This week, the DMV offers a variety of ways to celebrate Thanksgiving and kick off the holiday season. Find a mix of holiday fun, arts, live performances and family-friendly activities to enjoy throughout the city.
Further, to learn about more fun events around town, don’t forget to check out the Washington Informer Calendar.
Thursday, Nov. 27
9 a.m. | $40
Mantua Swim and Tennis Club, 9330 Pentland Place, Fairfax, VA 22031
Hosted by the Fairfax Turkey Trot organizing team, this family-friendly event brings together runners, walkers and trotters on Thanksgiving morning to kick off the holiday with fitness and community. Participants will endure a four-mile course winding through Fairfax’s Mantua neighborhood
All participants receive a commemorative race shirt and support a cause— proceeds benefit Britepaths, formerly Our Daily Bread, helping local working families access emergency aid, financial literacy and mentorship.
10 a.m. – 4 p.m. | Free
Gallaudet University Washburn Arts Center Gallery, 800 Florida Avenue NE, Washington, D.C. 20002
Gallaudet University’s Linda K. Jordan Gallery invites visitors to explore a new exhibition showcasing decades of creativity within the global Deaf arts movement. Curated by Noel King, the show features works from more than 30 artists spanning early expressions of Deaf identity to contemporary pieces shaped by the De’VIA (Deaf View/Image Art) tradition.
Through painting, sculpture, video, and mixed-media installations, the exhibit traces how Deaf artists have used visual language to communicate culture, community, and resistance. With free admission and weekday visiting hours, the exhibit offers an accessible opportunity to engage with Deaf culture and its evolving artistic narrative.
Friday, Nov. 28
7 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. | $138.80
DC Improv, 1140 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, D.C. 20036
Comedian Donnell Rawlings, originally from the DMV, returns home for a special Thanksgiving weekend residency at DC Improv. Beginning his comedy career heckling from the audience at local D.C. clubs, Rawlings has since become a household name thanks to his breakout role on “Chappelle’s Show” as Ashy Larry.
Over the years, Rawlings has built a versatile career as a stand-up comic, actor and podcaster. He’s appeared on “The Wire,” voiced Dez in Pixar’s “Soul,” and recently released a Netflix special produced by longtime collaborator Dave Chappelle
Cincinnati Ballet: The Nutcracker
1:30 p.m. | $60.95+
Kennedy Center, 2700 F Street NW, Washington, D.C. 20566
The Cincinnati Ballet brings its production of “The Nutcracker” to Washington, D.C., with performances blending choreography from Artistic Director Emeritus Victoria Morgan with whimsical staging, the ballet tells the classic tale of Clara, her Nutcracker Prince, and their magical journey to the Land of Sweets.
Saturday, Nov. 29
5 p.m. – 8 p.m.| Free
The Park at CityCenter, 1098 New York Avenue NW, Washington, D.C. 20005
CityCenterDC will usher in the holiday season with its 12th Annual Holiday Tree Lighting Celebration. This free, family-friendly event features a 75-foot Christmas tree, two towering 25-foot reindeer, live music, balloon artists, face painters, holiday treats and more.
Grammy-winning singer Michelle Williams will perform alongside the American Pops Orchestra, adding a musical spotlight to the evening. Festivities begin at 5 p.m., and the official tree lighting starts at 6 p.m., hosted by NBC4’s Eun Yang.
9 a.m. – 5 p.m. | $10
Glen Echo Park, 7300 Macarthur Boulevard, Glen Echo, MD 20812
Dive into nature at Glen Echo Park Aquarium, where the Chesapeake Bay comes alive through hands-on, interactive exhibits designed for all ages. With timed-entry visits, guests can explore touch tanks, see real local marine life, and learn from experienced educators in a personalized, up-close environment.
Sunday, Nov. 30
5 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. | $13.99
Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton, MD 20902
Brookside Gardens transforms into a dazzling winter wonderland for its annual Garden of Lights celebration. Visitors can stroll along a half-mile outdoor path winding through 50 acres of beautifully lit landscapes, featuring nature-inspired displays like oversized flowers, forest creatures and whimsical plants crafted from hundreds of thousands of LED lights.
The event offers a festive, family-friendly experience with opportunities to enjoy hot drinks, snacks from local vendors, and shopping at the Brookside Gardens gift shop. It’s a way to explore the gardens after dark and take in the beauty and creativity of the holiday season.
Make Your Own Plant Pot Pottery Workshop
12:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. | $81.88
7 Locks Brewing, 12227 Wilkins Avenue, Rockville, MD 20852
Pottery with a Purpose gives attendees a chance to get their hands dirty and creativity blooming at the Make Your Own Plant Pot Pottery Workshop. This beginner-friendly class guides guests through clay-building techniques like pinch pot and coil, in order to create a plant pot, vase, or quirky planter pal, with no prior experience needed.
All materials are provided, and guests will walk away with one to three of their sculpted pieces to enjoy or gift. Expect a relaxed, joy-filled session full of creativity, clay, and optional friendly competition through pottery trivia.
