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We have a lot of weekend to pack in before this snowstorm hits on Sunday … at which point you’ll likely find us on the couch bingeing “The Traitors,” “Queer Eye” in D.C. and Doug Kammerer’s Insta/TikTok/Facebook.
We’ll also launch a Snow Stick Challenge on Sunday. In case you haven’t joined in the past, this is a super fun News4 tradition! We share a theme, and you can run with it.
For this Snow Stick Challenge, we’re going for gold to get ready for the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics. Maybe you sculpt a medal out of snow and share a photo or take a video of your best Ilia Malinin impression! One lucky participant who tops the podium will get their very own Pat Collins Snow Stick! This is a big deal: Only a few people have them, including D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser.
How to join the Snow Stick Challenge: It’s simple! Share your video or photos on social media and tag @nbcwashington. You can also upload your video or image here.
This weekend, stay safe and warm above all else. Travel will be hazardous, and we’re expecting numerous events to be canceled on Sunday. If you want to get ahead of cabin fever, get out on Saturday! It will be very cold but dry.
Weekend highlights
Winter Restaurant Week
More than 350 restaurants are offering deals on brunches, lunches and dinners for Restaurant Week!
If you’re not familiar with the drill: You can snag multicourse brunches and lunches for $25 or $35 and dinners for $40, $55 or $65 per person.
“It’s about coming out and celebrating and supporting our restaurant industry,” Rosemary Suggs-Evans, Director for the DC Department of Small and Local Business Development, said.
We always recommend reservations and looking at lunch menus for the best deals.
Thirty-five restaurants in the DMV are participating for the first time, the Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington (RAMW) said. In D.C., that includes chef Kwame Onwuachi’s Dogon and Ingle Korean Steakhouse’s new outpost in D.C.
Find more first-time participants here.
Restaurant Week is set to end Sunday, but we expect numerous restaurants to extend their deals. RAMW said it plans to post a list on its website tomorrow.
Heads up, Alexandria Restaurant Week is underway, too.
Time by Luxmuralis
Through Sat., National Cathedral in Northwest D.C., $25
🔗 Details
This light installation makes the National Cathedral nave even more breathtaking than usual. Using the cathedral’s walls as a canvas, the art exhibit is accompanied by original music and explores humanity’s relationship with time.
Free picks
Mornings at the museums
Two Smithsonian museums are hosting free events on Saturday morning great for families with kids.
The Get the USA 250th Party Started event at the National Postal Museum from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. includes special tours for kids, story time and a “tinker station” for future inventors. In celebration of the nation’s 250th anniversary, you can leave a note in the “Mailbox to the Future.”
The National Portrait Gallery’s A Day of Community honors the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. in a program geared toward teens and young adults.
POSTPONED: Monster Jam
Sat. and Sun., Capital One Arena, $33+
🔗 Details
“Due to the State of Emergency and Snow Emergency issues by local officials, Monster Jam events scheduled for Saturday, January 24, and Sunday, January 25, at Capital One Arena have been postponed to a later date that will be announced soon,” Monster Jam said in a press release. “All tickets purchased, including previously purchased Pit Party passes, will be automatically honored for the rescheduled event with the same seat locations.”
There are two types of people out there: Those excited to watch monster trucks fly through the air and those who struggle to admit that it’s very entertaining. The whole family can come to cheer on drivers and watch daring stunts. There are two shows on Saturday and one on Sunday.
You can roll with high-tech wheels of the future at the Washington DC Auto Show, too, which opens Friday. Tickets for adults start at $16.25.
Concerts this weekend
Starr & the Czars, 10 p.m. Saturday, Comet Ping Pong, $18.87
Garage rock potpourri with frontman Jake Starr of sorely missed local band Adam West teaming with likeminded members of D.C.’s The Hall Monitors and Boston/New York first wave punks DMZ. Local, scruffy pop-punks The Owners open. Details.
Sudan Archives, 7 p.m. Sunday, 9:30 Club, $40.30
The singer/violinist’s soulful, angelic voice is popstar rising, if only the music wasn’t so interesting, the lyrics daring. Ever-expanding her sound from sparse, jazzy, unconventional singer-songwriter territory to her third album “The BPM’s” raw dancefloor jams. Inclement weather permitting. Details.
Daffo, 7 p.m. Sunday, DC9, $19.57
A young-but-seasoned poet and dynamic singer-songwriter trades in introspective indie folk and bigger, noisier alt-rock and power pop. Details.
Looking ahead
R&B-inflected alt-rockers Afghan Whigs, an anti-grunge rock band often lumped in with the grunge scene of the ‘90s, celebrate 40 years. Opener Mercury Rev isn’t quite as old and never had the Whigs’ success, but they were one of the most unique and influential indie bands of the ‘90 with a pretty, psychedelic sound that simmered and soared. They share the bill at 9:30 Club April 28. Details.
More to do in D.C.
Washington DC Auto Show: Jan. 23 to Feb. 1, Washington Convention Center, $16.25+
The Taylor Party: Taylor Swift Night: Fri., 9:30 Club, $32.50
Get the USA 250th Party Started: Sat., National Postal Museum, free
A Day of Community: Sat., Portrait Gallery’s Kogod Courtyard, free
Monster Jam: Sat. and Sun., Capital One Arena
Exhibit – “The Outwin 2025: American Portraiture Today”: Jan. 24 to Aug. 30, National Portrait Gallery, free
Try Hockey Free Day: Sun., The Wharf Ice Rink, free
Sudan Archives: Sun., 9:30 Club, $40.30
More to do in Maryland
Art Exhibit – Luther Wright: “American Dreaming”: Through March 8, Prince George’s Publick Playhouse in Hyattsville, free
Crafting – Decorative Deckle Box Paper: Weds., 7 p.m., Pyramid Atlantic Art Center in Hyattsville, $45
THE BEE Story Slam: Fri., 7 p.m. doors, Maryland Meadworks in Hyattsville, free
DC Transit Day: Sat. and Sun., National Capital Trolley Museum in Colesville, $12 ($10 for seniors and children)
Sixx Cool Moms Makers Market: Sun., Olney Antique Village, free entry
More to do in Virginia
Alexandria Restaurant Week: Jan. 23 to Feb. 1
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra: Fri., Fairfax, $60+
Chef Pua’s Poke Workshop: Sat., Fairfax Station Railroad Museum, $108.55
Mosaic Plunge: Sat., Mosaic – Fairfax, $25 fundraising commitment (or $100 to plunge)
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