The Snow Maiden will join Grandfather Frost in a performance of classic Russian stories at Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens this weekend. (Photo by Randy Sager courtesy of Hillwood)

The DC Lineup for this weekend: Snow Maiden, squash and Santa suits

By Jennifer Anne Mitchell On Dec 13, 2019 Last updated Apr 24, 2020

A few out-of-the-ordinary events are taking place in the District this weekend, including a world squash championship, the largest ice maze in the U.S. and a 5K jog where runners wear jingle bells on their shoes. Holiday markets, a bike sale, a history lesson on Russian folklore and a visit to the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree are also on our list. And for the musically inclined, concert options this weekend range from medieval Christmas music to hip-hop.

It’s expected to be cold and rainy for much of the weekend, according to the weather forecast. Rain is predicted for Friday and Saturday, followed by a sunny (but still chilly) Sunday, with temperatures ranging from 34 to 50 degrees.

Ali Farag and Tarek Momen — ranked No. 1 and No. 3, respectively, in the world — will both play for Egypt in this weekend’s Men’s World Squash Team Championship at Squash on Fire in the West End. (Photo courtesy of Professional Squash Association)

1. Sports: The World Squash Federation is hosting this year’s Men’s World Squash Team Championship in the District. This marks the first time in the tournament’s 50-year history that it’s being held in the United States. The best players from around the globe will compete in this seven-day event, which starts Sunday and runs until Dec. 21. Ticket prices range from $25 to $150. Games will take place at Squash on Fire, 2233 M St. NW.

2. Recreation: CityCenterDC is hosting the biggest clear ice maze in the country, according to the event description. The 110,000 pounds of ice sculpted into a maze with 7-foot-high walls will be open to the public this weekend only: Friday from 4 to 9 p.m., then on Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. (closing each day from 2 to 4 p.m. for “chilling repairs”). CityCenterDC is located at 825 10th St. NW.

3. History: George Washington University folklorist Philippa Rappoport will be featured at this Sunday’s “Profs & Pints Matinee: Meet the Snow Maiden.” Rappoport will explore the Russian folktale Snegurochka (Snow Maiden) about a girl made of snow. Over the years, the story has been reimagined as a symphony, as a ballet and by fans who sport costumes inspired by the tale. It also plays a part in Russian rituals for greeting and bidding farewell to the winter season. Tickets are $12 in advance and $15 at the door; students with a valid ID save $2. The discussion takes place from 2 to 4 p.m. at The Bier Baron Tavern and Comedy Loft, 1523 22nd St. NW. … The Snow Maiden also makes her usual appearance this weekend at the annual Russian Winter Festival at Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens, 4155 Linnean Ave. NW. She’ll join Grandfather Frost, the Russian Santa Claus, for classic stories with Flying V Theatre. Other performers include the Samovar Russian Folk Music Ensemble and Kalinka Dance Ensemble. Festival hours are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Tickets cost $18 for the general public, $15 for seniors, $12 for members, $10 for college students and $5 for kids ages 6 to 18. Admission is free for ages 5 and younger.

4. Youth Art: ARTLAB’s School of Hip-Hop is a 10-week program in which teens learn songwriting, performance and beat production from artist mentors. The culminating event “Vernacular” will feature live performances from participants. ARTLAB opened in 2011 at the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, according to the museum’s website. The showcase takes place Saturday from 2 to 5 p.m. at the Hirshhorn, Independence Avenue and 7th Street SW.

5. Music: Washington National Cathedral presents its holiday concert this Sunday at 3:30 p.m. and at 6:30 p.m. Featured performers include the Washington National Cathedral Girls Choir and Washington Symphonic Brass. Music will range from medieval to modern Christmas tunes, as well as congregational favorites. Ticket prices range from $15 to $95. … Starting this weekend, local jazz artists will perform as part of the annual Georgetown GLOW exhibit. Baltimore-based bass clarinetist Todd Marcus starts things off on Friday, and then local jazz singer Lena Seikaly is slated to perform with DC-based jazz guitarist Steve Herberman on Saturday. The concert schedule runs Friday and Saturday evenings through the end of December. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., and shows are from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. at SandboX events venue, 3251 Prospect St. NW. There is no cover charge.

6. Holiday Market: Rhode Island Avenue NE Main Street hosts its fifth annual Procrastinator’s Holiday Market this Saturday at Art Enables, a gallery and vocational arts program that helps artists with disabilities make a living by selling their work. Over 30 local arts and crafts vendors will showcase merchandise, alongside activities like a holiday card-making station and photos with Santa. The marketplace is open from noon to 8 p.m. Art Enables is located at 2204 Rhode Island Ave. NE.

7. Recreation: The first-ever Washington, D.C. Jingle Bell Jog takes place this Saturday. Participants in the 5K recreational run will get a Santa costume and a pair of jingle bells to attach to their running shoes; all finishers will be awarded a holiday-themed medal. The 5K begins at 8:30 a.m. at Anacostia Park, 1900 Anacostia Drive SE, followed by Little Elf Dashes for kids at 9:15 a.m. A post-race party will be held from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Gordon Biersch Brewery Restaurant in the Navy Yard neighborhood at 100 M St. SE, with a 20% discount on brunch for those wearing their race bib or Santa suit. Registration costs $40 for the jog and $25 for the kids’ dash. Anyone arriving by car should get to the race location by 8 a.m., when Park Police will close down the roads in Anacostia Park until they are clear of runners.

8. History: Visit the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree as part of a tour of the exterior grounds and interior space of the Capitol Building, hosted by Washington, DC History & Culture. Highlighting the history of the site, the tour runs from noon to 3 p.m. on Saturday; the group will meet outside the U.S. Botanic Garden, 100 Maryland Ave. SW, with attendees encouraged to spend some time beforehand visiting the Botanic Garden’s holiday display. Tickets cost $8.

The 15th annual Downtown Holiday Market continues through Dec. 23. (Photo by Jennifer Anne Mitchell)

9. Holiday Market: The pop-up holiday market AF will showcase over 80 vendors, including a wide range of national brands and a few local merchants such as iconsDC and American Roadtrip. The marketplace is this Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Union Market, 1309 5th St. NE. Ticket prices range from $5 to $15. Additional AF pop-up markets in DC are planned for spring and fall 2020. Vendors interested in participating should apply online. … The 15th annual Downtown Holiday Market continues through Dec. 23, with daily entertainment. Over 150 regional artisans, crafters and boutique businesses are featured along with music and seasonal treats. This weekend’s performers include guitarist Matt Kelly and blues guitarist Dave Chappell on Friday; Alpha Dog Acoustic Blues, Ruthie & the Wranglers, and the Stacy Brooks Band on Saturday; and Blue Panamuse, King Street Bluegrass and The Lovejoy Group on Sunday. Presented by the DowntownDC Business Improvement District and Diverse Markets Management, the outdoor marketplace operates daily from noon to 8 p.m. around 8th and F streets NW with 60 exhibitors there each day on a rotating basis.

10. Local Businesses: An alternative to the plethora of holiday markets this season is a simple bike sale, taking place Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Big Bear Cafe, 1700 1st St. NW. The Phoenix Bikes Refurbished Bike Sale offers bikes at prices ranging from about $250 to $350. The sale — which also features bike gear — takes place three to four times this year. Phoenix Bikes is a shop in Arlington, Virginia, that also operates an Earn-A-Bike program that gives youth a chance to earn a bicycle by learning about bike repairs.