Arlington Agenda

(Updated 2:45 p.m.) With Thanksgiving over, Arlington is gearing up for Chanukah and Christmas.

This week, folks can enjoy cozy foods and drinks and festive lights while getting in a spot of holiday shopping. To see some Christmas magic, head to Alexandria for a performance of The Nutcracker.

Some of the local event highlights for Nov. 29 through Dec. 5 are below. Submit your event to our event calendar by filling out this event submission form at least two weeks in advance.

Tuesday, Nov. 30

Light Up Arlington — Clarendon Menorah Lighting*
Chabad Lubavitch of Alexandria-Arlington (1307 N. Highland Street)
Time: 6-7 p.m.

Enjoy latkes, hot cocoa and donuts while watching the lighting of a 9-foot Menorah at this community celebration of the festival of lights. Admission is free for this event, but registration is required as capacity is limited.

Thursday, Dec. 2

Chanukah on Ice 2021*
Pentagon Row Ice Rink (1201 S. Joyce Street)
Time: 6-8 p.m.

Can’t attend the Light Up Arlington celebration? Chabad Lubavitch has another event on the calendar this week. On Thursday, there will be skating at the Pentagon Row outdoor rink, with latkes, kosher hot dogs and donuts to eat and the lighting of a 6-foot Menorah. This event is $13, including skate rental, and food is sold separately.

Light up the Village at Shirlington
Village at Shirlington (4280 Campbell Ave)
Time: 6-8:30 p.m.

Sip, stroll and shop around The Village while enjoying performances from Signature Theatre and caroling from Obbligato Music and Bishop O’Connell High School, as well as horse and carriage rides and an appearance from Santa.

Friday, Dec. 3

19th Annual Artful Weekend at Fort C. F. Smith Park*
Fort C. F. Smith Park (2411 24th Street N.)
Time: 3-8 p.m.

Get your holiday shopping in at the historic Hendry House, where Gallery Underground will be featuring more than 30 Arlington-based artists. Their works — from paintings, ceramics and sculpture to jewelry, glasswork and artist’s cards — will be available for purchase. There will be an opening reception Friday night at 6 p.m., and the show will run 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday.

Saturday, Dec. 4

30 Minute Hit Arlington Open House*
30 Minute Hit Arlington (4001 9th Street N., #105)
Time: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

A new, women-only, high-intensity gym in Ballston is hosting an open house for the whole family. Moms can learn about the circuit workouts while kids can get their face painted and do crafts. There will also be food and music.

Washington-Liberty H.S. Annual Holiday Bazaar*
Washington-Liberty High School (1301 N. Stafford Street)
Time: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The covered parking decks next to Washington-Liberty High School will be transformed into a holiday market with many vendors selling jewelry, crafts, clothing and more, as well as the school’s student clubs and activities fundraising booths. Admission and parking are free, and there will be food and drink to purchase.

The Nutcracker — Metropolitan School of the Arts*
Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall & Arts Center (4915 E. Campus Drive, Alexandria)
Time: 12-1:30 p.m.

As the cold sets in, holiday season events are picking up in Arlington County.

Ahead of Thanksgiving, folks can learn about D.C.’s Indigenous past and present while kids can cook and bake goodies for their families. Those looking for Christmas gifts can make ornaments and, to help those in need this season, can support low-income and vulnerable mothers through a charitable 5K.

Some of the local event highlights for Nov. 15-21 are below. Submit your event to our event calendar by filling out this event submission form at least two weeks in advance.

Monday, November 15

Arlington Community Federal Credit Union’s Homebuying 101*
Online
Time: 5:30-6:30 p.m.

With mortgage rates at historic lows, ACFCU’s Mortgage Loan Officer Chantal George will be helping prospective buyers feel prepared to close on their first home.

Wednesday, November 17

Minimize Taxes on Your 401(k), 403(b), TSP in Retirement: What Everyone Ought to Know and How to Fix It*
Online
Time: 8-9 a.m.

Learn how to plan a retirement that benefits YOU — not the IRS. Eliminate the three biggest compromises you’ll make in retirement. Why taxes may be the biggest retirement risk you haven’t planned for.

Guide to Indigenous D.C. 
Online
Time: 6-7 p.m.

American University professor and Chickasaw Nation citizen Elizabeth Rule will virtually present on her “Guide to Indigenous D.C.,” a walking-tour smartphone map app featuring sites of importance to Native peoples across the nation’s capital. The guide emphasizes Indigenous peoples’ contributions to D.C., highlights the historical and contemporary federal tribal policy developed in the city and acknowledges the peoples whose homelands upon which the District was built.

Thursday, November 18

Return on Creativity: Lunch Hour*
Online
Time: 12-12:45 p.m.

Remote and hybrid work have created a new set of security challenges. Arlington Economic Development is hosting a panel with Reagan Roney, Chief Experience Officer and Principal at Solvere One IT, who will discuss how the current workforce environment has affected cybersecurity, and what non-IT professionals and leaders can do to help keep their company’s information secure.

This week, locals can dive into the era between the American Revolution and the Civil War through the life of a man with Arlington ties and unwind with drinks and comedy.

Some of the local event highlights for Nov. 8-14 are below. If you’d like your event considered, fill out the event submission form to submit it to our event calendar.

Wednesday, November 10

Arlington Community Federal Credit Union Retirement Roundtable*
Online
Time: 12-1 p.m.

Financial advisor Momodou Bojang will discuss critical areas of retirement planning, such as protecting loved ones, risk management, tax solutions and estate planning.

ACFCU’s Business Lending Webinar: SBA Loans & You*
Online
Time: 5:30-6:30 p.m.

ACFCU Director of Business Lending, Marty Weitzel will cover both the products and processes around securing financing from the Small Business Administration in a post-COVID world. One lucky business owner will get a $50 gift card to New District Brewery.

Thursday, November 11

George Washington Parke Custis: A Rarefied Life in America’s First Family
Marymount University, Reinsch Library Auditorium (2807 N. Glebe Road)
Time: 7-8:30 p.m.  

Columnist, author and local historian Charlie Clark will discuss his recently released biography of George Washington Parke Custis, whose life bridged the American Revolution and the Civil War. Raised at Mount Vernon by George and Martha Washington, he inherited much of the vast Custis fortune and enslaved more than 200 people. Their emancipation became a central struggle of his life, particularly after his daughter married Robert E. Lee.

Friday, November 12

Ryan Sickler
Arlington Cinema and Drafthouse (2903 Columbia Pike)
Time: 7 p.m.

Standup comedian and podcaster Ryan Sickler, host of The HoneyDew Podcast, will be cracking jokes at the Arlington Cinema and Drafthouse Friday and Saturday nights at 7 and 9:30 p.m. Guests must be 21 or older to enter the venue, unless they arrive before 9 p.m. and are accompanied by a parent or guardian.

* Denotes sponsored listing

Arlingtonians can get their arts and culture fix all week long. Kick the week off today (Monday) with mariachi and Mexican folklórico dance and end it with live theater and chamber music.

Some of the local event highlights for Nov. 1-7 are below. If you’d like your event considered, fill out the event submission form to submit it to our event calendar.

Monday, November 1

Arlington Community Federal Credit Union’s “Buying a Home in a Tight Market”*
Time: 5:30-6:30 p.m.
Virtual

Buying a home in this region has always been competitive, and is becoming even more so. ACFCU’s Mortgage Loan Officer, Sandra Ortecho, will teach attendees how to get started buying a home and how to make their offers attractive to sellers.

Día de los Muertos at Arlington Arts Center*
Time: 6-8 p.m.
Arlington Arts Center (3350 Wilson Blvd)

Bring a blanket, grab dinner from local food trucks La Tingeria and 7Moltin and enjoy mariachi by Grupo Fénix and dancing by the Ballet Folklorico Mi Herencia Mexicana at this evening picnic supported by Arlington Arts, AVLD Events and the Ballston Business Improvement District.

Wednesday, November 3

ACFCU’s “Maximizing Your Social Security Benefits”*
Time: 5:30-6:30 p.m.
Virtual

In this installment of ACFCU’s webinar series, “Maximizing Your Social Security Benefits,” attendees can learn what they need to know to get the most from their benefits.

Thursday, November 4

EcoAction Arlington’s “Reimagining Our Homes”
Time: 7-8:30 p.m.
Virtual

Join EcoAction Arlington for the second webinar in our Getting to Carbon Neutrality series. You’ll learn the how-to’s from industry experts on transforming our homes to meet the goal of carbon neutrality. Visit the EcoAction website to learn more and register.

Brian Posehn LIVE From Netflix, HBO And Comedy Central
Time: 7 p.m.
Arlington Cinema And Drafthouse (2903 Columbia Pike)

Get ready to laugh at standup delivered by comedian, actor, musician, and writer Brian Posehn at Arlington Cinema and Drafthouse. He will perform shows on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights, with showings on Friday and Saturday at 7 and 9:30 p.m. Admission before 9 p.m. is 21+ unless a parent or guardian is present. After 9 p.m., it’s 21+.

Friday, November 5

Yorktown High School Fall Theatre Arts Showcase
Time: 7:30-9 p.m.
Yorktown HS Auditorium (5200 Yorktown Blvd) 

All of Yorktown’s performance classes will be performing live theater for free on Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m., with lighting, sound, costumes and props done by students. The nights will feature improv, original folk tale adaptations and a sneak peek of a one-act play students will be taking to a state competition about women ordinance workers during the second World War.

Saturday, November 6

National Chamber Ensemble’s “Enchanting Elgar, The English Romantic”*
Time: 7:30-9:30 p.m.
Gunston Arts Center, Theater One (2700 S. Lang Street) 

This will be the National Chamber Ensemble’s first live performance since the start of the pandemic and the opening performance of the season. Listeners will hear music from Sir Edward William Elgar as well as Gilbert and Sullivan’s Overture to “The Mikado.” People can attend in-person or watch an exclusive concert video one week later from home. Tickets are $36 for adults and $18 for students, with season subscriptions priced at $129 for all five performances.

* Denotes a sponsored listing

This week is chock full of interesting events in and around Arlington County.

Some of the local event highlights for Oct. 18-24 are below. Submit your event to our event calendar by filling out this event submission form at least two weeks in advance.

Tuesday, Oct. 19

Story Time Club
Animal Welfare League of Arlington (2650 S. Arlington Mill Drive)
Time: 5-6 p.m.

This event for kids will feature story time from a special guest and a visit from a shelter pet. Kids can bring books from home to read to shelter cats and small animals. Tickets are $8 per child and are non-refundable.

Wednesday, Oct. 20

ACFCU’s Business Lending Series: SBA Loans & You*
Virtual
Time: 5:30-6:30 p.m. 

Arlington Community Federal Credit Union Director of Business Lending Marty Weitzel will give business owners tips for getting financing from the Small Business Administration. One business owner will get a $50 gift card to New District Brewery.

ACFCU’s Retirement Planning Series: Minimizing Taxes in Retirement*
Virtual 
Time: 5:30-6:30 p.m. 

Attendees will learn three compromises not to make in retirement so they can plan a retirement that benefits them, and not the Internal Revenue Service.

EcoAction County Board candidate forum
Virtual
Time: 7-8:30 p.m. 

EcoAction Arlington will host a forum with Arlington County Board candidates Mike Cantwell, Audrey Clement, Takis Karantonis and Adam Theo to discuss how they will approach the various environmental issues the county faces. Attendees must register by 9 a.m. the day of the event (Wednesday).

Thursday, Oct. 21

Arlington Reads: Bina Venkataraman in Conversation with Diane Kresh
Virtual
Time: 7-8 p.m.

All Hallows Group Art at WHINO
4238 Wilson Blvd, Second Floor
Time: 7-11 p.m. 

WHINO’s All Hallows art show will track how the ancient Celtic harvest-time festival of Samhain has evolved over the millennia to be a way of remembering the dead.

Friday, Oct. 22

Kids Cooking Class: Steamed Thai Chicken Dumplings and Mini Hand Pies
Virtual
Time: 6-8 p.m. 

Personal caterer Chiqui Chef will be teaching kids how to make steamed Thai chicken dumplings and mini fruit hand pies.

Saturday, Oct. 23

Lady Liberty’s Birthday Party Fundraiser*
Virtual
Time: 6-8:30 p.m.

Live-In Arlington Info-Fair
Lubber Run Community Center (300 N. Park Drive)
Time: 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

This free event will provide useful information about housing opportunities in Arlington. It will feature meet-and-greets with a myriad housing professionals, from mortgage lenders to health and housing service providers, as well as seminars.

Fall Family Celebration
Columbia Gardens Cemetery grounds (3411 Arlington Blvd)
Time: 12-3 p.m. 

This free, family-friendly fall event has events for all ages. Kids can visit beehives and paint pumpkins while adults can meet a rose expert, attend a tree planting demonstration and learn about bluebird boxes.

Tarot Teachings
Ms. Peacock’s Champagne Lounge (929 N. Garfield Street) 
Time: 1-5 p.m.

The tarot-curious can get in touch with the mystic side of life with a four-hour tarot card reading workshop that supports animals in need. Students should bring materials for taking notes, and if they have them, their own tarot deck.

Sunday, Oct. 24

Democrats AAPI Caucus Diwali Festival*
Bluemont Park (329 N. Manchester Street)
Time: 3-6 p.m.

Arlington Democrats Asian-American and Pacific Islander Caucus will host a Diwali festival at Bluemont Park. Attendees can expect to see local and state leaders, hear live music and eat Indian food.

*Denotes featured (sponsored) event.

Arlington Agenda is a listing of interesting events for the week ahead in Arlington County.

If you’d like your event considered, fill out the event submission form to submit it to our event calendar.

Monday, Oct. 4

Into the Night with Owls and Bats
Virtual 
Time: 5-6 p.m.

This Halloween-inspired event will feature lessons about owls and bats for kids.

Empty The Shelters
Animal Welfare League of Arlington (2650 S. Arlington Mill Drive)
Time: 12 p.m. to Oct. 10 at 4 p.m.

Animal Welfare League of Arlington is offering a limited-time adoption discount in an effort to help find more of their animals good homes. Adoptions will only cost $25 Oct. 4 through Oct. 10.

Wednesday, Oct. 6

ACFCU’s Maximizing Your Social Security Benefits*
Virtual
Time: 12-1 p.m.

Axiom Value financial advisor Momodou Bojang will host a free webinar teaching locals how best to manage their social security benefits.

ACFCU’s Buying a Home in a Tight Market*
Virtual
Time: 5:30-6:30 p.m.

Arlington Community Federal Credit Union’s VP of Lending Katherine Magruder shares tips and tricks to buying a home in a competitive market like Northern Virginia.

Thursday, Oct. 7

League of Women Voters of Arlington Candidate Forum
Virtual
Time: 7-8:30 p.m.

The League of Women Voters of Arlington County and their partner organizations will host a Candidate Forum for the candidates running for local office in the Nov. 2 election.

Friday, Oct. 8

The Young, Black and Funny Comedy Jam
Arlington Cinema And Drafthouse (2903 Columbia Pike)
Time: 7 p.m., 9:30 p.m.

Leonard Ouzts and other comedians will stop in Arlington on their 10-city, 33-date tour.

Saturday, Oct. 9

E-CARE Recycling Drop-Off
1425 N. Quincy Street
Time: 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Arlington residents can bring hazardous materials, bikes and bulky items to this event to be safely disposed of.

2021 Home Run for the Homeless
Bluemont Park (329 N. Manchester Street)
Time: 9-11 a.m.

The Fourth Annual 5K Home Run for the Homeless will raise support for Northern Virginia homeless families. Registration includes a t-shirt, light snacks, beverages and giveaways. Because the course is tight, please leave your dog at home. Strollers are okay.

Spooky Songs & Scary Stories
Ball-Sellers House (5620 3rd Street S.)
Time: 6-8 p.m.

Actors and singers from Guillotine Theatre will tell colonial folktales and sing songs featuring ghostly encounters and mysteries.

Sunday, Oct. 10

Rose Auction & Rooting Workshop, Sponsor: Arlington Rose Foundation
Columbia Gardens Cemetery — Rose Garden (3411 Arlington Blvd)
Time: 2-4:30 p.m.

This rose auction will feature Shrubs, Hybrid Teas, Floribundas and Climbers for sale.

Arlington Agenda is a listing of interesting events for the week ahead in Arlington County.

If you’d like your event considered, fill out the event submission form to submit it to our event calendar.

Monday, Sept. 27

Encore Learning Presents: Global Warming — How We Need to Prepare for the New Normal
Virtual
Time: 3-4:30 p.m.

Dr. Jim Kinterm, Director of the George Mason University Center for Ocean-Land-Atmosphere Studies (COLA), will lecture on the effects of climate change in Virginia.

Tuesday, Sept. 28

Me, My Body & Alcohol — A Group for Women*
Zoom
Time: 2:30-3:45 p.m.

A support group for women who struggle with drinking moderated by two psychotherapists, Jyotika Vazirani, MSN and Sarah Moore, LPC, who see clients individually and in groups.

Wednesday, Sept. 29

Arlington County National Recovery Month Event
Virtual
Time: 7-8 p.m.

Celebrate National Recovery Month at this special virtual event where people who live with mental health and substance use challenges will share their experiences about recovery.

Salsa, Sip and Mingle 
Ballston Quarter Main Outdoor Plaza (4238 Wilson Blvd)
Time: 5-7 p.m.

This celebration of National Hispanic Heritage Month features a DJ, free salsa lessons, sangria, food tastings in Quarter Market and more.

Thursday, Sept. 30

District Fray Presents Cannabis City Pt. 2
Assembly at Rosslyn City Center (1700 N. Moore Street)
Time: 6:30-8:30 p.m.

A panel led by podcast host Scott Cecil of The Outlaw Report will discuss topics including equity and inclusion in cannabis, policy and the law, building a cannabis business, what consumers need to know and more.

Arlington Reads: Catherine Coleman Flowers in Conversation with Diane Kresh
Virtual
Time: 7-8 p.m.

Arlington Public Library hosts this online conversation between environmental activist and author Catherine Coleman Flowers and Library Director Diane Kresh about Flowers’ book “Waste: One Woman’s Fight Against America’s Dirty Secret.”

Saturday, Oct. 2

Native Plant Sale*
The Church at St. Clement (1701 N. Quaker Lane, Alexandria)
Time: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

This native plant sale includes native perennials, shrubs and trees.

National Landing Oktoberfest
Lidl Lot (3400 S. Clark Street)
Time: 12-4 p.m.

This celebration features a selection of local beers and ciders from New District Brewing Co., games, a Barktoberfest dog-run for pups and a variety of food trucks and vendors serving traditional German fare. Live performances include the band Practically Einstein and local polka group the Alte Kumpel Band.

Domestic Violence Rally Purple, Pearls and Diamonds Masquerade Gala*
Holiday Inn Crystal City (2650 Richmond Highway)
Time: 7-9 p.m.

This event features survivors who are philanthropists, authors, Representatives, Leaders, Senators and business owners. Speakers will share their experiences with domestic violence and other physical and mental violence. The night will conclude with a masquerade ball where attendees can show off their masks and get prizes.

Sunday, Oct. 3

Helping Hearts through the Arts Autumn Remembrance Day Festival*
National Mall Reflecting Pool at Lincoln Memorial (2 Lincoln Memorial Circle, D.C.)
Time: 12:30-2 p.m.

A local group of professionally-trained dancers ranging in age from 59 to 75 years old will perform at Annual Autumn Remembrance Day Arts Festival on the steps to the reflecting pool.

* Denotes sponsored listing