What to Expect for New Year’s Weekend in the Capitol Hill Area

New Year’s Eve celebrations have already begun around the Capitol Hill area and there’s no shortage of parties to choose from tonight. When the confetti clears, though, it’s shaping up to be a quiet first weekend of 2016 in the area, with few events planned for Saturday and Sunday.

Temperatures are expected to cool down gradually over the weekend, with temperatures in the low 50s today but remaining in the 40s for most of the weekend. We’ll be taking tomorrow off and will be back on Monday. In the meantime, here’s everything you need to know to make the most of this New Year’s weekend in the Capitol Hill area.

How to Get Around Tonight

• Between midnight and 3 a.m., all Metro trains and buses will be free for those with a SmarTrip card courtesy of a sponsorship with Miller Lite. Passengers can use their SmarTrip to enter and exit Metro stations, but will not be charged for the trip. On buses, riders can show their SmarTrip to the driver to board for free.
• The Washington Regional Alcohol Program will pay for a free ride home (up to $30) from 10 p.m. tonight to 6 a.m. tomorrow. Those needing a ride can call 1-800-200-TAXI
• The DC Circulator will run extended service until 2 a.m. tonight

Events

• Check out our guide to New Year’s Eve parties in the area to find the right celebration for you tonight.
• Join Mayor Bowser for a 5K walk/run Friday morning to ring in the New Year
• Restaurants across the area will hold New Year’s Brunch Friday morning, including Osteria Morini (301 Water St. SE), Medium Rare (515 8th St. SE), Hank’s on the Hill (633 Pennsylvania Ave. SE), Ambar (523 8th St. SE) and The Arsenal at Bluejacket (300 Tingey St. SE)

Road Closures

Several roads will be closed Friday morning for the Fresh Start 5K walk/ run near Eastern High School:

• East Capitol Street between 17th and 19th streets will be closed from 7:30-9:30 a.m.
• East Capitol Street between 19th and 22nd streets will be closed from 8:45-10 a.m.
• 19th Street SE between Independence Avenue SE to East Capitol Street will be closed from 8:45-9:30 a.m.
• 22nd Street between C Street NE and Independence Avenue SE will be closed from 8:45-10 a.m.

Metrorail

• On Friday, Metro trains will run from 7 a.m. to 3 a.m. on a Sunday schedule
• On Saturday from 6 p.m. until closing, Orange, Silver and Blue line trains will run every 24 minutes due to track work between Eastern Market and Stadium-Armory stations
• On Saturday and Sunday, Red Line trains will run between Shady Grove and Glenmont every 24 minutes and between Shady Grove and Silver Spring every 12 minutes from 9 a.m.-9 p.m.

Parking

• Parking meters, residential parking and rush-hour lane restrictions will not be enforced on Friday, Jan. 1

Trash Collection

• Friday trash collection will be pushed back to Saturday