isn’t hosting a Monster Mash, but instead a Halloween Night of Devilish Music with bands and performers like the Aidan Leclaire Band, BUKO BUKO and Lena Taynham. The event costs approximately $20 to attend.
Alexandria Fall-O-Ween John Carlyle Square in Alexandria is hosting a Fall-O-Ween celebration with holiday desserts, a kids’ costume contest and a pet costume contest. The free event is this Saturday.
ALX Jazz Fest Pop Up Series On Sunday, enjoy a free jazz performance and spoken word performance at Alexandria’s Four Mile Run Farmers & Artisans Market. The performers are musician Jordan Curls with poetry by Dehejia B. and Chet Been Cool.
Have an event you’d like featured in WTOP’s Things to do in the D.C. area weekly guide? Let us know!
Get breaking news and daily headlines delivered to your email inbox by signing up here.
The Chefs for Equality benefit dinner is back on Monday, and there’s plenty more things to do in D.C. this weekend. Here’s WTOP’s guide.
Food previously served at Chefs for Equality in D.C.(Courtesy Human Rights Campaign)
Food previously served at Chefs for Equality in D.C.(Courtesy Human Rights Campaign)
The Chefs for Equality benefit dinner is back on Monday — and this year, it’s not one single dinner. Instead, the event encompasses five chef-driven collaboration dinners at Acqua Bistecca, The Duck and the Peach, Moon Rabbit, CUT by Wolfgang Puck and Perry’s in D.C.
As part of the event, Perry’s is also presenting a “Drag Brunch for Dinner,” which is a buffet curated by James Beard Award-winning chef Masako Morishita with performances by several of D.C.’s top drag stars.
Since its inception in 2012, Chefs for Equality has raised over $20 million for the HRC Foundation through chefs and mixologists coming together to create “the most spectacular food event in Washington” with the purpose to fight for full LGBTQ equality, according to David Hagedorn, creator and co-chair of Chefs for Equality for the Human Rights Campaign.
Each dinner accommodates between 60 to 80 people. There is also an online silent auction that is publicly accessible, which includes opportunities such as a “culinary experience” for four at The Inn at Little Washington or a dinner for four with former Washington Post food critic Tom Sietsema, Centrolina chef Amy Brandwein and Baan Mae chef Seng Luangrath.
“Times are tough, and (Washington’s restaurant community is) still stepping up to stand up for equality of LGBTQ people and all marginalized people,” Hagedorn said. “Without them, we wouldn’t be able to have Chefs for Equality, and we appreciate them so much.”
To be a guest in this year’s event, which is titled, “Everything, Everywhere, All at Once,” ticket prices vary and can be purchased at the Chefs for Equality website.
District Arcade The Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library is celebrating video games and game makers from the D.C. region this Saturday. The free District Arcade event includes works from 20 to 30 local developers showcasing games of different genres and levels of completion, ranging from prototypes to complete games.
Haul-O-Ween Yard Sale Drop by the Capitol Hill neighborhood Saturday for a massive yard sale happening across the neighborhood, hosted by The Hill is Home. Find a map of the participating locations here.
Pumpkin Boulevard Union Market is hosting over 60 vendors who are serving seasonal spooky treats and handmade goods to celebrate the autumnal season. Pumpkin Boulevard is happening on Saturday and Sunday with tickets that cost $5 per person. Admission is free for federal workers.
LawnToberFest Celebrate the fall season this Sunday at LawnToberFest presented by Hi-Lawn in Northeast D.C. This family-friendly event offers several activities, such as pumpkin painting, themed trivia, bingo and lawn games. Also, expect live music and a DC Brau tap takeover.
Stadium Chef Series at Nationals Park Experience fine dining at Nationals Park as part of the Stadium Chef Series. Next Wednesday’s dinner features a five-course menu from James Beard Award-affiliated and standout chefs that include Carlos Delgado of Causa, Kevin Tien of Moon Rabbit, Angel Barreto of Anju, Rob Rubba of Oyster Oyster and dessert by Isabel Coss of Pascual and Lutèce. Tickets start at $450 per person.
Maryland
Trek or Treat With costumes highly encouraged, come to Watkins Regional Park in Upper Marlboro for a trick-or-treating experience that invites families to “trek” through a haunted trail packed with games, mazes and spooky characters. Candy can be collected along the way. The Trek or Treat event is this Friday.
Spooky Season Candle Making Get crafty at the Shop Made in MD’s College Park location with a candle making workshop hosted by artist Olga Kardonova on Saturday. The custom candles will get in the spirit of fall with the option to create a candle with a skeleton or a pumpkin. Tickets cost approximately $60.
ZigBone Writers Step Up to the Mic Step up your writing skills at Old Town Books in Alexandria. This Thursday, the “ZigBone Writers Step Up to the Mic” event brings author and writing coach Diana Friedman and alumni from ZigBone Farm’s writing retreats for an evening of short readings and a Fabled Ice Cream tasting. Tickets cost approximately $12.
Factory of Fear For a haunted experience, head to ARTfactory in Manassas for Factory of Fear. Hosted Friday and Saturday, the walk-through experience encompasses four levels of a historic building transformed into a “world of darkness, deceit, and unspeakable horrors.” Tickets are priced at approximately $28 per person.
Harvest Festival Fly-In This Saturday, visitors of the 11th annual Harvest Festival Fly-In in Fredericksburg can expect to see historic aircraft and participate in aviation-style trick-or-treating and candy drops. Tickets for the plane rides are available on a first-come, first-served basis at the Shannon School of Aeronautics tent near the terminal of the Shannon Airport and Air Museum. General admission costs $17 and $10 for children between the ages of 4 and 12.
Have an event you’d like featured in WTOP’s Things to do in the D.C. area weekly guide? Let us know!
Get breaking news and daily headlines delivered to your email inbox by signing up here.
The Halloween Mini Box at Astro Doughnuts & Fried Chicken.(Photo courtesy Scott Suchman) The Halloween Mini Box at Astro Doughnuts…
The Halloween Mini Box at Astro Doughnuts & Fried Chicken.(Photo courtesy Scott Suchman)
The Halloween Mini Box at Astro Doughnuts & Fried Chicken.(Photo courtesy Scott Suchman)
Eat, drink and be scary at these spooky and delicious Halloween pop-ups and events in the D.C. area.
WTOP rounded up several foodie-focused events for consideration, from a Halloween murder mystery dinner to an Adams Morgan party with themed potions and costume contests to a Navy Yard pop-up dedicated to the legacy of D.C.’s football team — talk about spooky!
The 14th Street location of Chicken + Whiskey opened a “spookeasy” pop-up bar with no cover charge and live DJs spinning eerie beats on Thursdays through Saturdays. Costumes encouraged as you drink your boos … I mean, booze.
The self-pour Navy Yard bar, Tap99, has a pop-up dedicated to D.C.’s football past, but with a Halloween twist. The “Spirits of RFK Stadium” pop-up transforms the space into a frightful escape with pom-pom-waving skeletal cheerleaders, skulls in football helmets and cobweb-draped hallways.
It’s not necessarily very Halloween-y, but McClellan’s Retreat is hosting a cocktail menu inspired by the film, “Wicked.” From “Glinda’s Goblet” to “Elphaba’s Elixir,” enjoy these and other themed cocktails before the theme changes for the holiday season.
For frightful cocktails and an ambience sure to send shivers down your spine, head to this rotating pop-up bar in Alexandria, Virginia’s Del ray neighborhood. The menu features plenty of bubbling potions and other brews, plus themed bites like a “spider pretzel,” with “cobwebbed” queso.
Themed Halloween tasting menus and other tasty treats at DC-area restaurants
CarnEvil Nights at Dirty Habit This spine-chilling soiree on Oct. 31 is a twist on typical carnival shenanigans. With costumes encouraged, the CarnEvil Nights event includes a live DJ, themed drink and food specials, a costume contest and other spooky surprises. This event is for those ages 21 and older only. Tickets cost approximately $35 per person with one complimentary drink offered.
Hot Cider Cart at Le Diplomate On Oct. 31, Le Diplomate in D.C. is transforming their signature ice cream cart into a hot cider cart with mini cinnamon sugar doughnuts. These treats are complimentary to guests from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. The French brasserie is also hosting a Halloween costume contest.
Haunted Heights: A Halloween Prix-Fixe Dinner at VUE Rooftop At one of the city’s best rooftop venues, expect a night of tricks, but mostly treats at this prix-fixe dinner at the Hotel Washington’s VUE Rooftop. The one-night-only dinner includes three courses, cocktails and a live DJ. With reservations possible via OpenTable, the Halloween event on Oct. 31 costs $185 to attend.
Halloween Mini Boxes at Astro Doughnuts & Fried Chicken Astro Doughnuts & Fried Chicken is selling festively decorated mini doughnuts for the spooky season. There are Halloween Mini Boxes and Stranger Things Mini Boxes featured at the D.C. and Shirlington locations, each priced at $35.
“Halloweed” Donuts at Donisima For spooky-themed doughnuts with a Latin-inspired flair, head to Donisima at The Square in D.C. for their pumpkin spice alfajor doughnut, a flor de canela doughnut with a cinnamon glaze and a cinnamon caramel or their bloody velvet doughnut for those who love red velvet flavor. These treats are available from Oct. 25 through 31.
And more Halloween events to enjoy at DC-area restaurants and bars
Don your favorite mask, and be prepared for a night of revelry with a vintage-inspired cocktail bar, a live DJ and themed cocktails. The approximately $25 ticket includes a welcome shooter. This event is for those ages 21 and older only. Costumes are required.
In the lower level of Astro Beer Hall’s Shirlington location, expect to be transported back to the 1980s with a Halloween party themed after the “Stranger Things” TV show. Along with themed cocktails and a photo booth, also expect a costume contest for a chance to win a $100 gift card.
The Popal Group, which is known for restaurants like Lapis, Pascual, Lutèce, and Maison Bar à Vins, is hosting a spooktacular Halloween party in Adams Morgan. On the evening of Halloween, each of the group’s restaurants are offering a special signature cocktail, plus JELL-O shots and other themed drinks to enjoy. This event is for those ages 21 and older only. Early admission costs $15 per ticket, while general admission costs $20 per ticket. Be sure to also bring a costume as there is a costume contest expected during the evening’s festivities.
Michelin-starred restaurant JÔNT is hosting an immersive and delicious masquerade event Oct. 31. On Halloween night, guests can sip on Champagne and enjoy exquisite cuisine as secrets, whispers and hidden tokens unfold. With wine pairings included, the event is hosted at 5:30 p.m. or 8:45 p.m. with a cost of $695 per person.
Celebrate Halloween at this natural wine party in D.C. Along with bottomless pours, the late-night event also includes a costume contest, DJs and dancing, as well as snacks. There will also be flash tattoos from local artists to benefit the D.C. Migrant Fund. Tickets cost approximately $80 per person.
This festival doesn’t just cross into one bar, but over 10 across the Navy Yard neighborhood, including The Bullpen, Royal Sands Social Club and Problem Child. All day long, enjoy drink specials at participating bars with costumes encouraged for the event. Tickets cost approximately $26.
The Ned’s Club and HEIST are presenting Sinister Séance, an experience with immersive rooms, eerie performances and a live DJ set. The event includes an open bar and bites. For those ages 21 and older, the early bird general admission fee is approximately $275, while the regular general admission fee costs roughly $312.
With costumes encouraged, attendees for the Halloween drag brunch at Perry’s can expect tons of fun, including a costume contest, brunch buffet and cocktails and, of course, queens dressed in Halloween costumes. Tickets cost approximately $18 per guest.
Get breaking news and daily headlines delivered to your email inbox by signing up here.
