“The weather outside is frightful, but the fire is so delightful.” It is indeed frightfully cold outside, but no worries – there are plenty of events in the area this week that are indoors to help you stay warm!

While DC has many things to do during all the seasons, there is just an endless amount of holiday celebrations during December.

For those that are into the DIY era, there are many arts and crafts events this week you’ll want to check out like Paint and Sip, a holiday decorating class, and an Art Extravaganza. Ugly Sweater Christmas parties, yoga and beer events, a bar crawl, a wine festival, Dave Matthews Band concert, and The Office holiday themed trivia are just a few of the other events you have to look forward to this week!

Wednesday, December 12

– Merrifield Garden Center in Gainesville, Virginia will help you create a holiday evergreen centerpiece— just what you need to top off your holiday decorations. You will get to sip on wine while working on your craft to help the artistic flow get going! Tickets are $45.

– Amp up your morning before work at “Daybreaker.”  It is a one of a kind experience that will change up your typical morning routine in a crazy, but in a fun way! Yoga is from 6-7 a.m., followed by a dance party with DJ Nick Garcia from 7- 9 a.m., and then the morning wraps up with free kombucha and breakfast bites. Tickets are $25.

– Yoga & beer is a nice combination to get you through hump day. Fair Winds Brewing Company in Lorton, Virginia will host an hour long yoga session, followed by a tasting of the breweries’ craft beer selections. The event is BYO mat, and tickets are $18.

Thursday, December 13

– Head to the Willard Hotel for a night of holiday themed drinks and cheer. They will have their annual holiday reception Thursday night, featuring holiday performances and carols, and serve up some delicious treats. Tasty drinks like Harrison’s Spiced Cider, Calvados, and Jack’s Winter Therapy, will warm you up on a chilly DC winter night. Tickets are $30.

– Dave Matthews Band will be in the house at Capital One Arena Thursday Night. Their show begins at 8 p.m. The lowest priced tickets are $85.

– Join SHOP MADE IN DC for a fun night of arts and crafts. No prior art experience is necessary, just the willingness to try! As you craft, enjoy delicious Made in DC cocktails and snacks available for purchase. The event begins at 5 p.m. The event is free, but be sure to register to reserve your seat.

Friday, December 14

– Learn about what it is like to make tasty treats at the White House from former White House Executive Pastry Chef, Roland Mesnier, at December’s History Happy Hour. The event will be held at The Willard Hotel, and will also feature the hotel’s legendary bartender, Jim Hewes. You will get to observe Mesnier’s talented culinary skills up close and personal, and even learn how to make your own holiday themed dessert cocktails. Tickets are $49.

– Join us for the Squash on Fire Sweat and Social Happy Hour! Take part in a private clinic to learn what squash is all about– we’re talking the basics, how to grip, swing, take shots, etc. DC Fray members will get to go to an extended happy hour following the 30 minute clinic and 45 minutes of play. Tickets are $15 and spots are limited.

– Don’t miss out on “The Christmas Party That Everyone is Coming To” at Tenley Bar & Grill. The festivities will begin at 6 p.m and will feature DJ Paul Howard. Courvoisier specials will be available throughout the night.

– Spend your Friday night sipping through France at Drink the District Wine Festival. A variety of wines will be available to choose from, accompanied by mouth-watering cheeses. The festival will be held at La Maison Francaise at The French Embassy. A general admission ticket includes unlimited sampling of more than 50 wines, access to culinary demonstrations, access to an artisan market featuring local DC small businesses, a commemorative festival cub, and live music and entertainment.

Saturday, December 15

– Have an art lover you need to get something for this Christmas? ArtRave Special Christmas Extravaganza can help you find it! This event is a combination of a pop-up market and festival. The extravaganza will have fine art, handmade jewelry, woodcrafts, handmade cosmetics, Christmas trees, pottery, and ceramics for you to browse. Admission is free.

– Do you miss getting snow days as a kid in school? Well your adult snow day is Saturday! “Drink like there’s snow tomorrow” at the 8th Annual Snow Day Bar Crawl. The crawl begins at 3 p.m., and tickets are $40. With your ticket, you will receive a color-changing snow cup, a souvenir bar crawl koozie, $2-5 drink specials at different bars, and holiday music. The registration location is Blackfinn Ameripub.

– Show off your competitive side and your dance moves at Lucky Strike’s Holiday Crank and Bowl. While you bowl, live musical entertainment will be provided by Backyard Band and DJ Fatz DaPlug to get the night going. The night begins 9 p.m. Tickets are $40.

Sunday, December 16

– Travel the world “like Santa Clause”  in less than two hours at Embassy Row’s Chocolate Tour. “Stand at the borders” of Ireland, Romania, Turkey, Vietnam and more countries and see how each country’s decorations. Attendees will learn about the history, stories, and scandals of each country, and will get to sample international chocolates. The tour will begin at 11:30 a.m. Tickets are $40.

– Another beer and yoga event – Bend and Brews will take place Sunday from 10 to 11 a.m. at DC Brau. This is Fitbit’s local holiday boot camp, and the first 75 people to attend will receive a free post-workout beer. There will be a fitbit giveaway at the end of the session. Register for the event here.

– The great thing about December in DC is there is an ugly sweater Christmas party every weekend. If you haven’t had the chance to break out your ugly sweater yet, La Vie will host their Friends Xmas Ugly Sweater Party from 4 – 10 p.m. Food and drink specials will be available all night, and those with the ugliest sweaters will receive prizes. Tickets are $20.

Monday, December 17

– Who doesn’t love the classic holiday tradition of the Nutcracker? Checkout The Moscow Ballet’s stunning performance of the Great Russian Nutcracker at Strathmore, in Bethesda. The show starts at 8 p.m., and will feature hand-painted sets and authentic Russian costumes. You don’t want to miss this show, so click here to buy your tickets!

– Learn from six of DC’s finest bartenders how to create various holiday cocktails at the 11th Annual D.C. Holiday Cocktail Seminar. While learning how to craft each cocktail, appetizers from the Occidental Grill will be served. Phil Greene will host the event and have copies of his book, A Drinkable Feast available for purchase. Tickets are $50.

– Spend your Monday night getting crafty at Fairwinds Brewing Company’s Painting and Pints event. The painting session is 90 minutes, and your first pint is included in the ticket price. Tickets are $30, and the event begins at 6 p.m.

Tuesday, December 18

– Another way to warm up on a chilly Tuesday night (that doesn’t involve alcohol) is to participate in the Holiday Lights Run. Participants are encouraged to bring a new, unwrapped toy for children ages 3 – 13 which will be donated to The Salvation Army Angel Tree Program. Participants will also receive a red wristband to use as a raffle ticket later at Mackey’s Pub. The run is 4.2 miles long, and begins at 5:45 p.m. Tickets are $20.

– Drink and donate at Coco Louie’s Ugly Sweater Happy Hour, at Ivy City Smokehouse. The event is free, but you must bring at least one toy for donation to enter the event. Bring three or more toys to receive one complimentary drink! The event begins at 7 p.m.

How have you decorated your home for the holiday season? We want to see! Be sure to show us your winter wonderland using #FrayLife or #DCFray on social.

Still have some holiday shopping you need to get done? Don’t go with a boring gift card this year, when you can get your friends and fam something totally unique at one of these local shops!

View More Articles By Briana Florez

GET OUR WEEKLY EMAIL »