DC Thrifty Mom’s
FREE THINGS TO DO
THIS WEEKEND
in the Washington DC Area:
December 13 & 14, 2014
Always call or check the event website before heading out;
Event information is subject to change.
***Visit our Calendar for more FREE & Cheap happenings.***
Saturday Morning at the National - Bright Star Theatre: Christmas with Santa
The National Theatre
Saturday, December 13 ∙ 9:30 am & 11:00 am ∙ FREE!
Carols, Santa and musical comedy abound! Two hilarious elves have misplaced some of Santa’s presents and they go through many rollicking adventures to find them. When Santa arrives, he teaches the well-meaning elves that the family and friends we share the holiday with are the greatest gift of all.
Kids’ Open House
ALLIANCE FRANCAISE – Dupont
Saturday, December 13 ∙ 9:30 am ∙ FREE!
Bienvenue! You are invited to the Alliance Française to discover our programs for children 1 to 18 years old!
Visit our beautiful building and classrooms dedicated to babies and toddlers.
Meet our experienced teachers, who are native speakers trained to teach French at all levels.
Listen to a few stories in our warm and welcoming library and introduce your child to French and francophone culture through comic books, novels and movies.
”Frozen” Sing-A-Long
Montpelier Arts Center
Saturday, December 13 ∙ 11:00 am ∙ FREE!
Fearless optimist Anna teams up with rugged mountain man Kristoff, his loyal reindeer Sven, and a hilarious snowman named Olaf in an epic journey, braving Everest-like conditions to find and save her sister Elsa, whose icy powers have trapped the kingdom in eternal winter. Elsa, haunted by the moment her magic nearly killed her sister Anna, has isolated herself, spending every waking moment trying to suppress her powers, but fears she’s becoming a monster and that no one, not even Anna, can help her.
All ages; includes snacks and beverages.
NOTE: FROZEN is also at The Alden – Saturday, December 13 at 2pm, FREE!
Italian Holiday Festival
American Art Museum – Kogod Courtyard
Saturday, December 13 ∙ 11:30 am ∙ FREE!
Celebrate the holiday season with the American Art Museum, the Embassy of Italy, and the Italian Cultural Institute. Enjoy seasonal music and costumed performers that embody Italian culture, and join us as we make festive arts and crafts you can keep for yourself or give to your loved ones. Author Shannon Jones signs copies of KeeKee’s Big Adventures in Rome, Italy.
Take in performances by Simona Rodano, the Italian Fairy; Stilt Dancers from Bergamo’s Teatro Tascabile; Francesca Carli and Enrico Giovagnoli, Operapop singers; Zampognari di Filadelfia, Italian bagpipe players; and the Washington Ballet’s White featuring choreography by Mimmo Miccolis and original songs by Francesco Germini. As they say in Italy, “Buon natale!”
Performances cycle throughout the day: Washington Ballet performances at 12:25 p.m. and 2:50 p.m.; Italian Fairy performs 3 times between 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.; other groups cycle throughout. Craft tables close at 3:30 p.m. View the schedule .
Winter Wonderland and Toys for Tots
Market Common Clarendon
Saturday, December 13 ∙ 12:00 pm ∙ FREE but toy donation appreciated
Walk into a Winter Wonderland at Market Common Clarendon and enjoy the season’s cheer with free family fun and entertainment. Santa will arrive by an Arlington County fire truck at noon for visits and photos with children. All are welcome to make flying-reindeer magic dust, see characters in a life-size snow globe, ice carvings, and enjoy music, hot chocolate samplings by Nicecream Factory, and other surprises. In the spirit of the holidays, toys and donations will be collected for the annual US Marine Corps Toys for Tots campaign. Winter Wonderland is held rain or shine. Festive holiday activities and entertainment!
Harbor Holiday Movies: The Smurfs – A Christmas Carol
National Harbor
Saturday, December 13 ∙ 2:00 pm ∙ FREE!
Enjoy a festive outing this season with National Harbor’s Holiday Movies on the jumbo screen! Each Saturday afternoon from November 15th to December 20th, we’ll play a FREE family holiday film on the Plaza.
All films will screen at 2pm, snow or shine.
2nd Saturday Art Walk
Workhouse Arts Center
Saturday, December 13 ∙ 6:00 pm ∙ FREE!
The 2nd Saturday Art Walk at the Workhouse showcases the diverse work of more than 100 visual artists in a unique historic venue, creating an atmosphere that encourages visitors to immerse themselves in the richness of this creative community.
Holiday Chamber Music Concert
Presented by: Prelude: The Arlington Youth Orchestral Program
Venue: Theatre on the Run
Saturday, December 13 ∙ 7:00 pm ∙ FREE!
Please join us for the perfect blend of holiday favorites and classic string quartet selections as the talented musicians of Prelude’s Chamber Music Program present their Holiday program. You will be charmed by fun and unusual arrangements of tunes to put you in the spirit of the season, while the music of Beethoven, Mozart, and Boccherini melts away any lingering Holiday stress. Prelude audiences are always invited to a reception after the performance to mingle with the musicians. We look forward to seeing you there.
2014 Holiday Open House
Presented by: The White House Historical Association
Venue: Decatur House on Lafayette Square
Sunday, December 14 ∙ 10:00 am ∙ FREE!
The White House Historical Association invites you to our 2014 Holiday Open House celebrating the holiday traditions of the White House and our twenty-ninth president, Warren G. Harding. Hop on board to learn about President Harding’s love of trains and their significance during the holiday season as you create your own holiday cards and ornaments, listen to classic holiday tales, take a self-guided tour of the historic Decatur House, and more!
Holiday Open House - Children’s Sunday with Santa & Mrs. Claus
Glenview Mansion
Sunday, December 14 ∙ 1:00 pm ∙ FREE!
Enjoy a day with Santa & Mrs. Claus and participate in fun crafts and activities. 1 – 4 p.m. Glenview Mansion and Art Gallery
1:15 p.m.The Heavenly Handbells of Trinity Lutheran Church
2:15 p.m. Heart of Maryland Chorus
3:15 p.m. Watkins Mill High School Chamber Singers
Holiday Chamber Music Concert
Presented by: Prelude: The Arlington Youth Orchestral Program
Venue: Williamsburg Middle School
Sunday, December 14 ∙ 4:00 pm ∙ FREE!
Please join Prelude’s String Orchestra for the perfect afternoon concert, featuring both the full string orchestra and smaller chamber ensembles. We are proud to perform an exciting arrangement of the beloved William Tell Overture alongside works by Vivaldi, Handel, and even Joplin. This concert is sure cast a warm glow over the holiday bustle. Please join us afterward for a reception to celebrate the hard work and joyful music making of this fine young ensemble.
A Christmas Story as told by Largo High School
Kennedy Center’s Millennium Stage
Sunday, December 14 ∙ 6:00 pm ∙ FREE!
Don’t miss a special performance of Largo High School’s winter presentation, featuring dance, narration, instrumental, and vocal music by the talented students of the Largo Arts Department.
National Christmas Tree
The Ellipse
Thru Thursday, January 1, 2015 ∙ 10:00 am – 10:00 pm ∙ FREE!
The National Christmas Tree and the Pageant of Peace—which includes nightly concerts—are open to the public daily from 10 am to 10 pm through New Year’s Day.
Season’s Greenings
United States Botanic Garden Conservatory
Saturday, December 13 & Sunday, December 14 ∙ 10:00 am ∙ FREE Admission!
Each year, the U.S. Botanic Garden creates displays to give visitors one of the region’s most delightful holiday exhibitions. Come explore the seven seas, guided by the light of over 15 historic lighthouses and navigate your way through this nautical wonderland. Get your telescopes primed and keep an eye out for sea creatures, mermaids and even a pirate ship, all created with plant parts. Don’t worry if you get seasick; train travel is still possible with our marvelous model trains! More information on planing your holiday visit can be found here. Note: This exhibit continues through Sunday, January 4, 2015.
Holiday & Georgetown GLOW
Saturday, December 13 & Sunday, December 14 ∙ 5:00 pm ∙ FREE Admission
Re-imagine the seaon of light at Georgetown GLOW, a new, FREE holiday event that includes the region’s only curated outdoor exhibition of modern light-art installations set against the historic backdrop of D.C.’s oldest neighborhood. Seven local, regional, and international artists were chosen from 26 applicants to create site-specific work for the exhibition, the first of its kind in the region.
Georgetown GLOW is a weekend-long celebration of the holiday season. The weekend includes in-store promotions including free hot chocolate, gift wrapping, and special sales and events from more than 30 Georgetown merchants. As you take in the art, enjoy a self-guided tour of the uniquely decorated merchant windows for the 3rd annual Holiday Window Competition, and vote for your favorite through December 17 via Georgetown’s Facebook page. All weekend long, enjoy strolling carolers, live 30-minute outdoor musical performances each evening at 6:30 p.m. on the lawn of Grace Church (1041 Wisconsin Avenue). While in Georgetown, don’t miss your chance to do some ice skating at the city’s largest outdoor ice rink at Washington Harbour!
Schedule of nightly evening performances:
Saturday, December 13
The Georgetown Phantoms Georgetown University a capella group, 6:30-7 p.m. performance at Grace Church (1041 Wisconsin Ave. NW).
Laissez Foure New Orlean-style jazz, 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Dean & Deluca patio.
Sunday, December 14
St. Lucia Swedish Youth Choir, 6:30-7 p.m. performance at Grace Church (1041 Wisconsin Ave. NW).
To download a printable PDF of this map, click here.
Programs & maps will be available at Information Booths all weekend at Georgetown Park (3222 M St. NW; DSW entrance), Grace Church (1041 Wisconsin Ave. NW), and the Jefferson Court courtyard (1025 Thomas Jefferson St. at K St. NW).
Zoolights
National Zoo
Saturday, December 13 & Sunday, December 14 ∙ 5:00 pm ∙ FREE Admission but parking is for a fee.
Join the thousands of visitors who make ZooLights a part of their annual holiday tradition. ZooLights includes live music performances, tasty winter treats, and plenty of opportunities for holiday shopping. More than 500,000 environmentally-friendly LED lights transform the Zoo into a winter wonderland. New this year will be a dazzling light show set to music! This event continues nightly through Thursday, January 1, 2015 (EXCEPT DEC 24, 25, 31).
37th Annual Festival of Lights
Washington D.C. Temple Visitors’ Center
Through Thursday, January 1, 2015 ∙ Lights illuminate at dusk ∙ FREE Admission
As one of the D.C. area’s great community traditions, the Festival features free performances nightly in the comfortable, state-of-the-art theater located in the Visitors’ Center.
Temple grounds glow with 600,000 lights
Nightly performances in indoor theater
Christmas trees decorated in international themes
Exhibit of crèches from around the world
Life-sized outdoor nativity
TotSwap
Montgomery County Fairgrounds
Saturday, December 13 ∙ 9:00 am & Sunday, December 14 ∙ 10:00 am
This sale will feature Fall & Winter items ONLY!
Arlington’s 4th Annual Alternative Gift Fair
Calvary United Methodist Church
Saturday, December 13 ∙ 10:00 am
Shop for holiday gifts while supporting the community! Unique and meaningful teacher and grandparent gifts personalized by your child, learn more about 15 locally based nonprofit organizations, enjoy festive holiday music and refreshments, visit with Santa, enjoy facepainting and kid’s activities, all while teaching children the true meaning of giving by shopping at the Children’s Gift Fair.
YELP’S TOTALLY BAZAAR
MONROE STREET MARKET
Saturday, December 13 ∙ 10:00 am
Yelp is organizing its second annual handpicked holiday market that will complete your gift-giving for everyone in your life. At the Yelp Totally Bazaar at Monroe Street Market, top-rated retailers, local artisans, crafty chics and style mavens will set up pop-up shops to sell their swanky wares. Whether your budget is $5 or $500, you are sure to find something ultra local, extra special and yes, über yelpy! Heck, you can even purchase a freshly cut Christmas tree at their farmer’s lot.
And hey, Yelp retail therapy would not be complete without some complimentary treats so don’t miss out on a DIY S’mores bar, ice sculpture demonstrations, carolers, visits from Yelper the Red Nosed Reindeer, holiday tag making station, massages, and photobooth. That’s right, all of these activities are free with check in!
Brentwood Arts Exchange Holiday Craft Fair
Brentwood Arts Exchange
Saturday, December 13 ∙ 11:00 am
Don’t get stuck at crowded malls this season buying generic gift sets for your loved ones…Come to the Brentwood Arts Exchange Holiday Craft Fair! Thirteen Fine Craft artisans from the community will be displaying their items for sale inside our warm and cozy gallery and classroom. A wide selection of fine craft items will be available such as pottery, jewelry, textiles, glass, ornaments, and much more.
Parcel Market
Canal Park
Saturday, December 13 ∙ 12:00 pm - 9:00 pm & Sunday, December 14 ∙ 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Parcel Market will transform Canal Park in the Capitol Riverfront into a festive winter wonderland with the best independent retailers, craftsmen, and cuisine in DC.
Parcel Market will feature:
Creative retail showcasing local small businesses, artists, and designers. Vendors include Be Clean, DeNada, Matine, Mutiny, Native Danger, TCI Letter Press, Winthrop Clothing Co. for pets, and more!
A dining lounge featuring warm drinks and DC foodie favorites including Toki Underground & Bluejacket, among others.
Live music energizing the air from DC performers and DJs.
Skating at the Canal Park Ice Rink
Holiday Shopping and Book Signing
John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
Saturday, December 13 & Sunday, December 14 ∙ 12:00 pm
Up With Paper Lead Paper Engineer Yevgeniya Yeretskaya, who won the 2011 Moonbeam Award for Best Pop-Up Book for her work on the company’s Snowflakes title, provided layouts and paper engineering for the book, will be signing in the Grand Foyer outside the Opera House.
The Harbor Holiday Market
National Harbor – on American Way
Saturday, December 13 & Sunday, December 14 ∙ 12:00 pm
Each weekend from NOVEMBER 15 TO DECEMBER 21, National Harbor will host the Harbor Holiday Market on American Way! The market will be filled with delicious treats, hot drinks, gifts and fresh produce.
Every Saturday + Sunday from November 15 – December 21, 12 PM – 5 PM
Warm up with Hot Chocolate, Winter Treats + much more at National Harbor’s retailers!
Rediscover the holiday season and make new traditions with National Harbor’s Holiday Market!
10th Annual Downtown Holiday Market
Presented by: Downtown DC Business Improvement District (BID)
Venue: F St. Sidewalk
Through Tuesday, December 23 ∙ Open Noon-8pm Daily
More than 150 exhibitors and artisans offer a diverse array of quality items. Local fashion trendsetters, regional artisans, and small businesses provide fine art, crafts, glass, jewelry, pottery, photography and clothing to satisfy every gift-giving need. Shoppers will enjoy free live music, tasty treats, and seasonal décor at the festive market.
Grump at Artisphere: Supersized
Artisphere
Sunday, December 14 ∙ 11:00 am
The fourth annual GRUMP will be bigger and better than ever! This year, GRUMP is SUPERSIZED! We are taking over the entire Artisphere facility with 75 local vendors, snacks, music and fun. Bring the kids because the 1966 cartoon classic, “How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” will play all day long in the Dome Theatre for free. GRUMP will be your best chance to shop local this holiday season AND get your picture taken with a Yeti!
Holiday Shopping and Steinbach Nutcracker Signing
John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
Sunday, December 14 ∙ 12:00 pm
The name Steinbach is recognized all over the world for the unique design of their wood carved Steinbach Nutcracker creations developed many years ago by the Steinbach Family. Karolin Steinbach will sign some of her family’s creations.
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Enjoy your weekend!
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