Wed. November 7, 2012
WASHINGTON, DC – Grab your shopping list! The Downtown Holiday Market, produced by the DowntownDC Business Improvement District (BID) in partnership with Diverse Markets Management, will return for its eighth year on Friday, November 30th, and run through Sunday, December 23rd, offering choice gift-giving ideas in a celebratory, outdoor marketplace centered at F Street between 7th and 9th streets NW.
More than 180 artisans, live entertainment and delicious comfort foods will enliven the shopping experience and foster a festive atmosphere. To accommodate workers, residents and visitors, the Market will be open daily from noon to 8:00 pm in front of the Smithsonian American Art Museum (SAAM) and National Portrait Gallery.
Shoppers will be able to peruse unique gifts ranging from fine art, quality crafts, jewelry and accessories to pottery, photography, clothing and specialty foods. The Market will feature the wares of local merchants as well as fair trade items of exceptional quality. Accessorize with the fine fabric art of local artisan Janee Michelle; exceptional original glass art by DC artist Nancy Wasserman; unique funky-found-objects-turned-functional by DC artist Erika Rubel; exquisite jewelry from Booda Boutique; and beautiful fine art watercolors from Tsolman Damba.
Musical entertainment will come from various genres, including jazz, swing, blues, bluegrass, a cappella, and brass. Catch the Stacy Brooks Band (blues); The Lovejoy Group (holiday jazz); Elsa Riveros (Latin pop); Judge Smith (rock & roll); Kol Harauch Trio (bluegrasss and Klezmer); and The Sweater Set (fresh folk).
The Market would not be complete without the opportunity to indulge in delectable treats, including chocolates from the Virginia Chocolate Company and J. Chocolatier (fine chocolates and Parisian-style drinking chocolate, made on site ); Migue’s Magnificent Mini-Donuts (piping hot mini-donuts); Vigilante Coffee Co.; and Alexa’s Empanadas (cinnamon Churros and empanadas filled with savory meat and vegetables). Also, special restaurants, including neighbors such as Luke’s Lobster and the Shake Shack, will be on hand to serve up their delicious fare.
The Market is accessible by Metrorail, Metrobus and Capital Bikeshare, which has stations located on site. In keeping with the DowntownDC BID’s ecoDistrict sustainability efforts, the Market is powered by generators running on bio-diesel fuel, and its publicity materials are printed on 100% post-consumer waste recycled materials. Recycling bins will be available on site, and shoppers making purchases will receive recyclable Downtown Holiday Market shopping bags.
WAMU 88.5, The Washington Examiner and 97.1 WASH-FM are media partners once again this year. The Courtyard by Marriott, which literally overlooks the Market, is offering Market attendees a special rate based on room availability. The hotel, located at 900 F Street, is accepting reservations at 202-638-4600, extension 7208.
More information about the Market, including how to purchase gift certificates and a complete schedule of performers and exhibitors—who will rotate to ensure an eclectic mixture each visit—is available at www.downtownholidaymarket.com. To keep up with the latest news, follow the Market on Facebook @DowntownHolidayMarket and Twitter @DtwnHolidayMkt.