Events & Happenings

Events & Happenings December 3rd - 9th

Hello and Happy Monday! I hope you had a restful Thanksgiving holiday and weekend. This week there are many holiday-related events including several tree-lighting events. This Saturday, Arlington Library is hosting their Holiday Gift Nook, a free shopping experience for the holidays!

As a reminder, if your holiday lights don’t work they are e-waste. You can drop them off at the County hazardous materials facility or schedule a pickup. Learn more here.

In some community news, Rossana, the local coffee truck run by Randi & Maria, is raising money to make their truck solar powered. Donate to their Kickstarter here.

Tuesday, December 3rd

De-Stress Fest: Yoga with Mind the Mat (Virginia Square/Clarendon)

• 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm in Van Metre Hall (Room 125)

• Take a break from studying and treat yourself to a calming yoga session at our De-Stress Fest Yoga Class! Flow through relaxing poses and mindful breathing in a welcoming, peaceful space deigned to help you unwind and recharge.

• This event is free and open to the public.

Inspira Latin Dance Night (Clarendon)

• 7:00 pm - 10:00 pm at Three Whistles

  • 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm: Bachata Dance Lesson

  • 8:00 pm - 10:00 pm: Social Dancing

• Tickets are $12 ahead of time or $15 at the door. No partner or dance experience is needed to come out and enjoy.

Wednesday, December 4th

Love Actually (2003) (National Landing/Crystal City)

• 6:15 pm at Alamo Drafthouse Crystal City

• Forget about THE MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET or Charlie Brown! LOVE ACTUALLY is, hands down, the best way to celebrate Christmas, because without this masterpiece of a romantic comedy, there would be no love in this cold, cruel world. Plus, we'd all be stuck singing "Jingle Bells" instead of everyone's favorite carol, "Christmas is All Around."

• We challenge you to find one other movie that combines the British prime minister, an abundance of turtlenecks, the porn industry, Mr. Bean, a washed-up rock star, and a kid in an octopus costume into something that makes you cry tears of shimmering, golden joy into your cocktail.

• Tickets are $11 each.

Food and Country (Penrose)

• 7:00 pm at Arlington Drafthouse

• Join us on December 4th for a FREE exclusive screening of “Food and Country,” a powerful documentary that dives into the complex realities of America's food system and brings into sharp focus the need to build and strengthen regional food networks.  

• Whether you're passionate about sustainable agriculture, curious about the food on your plate, or looking to get more involved in your community, this event is the perfect opportunity to learn and connect.

• The event is FREE, but please reserve your spot here.

Free Comedy Night (Ballston)

• 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm at El Rey (4201 Wilson Boulevard)

• Join us for a hilarious evening of comedy at El Rey! Get ready to laugh your socks off with the DMV's best comedians! This Standup Comedy Night is sure to be a blast! Come and enjoy a night filled with laughter, good vibes, and unforgettable performances. Our talented lineup of comedians will have you rolling in the aisles. From witty one-liners to hilarious anecdotes, they'll keep you entertained throughout the evening.

• RSVP for free, but please tip! Cash, Venmo, Cashapp, Plasma, and Paypal are accepted.

Thursday, December 5th

Light the Plaza (Rosslyn)

• 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm at Central Place Plaza

• A neighborhood favorite tradition returns! Join the Rosslyn BID for an evening of festive fun as we light the plaza and brighten the season. The evening will include live music, raffles, and more. The tree lighting countdown will take place at approximately 5:45pm. Wine, beer, and spiked cider will be available for purchase at our bar with Open Road to get you in the holiday “spirits”.

Water Park Tree Lighting (National Landing)

• 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm at National Landing Water Park

• We will be spreading the holiday spirit with our new holiday decor at Water Park! Join us on as we unveil our holiday decor and light the tree. There will be festive drink specials and food specials from our kiosk vendors! All ages and pets are welcome to enjoy!

Light Up the Village (Shirlington)

• 6:00 pm - 8:30 pm at The Village at Shirlington

• Get ready to shine at our annual Tree Lighting celebration, where the Village’s charm comes to life with a festive sparkle like no other!

• Event schedule:

  • 6:00 pm Holiday Musical Performance by Signature Theatre

  • 6:30 pm Tree Lighting celebration

  • 6:40 pm Horse and Carriage Rides*

  • 7:00 pm Photos with Santa (located at Hardwood Artisans+)

  • Seasonal Makers Market

  • Live Holiday Music Performance by Bishop O’Connell High School

  • FREE Face Painting and Balloon Twisting

  • Strolling Entertainment

  • Merchant specials and promotions

Friday, December 6th

Santa Paws Yappy Hour (Rosslyn)

• 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm at Central Place Plaza

• Santa Paws Yappy Hour is back. Join Rosslyn BID for treats, beverages for pet parents, and mingling with fellow furry friends!

Met Park Winter Movie Nights: Frozen (National Landing)

• 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm at Central Green at Metropolitan Park

• Join us this December for a series of festive, family-friendly movies at Met Park! Movies will start promptly at 7 PM.

Saturday, December 7th

Holiday Market (Rosslyn)

• 10:00 am - 3:00 pm at Central Place Plaza

• Shop local and find the perfect gifts this holiday season! Join the Rosslyn BID on Saturday, Dec. 7 and Sunday, Dec. 8 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Central Place Plaza for a weekend of holiday shopping and celebrating the season!

• Whether you're looking for a few last gifts on your list or are just getting started, our holiday market has something for everyone. Shop a variety of local vendors selling art, jewelry, bath products, snacks, and much more.

• There will also be tons of free festive fun happenings! Explore the vendors here.

Washington-Liberty High School’s Annual Holiday Bazaar (Virginia Square/Ballson)

• 10:00 am - 4:00 pm at Washington-Liberty High Schoool

• Quality handcrafted items - housewears, home decor, wall art, jewelry, clothing, pet items & more! The main hallway will be filled the student tables (cash only) selling food, drink, and holiday items to raise funds for their clubs and sports teams.

• Are all welcome! Free admisison and free parking in the school parking deck.

Holiday Gift Nook (Virginia Square/Ballston)

• 10:00am - 4:30 pm in the Quincy Room at Central Library

• The Library is hosting a free shopping experience for the holidays. Developed from community donations, the Holiday Gift Nook is open to all and free to all.

• How it works: Pick up a free ticket before entering the shop and exchange it for one item. We might need to limit the number of people in the Gift Nook spaces at any one time. Please anticipate the possiblity of waiting in line. Visit the gift wrapping station to personalize and wrap your gifts.

Flower Potluck & Workshop (Virginia Square)

• 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm at Museum of Contemporary Art Arlington

• Join us for a fun and hands-on floral arrangement workshop! This program kicks off with a  floral arrangement demo, showing you creative ways to mix and match blooms. Then participants have a chance to play and experiment with a variety of flowers, colors, and textures. What is a Flower Potluck? Participants will bring flowers (foraged or store-bought, a mix or all the same) + a vessel (something you want to arrange your flowers in). We’ll start by choosing flowers from our collective potluck, so make sure to arrive on time to pick from the full selection and dive into the creative process with us!

• MoCA Arlington is thrilled to be working with @flower.potluck.dmv for this program. Check out their IG for their portfolio and to see more about their previous programs.

• Tickets are $49.87 (including taxes and fees).

The Lodge (National Landing).

• 1:00 pm - 7:00 pm at Metropolitan Park

• Join us at The Lodge, a ski-inspired winter festival at Metropolitan Park, complete with holiday cheer, seasonal treats, and activities for all ages—including kids and pets. From cozy nooks to lively gatherings, it’s the ultimate holiday destination for everyone. Wrap yourself in the warmth of Nordic hygge and the festive spirit of Quebecois joie de vivre at The Lodge in National Landing.

• Free admisison but registration is suggested.

Wine & Cider Tasting Event (National Landing)

• 2:00 pm - 8:00 pm at National Landing Water Park

• Entrance is $40 at the door and includes tasting of all wines and ciders, charcuterie pairings, and 20% of any wine bottle purchases.

• This is a 21+ event.

Sunday, December 8th

Holiday Gift Nook (Virginia Square/Ballston)

• 10:00am - 12:30 pm in the Quincy Room at Central Library

• The Library is hosting a free shopping experience for the holidays. Developed from community donations, the Holiday Gift Nook is open to all and free to all.

• How it works: Pick up a free ticket before entering the shop and exchange it for one item. We might need to limit the number of people in the Gift Nook spaces at any one time. Please anticipate the possiblity of waiting in line. Visit the gift wrapping station to personalize and wrap your gifts.

Holiday Market (Rosslyn)

• 10:00 am - 3:00 pm at Central Place Plaza

• Shop local and find the perfect gifts this holiday season! Join the Rosslyn BID on Saturday, Dec. 7 and Sunday, Dec. 8 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Central Place Plaza for a weekend of holiday shopping and celebrating the season!

• Whether you're looking for a few last gifts on your list or are just getting started, our holiday market has something for everyone. Shop a variety of local vendors selling art, jewelry, bath products, snacks, and much more.

• There will also be tons of free festive fun happenings! Explore the vendors here.

The Holiday (2006) Brunch (National Landing/Crystal City)

• 12:00 pm at Alamo Drafthouse Crystal City

• Order from our tasty brunch menu – Egg BLT, French Toast, or Breakfast Tacos – and pair with a brunch cocktail classic like Desert Spring Water or the Italian 75. Each are available to order along with our full menu at this special brunch screening.

• We could all use an escape every now and then. That’s certainly true for Amanda (Cameron Diaz) and Iris (Kate Winslet), two strangers who connect online and temporarily swap houses as a means of escaping from the stresses of their lives. And we’re inviting you to escape with us for a little bit with this special screening of Nancy Meyers’ utterly charming rom-com, THE HOLIDAY. With charismatic movie stars, enchanting settings, and a heaping helping of humor and romance, it’ll feel like a mini-vacation in the middle of your busy season.

• Tickets are $11 each.

Monday, December 9th

Monday Game Night (Courthouse)

• 6:00 pm - 8:00pm in the Birch Conference Room at Courthouse Library

• Newcomers are always welcome! We meet in person the second Monday of every month. This event is led by a community volunteer. Learn new games, bring a friend, or meet someone new! Play various classic tabletop games (Scrabble, Monopoly, Yahtzee, cards, etc.) that are simple to learn and fun to master. You can also bring your own games if you prefer.

• Attendance is first-come, first-served until event capacity is reached. Adults 18+.