Out & About
LGBT-affirming D.C. churches, centers offer Christmas, Kwanzaa events
National City, St. Paul’s Episcopal among local gay-welcoming parishes
Foundry United Methodist Church (Washington Blade file photo by Michael Key)
Christmas Eve
St. Paul’s Episcopal Church Rock Creek (Rock Creek Church Rd. and Webster St., N.W.) holds a Christmas Eve service today from 5-8 p.m.
St. Thomas’ Parish and St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church (1830 Connecticut Ave., N.W.) celebrate the Festive Holy Eucharist tonight from 11 p.m.-midnight. Rev. Alex Dyer will give the sermon. The service will feature special music.
Dumbarton United Methodist Church (3133 Dumbarton St., N.W.) has a Christmas Eve worship service at 6:30 p.m. There will be a children’s Christmas pageant, special Christmas music, blessing of children, carols and candlelight.
National City Christian Church (5 Thomas Circle, N.W.) holds a candlelight community worship service with prelude music at 7 p.m.
Seekers Church (276 Carroll St., N.W.) celebrates Christmas Eve with a dinner from 6-7 p.m. followed by a service of lessons and carols from 7:30-8:30 p.m. The service will feature homilist David Llyod.
The Christ Church on Capitol Hill (620 G St., S.E.) has events and services throughout the day and night. At 4:30 p.m., the church hosts its “Come as you are” family service which features an informal pick-up pageant, carols, children’s message and communion. A formal family service follows at 6:30 p.m. with a Christmas pageant, homily, carols, communion and music from the St. Petersburg Men’s Ensemble. At 10 p.m. there will be a choral prelude with the St. Petersburg Men’s Ensemble. They will be joined by the Christ Church choir. The Festival Eucharist follows at 10:30 p.m. with a candlelit sanctuary, sermon, communion, carols and music from the St. Petersburg Men’s Ensemble. The final event is the festive reception at 11:30 p.m. Attendees are asked to bring food and drink to share.
Unity Fellowship Church (474 Ridge St., N.W.) has a Christmas Eve service from 3-5 p.m.
Foundry United Methodist Church (1500 16th St., N.W.) holds a children’s Christmas Eve service today from 6-7 p.m. followed by a Candlelight Christmas Eve Service from 8-9 p.m.
Metropolitan Community Church of Washington (474 Ridge St., N.W.) has a Christmas Eve service from 7-8 p.m.
Saint John’s Episcopal Church (1525 H St., N.W.) has Christmas Eve services from 4:30-11 p.m. At 4:30 p.m. there will be carols and anthems followed by a pageant and the Choral Holy Eucharist at 5 p.m. At 7 p.m. there will be carols and anthems with the Festival Eucharist starting at 7:30 p.m. The last service of the night kicks off with carols and anthems at 10:30 p.m. and then Festival Eucharist at 11 p.m.
Christmas Day
Washington National Cathedral (3101 Wisconsin Ave., N.W.) holds its Christmas Day Holy Eucharist at 11:15 a.m. featuring scripture, season choral performance, instrumental music and hymns. Passes are not required. At 1:30 p.m. there will be a Christmas Day organ recital featuring organists Rev. Benjamin Pearce and George Fergus. There is a $10 recommended donation.
St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church (1830 Connecticut Ave., N.W.) has a Christmas Day service with the Holy Eucharist from 10 a.m.-11 a.m.
Kwanzaa
Smithsonian’s Anacostia Community Museum hosts a Kwanzaa celebration at Fort Stanton Recreation Center (1812 Erie St., S.E.) on Thursday, Dec. 27 from 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Melvin Deal African Heritage Drummers and dancers will perform. Admission is free but registration is required.
Kuumba Kids hosts its 48th annual Kwanzaa Children Party at Panorama Room (1600 Morris Rd., S.E.) on Friday, Dec. 29 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. There will be African dance and drumming classes, storytelling, face painting, arts and crafts, candle-lighting ceremony, a Karamu feast and a performance featuring the Kuumba Kids, RBG and Imani Steppers. Admission is free. Every child will receive a Kwanzaa gift bag with goodies and a T-shirt.
In honor of Black History Month, the DC LGBTQ+ Community Center will host a series of events uplifting the histories, artistry, and resilience of Black LGBTQ+ communities through dialogue, film, and intentional gathering.
The series begins with “Ballroom Culture: Rhythms of Resilience,” a panel discussion on Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026 at 7 p.m. Artists, activists, and leaders from the ballroom community will explore ballroom’s historical, cultural, and political significance as a site of resistance, kinship, creative expression, and social justice within Black, Latinx, and LGBTQ+ communities.
On Friday, Feb. 13 at 12:30 p.m., the Center will host a screening of the groundbreaking documentary “Paris is Burning,” which chronicles New York City’s ballroom scene and house culture while examining themes of race, class, identity, and survival through the voices of legendary performers including Willi Ninja, Pepper LaBeija, and Dorian Corey.
The month will conclude with “Soul Centered: A Black LGBTQ+ Gathering” on Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026 at 3:30 p.m. This free, RSVP-required event invites Black LGBTQ+ community members into a space of rest, connection, and reflection centered on love in all its forms. The gathering will feature a panel conversation with Black LGBTQ+ creatives, healers, and community members, followed by intentional speed connections and a closing social mixer.
For more details and to RSVP, visit the Center’s website.
Friday, February 6
Center Aging Monthly Luncheon With Yoga will be at 12 p.m. at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. Email Mac at [email protected] if you require ASL interpreter assistance, have any dietary restrictions, or questions about this event.
Spark Social will host “RuPaul’s Drag Race Watch Party S18 Watch Party” at 8 p.m. Drag Entertainers TrevHER and Grey provide hilarious commentary and make live predictions on who’s staying and who’s going home. Stick around after the show for a live drag performance. The watch party takes place on our heated outdoor patio and cozy indoor space. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
Go Gay DC will host “First Friday LGBTQ+ Community Social” at 7 p.m. at Silver Diner Ballston. This is a chance to relax, make new friends, and enjoy happy hour specials at this classic retro venue. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
Saturday, February 7
Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community Brunch” at 11 a.m. at Freddie’s Beach Bar & Restaurant. This fun weekly event brings the DMV area LGBTQ+ community, including allies, together for delicious food and conversation. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
LGBTQ People of Color will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This peer support group is an outlet for LGBTQ People of Color to come together and talk about anything affecting them in a space that strives to be safe and judgement free. There are all sorts of activities like watching movies, poetry events, storytelling, and just hanging out with others. For more information and events, visit thedccenter.org/poc or facebook.com/centerpoc.
Sunday, February 8
DMV Gay Dog Moms will host “Puppy Love” at 1 p.m. at Wunder Garten. This a Valentine’s pawty and market for dog lovers. Get gifts for your loved ones – both human & canine at this event. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
Monday, February 9
“Center Aging: Monday Coffee Klatch” will be at 10 a.m. on Zoom. This is a social hour for older LGBTQ+ adults. Guests are encouraged to bring a beverage of choice. For more information, contact Adam ([email protected]).
Genderqueer DC will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is a support group for people who identify outside of the gender binary, whether you’re bigender, agender, genderfluid, or just know that you’re not 100% cis. For more details, visit genderqueerdc.org or Facebook.
Tuesday, February 10
Coming Out Discussion Group will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is a safe space to share experiences about coming out and discuss topics as it relates to doing so — by sharing struggles and victories the group allows those newly coming out and who have been out for a while to learn from others. For more details, visit the group’s Facebook.
Trans Discussion Group will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is intended to provide an emotionally and physically safe space for trans people and those who may be questioning their gender identity or expression to join together in community and learn from one another. For more details, email [email protected].
Wednesday, February 11
Job Club will be at 6 p.m. on Zoom upon request. This is a weekly job support program to help job entrants and seekers, including the long-term unemployed, improve self-confidence, motivation, resilience and productivity for effective job searches and networking — allowing participants to move away from being merely “applicants” toward being “candidates.” For more information, email [email protected] or visit thedccenter.org/careers.
Thursday, February 12
The DC Center’s Fresh Produce Program will be held all day at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. To be more fair with who is receiving boxes, the program is moving to a lottery system. People will be informed on Wednesday at 5:00 pm if they are picked to receive a produce box. No proof of residency or income is required. For more information, email [email protected] or call 202-682-2245.
Virtual Yoga Class will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This free weekly class is a combination of yoga, breathwork and meditation that allows LGBTQ+ community members to continue their healing journey with somatic and mindfulness practices. For more details, visit the DC Center’s website.
Catfish Comedy will host “2026 Queer Kickoff Show” on Thursday, Feb. 5 at A League of Her Own (2319 18th Street, N.W.). This show features D.C.’s funniest LGBTQ and femme comedians. The lineup features performers who regularly take the stage at top clubs like DC Improv and Comedy Loft, with comics who tour nationally.
Tickets are $17.85 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.
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