With the Christmas trees going up and the holiday markets packed with gifts, the holiday season is in full swing in the Capitol Hill area. However, the winter temperatures haven’t caught up with us yet. The Washington Post’s Capital Weather Gang expects this weekend to be sunny and relatively warm, with highs in the 50s on Saturday and the 60s on Sunday.
The warm weather can’t put a stop to the holiday festivities this weekend, though. Whether you’re stocking up on Hannukah presents before Sunday, tracking down a tree for Christmas or just enjoying some outdoor fun, there are plenty of options to turn this weekend into an early holiday. Here’s everything you need to know to make the most of this weekend in the Capitol Hill area:
Events
For info on where to buy a tree or gifts this weekend, check out our Holiday guide.
The Wharf (690 Water St. SW)
Saturday 5-8 p.m.
Join us at The Wharf for a magical night of merriment on the Potomac River. Now in its 24th year, the annual Parade of Lights kicks off at the docks of Old Town Alexandria and concludes at the District’s Southwest waterfront.
Gallery O on H (1354 H St. NE)
Saturday 6-11 p.m.
Krampus is a horned, anthropomorphic figure that accompanies Saint Nicholas during the Christmas season, warning and punishing bad children. He will be coming to Gallery O on H on Saturday, December 5 for a night benefiting Santa’s Cause, a local nonprofit that serves the foster children of Family Matters of Greater Washington.
Southeast Library (403 7th St. SE)
Saturday 12:30-1:30 p.m.
Learn what happens to your digital assets after death, and how you can create and protect the priceless memories on your computer, phone, social media accounts, and email.
Canal Park (202 M St. SE)
Saturday-Sunday 12-6 p.m.
Named the “Christmas future of holiday markets” by Washington Post Express in 2014, PARCEL Market will light up Canal Park’s three blocks with holiday cheer among the 10,000 square-foot ice rink, cozy fire pits, interactive art installations, and a festive showcase of DC’s emerging talent in retail, food, art, and musical entertainment.
Deck the North Hall Holiday Celebration
Eastern Market (225 7th St. SE)
Sunday 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
Eastern Market is Hosting the ‘Deck the North Hall – Holiday Celebration’ every Sunday starting from November 29 to December 20. This Sunday enjoy cookie decorating, ornament making, gift wrapping and holiday music.
Looking for a new home in the Capitol Hill area or just want to see what your neighbors’ houses look like inside? We’ve highlighted a few open houses this weekend to get you started. But be sure to check out our real estate section for a full listing.
Road Closures
Parts of Pennsylvania Avenue SW and Independence Avenue SE near the National Mall will be closed from about 9 a.m. to noon on Sunday for the Jingle All The Way 5K
Metrorail
- Red Line trains will run every 18 minutes
- Orange, Silver and Blue line trains will run every 20 minutes
- Yellow and Green line trains will operate at regular weekend intervals
In case you couldn’t tell from the trees, lights, markets and decorations, there are some holidays coming up. Hanukkah starts on Sunday and the Christmas season began sometime in the past few weeks, depending on who you ask. It’s clear that the holiday season is in full swing in the Capitol Hill area. Here’s everything you need to know to prepare for and celebrate the holidays in the area:
Where to Buy a Tree
Capitol Hill Cub Scout Pack 230 will be selling Christmas trees, wreaths and tabletop trees this weekend at the Lutheran Church of the Reformation at 212 East Capitol St. NE. The sale will be open from 5-8:30 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday and 11:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday. Pre-orders can also be placed online. Proceeds from the sale will help buy uniforms and pay for camping trips for scouts who otherwise can’t afford them.
The Brent Elementary School Parent Teacher Association will also be selling trees and Christmas and Hanukkah decorations from the Brent playground at 301 North Carolina Ave. SE. Sales will be open from 4-7 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Tree delivery within Capitol Hill is also available for $15.
As in years past, trees are also being sold at Eastern Market this weekend.
Where to Shop
PARCEL Market at Canal Park
Canal Park (202 M St. SE)
Saturday and Sunday 12-6 p.m.
Named the “Christmas future of holiday markets” by Washington Post Express in 2014, PARCEL Market will light up Canal Park’s three blocks with holiday cheer among the 10,000 square-foot ice rink, cozy fire pits, interactive art installations, and a festive showcase of DC’s emerging talent in retail, food, art, and musical entertainment.
363rd Street Store
452 2nd St. NW
Sunday 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
The Street Store concept originated in Cape Town, South Africa almost two years ago and has since been replicated hundreds of times in cities around the world! This one day event is a free pop-up clothing store designed specifically for those with low or no income. It simultaneously functions as a drop-off location for donations, in an effort to bring both sides of the community together.
Events
24th Annual Parade of Lights
The Wharf (690 Water St. SW)
Dec. 5, 5-8 p.m.
Join us at The Wharf for a magical night of merriment on the Potomac River. Now in its 24th year, the annual Parade of Lights kicks off at the docks of Old Town Alexandria and concludes at the District’s Southwest waterfront.
DC Krampuslauf
Gallery O on H (1354 H St. NE)
Dec. 5, 6-11 p.m.
Krampus is a horned, anthropomorphic figure that accompanies Saint Nicholas during the Christmas season, warning and punishing bad children. He will be coming to Gallery O on H on Saturday, December 5 for a night benefiting Santa’s Cause, a local nonprofit that serves the foster children of Family Matters of Greater Washington.
Deck the North Hall Holiday Celebration
Eastern Market (225 7th St. SE)
Dec. 6, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
Eastern Market is Hosting the ‘Deck the North Hall – Holiday Celebration’ every Sunday starting from November 29 to December 20. This Sunday enjoy cookie decorating, ornament making, gift wrapping and holiday music.
The Holidays in Concert
Holy Comforter – St. Cyprian Church (1357 East Capitol St. SE)
Dec. 7, 7-8:30 p.m.
The 257th Army Band, “The Band of the Nation’s Capital” presents The Holidays in Concert, a seasonal mix of classical and popular holiday favorites. Featured groups from the 257th Army Band include the Concert Band, Brigadier Brass, the Capital Woodwind Quintet, and the Capital Messengers. The concert is free and open to the general public; no tickets will be issued. Donations of non-perishable food items to Holy Comforter’s pantry are most welcome.
Hanukkah Happy Hour on the Hill
Capitol Lounge (229 Pennsylvania Ave. SE) and Stanton & Greene (319 Pennsylvania Ave. SE)
Dec. 7, 6-9 p.m.
The biggest party of the Hanukkah season, now in two locations, promises fun and drink specials on the second night of Hanukkah. Attendees are asked to RSVP on Facebook and bring warm winter clothing to donate.
Step Afrika!’s Magical Musical Holiday Step Show
Atlas Performing Arts Center (1333 H St. NE)
First performance: Dec. 10, 8 p.m.
Final performance: Dec. 22, 7:30 p.m.
A new take on the holiday season! DC’s internationally-known percussive dance company invites you to celebrate the holidays with clapping, stomping and all around fun for all ages featuring their furry friends from the Animal Kingdom, and a special dance party with DJ Frosty the Snowman!
Photo via Flickr/[email protected]
Capitol Hill Activist Will Hill: 1932-2015 — Will Hill, a Capitol Hill neighborhood activist who represented Hill East on ANC 6B for 21 years and led orange hat neighborhood patrols, died on Nov. 24. [Hill Rag]
Brent Elementary to Raise Money with Weekend Christmas Tree, Hanukkah Gift Sale — The Brent Elementary Scholl PTA will hold a Christmas tree and holiday sale tomorrow through Sunday at the Brent Elementary playground to raise money for programs at the school. [Capitol Hill Corner]
Capitol Hill Residents Hold Bake Sale to Pay for Prosecution Data — Capitol Hill residents are holding a bake sale to find out what percentage of crimes and arrests in the area actually result in prosecutions. [Hill Now]
Hill residents can decorate their homes for the holidays and benefit a local school, too.
Robert Brent Elementary School is accepting orders for its annual Christmas Tree & Holiday Sale. Now in its fourth year, the sale lets locals shop online or in person for Fraser fir trees, mini tabletop trees, winterberry bouquets and gingerbread menorah kits.
The parent-teacher association at the 301 N. Carolina Ave. SE school will hold the sale Saturday, Dec. 6 and Sunday, Dec. 7 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Items pre-ordered by Dec. 1 will be delivered to homes for free.
