by Mallory Carlson ‘19

Washington D.C. is about an hour away from Sherwood. It’s a big city, the capital of the country, but still it seems that many students rarely visit except for school projects or special occasions. Washington D.C. has so much to offer in terms of activities, and this is especially true during winter.

The Downtown D.C. Holiday Market is open every day from noon to 8 p.m. through Friday, December 23. This market is an excellent place to get gifts for friends and family, or to just look around and enjoy a winter day. More than 150 artisans are participating in the market, offering a wide variety of products, from soaps and candles to clothes and accessories. There will also be live music in a host of different genres like classic rock, acoustic blues, and many more, in addition to food vendors that will sell many different types of food, varying from German to Peruvian. The market is located near the Verizon Center and admission is free.

Also in central D.C. is the National Hanukkah Menorah Lighting Ceremony. This event will take place on Sunday, December 25 at 4 p.m. This is the largest menorah lighting ceremony in the country. It is located on the Ellipse, just across from the White House. In addition to the lighting of the menorah, there will be food, activities, and performances. Tickets are free but they must be acquired first; they are available online at nationalmenorah.org.

For those who miss heading into the city for Nationals games, the Washington Nationals Winterfest is the perfect way to spend a weekend. Taking place at the Washington Convention Center, this is a great event for people of all ages and levels of baseball interest. There will be different activities taking place, as well as appearances from Nationals players, coaches, and mascots. The Nationals Winterfest will take place on Saturday and Sunday, December 10 and 11. Tickets are available on the Nationals website; they are $33 each.

If a chilly event sounds good, then look into the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center for the icy event. The ICE! Featuring Christmas Around the World is a unique event including more than two million pounds of ice sculpted into various structures, such as a two-story slide. In addition to being distinctly creative, this event is also a celebration of holiday cultures from around the world. Tickets for those 12 and older are $29 December 8, 9, 12-16, and 19-21, and $36 on December 10, 11, 17, 18, 22-31, and January 1; more information is available online.