HEALTH & WELLNESS
50+ Health & Wellness Open House
Roger Carter Community Center, Elliott City, MD
Jan. 14, 2026
At the Roger Carter Community Center in Ellicott City, older adults can explore interactive demos in the pool, gym and dance studio, meet trainers and staff, and enter raffles for prizes, including a Go50+ fitness membership. It’s an easy, low-pressure way to recommit to movement, strength, and community.
https://www.howardcountymd.gov/50-health
Design + Wellness: You & Your Space
1322 Half St. SW Washington, DC
Jan. 17, 2026 | 10am
The Design + Wellness Workshop: You & Your Space: A Vaastu Perspective invites you to consider how your surroundings support (or sabotage) your well-being. Learn how ancient design principles can create a calming, health-boosting home for the year ahead.
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/design-wellness-workshop-you-your-space-a-vaastu-perspective-tickets-1230692346939
Recharge & Reset
Berkeley Springs, WV
Jan. 24, 2026
Start the year by pouring into your health. At the Berkeley Springs Winter Wellness Festival, you can sample services from more than 20 healers, sit in on wellness talks, and discover new ways to unwind and restore just in time for the year ahead.
https://berkeleysprings.com/spas/wellness-festival/
Soak, Sip, Stargaze
Montgomery College Observatory
All year
Winter is arguably the best season for stargazing. Bundle up and head to Burke Lake Park or Buddy Attick Lake Park for crystal-clear night skies, or opt for a free indoor experience at the Montgomery College Observatory. Download Stellarium or Heavens-Above to turn your evening into a guided celestial tour.
https://www.mc3.edu/for-our-community/facilities-and-services/observatory
RACES & FRESH AIR
New Year, New Miles
3530 Water St. NW
Jan. 1, 2026 | 7:45am - 10:30am
Ring in the year with the DC New Year’s Day 5K/10K along the Georgetown waterfront, where every step supports City Dogs & City Kitties Rescue. In Baltimore, the Resolution Run 5K & 1-Mile Walk at Patterson Park benefits Earl’s Place, blending community, purpose, and crisp winter air.
https://bishopsevents.com/event/2026-dc-new-years-5k-10k/
Chasing Chill (and PRs!)
If you’re not done pinning on a bib, the calendar stays full:
Chill Chase 5K/10K
4601 Annapolis Rd, Bladensburg, MD
Jan.10, 2026 | 7:45am-11:00am
https://bishopsevents.com/event/2026-chill-chase-5k-10k/
Winter Carderock 5K/10K/Half
C&O Canal Carderock, Potomac, MD
Jan. 10, 2026 | 8:00am - 12:00pm
https://bishopsevents.com/event/2026-winter-carderock-5k-10k-half/
Winter Georgetown 5K/Half by the river
3530 Water St., NW, Washington
Jan 11, 2026 | 7:30am - 11:00am
https://bishopsevents.com/event/2026-winter-georgetown-5k-half/
Winter Island 5K/10K at scenic Matapeake
1112 Romancoke Rd. Stevensville, MD
Jan. 18, 2026 | 8:45am - 12:00pm
https://bishopsevents.com/event/2026-winter-city-views-5k-10k/
Patriotic Pursuit 5K/10K/Half in Williamsport
Williamsport Park, Williamsport, MD
Jan. 31, 2026 | 8:30am
https://bishopsevents.com/event/2025-patriotic-pursuit-5k-10k-half/
Prefer hiking boots over race bibs? Join First Day Hikes in Maryland and Virginia for ranger-led or self-guided treks through state parks. Jan. 1, 2026.
https://www.floridastateparks.org/learn/first-day-hikes-2026
INVITING SEASONAL INDULGENCES
Wine Tents with a View
Potomac Point Winery, Stafford, VA
At Potomac Point Winery, heated Winter Wine Tents turn cold days into intimate gatherings. Settle into a private, glassy oasis overlooking the vines with award-winning wines and seasonal dishes—a perfect winter double date or girls’ day out.
https://www.potomacpointwinery.com/winetents/
DC by Hot Tub
650 Wharf St., SW
Swap your wool coat for a swimsuit on Sea the City’s Winter Hot Tub Boat Cruise. Soak in a steamy tub as DC’s skyline glows around you, or book the New Year’s Eve version for twinkling lights, bubbly, and unforgettable photos.
https://dchottubboat.com/
Enchanting Winter Chalets
555 8th St. NW, Washington, DC
Through Jan. 31, 2026
In Penn Quarter, Dirty Habit’s winter chalets are your downtown hideaway. These climate-controlled pods cocoon you in plush seating, holiday delights, and playful cocktails like the “Naughty and Nice,” topped with a toasted marshmallow. Save room for the S’mores Parfait.
https://dirtyhabitdc.com/winter-chalet
CULTURE, PERFORMING ARTS & BIG EVENTS
Kennedy Center
Jan. 1 – Feb. 12, 2026
Wicked at the Kennedy Center brings the untold story of Oz to life.
https://www.kennedy-center.org/whats-on/explore-by-genre/theater/2022-2023/wicked/
Warner Theater
Jan. 30 - Feb. 8
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater at Warner Theater celebrates 60 years of dance. This tour celebrates the legacy of Artistic Director Emerita Judith Jamison.
https://www.washington-theater.com/shows/warner-theater/alvin-ailey-american-dance-theater
Mead Center for American Theater
Jan. 10, 2026
IN THE ROUND | Fichandler Stage at Arena Stage
Immerse yourself in the thrill of live performance with Chamber Dance Project, where the boundaries between stage and audience dissolve.
https://chamberdance.org/in-the-round-2026/
Signature Theatre
Fiddler on the Roof
Through Jan. 25, 2026.
Playing at Signature Theatre in DC. The iconic musical gorgeously staged in-the-round in Signature’s intimate setting and directed by Joe Calarco (Jesus Christ Superstar, Gypsy).
https://www.sigtheatre.org/
FESTIVALS & SPECTACLES
Super MAGFest
National Harbor, MD
January 8-11, 2026
Gamers flock to Super MAGFest for video game music and culture.
https://super.magfest.org/
Jurassic Quest
Cow Palace @ Maryland State Fairgrounds
Timonium, MD
Jan. 16 - 19, 2026
Families can make memories at this colossal experiences with life-sized animatronic dinosaurs at Jurassic Quest.
https://www.jurassicquest.com/upcoming-events
The Washington, DC Auto Show 2026
Walter E Washington Convention Center
January 23 - February 1, 2026
Auto enthusiasts, or anyone curious about what’s next on four wheels, can wander the Washington Auto Show, complete with an EV Pavilion and art cars. A world of fun for the whole family!
https://www.washingtonautoshow.com/
Monster Jam
Capital One Arena
Jan. 24 & 25, 2026
Monster Jam at Capital One Arena lets fans get up close to 1,500-horsepower trucks and chat with drivers at the Pit Party before the main event.
https://www.capitalonearena.com/events/detail/monster-jam-0125#:~:text=Monster Jam | Capital One Arena
HONORING HISTORY & LEGACY
Celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day at Rockville’s annual event or reflect at the MLK Memorial and the National Museum of African American History and Culture.
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Peace Walk and Parade
Martin Luther King, Jr. Ave., SE
Jan. 19, 2026 | 11:00am
Celebrate the legacy of Dr. King at the 2026 MLK Holiday DC Peace Walk, Parade, Wellness Fair and Prayer Breakfast.
mlkholidaydc.org/
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
F. Scott Fitzgerald Theater, Rockville, MD
Jan. 19, 2026 | 8:30am - 12:00pm
Join us at this free event, themed “Reclaiming the Dream: Justice, Equity, and Action,” as we explore what it means to advance equity and justice in our communities today.
https://www.rockvillemd.gov/services/martin-luther-king-jr-celebration/
Potomac Clean Up for MLK, Jr. Day
Aspen Hill Local Park, Rockville, MD
Jan. 17, 2026 | 9am - 11am
Make a huge difference, with Potomac Conservancy, for the Potomac River as we turn to the water for a safe, healthy place to recreate outdoors.
https://potomac.org/pc-events/2026/1/17/potomac-river-cleanup-for-mlk-jr-day-of-service-at-aspen-hill-park-md
Washington Winter Show
The Katzen Arts Center American University
Jan. 9 - 11, 2026
This experience combines antiques, talks, jazz, and philanthropy in support of at-risk children and families.
https://www.washingtonwintershow.org/2026-show
ART, MUSEUMS & EXHIBITIONS
From blockbuster shows to quiet galleries, January’s lighter crowds make it the ideal art month. Venture out to exhibitions and performances at the Freer Gallery of Art and nearby museums for a full cultural immersion.
Must-See Highlights:
Photography and the Black Arts Movement – National Gallery of Art
Season’s Greenings & Fierce Flora – U.S. Botanic Garden
Unbound: Narrative Art of the Plains – National Museum of the American Indian
Women Artists from Antwerp to Amsterdam (1600–1750) & Tawny Chatmon: Sanctuaries of Truth – National Museum of Women in the Arts
Grandma Moses: A Good Day’s Work – Smithsonian American Art Museum
Imagining Shakespeare & Folger Frost Fair – Folger Shakespeare Library
The Two Georges – Library of Congress
Adam Pendleton: Love, Queen – Hirshhorn
Rik Freeman: Wade in the Waters – The Phillips Collection at THEARC
Bonus: Free Community Days at the National Museum of Women in the Arts make world-class art even more accessible.
TOURS, NEIGHBORHOODS & NIGHT VIBES
Scandalous DC
The Scandalous History Tour with USA Guided Tours spills the city’s juiciest political controversies, true crimes, media blowups, and urban legends all from the comfort of a warm bus. It runs Wednesdays and Saturdays in the evening for extra atmosphere.
https://usaguidedtours.com/dc/tour/scandalous-history-tour/
Black Broadway, Elevated:
U Streets Jazzed Up Cocktail Tour marries Michelin-star bites, jazz history, and standout cocktails with a portion of each ticket feeding a local resident in need.
https://blueferntravel.com/u-streets-jazzed-up-cocktail-tour/
Black Broadway: U Street Fork Tour layers stories of resilience and Go-Go beats with a progressive tasting menu from local, often minority- and women-owned restaurants.
https://blueferntravel.com/u-street-tour/
Architectural Deep Dives
Monumental Intent: Architecture of Capitol Hill traces DC’s center of power from Union Station to the Supreme Court, Library of Congress and Capitol.
https://dcdesigntours.com/walking-tours/iconic-capitol-hill-tour/
U Street Corridor: Building Black Broadway Architecture Tour explores the neighborhood’s evolution from Civil War-era community to present-day cultural hub.
https://dcdesigntours.com/walking-tours/u-street-corridor-tour/
DAY TRIPS IN MARYLAND
Baltimore: Crabs & Culture
Spend the day between the National Aquarium, Fells Point’s cobblestone charm, and a trio of art museums: the Walters, the American Visionary Art Museum, and the Baltimore Museum of Art. Stop by the Babe Ruth Birthplace & Museum.
Annapolis: Sail & Stroll
Tour the Maryland State House, wander the City Dock’s lively bars and crab houses, and step inside the U.S. Naval Academy for a guided walk through history and maritime tradition.
Frederick: Spires & Stories
Frederick’s 33-block historic district mixes antiques, indie shops, and dining with proximity to Antietam and Monocacy (“the battle that saved Washington”) battlefields. Don’t miss the National Museum of Civil War Medicine or a reflective walk along Carroll Creek Park.