Festivals

I reserved my parking ticket for 7:00 PM for Saturday, December 20. Each parking slot is 1.5 hours. [https://dctemplevisitorscenter.org/festival-of-lights/](https://dctemplevisitorscenter.org/festival-of-lights/) From the website: * Join us for the 48th Annual Washington DC Temple Visitors' Center Festival of Lights! December 4\, 2025 – January 1\, 2026 \| 4:30 – 8:45 PM * **\*\*\* Timed Parking Passes Required for Every Car \*\*\*** * Please check the website for additional information. Bring Water, a Tripod, comfortable shoes, fully charged batteries, and empty cards By sending in an RSVP and joining this meetup event hosted by the Virginia Beltway Photography Meetup, I agree to abide by the rules and regulations (where applicable) of the event location, and I am also agreeing to the terms of the following release and waiver of liability, which shall be binding on my heirs, executors, administrators, successors, and assigns. In consideration of my (and my child’s) participation in the Virginia Beltway Photography Meetup, I do hereby release, discharge, and hold harmless the Organizer, its members, officers, directors, employees, and the leader(s) of this event from any and all liability by reason of any damage, loss, expenses, or injury arising from my (and my child’s) participation in this event, including that caused solely or in part by the fault of any and all of the above-named parties.

It's that time for our annual Holiday Movie Festival!!! $10 per adult for an all day pass! Come and go as you please! $5 children 13 and under Dress up in your best holiday outfit for a chance to win prizes to the Arlington Drafthouse and Pike Cornerstone! Doors at 12:30PM ***The Polar Express 1PM*** Rated G Family Adventure 1hr and 40min A young boy who has grown sceptical of Santa Claus is shocked to see a train stop outside his window on Christmas Eve, destined for the North Pole. When he accepts an invitation from the conductor to climb on board, he embarks on a white-knuckle ride to Santa's headquarters, where he makes fast friends and learns an invaluable lesson about the true spirit of Christmas. ***Home Alone 2:45pm*** Rated PG Family/Comedy 1hr and 43min When bratty 8-year-old Kevin McCallister (Macaulay Culkin) acts out the night before a family trip to Paris, his mother (Catherine O'Hara) makes him sleep in the attic. After the McCallisters mistakenly leave for the airport without Kevin, he awakens to an empty house and assumes his wish to have no family has come true. But his excitement sours when he realizes that two con men (Joe Pesci, Daniel Stern) plan to rob the McCallister residence, and that he alone must protect the family home. ***Miracle on 34th Street 4:30pm*** Family Rated PG 1hr and 54min In this Christmas classic, an old man going by the name of Kris Kringle (Edmund Gwenn) fills in for an intoxicated Santa in Macy's annual Thanksgiving Day parade. Kringle proves to be such a hit that he is soon appearing regularly at the chain's main store in midtown Manhattan. When Kringle surprises customers and employees alike by claiming that he really is Santa Claus, it leads to a court case to determine his mental health and, more importantly, his authenticity. ***[National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation 6:15pm](https://www.arlingtondrafthouse.com/shows/345430)*** Comedy/Family PG-13 1hr and 37mins As the holidays approach, Clark Griswold (Chevy Chase) wants to have a perfect family Christmas, so he pesters his wife, Ellen (Beverly D'Angelo), and children, as he tries to make sure everything is in line, including the tree and house decorations. However, things go awry quickly. His hick cousin, Eddie (Randy Quaid), and his family show up unplanned and start living in their camper on the Griswold property. Even worse, Clark's employers renege on the holiday bonus he needs. ***Krampus*** Holiday/Horror PG-13 1Hr and 38mins While the holiday season represents the most magical time of year, ancient European folklore warns of Krampus, a horned beast who punishes naughty children at Christmastime. When dysfunctional family squabbling causes young Max (Emjay Anthony) to lose his festive spirit, it unleashes the wrath of the fearsome demon. As Krampus lays siege to the Engel home, mom (Toni Collette), pop (Adam Scott), sister (Stefania LaVie Owen) and brother must band together to save one another from a monstrous fate. Admission is 21 and Over Unless Accompanied By a Parent [Arlington Drafthouse FAQ-CLICK HERE](https://www.arlingtondrafthouse.com/pages/faq) All Sales Are Final-Refunds Are Not Available \* For groups of 8 or more that purchased tickets separately, please add a note in the comment section or a name under group code so we can seat everyone together. We will seat everyone together but section will be released 10 minutes before show time \* Your ticket confirmation email will act as your ticket at the box office when you check in \* Gratuity is automatically added to checks for your convenience \* Show your ticket after the show to receive a special discount at [Pike Cornerstone](http://www.pikecornerstone.com/) across the street!!

The U.S. Navy Band presents an entertaining and family-friendly show featuring members from all of the Navy Band's ensembles. We've heard that there will be a flyover and a visit by a familiar guest as well! Please join us as we usher in everyone's favorite season. TICKETS AVAILABLE on November 24, 2025 [United States Navy Band](https://www.navyband.navy.mil/events/2024-dec-22-combined-dar-constitution-hall) [The United States Navy Band Holiday Concert at DAR Constitution Hall, 1776 D St. NW Washington, D.C. 20006, 20 December 2025 | AllEvents](https://allevents.in/washington/the-united-states-navy-band-holiday-concert-at-dar-constitution-hall/200029217255909) You must reserve your own ticket; however, from past experience, you will still be allowed in without a ticket check at 3pm. People with tickets will be allowed in at least 15 minutes before starting time. Non-ticket holders will be let in afterwards. Sometimes, they don't even look at the ticket; they just let everyone in. There's parking on surrounding streets (free on Sundays) plus the Metro (Farragut West or McPherson Square). I recommend that you get there by 2:30pm to find parking and get a seat. Doors open at 2:30 pm; Concert begins at 3PM. We will meet on DAR steps at 2:30PM to go in together. Seats cannot be held or reserved. If you get there late, sit wherever you can and enjoy the concert.

From DECEMBER 4th to DECEMBER 24th, the elves are taking over! The Elf Bar is a pop-up Christmas wonderland bursting with twinkling lights, over-the-top décor, and a sprinkle of North Pole chaos. Expect a night full of laughter, cocktails, and festive fun that’ll make even the Grinch crack a smile Here’s what’s waiting for you: 🧝‍♂️ Hundreds of Elves Everywhere – Big ones, tiny ones, cheeky ones! They’ve all come out to play. 🎄 Outrageous Christmas Décor – Every corner sparkles with holiday magic (and maybe a little elf mischief). 🍸 Elf Cocktails & Games – Sip on delicious themed drinks and jump into playful games that’ll unleash your inner elf! 📸 Festive Photo Spots – Strike your best pose in our picture-perfect Christmas scenes. Whether you’re heading out with friends, coworkers, or your favorite holiday partner-in-crime, The Elf Bar is the spot to toast the season make memories that sleigh. **Family-Friendly Sessions** Saturdays at 1PM and 2:30PM are all-ages sessions designed for families and kids to enjoy the Elf Bar magic together 🎅 Space is limited — the elves don’t hold tables, so book your spot now and join the wildest Christmas party in town! **[BUY TICKETS HERE](https://tickets.theelfbarofficial.com/events/theelfbarofficial/1926037)**

Celebrate the passing of the seasons and the return of the sun on our Annual Sugarloaf Winter Solstice/Poetry Hike, an Adventuring tradition since 1997. This year we're able to do this hike on the actual day of the Solstice--Sunday, December 21, 2025. After varying the routine a bit last year, we will return to our usual 7-mile circuit, with lunch at White Rocks and climbing to the summit near the end. Expect some climbing and a variety of terrain, including some rocks. During our White Rocks lunch, we’ll share favorite poems in honor of the passing of another year. Meet at 9 a.m. at the Grosvenor-Strathmore Metro Station. So we can plan accordingly, please answer the Meetup questions about whether you’ll be meeting us at Grosvenor-Strathmore or Sugarloaf, and whether you can be a carpool driver. Those wishing to drive directly to Sugarloaf should contact Chris Craig for directions and time; you can email him directly at [ccraig@laurellodge.com](http://mailto:ccraig@laurellodge.com/). We'll all rendezvous by 10 a.m. in the West View parking lot—the one at the top of the drive. Bring a bag lunch (we will NOT be stopping at a Sheetz on the way), water, sturdy shoes, the $5 Adventuring fee, $5 to reimburse your carpool driver — and most important, a poem to share on the mountaintop (your own or someone else's). \>\> Please [click here](https://adventuringlgbtq.com/Adventuring_Release_Form.pdf) to review our release form. When you RSVP to an event, you affirm that you have read and agree to the terms of the release.

NOTE: You MUST sign up and pay via our website to reserve your spot (https://flyingbuddhastudio.com/#Events). Simply responding yes to attend via Meetup does not hold your spot. Thank you for your understanding! Step into an enchanted Winter Wonderland at [ON St. Elmo](https://www.onstelmo.com/). Enjoy a night of dinner, drinks, and dazzling performances as our students and teachers take the stage with aerial hammock, lyra, moon, chains, and pole routines that sparkle with grace, power, and festive flair. Saturday, December 20 ✨7:30pm – Aerial Hammock/Aerial Moon/Lyra/Chains performances (family-friendly) ✨10:00pm – Pole performances (adults only) 📍ON St. Elmo – Flying Buddha’s sister business and Bethesda’s premier restaurant, lounge, & entertainment venue Sip seasonal cocktails, dance to beats from our live DJ, and celebrate the magic of movement and community. Expect breathtaking performances, sparkling costumes, and joyful surprises throughout the night. [Reserve your table now!](https://www.onstelmo.com/)

Join us for an evening of laughter 😂, good vibes ✨, and holiday cheer 🎄🎅 at Astro Beer Hall in Shirlington, Virginia! Dust off your most hilariously hideous holiday sweater 🤣🧥 and come ready to meet up with old friends 👯‍♂️ and make new connections 🤝 in a festive, laid-back atmosphere 🌟. 🎉 What to Expect: • A cozy, upbeat setting at Astro Beer Hall 🍺🍔 with craft beers and delicious bites 😋 • Icebreaker games 🎲😄 and activities to help you connect with new faces 🌟🫶 • An “Ugliest Sweater Contest” 👚🤪🏆 Whether you’re here to mingle 🗣️, share laughs 🤣, or show off your sweater style 💃🕺, this party promises to bring the holiday spirit to life ✨🎄❄️! Don’t miss the chance to create memorable moments 📸💫 with great people ❤️. Bring your festive spirit 🎁✨ and a sense of humor 😄, and we’ll handle the rest. See you there! 🎅🎉🔥🥳

Please join MoonFire on Sunday, December 21 at 12:00 PM, as we celebrate the Winter Solstice by honoring the transition from darkening to lightening days. Join us in ritual to explore the passing of the realm from the Holly King to the Oak King. Celebrate the coming of the light and the current Yuletide season. All are welcome! A potluck and time for fellowship will follow the ritual; you might like to bring food or drink to share, along with your own plates/utensils, or share our food and supply of washable re-usables. MoonFire holds ritual the 3rd Sunday of every month at the UU Church of Arlington, VA, starting at 12 PM with a pre-ritual briefing. Plan to arrive a little early so you can meet folks and get settled in. Rituals are usually followed by a potluck. We welcome everyone. If you are wondering whether to bring children, are new to Paganism, or plan to take pictures or write about our ritual, let us know ahead of time.

**In January we will be making vision boards with magazine collage supplies, stickers, paper, and more! All supplies are provided, seats are limited! Come As you are, when you can; hope to see you there!**

Help us ringing New Year’s Eve with our traditional bowling Meetup and Bar crawl with Central Ohio friends. Sequoia has reserved 8 lanes for us at $15 per Person which includes 2 hours of unlimited bowling and shoes!! Bowling begins promptly at 9 PM. Please arrive early. See you there! Yes

WQC has weekly Thursday night social nights at the Westerville Java Central. Come and grab a coffee and connect with the community: low stakes, chill environment, and tasty drinks. No registration is required; come as you are.

Christians in Tech is a community at the intersection of faith and technology. Our meetups are designed to spark meaningful conversations, promote knowledge sharing, and encourage growth—both in your career and your spiritual walk with God. Whether you're an experienced professional or just starting your tech journey, CIT welcomes you. Our Website [https://linktr.ee/citcbus](https://linktr.ee/citcbus) Sponsors and Partners * Improving (Venue Sponsor) * Bethel World Prayer Center (Fiscal Sponsor) * Fruits & Roots (Coffee Partner)

Join us as we celebrate **National Spaghetti Day** with this hearty dish! Though the origins of spaghetti are disputed—whether it was Marco Polo bringing back culinary invention from the East or a home-grown Sicilian treat dating back to the 12th Century—we can all agree that a cold day with a big bowl of noodle-y, saucy goodness is balm for the soul. # Carfagnas Spaghetti and Sauce *Everybody's favorite!* Our handmade egg spaghetti topped with our homemade marinara and served with two of our famous meatballs. There are other classic spaghetti dishes on the menu, too. **Where:** We'll have tables in their beautiful upscale bar at Carfagna's Ristorante; and you need to check out everything Italian this place has to offer under one roof!! (shopping, pastry) ***Reservation for 12 under Michele Z starts at 2pm***. *Members Only. Space is limited so no guests, please.* I hope you'll join me at Carfagna's AMAZING complex on Gemini/Polaris. -Michele