Tonight: Tree Lighting on Eastern Market Metro Plaza & Schedule for Capitol Hill’s Holiday Events
By Larry Janezich
Posted November 22, 2025
The Capitol Hill Holiday Tree Await’s Tonight’s Illumination at 5:30pm on Eastern Market Metro Plaza
Saturday, September 29th – Small Business Saturday – Labyrinth Games and Puzzles at 645 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE, hosts their Annual Staff Cookie battle to benefit Toys for Tots. (See below)
Schedule of Events:
Saturday, Nov 22
Capitol Hill BID’s 19th Annual Capitol Hill Tree Lighting.
5:30pm
Eastern Market Metro Park
- “Men in Blue” will serve hot chocolate and doughnuts while local musical groups perform.
- Entertainment: Joyous Voices, Washington Men’s Camerata, Capitol Hill Chorale, and Capitol Hill Arts Workshop’s Suzuki Strings
- Masters of Ceremonies: Kojo Nnamdi and Tom Sherwood
- All festivities will be held at the tree known as “Sonny” in the SW Quadrant of Eastern Market Metro Plaza (Corner of 7th and D St SE). Members of the Didden family will flip the switch to illuminate the tree that was planted to honor the late George Didden III for his many contributions to the Capitol Hill community.
Also, launching of 4th Annual Better Together Small Business Gift Card Exchange running Saturday, November 22 through Sunday, December 7, 2025.
- For more see here: https://bit.ly/3JO8c6F
Sunday, November 23
Eastern Market Novemberfest.
10:00am – 3:00pm.
Outside on 7th St. SE and NC Avenue SE. During the outdoor market from 10am until 3pm, shoppers can find the Jazz Café – green bistro tables and chairs at the north end of 7th Street, SE.
- 10am-12pm Herb Scott.
- 1pm-3pm Sequoia Redwood Snyder
You can find more info here: https://www.thehollydays.com/
Friday, November 28
Eastern Market & Hill is Home Holiday Time Machine (21+ only)
6:00pm – 10:00pm
Eastern Market’s Holiday Time Machine promises to be a homegrown, historic antidote to the impersonal shopping experience of Black Friday: a festive gathering of local makers and artists, plus the introduction of delicious, social-media ready hot chocolate drink by Melt by Hippie Sippin.’ Republic Restoratives, a small batch, women-owned distillery will be at the event, offering samples of their award-winning spirits.
The event – co-hosted by local blog The Hill is Home – is a preview of the entire holiday experience. For only $30 at the door or $25 for early-birds who buy online, you can attend a holiday party you actually want to go to… Go here for more https://www.thehollydays.com/ and here for tickets https://bit.ly/4rfcftn
Saturday, September 29th Small Business Saturday
Labyrinth Games and Puzzles at 645 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE, hosts their Annual Staff Cookie battle to benefit Toys for Tots.
10:00am
Members of the staff bake cookies (subsidized by management). Customers eat the cookies, vote for their favorites with donations and the cookie that earns the most wins. All of the donations go to Toys for Tots.
Sunday, November 30
11:00am – 1:00pm
Eastern Market.
The Betty the Yeti Welcome and Parade (all ages!) Santa Claus, who will appear Saturdays from 11am to 1pm at the Market, and iconic cryptid Betty the Yeti, who will appear Sundays from 11am to 1pm.
Monday, December 1
The Barrack’s Row and Eastern Market Main Street’s Sip and Shop.
5::00pm – 8:00pm – with wine tastings and exclusive in-store specials.
- For more see here: https://bit.ly/3JO8c6F
Monday, December 15
The Annual Menorah Lighting
6:00pm
Co-hosted by the BID and Hill Havurah, the annyual event celebrates Hanukkah on the front steps of Reformation (212 East Capitol Street NE). This year’s celebration will take place on the second night of Hanukkah.
The 9-foot Menorah was gifted to the Capitol Hill Community in 2014 by the Capitol Hill Business Improvement District in honor of past Chairman of the Board and Community Leader, Paul L. Pascal, Esq. The “Men in Blue” will serve jelly donuts and hot cocoa.
For more, go here: https://capitolhillbid.org/do/12th-annual-capitol-hill-menorah-lighting
CAPITOL HILL CORNER 