The Washington region is kicking off the new year with a full slate of events, from cultural celebrations and museum exhibits to live performances and family-friendly outings. Whether you’re looking to brave the cold for an outdoor festival, catch a can’t-miss show, or explore a lesser-known corner of the capital, there’s no shortage of ways to fill your calendar. Here’s a look at some of the top things to do in the D.C. area this week and weekend, Jan. 6–12.
Inside the biggest winter festivals lighting up Washington DC this week and weekend
From the banks of the Potomac to the heart of the National Mall, sprawling light displays and seasonal spectacles are drawing crowds as the region leans into the final weeks of winter cheer. At Georgetown Glow, alleys and waterfront walkways double as an open-air gallery, where oversized neon sculptures and interactive installations invite visitors to linger, snap photos and warm up with nearby hot chocolate stands. Over at the National Zoo’s illuminated pathways, synchronized light tunnels and glowing animal silhouettes transform familiar exhibits into a nighttime maze, while Alexandria’s waterfront keeps the festivities going with pop-up fire pits, outdoor art and live music spilling out from local restaurants.
- Georgetown Glow – Outdoor light art installations through historic streets
- ZooLights – Family-friendly light show with themed nights and snacks
- Alexandria Waterfront Lights – Harbor views, installations and seasonal performances
| Festival | Best Time | Vibe |
|---|---|---|
| Georgetown Glow | Early evening | Art-forward, photo-friendly |
| ZooLights | After dusk | Family, playful |
| Alexandria Waterfront | Weekend nights | Relaxed, date-night |
Organizers say this week is among the busiest of the season, with visitors bundling up to catch limited-run projections on historic facades, lantern-lined ice rinks and special programming such as live DJ sets, choirs and late-night museum hours. Many events are free or low-cost, but reservations or timed-entry passes are recommended for peak evenings, as capacity caps and security screenings remain in place. For residents, the festival circuit offers a chance to see familiar neighborhoods under a different, brighter lens; for out-of-town guests, it’s a compact way to sample the District’s winter personality before the lights dim later this month.
Top concerts theater shows and live performances you should not miss in the DC area
This week’s marquee stages are stacked with names that usually demand a road trip. At Capital One Arena, A-list pop and R&B tours roll through with high-production visuals, surprise guest appearances and late-night Metro crowds to match, while nearby indie venues in the U Street corridor counterprogram with intimate sets from buzzed-about singer-songwriters and experimental jazz ensembles. In the theater world, major houses such as Arena Stage and Shakespeare Theatre Company debut new runs that blend timely political themes with classic storytelling, drawing policy staffers straight from Capitol Hill to the front row.
- Capital One Arena: Chart-topping pop and R&B tours, large-scale staging
- U Street venues: Indie rock, jazz residencies and late-night showcases
- Arena Stage: New American drama with political and social angles
- Shakespeare Theatre Company: Bold spins on classic works
| Venue | Spotlight Show | Vibe | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capital One Arena | Major pop tour | High-energy, sold-out | Big-group nights out |
| 9:30 Club | Indie headliner | Standing-room, close-up | Serious music fans |
| Kennedy Center | Broadway-in-DC run | Polished, classic | Date nights, visitors |
| Arena Stage | New political drama | Conversational, thoughtful | News and policy watchers |
Across the river, the Kennedy Center’s Broadway-caliber touring musical is anchoring the week, with packed evening performances and matinees drawing families, theater subscribers and tourists escaping the January chill. Smaller black-box spaces in H Street NE and Alexandria are taking more risks, premiering original one-act plays and dance pieces that thrive on word-of-mouth. For those who prefer a looser format, comedy clubs in Penn Quarter and Navy Yard are booking nationally known stand-ups alongside local openers, turning weeknights into de facto festival lineups and offering some of the most affordable tickets in the city’s live-performance calendar.
Family friendly outings from museum exhibits to outdoor fun across Washington DC and the suburbs
From hands-on science demos at the National Air and Space Museum to story time among towering fossils at the National Museum of Natural History, families will find no shortage of kid-approved stops this week. The National Gallery of Art is rolling out winter-themed sketching corners, while the Spy Museum caters to older kids with gadget labs and code-breaking challenges. In the suburbs, the Children’s Science Center Lab in Fairfax and the KID Museum in Bethesda are drawing parents indoors with maker workshops, robotics stations and craft corners designed to keep small hands busy long after school lets out.
- National Mall museums: Free admission, timed passes recommended.
- Indoor play & maker spaces: Fee-based, check reservations in advance.
- Short-drive suburbs: Metro-accessible options for stroller-friendly outings.
| Destination | Best For | Neighborhood |
|---|---|---|
| Air & Space Museum | Future pilots | National Mall |
| U.S. Botanic Garden | Toddler explorers | Capitol Hill |
| Rock Creek Park | Trail adventures | NW DC |
| Old Town Waterfront | Stroller strolls | Alexandria, Va. |
When cabin fever hits, families are turning to brisk walks along the Georgetown Waterfront, easy loops in Rock Creek Park and riverside bike rides on the Mount Vernon Trail, where winter views of the Potomac offer a quiet backdrop before the next school week. In Maryland and Virginia suburbs, community ice rinks in Silver Spring and Reston are offering family skate sessions with rentals and hot chocolate on site, while local nature centers are hosting owl prowls, campfire circles and scavenger hunts tailored to young naturalists. Together, these outings form a week-long mix of culture, education and fresh air within a short drive or Metro ride of downtown.
Where to eat drink and unwind near this weeks standout events across the DC region
From cozy neighborhood spots to buzzy dining rooms, the region’s food scene is ready for every kind of outing tied to this week’s marquee happenings. After a matinee on the National Mall or a gallery opening downtown, warm up at Penn Quarter mainstays with small plates and craft cocktails, or head a few blocks east to Chinatown for late-night noodles and dumplings. Over in Shaw and U Street, pre-show crowds are gravitating to chef-driven kitchens and speakeasy-style bars, while Capitol Hill offers quieter wine bars and gastropubs within walking distance of the major museums and the Capitol complex.
- Downtown & Penn Quarter: Power lunch spots, happy-hour oysters, pre-theater tasting menus
- Shaw & U Street: Live-music bars, inventive small plates, rooftop lounges
- H Street NE: Casual pizza joints, indie cocktail bars, late-night snacks
- Arlington & Alexandria: Waterfront views, family-friendly eateries, craft beer halls
| Area | Best For | Post-Event Vibe |
|---|---|---|
| Gallery Place | Sports & concerts | Lively bars, quick bites |
| Waterfront Wharf | Winter light shows | Fire pits, seafood, cocktails |
| Tysons | Shopping & comedy | Upscale lounges, dessert cafes |
| Silver Spring | Film & arts events | Global eats, relaxed pubs |
In Conclusion
Whether you’re looking for a marquee performance, a neighborhood celebration or a family-friendly outing, the Washington D.C. region is full of options this week and weekend. For the latest updates on schedules, weather impacts and any last-minute changes, be sure to check event websites or the NBC Washington app before heading out.
Stay with NBCWashington.com and NBC4 for continuing coverage of what’s happening around the area — on the streets, on the stage and everywhere in between.
