Category Archives: 2021

December 31, 2021 · 10:04 am

The Weekend: December 31 – January 2

Kick off 2022 with a nice hike! (Turkey Run Park pictured here)

Once again, I’m taking a little break and keeping it simple as we wind down 2021. Not to mention, with Omicron spreading like wildfire, there aren’t many special events and activities happening this weekend. The links below will still lead you to info and inspo to fill the next few days with as much (or little) activity as you want, including holiday happenings and ongoing and seasonal fun. You can also check KFDC on Instagram and Facebook for any updates or extra ideas that might arise.

Happy Weekend! And a very Happy New Year to all!

The 2021 KFDC Guide to the Holiday Season in DC

Chill Time: Activities Around DC During the Covid Winter

Where to Go and What to Do Around DC During Winter Break 2021

Ice Skating Around the DC Area

Walks in the Woods

Serenity Now: 10 Places to Find Peace and Calm in DC

Ride On: Bike Routes for Everyone Around the DC Area

The Best Places in the DC Area to Spend A Beautiful Day Outdoors with the Kids

Live Entertainment Around the DC Area in Late Fall & Winter (Some show may be cancelled.)

Baltimore with Kids

Indoor Outings

***MORE GOOD STUFF TO KNOW***

The Noon Yards Eve event at Yards Park has been cancelled.

The Washington Post’s annual list of what’s in and what’s out for the year ahead.

New Year’s Eve finger foods, many that sound perfect for an at-home celebration with the fam.

Toast-worthy cocktails to ring in the new year.

New Year’s traditions around the world.

20 best places to travel in 2022, according to Travel + Leisure.

Ten noteworthy books for January.

Some great sales going on right now: Anthro, Nordstrom, Gap, Everlane.

A fantastic movie available to rent this weekend.

For the whole fam: Best kids’ movies of 2021 that parents will also love.

Omicron is the Beginning of the End (we hope!).

McSweeney’s most read articles of 2021. (#15 had me in lol tears.)

22 things to look forward to in 2022 🙂

Five Things for Today: December 29, 2021

1. Not that you haven’t heard, but Covid is everywhere. Our family had our own bout with it, which resulted in a canceled trip to see family, a winter break quarantine, and a Christmas celebration over the basement stairwell, since two of us were negative, two were positive at the time. (There is more to it, which you can read about here.) The CDC just shortened the recommended isolation time for Covid-infected people without symptoms. It’s now only five days instead of 10, then five days of wearing a mask around others. Also, it is now being reported that rapid antigen tests are not picking up Omicron as reliably as PCR.

2. If you’re looking for family New Year’s Eve celebrations, Noon Yards Eve is returning to Yards Park on Friday. The free, outdoor annual event features a magician, live music, carnival games, glitter tattoos, crafts, 2022 giveaways, a giant blow up slide, and more! Catering to kids of all ages, it will all culminate in a countdown to noon for young ones who might not make it to midnight. UPDATE: This even has been canceled.

Metrobar in NE is also hosting a family-friendly NYE sesh. Starting at 4pm, there will be festive cocktails for adults along with kids activities and games. Countdown the New Year with a 7pm toast (bubbly for adults, sparkling cider for kids) and watch the ball drop at midnight in London on a 20-foot screen. Firepits, patio heaters, a heated tent, deck heat lamp, and hot cocktails will keep everyone cozy outdoors. Free admission, but plan to purchase food and drinks, of course.

And a couple of other annual events that are still on this year, though indoors, are Midnight Noon at Maryland Science Center and Noontime New Year at Port Discovery, both in Baltimore. (The popular First Night Alexandria event has been canceled.)

3. Washingtonian has a round-up of local restaurants offering fun and festive takeout for New Year’s Eve.

4. DC Public Library’s most checked out, streamed, and downloaded books (and more) in 2021.

5. 21 Things That Made the World a Better Place in 2021 ❤️

Bonus: Who else is going to play Powerball this week?

The Weekend: December 24-26

This is the time of year I give myself a little break with weekend posts. So, just like the modified title, I’m keeping this round-up simple — but definitely not leaving you hanging. The links below will still lead you to info and inspo galore to fill the next few days with as much (or little) activity as you want, including holiday happenings and ongoing and seasonal fun. You can also check KFDC on Instagram and Facebook for any updates or extra ideas that might arise.

Merry Christmas to all… and to all a Happy Weekend!

The 2021 KFDC Guide to the Holiday Season in DC

Chill Time: Activities Around DC During the Covid Winter

Where to Go and What to Do Around DC During Winter Break 2021

Ice Skating Around the DC Area

Walks in the Woods

Serenity Now: 10 Places to Find Peace and Calm in DC

Ride On: Bike Routes for Everyone Around the DC Area

The Best Places in the DC Area to Spend A Beautiful Day Outdoors with the Kids

Live Entertainment Around the DC Area in Late Fall & Winter

Indoor Outings

***MORE GOOD STUFF TO KNOW***

I can’t say enough… go get vaccinated or boosted if you haven’t yet. As mentioned earlier this week, walk-up vaccinations for ages 5+ and boosters for ages 16+ are available nearly every day in DC at select libraries and rec centers (not on Christmas Day). You can also go here to search for other locations near you.

Two of our recent orders from Amazon that I recommend for everyone: These and these.

Need some very last minute gift ideas? The KFDC Holiday Gift Guide has loads of suggestions for local experiences or subscriptions you get in just a few clicks!

Inspiring people: 2021 Washingtonians of the Year.

A very yummy looking/sounding Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Menu.

Sasha gives two big thumbs-up to Spider-Man: No Way Home.

The year in sound, from The Daily.

The 22 best podcasts to help you process the end of 2021.

A beautiful tribute to one of the best at the Kennedy Center Honors.

Love the pure joy of this moment.