Each November, as more than 16,000 Canadian Geese—and over 150,000 across the Chesapeake Bay—descend upon Easton, Maryland, the town transforms into an international destination for the Waterfowl Festival (November 14–16, 2025). This annual celebration unites wildlife, art, and cuisine, with Bluepoint Hospitality at its heart. Led by James Beard Award winner Harley Peet, the team debuts a signature duck confit croissant honoring the migration season—melding French technique with Chesapeake tradition. Bluepoint President Paul Prager further reinforces the town’s conservation spirit with a $1.25 million donation to help establish the Chesapeake National Recreation Area. Festival highlights include the Spencer Reinhard: Audubon and Beyond exhibition at the Prager Family Center for the Arts, the World Championship Duck and Goose Calling Contest with prizes up to $12,000, and Featured Artist Al Barker—who has exhibited every year since the festival’s founding. Easton continues to shine as a haven of heritage, artistry, and natural beauty on Maryland’s Eastern Shore.

As food insecurity continues to affect families across the country following SNAP cutbacks, Medium Rare—the beloved neighborhood restaurant known for its prix fixe steak frites and commitment to community—continues to give back. On Monday, November 10th, the Cleveland Park location (3500 Connecticut Ave NW) will host a complimentary lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., offering steak frites and a soft drink to anyone presenting a SNAP or EBT card. The initiative reflects Medium Rare’s mission to fight hunger through compassion and action, the same philosophy behind its acclaimed Feed the Fridge program, which has provided over one million free meals nationwide. Donations can be made HERE to Feed the Fridge directly support meal funding for individuals in need throughout the state.

The Lodge at National Landing returns for its third year, transforming Arlington’s Metropolitan Park into a ski-inspired winter wonderland. Presented by the National Landing Business Improvement District (BID) in partnership with Amazon, this free, family-friendly festival invites guests—and their four-legged friends—to enjoy cozy winter charm, live entertainment, and festive activities. Attendees can browse the covered holiday vendor market, savor French comfort food from Bar Colline, sip seasonal drinks from the Summit Bar, snap photos with Santa, and join the new “Lodge After Dark Holiday Karaoke Showdown.” Kids can craft gingerbread chalets and ornaments with the Museum of Contemporary Art Arlington, while pets can compete in the Dog Sweater Contest and visit the dog treat bar by District Dogs. The Peppermint Mocha Latte Competition also returns, featuring tastings from nine local coffee shops and bakeries. With two performance tents, local vendors, and festive bites, The Lodge captures the spirit of the season as a cherished community tradition. The event takes place Saturday, December 6, from 1 to 7 p.m. at Metropolitan Park (1330 S Fair St, Arlington, VA). Admission is free, with Eventbrite reservations recommended. Click HERE to make your reservations.

The Old Town Alexandria Christmas Market & Holiday Craft Show returns on Saturday, December 13, 2025, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at John Carlyle Square in Old Town Alexandria, VA. This highly anticipated holiday event transforms the square into a festive wonderland, featuring the largest Christmas market in the area. Shoppers can browse an array of handmade gifts, ornaments, and seasonal décor from local artisans while enjoying live carolers and a DJ spinning classic holiday tunes. Families can savor warm treats and festive drinks, stop by the kids’ ornament creation station, and capture a keepsake photo with Santa. Admission is free, and the event will take place rain or shine—making it the perfect way to celebrate the spirit of the season with the whole family. Click HERE for more information.

Del Ray Artisans presents the 30th Annual Fine Art & Fine Craft Holiday Market, open for the first three weekends in December (Dec 5–7, Dec 12–14, and Dec 19–21). Visitors can explore a curated selection of handmade fine arts and crafts by local artists, featuring diverse media such as fiber, glass, jewelry, pottery, painting, photography, sculpture, and more—with different artists showcased each weekend. Shoppers can also purchase the 2026 Del Ray Artisans wall calendar, with proceeds benefiting the nonprofit’s mission. The market runs Fridays from 6–9pm, Saturdays from 9am–5pm, and Sundays from 11am–5pm at the Del Ray Artisans gallery inside the Nicholas A. Colasanto Center (2704 Mount Vernon Avenue, Alexandria, VA). Admission is free, open to the public, and accessible. Click HERE for more information.

On November 16, Chef Peter Chang will host James Beard-nominated Chef Amy Brandwein at Chang Chang for a one-night-only culinary collaboration blending Chinese and Italian influences. Part of Chang’s new monthly “Sunday Banquet with Peter & Friends” series, the dinner follows previous events featuring his mother, “Grandma Chang,” and author Nevin Martell. The evening’s family-style feast showcases an inventive menu co-created by the two chefs, featuring dishes such as Duck San Choy Bao, Hot and Sour Stracciatella Soup, Szechuan-Style Porchetta with Yacai Bao, Dan Dan Noodles alla Bolognese, and Coconut Panna Cotta for dessert. Guests will gather around communal banquet tables for this $120 per person dining experience. Click HERE to grab our tickets.

D.C.-based favorites Ice Cream Jubilee and Sunday Morning Bakehouse are joining forces once again for a delicious pop-up series at Jubilee’s College Park location (4430 Calvert Rd.). On the weekends of November 8–9 and 15–16, from 8:30 a.m. to noon, the scoop shop will become a pastry lover’s paradise featuring Sunday Morning Bakehouse pastry chef-owner Caroline Yi’s handmade croissants, brioche donuts, and cookies, paired with drip coffee from Lost Sock Roasters. The pop-up menu includes assorted croissants (traditional, chocolate, almond, matcha), brioche donuts (strawberry jelly, cinnamon sugar, Boston cream), and cookies (chocolate chunk with sea salt, double chocolate), plus a decadent Croissant Ice Cream Sandwich—two scoops of any ice cream flavor tucked inside a toasted croissant. Ice Cream Jubilee and Sunday Morning Bakehouse have long collaborated on seasonal ice cream flavors and signature ice cream sandwiches made with Bakehouse’s sea salt chocolate chip cookies, making this pop-up a sweet continuation of their creative partnership.

The John S. Mulholland Family Foundation hosts its annual fundraising gala, A Capital Evening XII, on Friday, November 21, 2025, at The Ritz-Carlton, Washington D.C. This elegant event supports over 12,000 Washingtonians who receive food assistance from nine partner food pantries across the District.Guests will enjoy a sophisticated evening featuring a cocktail reception, seated dinner, silent auction, and live music from the renowned Radio King Orchestra. Proceeds from the event fund the foundation’s year-round efforts to fight food insecurity in the local community.More info here.

Join Georgian wine expert and S&F Imports founder Nat Washington for an unforgettable evening exploring the ancient winemaking traditions of Georgia—the “Cradle of Wine.” Guests will taste three exceptional wines from boutique producers while learning about the region’s 8,000-year-old viticulture heritage. Light snacks will accompany the tasting, making for a relaxed and enriching experience for wine enthusiasts and curious palates alike.More info here.

In partnership with the Lillian and Albert Small Capital Jewish Museum, The Lavender Scare tells the powerful, little-known story of the U.S. government’s decades-long campaign to identify and dismiss federal employees suspected of being homosexual. Sparked by President Eisenhower’s 1953 executive order deeming gay men and lesbians a security threat, this chilling witch hunt led to the loss of tens of thousands of jobs and lives upended.The film follows Harvard-trained astronomer Frank Kameny, who became the first person to challenge his dismissal and became a pivotal figure in the early LGBTQ rights movement.Following the screening, there will be a conversation with acclaimed author Thomas Mallon, civil rights advocate Matt Nosanchuk, and Dr. Sarah Leavitt, Director of Curatorial Affairs at the Capital Jewish Museum.More info here.