Out & About
Calendar: Dec. 20-26
Holiday events abound in the week to come
Friday, Dec. 20
The Frederick Douglass in Capitol Hill Walking tour is today from 5-6:30 p.m. beginning at the Library of Congress (101 Independence Ave., S.E.). Tickets are $17.50 on Eventbrite.
Queer Asian / Pacific Islander ZooLights hosted by KhushDC is tonight from 7-10 p.m. at the Smithsonian National Zoo (3000 Connecticut Ave., N.W.). This free event includes live music, winter treats and a craft market. Visit nationalzoo.si.edu for more information on this free event.
The Spirit of Kwanzaa hosted by The Dance Institute of Washington at THEARC Theater (1901 Mississippi Ave., S.E.) is tonight at 7 p.m. This African-American celebration features music, dancing and storytelling. Tickets start at $20 on danceinstituteofwashington.org.
Rough House hosted by Lemz and Green Lantern (1335 Green Ct., N.W.) is tonight at 10 p.m. The cover charge is $5 and includes clothes check. For more information on this and other events, visit greenlanterndc.com.
Saturday, Dec. 21
Hostess Desiree Dik presents the Dik in a Box holiday drag show extravaganza tonight from 9-11 p.m. at Red Bear Brewing (209 M St., N.E.). Holiday cast includes Bombalicious Eklaver, Chastity Vain, Geneva Confectionn and more. Visit redbear.beer for more information.
The Bear Cave: #HoeHoeHoe holiday event is tonight at 9 p.m. at the Green Lantern (1335 Green Ct., N.W.). This event is hosted by Bears Can Party and features D.J. Popperz and go-go boys Pup Indigo and Badger. More information is available at greenlanterndc.com.
A Onesie Party is at Uproar Lounge (639 Florida Ave., N.W.) tonight at 9 p.m. This 21-and-up event is open to all to drink and be merry in a onesie. Visit Facebook events for more information.
The Annual Sugarplum Ball presented by Avalon Saturdays and Chorus D.C. is at Soundcheck (1420 K St., N.W.) tonight at 10 p.m. Tickets are $15 before midnight and $20 after. For more information, visit dougiemeyerpresents.com.
The Peach Pit ‘90s Dance Party is tonight at the DC9 (1940 9th St., N.W.) at 10:30 p.m. This holiday party features D.J. Matt Bailer of Mixtape fame. Tickets are $5 before midnight and $8 after. Visit dc9.club for more information.
Sunday, Dec. 22
The LGBTQ+ Charity Soccer Tournament hosted by the Latino GLBT History Project is today at Gallaudet University (800 Florida Ave., N.W.) from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. For more information on this event and the organizer, visit latinoglbthistory.org.
The Georgia O’Keeffe and Modern Art tour hosted by Washington D.C. History and Culture is today from 3-5 p.m. at the National Gallery of Art (4th St., N.W.). O’Keeffe’s abstract art is claimed to portray women’s sexuality and is fueled by sensuous photographs taken of her. More information is available on Eventbrite and Facebook events.
QT Fusion Dance: Blues Night is tonight from 6:30-9:30 p.m. at the Green Lantern (1335 Green Court, N.W.). Queer and trans blues dance lessons are taught by Elaine Patterson and Colin Hay. Registration is free on eventbrite.com.
The Washington Chorus presents “A Candlelight Christmas” tonight from 8-9:45 p.m. at the Kennedy Center (2700 F St., N.W.). The celebration features the National Capital Brass, over 130 signers, organ music, sing-alongs and a candlelight processional. Tickets start at $19 on kennedy-center.org.
Monday, Dec. 23
“A Christmas Carol” will be performed today at 2 p.m. at Ford’s Theatre (511 10th St., N.W.). Tickets start at $64 for this holiday classic on fords.org.
The Messiah Sing-Along free concert is tonight from 6-7 p.m. at the Kennedy Center (2700 F St., N.W.). This event concert features conductor Nancia D’Alimonte leading the Opera House Orchestra, guest soloists and a chorus. Visit kennedy-center.org for more information.
“Black Nativity” is an Afro-centric holiday performance featuring Gospel and modern dance tonight from 7:30-9 p.m. at the Anacostia Playhouse (2020 Shannon Pl., S.E.). Tickets are $50 on anacostiaplayhouse.com.
“Come From Away” performs tonight from 8-9 p.m. at the Kennedy Center’s Eisenhower Theater (2700 F St., N.W.). A small Newfoundland town welcomes thousands of stranded passengers. Visit kennedy-center.org for tickets and information.
Tuesday, Dec. 24
“It’s a Wonderful Life” screens at the National Museum of American History (14th St., and Constitution Ave., N.W.) today from 3:15-5 p.m. It’s almost George’s last Christmas then angel Clarence lifts his spirits. Tickets are $10 on si.edu.
Wednesday, Dec. 25
Dignity Washington celebrates Christmas Day Mass today at St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church (1830 Connecticut Ave., N.W.) from 6-9 p.m. Dignity, an inclusive LGBTQ Catholic community, welcomes everyone to this public event. For more information, visit dignitywashington.org.
A Holiday Book Drive by An Open Book Foundation is today at Kramerbooks and Afterwords Cafe (1517 Connecticut Ave., N.W.) at 7 a.m. The Foundation brings authors, illustrators and their books to low income D.C.-area students to spark a love of reading. More information is available at anopenbookfound.org.
Hanukkah Harry’s Reindeer Ride hosted by D.C. Jews on Bikes and Edlavitch DCJCC (1529 16th St., N.W.) is today from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. All are invited to help deliver holiday greetings to first responders on a day of service. Registration for this free event is on eventbrite.com.
The All-Star Christmas Day Jazz Jam is today from 6-7 p.m. at the Kennedy Center (2700 F St., N.W.). A free holiday concert on the Millennium Stage. Visit kennedy-center.org for more information.
Thursday, Dec. 26
Moonshot Studio is a free art making event today from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at Kennedy Center’s The Reach (2700 F St., N.W.). The studio offers activities from dance and beat making to poetry and animation for all ages. Visit kennedy-center.org for more information.
“Hear Me, Say My Name” hosted by the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian (4th St. and Independence Ave., S.W.) from 11:30 a.m.-12:15 p.m. This free performance challenges stereotypes of what it means to be a young American Indian. More information is available at americanindian.si.edu.
Out & About
Congressional Cemetery hosts Gays & Graves
Daylong Pride celebration blends history, remembrance, art and community
Historic Congressional Cemetery will host the second annual “Gays & Graves: A Big Gay Festival” on Sunday, June 14 at 11 a.m.
The event will feature pioneering activist Randy Wicker, the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington, and new public art installations and programs celebrating LGBTQ+ history. Gays & Graves is an official partner event of Capital Pride 2026.
This event is a daylong Pride celebration blending history, remembrance, art and community. Visitors can shop from LGBTQ+ and allied artists and makers, experience performances and interactive installations, and engage with programs exploring LGBTQ+ history and lived experience.
For more details, visit the cemetery’s website.
Baltimore Pride is underway, taking place from June 8-14.
The Pride Parade will be on Saturday, June 13 at 12 p.m. at Charles Street & North Avenue, followed by the Pride Block Party at 1 p.m. at Druid Hill Park. And then the Pride Festival will be held on Sunday, June 14 at 12 p.m. at Druid Hill Park.
There will be an array of additional events including: a fashion show, a “Suits and Sneakers” reception and a 5k race, among many other events.
For more details, visit Baltimore Pride’s website.
Friday, June 12
Bet Mishpachah will host “Pride Shabbat Happy Hour” at 6 p.m. at Edlavitch DC Jewish Community Center. This is an in-person happy hour with an open wine and beer bar, great company, and joyful conversation. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
Women in their Twenties and Thirties will meet at 8 p.m. on Zoom. This is a social discussion group for queer women in the Washington, D.C. area. For more details, visit Facebook.
Saturday, June 13
Out N Bad will host “SWEET WHINE: DC Pride Queer Caribbean Slow Whine Function” at 9 p.m. at Decades DC. This is a late-night escape into slow and steamy Dancehall & Kompa only. No splits. No headtops. No pressure. Tickets are $22.14 and are available on Eventbrite.
The DC LGBTQ+ Community Center will host a screening of “10s Across the Borders,” a bold pan-Asian queer film that confronts homophobia, transphobia, and racism while celebrating Southeast Asia’s underground ballroom scene. For more details, visit the DC Center’s website.
Sunday, June 14
Beth A Wolfe Yoga will host “Pride Baby Goat Yoga” at 1 p.m. at Faith Lutheran Church in Arlington, Va. The goats will be decked out in their finest Pride apparel, and human participants are welcome to do the same. Proceeds from this event will go to the Trevor Project. Tickets cost $44.52 and are available on Eventbrite.
Monday, June 15
“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]).
Tuesday, June 16
“Self-Defense Class with Avi Rome” will be at 12:30 p.m. Rome is a proud member of the LGBTQ+ community and a full-time Martial Arts instructor with 25 years of teaching experience. He holds a 5th Degree Black Belt in Jhoon Rhee Tae Kwon Do and is the director of the studio’s Adaptive Tae Kwon Do program for students with special needs. He has also run numerous self-defense workshops for various groups and situations. For more details, visit the center’s website.
Center Bi+ Roundtable will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is an opportunity for people to gather in order to discuss issues related to bisexuality or as Bi individuals in a private setting.Visit Facebook or Meetup for more information.
Wednesday, June 17
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, June 18
The DC Center’s Fresh Produce Program will be held all day at the DC LGBTQ+ Community Center. 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.
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