The holiday season in downtown D.C. is gearing up to be more festive than ever with Mayor Muriel Bowser and the DowntownDC Business Improvement District's latest announcements. Among the revelry, an indoor ice-skating rink is set to take up residence at the National Building Museum, starting from December 16 through to January 4, as part of the 20th Annual 2024 Downtown Holiday Market. "It brings our community together, it’s an opportunity to support local businesses, and it gets people in the holiday spirit," Mayor Bowser told Washington DC about the holiday celebrations.
In addition to the skating rink, known as the DowntownDC Holiday Skate Spectacular, visitors can look forward to themed skating days and time blocks designated for young children. Although admission to the rink will be free, a nominal $5 rental fee will be required for those needing skates. The DowntownDC Holiday Market, scheduled for November 22 through December 23, promises to transform F Street NW into a winter wonderland with vendor tents, handmade crafts, and live entertainment.
The festive activities don't stop there. From November 22 until December 21, Frosted at Franklin Park will provide a Winter Wonderland Extravaganza, replete with winter activities and live performances. Late November will also see the launch of the National Mistletoe Activation at 8th and K Streets NW, offering further holiday flair. To improve the vendor experience, the DowntownDC BID has partnered with The Makers Show, elevating the market to new levels of community engagement and holiday cheer.
This infusion of holiday spirit is part of a broader effort, triggered by the Mayor's Downtown Action Plan, to revitalize the heart of D.C. "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," President and CEO of the DowntownDC BID Gerren Price explained to Washington DC. Additionally, family-friendly attractions have gained further support through a $6.5 million grant from the EDA, and organizations like Step Afrika! and The Washington Ballet are poised to offer new downtown experiences that are both festive and fun.
Complete details about this holiday season's offerings can be found on the DowntownDC Holiday Market's website, which has a full list of vendors and a live entertainment schedule. Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development Nina Albert highlighted the objective through Washington DC, "We want Downtown DC to be a place that brings families from across our city and region together." With artistic performances from Step Afrika! and family-focused programming with The Washington Ballet using the grant to bring joy and togetherness to the area, the city's downtown area seems set to become a hub of holiday magic and memory-making.
