This weekend’s lineup includes magical Tree Lightings along Route One, St. Jerome Academy’s Carpe Noctem, Mt. Rainier’s Craft Fair, Seussical the Musical, live music & record winning beer at PG’s own Calvert Brewing Company, a Sunday bike ride and a Santa Fly-in! Check it out here! For even more holiday ideas, check out Route One Fun!’s 2016 Holiday Fun Guide!
FRIDAY
Storytime PopUp! @ The Waterhole
Join us for stories, songs, fingerplays and more at this innovation collaboration between PGCMLS & Mt. Rainier’s fabulous organic juice & smoothie joint, The Waterhole. Best for 0-5 years old. Curious? Click here for fun video of a past collabo!
When: 10 am
Where: The Waterhole, 4004 34th St., Mt. Rainier
Cost: Free (Heads-up: Waterhole’s menu is delish, highly recommend indulging!)
** Want to know what we think The Waterhole in Mt. Rainier? Read our review!
Magic: The Gathering Club
Come cast spells and battle wizards in our favorite fantasy card game. Bring your own cards or use the ones we have here. All experience levels welcome, from never-played to expert.
When: 4:30-5:30pm
Where: Hyattsville Public Library, Adelphi Road, Hyattsville
Cost: Free!
Holiday Tree Lighting – Hyattsville
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| Credit: City of Hyattsville |
Please join us for the lighting of the City’s Holiday Tree! The program will include holiday music and a visit from Santa. Refreshments will be served. Free and open to everyone! This is an outdoor event, so please dress for the weather!
When: 7pm
Where: Magruder Park, 40th Ave & Hamilton St
Cost: Free!
Holiday Tree Lighting – Greenbelt
Holiday lights will adorn the tree in the traditional spirit of the Festival of Lights season. A musical performance by the Greenbelt Concert Band Brass Choir will herald Santa’s grand entrance to help light the tree. Complimentary cookies and hot chocolate will be provided by the Recreation Department. Immediately following the tree lighting, please come inside the Old Greenbelt Theatre and enjoy “How the Grinch Stole Christmas (1966).
When: December 2nd, 7 pm
Where: Roosevelt Center, Greenbelt
Cost: Free!
Forklift First Friday – Holiday Edition!
The first Friday of every month, we throw a party! Bring your friends, family, kids, neighbors, co-workers, and (friendly, leashed) pet. Featuring local art for sale, appraisal advice, music by Indie Rock/Jazz Fusion The Firnats, yummy food for purchase by Crepe Love and Pink Confetti AND Town Center Market’s Signature Pop-Up Bar! Friday Night = AWESOME!
When: 6-8 pm
Where: Community Forklift, 4671 Tanglewood Dr, Hyattsville
Cost: Free (but you can support local artists & businesses by grabbing dinner and drinks, purchasing art, and tipping the band)
** Check our Forklift First Friday review
SATURDAY
Gingerbread Man Candy Dish
Join our hands-on workshop and you and your child can create a beautiful Gingerbread Candy Dish. Once the candy holder is built, your child can decorate it with stickers to give their gingerbread man cheery holiday smile. All kids get to keep their craft, receive a FREE certificate of achievement, a Workshop Apron, and a commemorative pin while supplies last.
When: 9am-12pm
Where: Local Home Depot, including Hyattsville & College Park
Admission: Free!
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| Credit: Field of Firsts |
Admission: $5 (includes museum admission)
Breakfast & Lunch with Santa – Hyattsville
You are cordially invited to have breakfast or lunch with Santa! Santa photos available for $3.00. Reservations are required. To do so, click here.
When: 9 am for breakfast / noon for lunch
Where: City Municipal Bldg, 4310 Gallatin Street, Hyattsville
Cost: $5 p/p for lunch or dinner; children 2 & under are free!
Early Keepers with Culture Queen – Kwanzaa Edition
Join ‘Early Keepers’ for this FREE, bilingual program for children 3-7 years old (parent/guardian supervision required) where young learners will explore the meaning and significance of Kwanzaa through story-telling, music, movement/dance, and arts & crafts.
When: 12 – 1:30pm
Where: Prince George’s African American Museum & Cultural Center, 4519 Rhode Island Ave, North Brentwood
Cost: Free!
Holiday Ornament Decorating
Bring the kids to decorate ornaments for the tree!
When: 12-2pm
Where: PG Mall, JCP Court, Hyattsville
Cost: Free!
Opening Reception: Get to Know Your Wild Neighbor
During this program children have the opportunity to engage with nature in a way that may not be built into their daily lives. “Get to Know” encourages an active lifestyle while interacting with nature. The connections and discoveries made outdoors will be explored through artistic projects and exhibited in our gallery.
When: 1 – 4 pm
Where: Brentwood Arts Exchange, 3901 Rhode Island Ave, Brentwood
Cost: Free!
Berwyn Heights Tree Lighting & Santa!
Join us for the annual tree lighting at the Town Center. Please consider bringing an unwrapped new toy to support the Marine Corps’ Toys for Tots. Children’s crafts, Phil Ventura’s musical entertainment, and a visit from Santa are on the program.
When: 6 pm
Where: Town Center, Berwyn Heights
Cost: Free!
SUNDAY
Model Rocket Launches
Like to build model rockets, but don’t have a launch pad? Now you do! Anyone can bring a model to fly at the Goddard Visitor Center rocket launches; there are no costs or fees to participate. Rockets, motors and supplies are available for purchase at the nearby Goddard Gift Shop (and many hobby shops or toy stores) and you can even get rocket construction and launch tips from our on-site experts on launch day!
When: 1 pm
Where: NASA Goddard Visitor Center, 8800 Greenbelt Road, Greenbelt
Admission: Free!
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| Credit: M-NCPPC |
This spectacular holiday drive-through event features over one million twinkling lights, wonderful themed displays, & one of the tallest tree displays in the state! Don’t forget to bring canned goods/non-perishable items for donation to local food banks.
**Pssst! Route One Fun! will soon be giving away free tickets to this awesome Festival of Lights! Be sure to visit and “like” Route One Fun’s Facebook page to stay in the loop on this upcoming chance to win free tickets soon!
FRIDAY
36th Annual Holiday Hop
Enjoy toe-tapping music, phenomenal energy, and social engagement at this annual holiday dance event. This program is for individuals with disabilities who reside in Prince George’s County. Registration is required in advance; no tickets will be sold at the door. Ages 13+.
When: December 2nd, 7:30 – 10 pm
Where: Prince George’s Ballroom, 2411 Pinebrook Avenue, Landover
Cost: $25 p/p
Humble Fire at Brentwood Arts Exchange
D.C. rock outfit Humble Fire delivers irresistible jangly, dreamy rock songwriting. Humble Fire just released their debut album, The Great Resolve, in 2014 and have become one of the most sought after bands the D.C.-area.
When: 8 pm
Where: Brentwood Arts Exchange,
Cost: $15, available here.
UMD Symphony Orchestra Migration Series
In collaboration with The Phillips Collection, this performance is inspired by paintings by Jacob Lawrence, depicting the mass movement of African Americans from the rural South to the urban North between the World Wars. **Insider Bonus: We’re told that artwork by children from our own Mt. Rainier Elementary School will be displayed during the performance that tells the stories of these childrens’ own migration from another country. How cool?!
When: 8 pm
Where: UMD’s The Clarice, Dekelboum Concert Hall
Cost: $25 adults, $10 students
Seussical the Musical
All your favorite Dr. Seuss characters come to life and transport you from the jungle of Nool to the invisible world of the Whos, whiel the Circus McGurkus fills the stage with unicycles, juggling, acrobatics and more!
When: December 2 – 18th (check site for details)
Where: Greenbelt Arts Center
Cost: $25 adults, $14 youth
SATURDAY
University Park Church of the Brethren Sharing Fair
Shop nearby for gifts that make the world a better place! You’ll find global handcrafts, local art, fresh Georgia pecans,fair trade coffee and chocolate, baked goods, and more. All sales benefit nonprofit peace and justice groups working in local and international settings.
When: 9:30 am – 3 pm
Where: 4413 Tuckerman St, University Park
Cost: No entry fee
Greenbelt Festival of Lights
Juried Art and Craft Fair! Over 70 artists and authors selling their own original wares, plus live music, hands-on crafts, cafe and more.
When: Saturday 12/3, 10am – 5pm. Sunday 12/4, 10am – 4pm. Details at
Where: Greenbelt Community Center, 15 Crescent Rd, Greenbelt
Calvert Brewing Company – Local Craft Beer & Live Music!
Check out and support Prince George’s own, Calvert Brewing Company, this weekend for some delicious beer and taste for yourself why they won 5 gold medal at the Maryland Craft Beer Competition!
When: 12-9 pm, live music from 4-8 pm
Where: Craft Brewery & Tap Room, 15850 Commerce Ct, Upper Marlboro
Cost: No entry fee
** Read our Calvert Brewing Company review
Wreath Decorating Workshop
You bring the wreath, they provide the decorations and atmosphere!
When: 1:30 – 5:30pm
Where: St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, 4512 College Avenue, College Park
Cost: $20 to cover decorative materials.
22nd Annual Mount Rainier Craft Fair
Shop local! Our 22nd annual craft fair will once again bring together dozens of local artists and artisans offering hand-crafted gifts and decor, baked goods, and home-cooked lunch!
When: 10 am – 5 pm
Where: Joe’s Movement Emporium, 3309 Bunker Hill Rd, Mt. Rainier
Greenbelt Festival of Lights
Juried Art and Craft Fair! Over 70 artists and authors selling their own original wares, plus live music, hands-on crafts, cafe and more.
When: 10am – 5pm. Sunday 12/4, 10am – 4pm
Where: Greenbelt Community Center, 15 Crescent Rd, Greenbelt
Carpe Noctem at St. Jerome Academy
Bring your family and friends to the Saint Jerome Academy Carpe Noctem “Seize the Night” Christmas Fair and Boutique! Lots of shopping and food and gift baskets and raffles! Over 2 floors of shopping fun, live music, dinner/drink options. Children can enjoy face painting, a photo op with St. Nicholas and coloring activities.
When: 5-9 pm
Where: St. Jerome Academy, 5207 42nd Place, Hyattsville
Admission: $5 Adults (includes drink ticket); children under 12 are free!
Sounds of the Season with Rockville Brass Band
Seasonal concert from the area’s best loved band. The concert will be followed by a reception.
When: December 3rd, 7 pm
Where: St. Andrews Episcopal Church, 4512 College Ave, College Park
Cost: Free! (Donations graciously accepted.)
Cheverly Holiday Home Tour
Come see Cheverly up close by attending the self- guided Cheverly Holiday Home Tour. Grab a cocktail or hot spiced red wine with some finger foods as you graze through the beauty of 6 amazing and unique Cheverly residences as fast or as slow as you’d like. *Children years 11-18 are free. Children 10 and under are not allowed on the tour.
When: 4 -8 pm
Where: Cheverly
Admission: $25 p/p, includes food & drink at each home
SUNDAY
Arrow Bicycle Sunday Ride
The Sunday ride is a 32-mile, moderately paced ride that emphasizes group riding techniques. Those new to group riding are welcome as we regroup throughout the ride so that nobody is left behind. Ride starts at Arrow Bicycle. Many rides are held subject to weather so it’s a good idea to confirm dates, time and any specific requirements, too.
When: 9-11:30 am
Where: Arrow Bicycle, 5108 Baltimore Ave, Hyattsville
Cost: Free!
Laurel Historical Society Holiday Open House
From a new Laurel Theater ornament to Lost Laurel books, throws, special gifts, refreshments and more the Laurel Museum’s Holiday Open House will have something for everyone.
When: December 2nd-4th, times vary – check site
Where: Laurel Historical Society, 817 Main St, Laurel
Always call or check the event website before heading out;
Event information is subject to change or weather cancellation.
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