December 15, 2023
Dear Washingtonians,
With winter break starting next week for students across DC, the Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) is offering programming for young people to stay safe, engaged, and entertained.
Whether your teen wants to play eSports or take advantage of open gym time, or your younger kids want to decorate cookies or play in a bounce house, DPR has programming for youth of all ages this winter break. Some programming is designed specifically to give teens safe places to gather, socialize, and play. You can find a full list of Teen Break Time events HERE.
We are grateful to our team at DPR for providing programming not only during winter break but all year long. In 2023 alone, more than 34,000 Washingtonians attended one of DPR’s 200 public events, attendance at our pools was up, and our DPR teams distributed more than 220,000 meals. In fact, right now, there are lots of opportunities to register for DPR programs that serve kids, adults, and seniors at dprprograms.com.
Finally, to kick off 2024, DPR will be supporting the 10th Annual Fresh Start 5K on New Year’s Day at Freedom Plaza. You can learn more about the 5K and register at fitdcfreshstart5k.com. Whether you’ll be walking, running, or cheering on a loved one, I hope to see you there on January 1st!
Sincerely,
 View photos from this week on Facebook.
 Join Mayor Bowser at the 10th annual FITDC Fresh Start 5K on New Year's Day!
- Where: Freedom Plaza (1455 Pennsylvania Ave NW)
- When: Monday, January 1, 2024, registration begins at 10:00 a.m. and 5K begins 11:00 a.m.
- Register HERE
Those who register in advance will receive a commemorative t-shirt, runner’s bib, and medal. And to save time on New Year's Day, you can pick up your items on Thursday, December 28 and Friday, December 29 from 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. at one of the following four locations:
- Columbia Heights Community Center (1480 Girard Street NW)
- Edgewood Recreation Center (300 Evarts Street NE)
- Deanwood Community Center (1350 49th Street NE)
- Takoma Aquatic Center (300 Van Buren Street NW)
Also, check out Mayor Bowser’s Fresh Start 5K playlist to help get you moving, grooving, and training for January 1.
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 The My School DC common application and lottery is now open. My School DC is a random lottery and there is no advantage to applying first; however, applicants must apply by the application deadlines:
- February 1, 2024 for grades 9-12
- March 1, 2024 for grades PK3-grade 8
To learn more and apply, visit myschooldc.org
For any questions regarding the My School DC process, families can contact the My School DC hotline at (202) 888-6336 or email info.myschooldc@dc.gov.
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There are plenty of reasons to #BeDowntown this holiday season, including the following upcoming events:
Through December 17: Frosted at Franklin Park
From Saturday, December 2 – Sunday, December 17, families can head to Franklin Park for winter activities, live performances, entertainment, and delectable treats. The Frosted activation features ice sculpting, a frozen candy island, a farmers market that includes gingerbread house crafting, wreath-making, and screen printing, and a holiday lane that weaves together traditions of Kwanzaa, Hanukkah, and Christmas.
There will be a special appearance by Santa Claus this Saturday, December 9 and Santa will return again on Saturday, December 16.
View the full list of Frosted events HERE.
Through December 23: Holiday Pop-up Shops at MLK Library
Head to the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library for holiday pop-up shops by the Heurich House Museum and Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority. The shops offer residents and visitors the chance to buy locally made and designed products and transit-themed items, including:
- Products from over 30 makers in the Heurich House Museum network including greeting cards, candles, and clothes.
- Items that are typically on sale at Metro’s online store, such as limited-edited and holiday-themed metro items like wrapping paper, ornaments, socks, sweaters, and more.
- Items promoting the DC Public Library's Go-Go and Punk Archives will also be available for sale.
Learn more about hours and availability HERE.
Through December 23: Downtown Holiday Market
The annual Downtown Holiday Market is now open! The Holiday Market offers unique items from over 70 vendors, including 15 local businesses that are Made In DC-certified, a Department of Small and Local Business Development designation that promotes businesses that are headquartered and produce goods in DC.
The Holiday Market is on F Street NW between 7th and 9th Streets NW. It is open daily from 12:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Learn more at downtownholidaymarket.com.
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