Kick off December with festive and engaging activities happening around the District this weekend.
Check out an artistic, interactive and technological exhibit at the Arts and Industries Building on Friday, ice skate at the National Gallery of Art on Saturday and support local small businesses at a German holiday market on Sunday.
Friday
FUTURES Exhibit at the Arts and Industries Building
Check out an exhibition about the future at the newly reopened Arts and Industries Building, dubbed the “mother of museums.” Besides being Smithsonian’s second-oldest building, this architectural icon has been a historical hub of technological expositions for more than 140 years. The building’s halls introduced millions to Edison’s light bulb, the first telephone and Apollo rockets. Now, the museum is celebrating the 175th anniversary with its FUTURES exhibition, a building-wide exploration of what the future will look like. The exhibit invites visitors to explore possible future horizons, like underwater homes and lab-grown meals. For museum visitors curious about humanity’s next chapter, this exhibit is made for you.
900 Jefferson Dr., SW. Open Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Free admission. Find more information here.
Saturday
Ice Skating at the National Gallery of Art
Get a head start on the classic winter activity of ice skating at the National Gallery of Art this weekend. The Gallery’s sculpture garden ice rink is open to the public for 45-minute skating sessions, weather permitting. As you skate, you’ll be surrounded by eye-soaring large-scale sculptures created by renowned modern and contemporary artists like Louise Bourgeois, Alexander Calder and Roy Lichtenstein. To make the best of your ice skating experience, be sure to dress in warm layers that will not restrict movement.
The corner of 7th Street and Constitution Avenue, NW. Open Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Sunday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. General admission is $10. Find more information here.
Sunday
Heurich Christkindlmarkt: Local Artisan Market
Discover a unique and diverse Christmas experience at the Heurich House Museum. Each December, this house curates a three-day holiday market in its garden inspired by German Christmas markets. The Heurich mansion was built by local artisans in 1894, and the museum has continued to feature dozens of local artisans who sell unique craft goods. The event will feature more than 30 vendors like Mayapple Soaps, for beautifully made body soaps, and DC IS MY CITY, for prints and posters of the District’s landmarks. Food trucks like Timber Pizza Co, which will serve wood fire pizza, and fresh-baked cookies from Captain Cookie for dessert will be stationed at the market.
1307 New Hampshire Ave., NW. Open Sunday noon to 6 p.m. General admission is $13. Find more information here.
