Photo by Pablo Raw
From NGA:
“The National Gallery of Art announces the return of a beloved winter tradition. The 2025–2026 Sculpture Garden Ice Rink season will open Monday, November 24, and run through Sunday, March 1, 2026 (weather permitting).
A perennial staple of the National Gallery’s wintertime programming, the ice rink invites visitors to skate alongside the National Mall’s iconic monuments and museums. (more…)
Thanks to Wayne for sending the “Wreath Lights Up at Union Station. Day and night.” (more…)
photo by Nicole Siegel
Thanks to Nicole for sending: “It’s Christmas at Target in Columbia Heights y’all.”
Hopefully somebody spots a Last Christmas Tree in Town for November…
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. (more…)
photo by Pablo Raw
From a press release:
“The beloved winter tradition returns to the National Gallery of Art! The 2024–2025 Sculpture Garden Ice Rink season will run from Saturday, November 23, through Sunday, March 2, 2025 (weather permitting).
Managed by Guest Services, Inc., the ice rink invites visitors to skate among the museums on the National Mall. Skaters will be surrounded by monumental sculptures from modern and contemporary artists including Louise Bourgeois, Alexander Calder, Tony Smith, Roy Lichtenstein, and Roxy Paine.
To celebrate the start of the skating season, the ice rink will host figure skaters from Team USA for pop-up performances at 11:00 a.m. on opening day, November 23.
Ice Rink Hours and Fees (more…)
F Street NW, from 7th to 9th Streets, NW courtesy DowntownDC BID
From a press release:
“This year’s Downtown Holiday Market, presented by DowntownDC Business Improvement District (BID and Diverse Markets Management, returns for its 19th year starting Friday, November 17th through Saturday, December 23rd. Once again, the market will be taking two entire blocks of F Street NW between 7th and 9th Streets NW. The entrance will be located on the sidewalk outside the National Portrait Gallery and the Smithsonian American Art Museum. This year, visitors can enjoy a new line up of entertainment, over 70 exhibitors, food vendors and festive decor and lights throughout the season.
Admission to the Downtown Holiday Market is free and open to the public with daily hours from 12:00PM to 8:00PM. (more…)
photo by Pablo Raw
From the National Gallery of Art:
“The beloved winter tradition returns! The 2023–2024 Sculpture Garden Ice Rink season will run from Monday, November 20, through March 3, 2024 (weather permitting).
Managed by Guest Services, Inc., the ice rink invites visitors to skate among the museums on the National Mall. Skaters will be surrounded by monumental sculptures from modern and contemporary artists including Louise Bourgeois, Alexander Calder, Tony Smith, Roy Lichtenstein, and Roxy Paine.
To celebrate the start of the skating season, the ice rink will host figure skaters from Team USA for pop-up performances at 6:00 and 7:00 p.m. on opening day, November 20.
Ice Rink Hours and Fees (more…)
“Dear PoP,
One good result of all this cold is ice skating on the C&O Canal. Has anybody been out there to check it out & report back yet? Maybe we should get together a PoP skating party on Saturday!
Here are a few tips & best places. The closest good, safe places to skate, with good parking are Fletcher’s Boathouse and Chain Bridge, both reached from MacArthur Blvd. driving north/west from Georgetown. Lock 8, which is about 1 mile past (north) of Glen Echo, is also good, but can only be reached from southbound Canal Road, so from DC you have to drive north to Seven Locks road, cross over and get on the southbound side. Of course, for hardy folks, you can bike along the towpath and just look for good spots.
Further north of Lock 8 is beautiful, but the canal is narrower, with lots of downed trees and debris. The canal near Georgetown is also nice and open, but so many people throw rocks on the ice while it is freezing that it often ruins the surface. Plus you’re close to the road and hear traffic.
Ice should be at least 4 inches thick. The canal is pretty shallow, but may be 6 foot deep in the center, which can make it tricky to escape with wet heavy clothes if you fall through. I know some people bring along a stubby screwdriver, the handle wrapped with rubber bands to loop around your wrist to use as an ice pick if needed, but be careful where you carry it, so you don’t fall on it and impale yourself. Best not to skate alone, though I do admit I’ve done it lots. The most likely danger aspect is hitting debris and crashing – knee pads are nice.
Most of all please remember that the Potomac river – every bit of it – even close to shore is ALWAYS dangerous. Currents are strong and all you need is one foot to break through to get in serious trouble (Despite the above photo of my sisters and me out in the middle in 1969!)”
Update: I agree with Nichole in the comments, please consider the sculpture garden which is a much safer option!