Wednesday, November 19, 2025
With Thanksgiving just one week away, holiday events are revving up. There are lots of options for things to do this weekend, including taking the family to see a new play at Imagination Stage, taking a day trip to see Alicia Keys’ art at the VMFA, the opening of the DowntownDC Holiday market and more. Enjoy!
‘The Snowman and the Snowdog’ Arrive at Imagination Stage
Courtesy Imagination Stage.
This holiday show is based on the sequel to Raymond Briggs’ picture book “The Snowman.” Best for children ages 5 and up, the production includes puppetry, stunning projections and more, all set to the story of a boy who has moved into a new home and subsequently lost his dog. He builds a snowman in a garden and a snow dog to keep it company. Both come to life in the middle of the night, embarking on an adventure with the boy. More information on tickets can be found here.
‘Hadestown’ is at the National Theatre Through Sunday Only
Courtesy National Theatre.
Winner of eight Tony Awards in 2019, Hadestown is at the National Theatre for a limited run. The show mixes two famous tales in mythology—Orpheus and Eurydice and Hades and Persephone—for a journey to the underworld and back again. More information on the show can be found here.
Opening This Weekend: Montgomery County Artists’ Association Member Exhibition & Annual Fine Art in Miniature Exhibition
Courtesy Strathmore.
Opening Saturday is the 92nd anniversary of an exhibit of fine art in miniature with the Miniature Painters, Sculptors & Gravers Society of Washington, DC. The society was founded in 1931 by British painter Alyn Williams (1865-1941). The pieces range from postcard to postage stamp size and include portraits, sculptures, collages and more. Guests are encouraged to bring a magnifying glass! More information can be found here.
Washington Concert Opera’s Season Begins
Kate Lindsey, Iphigénie*. Courtesy Washington Concert Opera.
The group’s 39th season begins with Iphigénie en Tauride, which originally premiered at the Paris Opera in 1779. Based on the ancient Greek Euripides play, the opera tells stories of the family of Agamemnon post-Trojan War. The show is Christoph Willibald Gluck’s last significant opera. More information can be found here.
See Alicia Keys’ and Swizz Beatz’ Art at The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts
Deliverance, 2022, Amy Sherald (American, born 1973), oil on linen. The Dean Collection, courtesy of Swizz Beatz and Alicia Keys. ©? Amy Sherald, Courtesy the artist and Hauser & Wirth
Opening Saturday is “Giants: Art from the Dean Collection of Swizz Beatz and Alicia Keys.” The exhibit from the couple includes pieces from their large collection, including over 130 works by Black artists from Africa, the Caribbean, Europe and U.S. Featured artists include Jean-Michel Basquiat, Esther Mahlangu, Derrick Adams, Deborah Roberts and more. More information can be found here.
Contemporary Art at the Folger Continues with Artist Missy Dunaway
Courtesy birdsofshakespeare.com.
Now through January 4, 2026, artist Missy Dunaway’s works will be display as part of “Contemporary Art at the Folger.” The small solo exhibits feature recent artist fellows at the Folger Institute. The artists will also give talks at the Folger during the run of their exhibit. Dunaway looks at the connections between art, literature, history and the natural world. Her latest work called “The Birds of Shakespeare” visually catalogs every bird species mentioned in Shakepeare’s plays and poems (at least 65 different kinds!). More information on Dunaway’s exhibit, including her November 21 artist talk, can be found here.
Tea Anyone? The Waldorf Astoria’s Holiday Tea Starts Friday
Courtesy Waldorf Astoria.
The Waldorf Astoria’s Holiday Afternoon Tea begins Friday and runs Thursdays through Sundays throughout the holiday season. There are seatings at noon and 3:30 p.m., with a luxurious menu includes pomegranate fig tarts, cranberry brie thyme scones and teas with festive names and flavors like sugar plum fairy and chocolate peppermint truffle. More information can be found here.
The DowntownDC Holiday Market Opens Its Doors Friday
Courtesy DowntownDC BID.
The DowntownDC Holiday Market is now in its 21st year. Set to open Saturday, expect to see dozens of vendors, plenty of food and drink, and lots of festive, twinkly lights. The market is from The Makers Show, a company that creates holiday markets from New York City to Boston. It’s sponsored by EventsDC and Amazon. More information on the market, including a vendor list, can be found here.
ZooLights is Back in All Its Festive Glory
Beginning Saturday is the Smithsonian National Zoo’s ZooLights, which features displays of glowing animal lanterns, live music, festive treats and hot chocolate and zoo animals. The zoo is lit up with one million environmentally friendly LED lights for this annual, family-friendly event. More information can be found here.