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Calendar

Things to do in Downtown & Penn Quarter

Discover walks, culture, food stops and local plans in Downtown & Penn Quarter, with clear prices and official links.

16 local plans

DowntownDC Holiday Market — organizer or venue photographOn the calendar

Organizer archive · event not pictured

Downtown & Penn Quarter · FoodFree entry · purchases extra

DowntownDC Holiday Market

Browse local makers, pick up a small gift and make a downtown afternoon of seasonal food and market stalls.

Nov 13 – Dec 23 · Mon–Thu noon–8pm · Fri–Sat 11am–9pm · Sun 11am–8pm
Planet Word Museum, located in the Franklin School at the intersection of 13th and K Streets, NW in downtown Washington, D.C. The building is a National Historic Landmark.A local discovery

Archival location photograph

Downtown & Penn Quarter · FamilyFree admission · suggested donation $15

Planet Word

Play with language in a museum made for curious minds.

Mon/Wed–Fri 10am–5pm · weekends 10am–6pm
Sculpture of Peter Paul Rubens on the exterior of the Renwick Gallery in Washington, D.C.A local discovery

Archival location photograph

Downtown & Penn Quarter · ArtsFree admission

Renwick Gallery

Give contemporary craft a place in your downtown wander.

Check current gallery hours
National Building Museum — organizer or venue photographA local discovery

Venue photograph

Downtown & Penn Quarter · FamilyExhibitions $10 adults / $7 youth and seniors · Great Hall free

National Building Museum

See the city differently through architecture, design and a spectacular Great Hall.

Thu–Mon 10am–5pm
United States Navy Memorial Plaza — organizer or venue photographA local discovery

Venue photograph

Downtown & Penn Quarter · ArtsFree outdoor plaza access

United States Navy Memorial Plaza

Pause at the Lone Sailor and read the stories told around the outdoor plaza.

Outdoor plaza · check visitor center hours separately
Lion sculpture at the National Law Enforcement Officers MemorialA local discovery

Organizer or venue publicity image; original credit at linked source.

Downtown & Penn Quarter · ArtsFree outdoor memorial access

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial

Make a quiet stop among sculpted lions and names remembered in stone.

Open 24 hours, 365 days a year
Frosted at Franklin Park — organizer or venue photographOn the calendar

Organizer archive · event not pictured

Downtown & Penn Quarter · OutdoorsFree admission

Frosted at Franklin Park

Take an easy evening detour through a downtown park dressed in winter lights.

Nov 13 – Jan 9 · Check session times
A Christmas Carol at Ford’s Theatre — official venue or organizer photographOn the calendar

Organizer archive · event not pictured

Downtown & Penn Quarter · ArtsPaid tickets · prices vary by seat

A Christmas Carol at Ford’s Theatre

Spend an evening with Scrooge and the ghosts of Christmas in one of DC’s most historic theatres.

Nov 19 – Dec 31 · Check session times
The Washington Ballet: The Nutcracker — organizer or venue photographOn the calendar

Organizer archive · event not pictured

Downtown & Penn Quarter · ArtsPaid tickets · prices vary by seat

The Washington Ballet: The Nutcracker

See a distinctly Washington take on the holiday ballet, with local history woven into Clara’s dream.

Nov 28 – Dec 27 · Check session times
NMWA Free Community Days — organizer or venue photographOn the calendar

Organizer archive · event not pictured

Downtown & Penn Quarter · ArtsFree admission · reserve online

NMWA Free Community Days

Explore art by women on the museum’s monthly free-admission days.

Nov 1 – Jan 13 · 10am–5pm · last entry 4:30pm

Keep your day local

Choose nearby stops and check Metro connections, opening hours and timed-entry rules. Free admission can exclude special exhibitions, food and parking.

Before you go

Find your next kind of day