photo by mtrrtm
From the Mayor’s Office:
“Today, Mayor Muriel Bowser and the DowntownDC Business Improvement District (BID) showcased new and exciting activations for the 20th Annual 2024 Downtown Holiday Market. At the event, Mayor Bowser also announced that a new, indoor ice-skating rink will be installed at the National Building Museum in time for the holidays, running from December 16 through January 4.
“The Downtown DC Holiday Market is a staple of our holiday celebrations. It brings our community together, it’s an opportunity to support local businesses, and it gets people in the holiday spirit,” said Mayor Bowser. “This year will be even more exciting with the introduction of a new indoor ice-skating rink at the National Building Museum. Between the Holiday Market, the rink, and all the other activations, there are a lot of good reasons to be Downtown over the coming weeks and months.”
The DowntownDC Holiday Skate Spectacular, hosted at the National Building Museum, will be an indoor synthetic ice rink featuring themed skating days, including disco and glow nights, as well as specific times for young children. Skating is free to the public, with a $5 rental fee for those needing skates. Other activations coming to Downtown DC this winter include: Frosted at Franklin Park, a Winter Wonderland Extravaganza offering winter activities, live performances, and seasonal treats from November 22 – December 21, and the National Mistletoe Activation at 8th and K Streets NW across from Carnegie Library, launching in late November 2024.
The DowntownDC Holiday Market, which runs from November 22 through December 23, will transform F Street NW between the National Portrait Gallery and the Smithsonian American Art Museum into a bustling holiday wonderland. The market will feature an array of vendor tents offering handmade crafts, locally sourced holiday items, and unique gifts. Shoppers will enjoy seasonal treats, beverages, and live entertainment, making it a festive hub for all ages. The DowntownDC BID is partnering with The Makers Show, a women-owned retail platform known for its immersive marketplaces across the U.S., to enhance the vendor and visitor experience.
“The DowntownDC Holiday Market has been a cherished tradition for 20 years and we are proud to make it even bigger and better for this year,” said Gerren Price, President and CEO of the DowntownDC BID. “As part of the implementation of the Mayor’s Downtown Action Plan to reimagine and revitalize Downtown D.C., the DowntownDC Holiday Market aims to encourage residents and visitors alike to spend their holidays downtown and support our local businesses.”
Mayor Bowser also announced the second-round recipients of the District’s Family Fun Destinations Grant program, further enhancing family-friendly experiences in Downtown DC. The $6.5 million grant to the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development (DMPED) from the Economic Development Administration (EDA) provides support to arts, cultural, or placemaking nonprofit organizations to develop or enhance family-friendly attractions Downtown that will drive foot traffic, offer a new experience to the surrounding neighborhood, and create positive economic impact.
The following family-friendly organizations are receiving conditional awards to offer new and expanded family experiences Downtown:
Step Afrika!, the first professional company dedicated to the tradition of stepping, will transform a vacant storefront in Downtown and host activities, electrifying performances and interactive workshops. Step Afrika! will provide opportunities for children to unleash their creativity and explore themes inspired by African American culture.
The Washington Ballet, the District’s premier ballet company, will create a new family-focused family experience of their annual holiday performance of The Nutcracker at the Warner Theatre. The Ballet also plans to host pop-up activations in other spaces Downtown.
“We want Downtown DC to be a place that brings families from across our city and region together,” said Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development Nina Albert. “We are excited to partner with the DowntownDC BID and Step Afrika! and The Washington Ballet to offer free, fund, and engaging activities and programming, and the holidays is the perfect time to start.”
photo courtesy DowntownDC BID
From the DowntownDC BID:
“The DowntownDC Business Improvement District (BID) today revealed an expanded and elevated holiday experience for the DowntownDC Holiday Market.
The DowntownDC Holiday Market returns to its familiar location for its 20th year on F Street NW between 7th and 9th Streets NW, and will be free and open to the public daily from November 22 to December 23, 2024, from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.
During today’s press conference and VIP preview held at Riggs Washington DC, the DowntownDC BID, along with Mayor Muriel Bowser, announced updates to the event. This year, visitors can expect an expanded footprint, featuring a curated lineup of returning and new vendors, including more than 100 artisans, artists, and crafters showcasing a diverse selection of handcrafted goods, local products, and festive decorations. A complete list of this year’s vendors can be found on the website.
In addition to the wide variety of vendors, the DowntownDC Holiday Market will feature:
Dedicated food vendors with festive treats, including raclette (hot cheese over bread), colorful s’mores, empanadas, churros, waffles, and more;
The Winter Chalet, by Dirty Habit at Hotel Monaco, a central market bar offering holiday-inspired drinks and cocktails, with a comfortable and cozy seating area;
Rudolph’s Playbox, a children’s activity area;
Chilling with My Snowmies, a photo opportunity installation; and
Special events throughout the market’s run, including performers and holiday-themed events.
“The DowntownDC Holiday Market has been a cherished tradition for 20 years and we are proud to make it even bigger and better for this year,” says Gerren Price, President and CEO of the DowntownDC BID. “As part of the implementation of the Mayor’s Downtown Action Plan to reimagine and revitalize Downtown D.C., the DowntownDC Holiday Market aims to encourage residents and visitors alike to spend their holidays downtown and support our local businesses.”
This year, the DowntownDC BID is partnering with one of the nation’s leading market operators, The Makers Show, to expand and diversify this year’s event, and to bring an elevated and updated look and feel to the DowntownDC Holiday Market. The Makers Show is a mixed-use market platform founded by women committed to diversity and supporting the growth of small businesses. This year, as part of the DowntownDC BID’s commitment to providing opportunities for local vendors, The Makers Show offers reduced booth rental rates, staggered activations, and scholarship opportunities. Ninety percent of the vendors at this year’s Market are BIPOC, LGBTQIA+ or women owned. Seventeen vendors received scholarships through the incubator program.
Through the DowntownDC Holiday Market, the DowntownDC BID aims to make Downtown D.C. a holiday destination for everyone, along with several other festive activations in the area, including:
Frosted at Franklin Park: A Winter Wonderland Extravaganza – November 22 – December 21, 2024
National Mistletoe Activation at Anthem Row (formerly Tech World Plaza) across from Carnegie Library/Apple Store – Launching late November 2024
DowntownDC Holiday Skate Spectacular at the National Building Museum – December 15 – January 4
Winter Pop-Up Activations at Anthem Row – December 2024, Date TBD
Holiday Hype by the DC Department of Parks and Recreation – December 2024, Date TBD”