DC Winter Calendar

With so many embassy partners, Washington, DC goes big during the Chinese New Year. The lantern display at the Kennedy Center is a can't miss, free event. — With so many embassy partners, Washington, DC goes big during the Chinese New Year. The lantern display at the Kennedy Center is a can’t miss, free event.

Bring on the holiday cheer! Winter is the time of traditions in Washington, with performances of the Nutcracker, a nightly lighting of the National Tree (with traditional music daily at 4:30p), and the bright lights of the National Menorah outside the White House. Seasonal favorites also include the Holiday Displays at the National Basilica, the Botanic Garden and Union Station, Christkindlmarkt at Heurich House, Holiday Market at the American Art Gallery, and the excellent lighting displays of Georgetown Glow and Zoo Lights (all of which happen roughly Thanksgiving through the end of December).

And First Night Alexandria is just the beginning of the New Years Celebrations, as Korean, Vietnamese and Chinese New Year celebrations extend into February throughout the many Cultural Centers of the Washington, DC region. Valentine’s Day craft events at museums and galleries round out the winter, marking a love-strewn path into our Spring Calendar.

Upcoming Events:

January 15: Fix-It DC Clinic — Don't Toss It! Fix It! A FREE do-it-together event! A networking event around sustainability and repair.

January 16: Little Minnows: Wacky Weather — For preschoolers ages 3 – 5, with an adult. This program focuses on one of the museum's three themes. Join us for story time and a craft, available while supplies last. Sessions are 25-40 minutes....

January 16: Snacks on the steps — Come and hang out after school!

January 18: Pop-in with Poppie — Make your Saturday afternoon memorable by coming to visit with our very own Pop Star “Poppie,” our Virginia Opossum. You can join the Poppie paparazzi in the museum lobby with one of our educational...

January 18: Family Skate Night — Skate Night returns to TJ on select Saturdays from 6-9pm! Enjoy a family-friendly skating session starting October 26 through April 12. A chaperone will be required for all participants under the...

January 19: Beyond the Displays: Artifact Stories — Discover the history behind the emblem from a paddle wheel boat, the tools found in the blacksmith shop, and the Gov. R. M. McLane name board. Hear captivating stories about WWII's impact on the...

January 20: National Day of Service: Celebrating Dr. Martin Luther King's Legacy — Join us as we celebrate how each of us can give back to our communities. Reflect on Dr. King's powerful "I Have a Dream" speech and take away a memento of inspiration. Discover ideas for small acts...

January 20: CMM Members Save 20% in the Museum Store — CMM members enjoy a 20% discount in the Museum Store today and on the 20th of every month. Purchases can be shipped via USPS, Priority Mail, or held at the store for curbside pickup.

January 22: Afternoon Activities — Try your hand at something new. We do a variety of activities in a fun environment suited for children ages 4-12. Afternoon Activities meets on the 2nd floor of the library.

January 23: DC Library Friends: Parklands-Turner Meeting — We're looking for new friends in 2025!

January 25: New Year Member Breakfast – Tudor Place —

January 25: Friends Book Sale — Books, books and more books for sale!

January 25: SAVE THE DATE: 33rd Annual Spring Garden Party – Tudor Place —

Seasonal ideas:

With DC’s temperate climate, there are always great options indoors and out. Most people know about the skating at the National Gallery Rink, but few know about all the dozen other excellent skating rinks in and around Washington, DC. If it’s too cold to take the kids outside, find some interesting indoor spaces where they can run around. Our two favorites are the 17-acre hangar at the Udvar-Hazy Air & Space Museum, and the labyrinthine indoor streets of Eden Center.