Annual Downtown Holiday Market Announces Reimagined Layout, Festive Virtual Activations, Seasonal Food & Drink Lineup & More
Safely Savor the Holiday Season in Washington, D.C.’s Outdoor Winter Village
WASHINGTON, DC – The nationally acclaimed Downtown Holiday Market, presented by DowntownDC Business Improvement District (BID), Diverse Markets Management and Washington D.C.'s official convention and sports authority, Events DC, returns to the nation’s capital for a 16th year bigger than ever and complete with new health and safety protocols. DowntownDC’s spacious, open-air village opens ahead of Thanksgiving week, on Friday, November 20, and will remain open through Wednesday, December 23, filling two entire blocks of F Street NW, from 7th to 9th Streets NW.
Admission to the Downtown Holiday Market is free and open to the public with hours from 12:00PM to 8:00PM. Downtown Holiday Market is closed on Thanksgiving Day, and Mondays on November 30, December 7 and December 14. As always, visitors can expect a range of family-friendly offerings including emerging artisan makers, returning favorite vendors, festive decor and lights, authentic German treats and local bites, and virtual programming over five weeks. Visitors can purchase gift certificates online in advance, redeemable at the market.
“Despite this year’s challenges, we are determined to continue our holiday tradition, introducing shoppers to many impressive local, small businesses that need support. Our area artists and artisans add such vibrancy to the downtown community, and this year especially, I am thrilled to welcome visitors back to the market,” said Neil Albert, president and CEO of DowntownDC BID. “Visitors can expect a safe and socially distanced market this year. We cultivate a strong community of entrepreneurs and small-business owners that play an important role in helping our city recover and we are very grateful to close the year with this positive event.”
This year, additions to the market include an exciting mixture of interactive digital experiences, which include an awe-inspiring lumina projection show by artist Zak Forrest titled “Chroma” blanketed on the National Portrait Gallery. ARTECHOUSE presents a first-of-its-kind mixed reality (XR) adventure throughout the market, utilizing smartphone technology and the museum’s XR app to unveil Instagrammable surprises at various checkpoints hidden among vendors. Shoppers will encounter an 8’x16’ jumbotron screen illuminating the heart of the village, replacing live center stage performances with curated, streaming entertainment including holiday-fun films, Saturday Morning Theater Shorts from The National Theatre and musical acts. Already scheduled to perform are Howard University’s famed jazz singers Afro Blue, King Street Bluegrass, Jazz Trotters, the Washington Youth Choir and others. For a full lineup of featured artists, visit Downtown Holiday Market’s performance list.
“We’re so excited to be able to bring Downtown Holiday Market back this year. As we approach the holidays, visitors can journey their way through our reimagined market space, filled with holiday-spirits and a variety of virtual experiences making it exciting for all ages,” says Michael Berman, president of Diverse Markets Management. “Thanks to our partners and the help of the city, we're still able to spread joy, all while practicing safe distancing and safety measures for our shoppers.”
While the market has expanded its footprint to allow for more walkways, visitors can still enjoy diverse local gifts from over 70 vendors, show their support and shop small. Raved about cinnamon-dusted churros and hot donuts return, alongside new food and drink vendors include the Taste of Germany, Alexa’s Empanadas, Old Blue BBQ, The Capital Candy Jar, Bindaas, and Migue’s Magnificent Mini Donuts.
Left to Right: Visitors can enjoy shopping a variety of original, handcrafted holiday ornaments at Washington, D.C.’s Downtown Holiday Market. The spirit of “JOY” lives on among many other seasonal decor and activities available for Washingtonians from November 20-December 23.
Additional highlights of this year’s Downtown Holiday Market include:
A Safe Shopping Experience - In accordance with current health and safety guidance, the Downtown Holiday Market will feature:
Increased Footprint - to allow spacious aisles around the market's back-to-back retail vendor tents on the street.
Traffic Management & Capacity - to offer separate entrance and exit points, streamlining a one-way distanced foot traffic flow and limited capacity in the market area.
Required Face Masks & Enhanced Cleaning - to ensure proper use of face masks or other personal protective equipment (PPE) be required while shopping on the market grounds and high contact surfaces to be sanitized throughout the day.
“Made in D.C.” Pop-Up - Curated by the DC Department of Small and Local Business Development’s (DSLBD) and The Pop-Up Collective owner Rahama Wright, visitors can explore a range of collectibles from the city’s finest artisans and crafters. From produced goods to environmentally sustainable trinkets, customers can shop items certified “Made in D.C.” including whimsical illustrations from 12Past7, one-of-a kind Little Likes Kids’ toys for ages 6 and under and BicycleTrash, gifts for bicycle lovers and beer enthusiasts.
Shop Black and POC-Owned - The market proudly represents a diverse community of makers and celebrates Black culture and minority-owned businesses and their work. This year’s features Black-owned and POC-owned vendors include STEAM-based artwork from P.A.I.N.T.S. Institute, eco-friendly soy candles from a brother-trio at Freres Branchiaux Candle Company and a selection of handcrafted wooden watches and accessories from Mistura Woodcoholics. To view the full directory of Black and POC-owned businesses, visit Downtown Holiday Market’s exhibitor list.
District of Fashion’s Holiday Booth - The premier fashion program of the Downtown DC BID is launching an open-air boutique for the first-time this month. Visitors can find the award-winning fashion collective debuting fashion lines including female designers Shari Henri, Abram’s Wearable, luxury menswear from Andrew Nowell, contemporary fashion designer Shafei Han and eclectic selections from Ida’s Idea. From December 15-19, shoppers and beauty enthusiasts alike can meet District of Fashion’s hair and makeup director and celebrity stylist, Eva Styles.
#SoMuchMore & Social Media Giveaways - This Giving Tuesday, December 1, Downtown Holiday Market is giving away opportunities to shop small. Exciting prizes will be awarded to lucky individuals along with a family package giveaway to visit ARTECHOUSE’s new exhibit. Stay tuned for more details on how to enter the giveaways on Downtown Holiday Market’s Instagram, and follow @DowntownHolidayMarket for updates.
For more information about the Downtown Holiday Market including the most up-to-date exhibitors and virtual performers, visit www.downtownholidaymarket.com and follow the market online via Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Spread the holiday cheer with us using the hashtags at #DowntownHolidayMarket & #SoMuchMore, and check out our photos online or at our live jumbotron ticker at the market!
About DowntownDC Business Improvement District (BID)
The DowntownDC BID was founded in 1997 and is a private non-profit organization that provides capital improvements, resources and research that keep the BID area clean, safe, economically and environmentally strong and accessible. The BID is a catalyst, facilitator and thought leader in diversifying the economy, promoting public/private partnerships and enhancing the DowntownDC experience for all. This special district, where property owners have agreed to tax themselves to fund services, encompasses a 138-block area of approximately 520 properties from Massachusetts Avenue on the north to Constitution Avenue on the south, and from Louisiana Avenue on the east to 16th Street on the west. For more information, visit www.downtowndc.org or follow us on Twitter @downtowndcbid.
About Diverse Markets Managements (DMM)
Diverse Markets Managements is a DC-based firm specializing in the development and management of outdoor public exhibitor markets. Formed by market management professionals with expertise in the fields of arts, crafts, collectibles and antiques, DMM possesses a diverse range of skills including: special event planning and programming, public space management, vendor recruitment and management, security services and arts facility development and programming. For more information, please visit www.diversemarkets.net.
About Events DC
Events DC, the official convention and sports authority for the District of Columbia, delivers premier event services and flexible venues across the nation's capital. Leveraging the power of a world-class destination and creating amazing attendee experiences, Events DC generates economic and community benefits through the attraction and promotion of business, athletic, entertainment and cultural activities. Events DC oversees the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, an anchor of the District's hospitality and tourism economy that hosts more than 1.7 million visitors and generates more than $400 million annually in total economic impact, and the historic Carnegie Library at Mt. Vernon Square. Events DC manages the RFK Stadium-Armory Campus (RFK Campus), including Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium, Festival Grounds at RFK Campus, The Fields at RFK Campus, the non-military functions of the DC Armory and the Skate Park at RFK Stadium. Stay current on the 190-acre RFK Campus Redevelopment Project at www.RFKFields.com. Events DC also built and serves as landlord for Nationals Park, the first LEED-certified major professional sports stadium in the United States. Events DC manages Gateway DC, R.I.S.E. Demonstration Center and the Entertainment and Sports Arena (www.ESAontheRise.com), all conveniently located in the Congress Heights neighborhood of Washington, DC.