Holiday Pop-Ups
The holiday offer festive decorations and even more festive cocktails. Explore these holiday pop-ups this holiday season.
Holiday Markets
When: Nov. 19 – Dec. 23, 12-8 p.m.
Where: F St. NW between 7th and 9th Sts.
Admission: FREE
The District’s marquee holiday-shopping event returns for a 17th year, transforming two downtown blocks into an outdoor nexus of local businesses’ offerings. This year’s lineup includes more than 70 exhibitors, with an emphasis on Black- and minority-owned small businesses. Some favorites that will be in attendance include Smell of Love Candles, Kin & Care, and Raw Blossom. If all that shopping makes you hungry, six food vendors will be on-site with treats and hot drinks. Local musicians will provide the background music to your shopping adventures.
When: Nov. 19, 20 and 21; Nov. 26, 27 and 28. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on Sundays
Where: Frederick County Fairgrounds (797 East Patrick St., Frederick)
Admission: Adults $8, children $4 (parking $2)
You’ll need a map for this one: The Maryland Christmas Show is spread throughout seven buildings, all featuring fine artisans and other interesting merchants. If you’re shopping for a foodie (or yourself), you’ll find fancy sauces, utensils for gourmet cooks, Maryland wine, and plenty of baked goods.
Holiday Photos with Horses & Holiday Market 2021
When: Nov. 20, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Where: Freedom Hill Horse Rescue (7940 N. Flint Hill Road, Owings)
Admission: FREE. It’s $25 for a 15-minute photo shoot with a FHHR horse, and $5 for a photo with Santa.
Lest you think only reindeer matter during the holiday season, horses are exciting any time of the year. Freedom Hill Horse Rescue will be hosting a market that includes local vendors such as Blue Dyer Distillery, and there will be fun photo ops available with the resident horses and a certain white-bearded fellow.
BlackRock Center for the Arts’ Holiday Outdoor Market
When: Nov. 20, 10 a.m.-8 p.m.
Where: BlackRock Center for the Arts (12901 Town Commons Dr., Germantown)
Admission: FREE (suggested $5 donation for photos with Santa)
BlackRock says its outdoor market will be “plucked right out of a European folktale,” which certainly sounds merry. Count on seeing vendors including Artologica, Sweet Tea and Blue Jeans, Scarves of Holding, and Spoon Culture. There will also be concessions, games, Santa pics, and caroling — stick around after the market closes for a concert featuring jazzy holiday standards.
When: Nov. 20, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Nov. 21, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Where: Fairfax High School (3501 Lion Run, Fairfax)
Admission: $5; $8 for a two-day pass
This 35th annual extravaganza draws artisans from around the U.S., including many who are local. The diverse selection of vendors includes MAXX Dogg Toyz, Capital Candy Jar, Suzabelle Vintage Book Purses, and Harmony Lights Candles. You can grab lunch in the school’s cafeteria.
McLean Holiday Art & Crafts Festival
When: Dec. 3, 11 a.m.-7 p.m.; Dec. 4, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Dec. 5, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
Where: McLean Community Center (1234 Ingleside Ave., McLean)
Admission: $5 for all three days; free for kids 12 and under.
Around 80 local artisans will set up at this three-day extravaganza in McLean. Organizers promise a gift for every budget — such as pottery, mixed-media creations, fine art, soaps, and works made out of wood and glass.
When: Dec. 3, 4-8 p.m.; Dec. 4, 12-8 p.m.; Dec. 5, 12-6 p.m.
Where: Heurich House Museum (1307 New Hampshire Ave. NW)
Admission: $2-$19
This German-style market will be held in the Heurich House Museum’s garden, featuring local craftspeople and artisans. During the three-day event, the Chr. Heurich Brewing Co.’s Senate Beer (which was produced until 1955) will be revived, with tastings, a mini exhibit, and new merchandise.
Tenleytown Winter Pop-Up Market
When: Dec. 4, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Where: 4748 Wisconsin Avenue, NW
Admission: FREE
The weeklong Tenley WinterFest (which features scavenger hunts, carols, and hot cocoa) marks its closing day with an indoor makers market. Expect to find unique jewelry, ornaments and other holiday décor, international crafts, skincare products, pet accessories, specialty foods, and more. There will also be an open-air kid-centric market from 12 to 2 p.m. at nearby Janney Elementary School. Hop over there for a fun selection of crafts and upcycled toys.
When: Dec. 4, 12-5 p.m.
Where: Dupont Circle NW
Admission: FREE
About 50 vendors will set up at this fifth annual pop-up, which puts artists and makers in front of Dupont’s popular retail shops. Looking for jewelry, a new painting, a fancy scarf, or some excellent chocolate? Check off whatever is on your list here, and then pop into one of the neighborhood’s many eateries to celebrate your finds.
Silver Spring Christmas Market and Holiday Craft Fair
When: Dec. 5, 12-4 p.m.
Where: Veterans Plaza (1 Veterans Place, Silver Spring)
Admission: FREE
Among the vendors at this outdoor market: Wanton Studio, which is an independent art brand that sells jewelry, paintings, prints, and stationary, and Twin Valley Distillers, which specializes in local spirits made in Maryland.
Old Town Christmas Market and Holiday Craft Show
When: Dec. 11, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
Where: John Carlyle Square Park (300 John Carlyle Street, Alexandria)
Admission: FREE
More than 80 vendors will join this holiday market in picturesque Old Town Alexandria. Allow plenty of time to comb through unique homemade jewelry, organic bath and body products, holiday ornaments, and more. There will be entertainment such as caroling, plus an Elves’ Shop for kids to make their own ornament. (Be on the lookout for a surprise Santa appearance.)
When: Dec. 11-12, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
Where: The Ven at Embassy Row (2015 Massachusetts Ave NW)
Admission: FREE
The Ven at Embassy Row, a downtown hotel, is billing its inaugural holiday-shopping experience like this: “Eat, drink and peruse goods from DC’s finest vendors.” Bloom Wreaths, for example, will be on-site to attend to all your festive décor needs.
Holiday Pop-up Bars
Holiday-Decorated Restaurants
Here are some Holiday Pop-Up Bars in Washington, DC that you must go to:
Archipalago
Death Punch
Tiki TNT
Ivy & Coney
Wunder Garten
Colada Shop 14th Rooftop
Urban Roast
Garden District
Maxwell Park
Hook Hall
Brookland Pint
Passenger
Tiki on 18th
Winter Ice Skating Rinks in the DMV
District of Columbia
Canal Park Outdoor Skating Rink - 200 M St SE - 202-850-0859 - 12pm - 10pm - Tickets $11 + $5 skate rental
The Wharf Ice Rink - 970 Wharf St SW - 202-317-9643 - 4pm
National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden Ice skating Rink - Constitution Ave NW & 7th Street NW - 202-216-93970 - 11am
Fort Dupont Ice Arena - 3779 Ely Pl SE- 202-584-5007
Virginia
Pentagon Row Outdoor Ice Skating - 1201 S Joyce St., Arlington, VA - 703-418-6666 - Noon - 10pm - Tickets: $11
Jake S.
Caption for image above
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