Dec 23 | Events (Most Free!) for DC Youth During Winter Break

Friday, December 15, 2023

(Washington, DC) – As schools prepare to go on winter break, Mayor Muriel Bowser is encouraging families to take advantage of programming through the Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) and other District agencies that will offer young people safe and engaging activities from December 23 – December 30. While many activities are open to young people of all ages, DPR is also hosting “Teen Break Time” programming which will specifically provide teenagers with safe spaces to gather, socialize and play. 

Teen Pool Party
Youth ages 11-17 are invited to a pool party with fun, games, and music.

  • When: Saturday, December 23, 6 pm – 9 pm

  • Where: Barry Farm Aquatic Center (1230 Sumner Road SE)

Pump It Up Palace Winter Wonderland Edition
All ages are invited to enjoy a pop-up amusement park with inflatables, life-size board games, and more.

  • When: December 27 – 29, 1 pm – 7 pm and December 30, 11 am – 4 pm

  • Where: Trinidad Recreation Center (1310 Childress Street NE)   

Football Skills and Drills
Champions are made in the off-season! Get a workout in and sharpen your skills.

  • When: Wednesday, December 27 and Friday, December 29, 5 – 7 pm

  • Where: Barry Farm Recreation Center (1230 Sumner Road SE)

Roving Leader Glow Skate Party
Join DPR Roving Leaders for a free glow in the dark skate experience with family fun and music.

  • When: Friday, December 29, 6 pm – 8 pm

  • Where: Fort Stanton Recreation Center (1812 Erie Street SE)  

Madden Tournament
Test your skills and try to be the best at Madden.

  • When: Friday, December 29, 2 pm – 5:30 pm

  • Where: Petworth Recreation Center (801 Taylor Street NW)

Holiday Movie, Hot Cocoa, and Cookie Decorating
Enjoy a movie and decorate seasonal treats.

  • When: Friday, December 29, 5 pm - 6:30 pm

  • Where: Palisades Community Center (5200 Sherier Place NW)

Teen Karaoke
Sing your heart out at a fun karaoke event.

  • When: Friday, December 29, 4 pm – 7 pm 

  • Where: Hillcrest Recreation Center (3100 Denver Street SE)  

eSports Open Play
Youth are invited to join DPR for a day of video games and fun at its new eGaming lounges.  
 
Deanwood Community Center (1350 49th Street NE)

  • Tuesday, December 26, 4 pm – 8 pm

Raymond Recreation Center (3725 10th Street NW)

  • Wednesday, December 27, 4 pm – 8 pm

Turkey Thicket Recreation Center (1100 Michigan Avenue NE)

  • Thursday, December 28, 4 pm – 8 pm

3-on-3 Basketball Tournaments
DPR’s 3-on-3 Basketball Tournaments are open to teens ages 13-18 and offer teens the chance to get out of the cold and compete.
              
Deanwood Community Center (1350 49th Street NE)

  • Wednesday, December 27, 10 am – 1 pm

  • Friday, December 29, 10 am – 1 pm

Fort Stanton Recreation Center (1812 Erie Street SE)

  • Tuesday, December 26, 6 – 8 pm

  • Thursday, December 28, 6 – 8 pm

Open Gym
Gyms will be open next week at the following DPR recreation centers: Riggs-LaSalle, Raymond, Emery Heights, Joe Cole, Arboretum, Edgewood, King-Greenleaf, and Fort Davis. For dates and times, visit “Teen Break Time”.
 
DPR Night Out at Enchant @ The Nationals Park – Enchant Christmas turns Nationals Park into a holiday-themed village with ice-skating, live entertainment, dining and shopping, and the opportunity to meet Santa and Mrs. Claus. Enchant Christmas runs from November 24 – December 31 and tickets range from $30 for an adult to $24 for junior adults and can be purchased on Enchant’s website.

Through a partnership with Enchant at Nationals Park, DPR will take hundreds of youth to explore the wonder of this winter wonderland during a night out event that will take place on December 28. Tickets will be distributed to DPR families who have high participation in DPR programs. To become a DPR family, visit DPRprograms.com and sign up for a program today.  

Open Indoor DPR Pools  
Nine indoor pools will be open across the District, including Marie Reed, Takoma, Roosevelt, Turkey Thicket, Dunbar, William H. Rumsey, Deanwood, Barry Farm, and Ferebee-Hope. For hours of individual pools, please visit dpr.dc.gov/indoorpools (DPR facilities will be closed on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day).
 
Winter Wondercamp
DPR also has a Winter Wondercamp that is open for youth ages 6-13 at Ferebee-Hope Recreation Center. Winter Wondercamp is a three-day camp that is held from December 27-29 from 9 am to 5 pm. The camp allows youth to engage in personal enrichment activities, sports activities, and arts and crafts. Activities will incorporate personal development and environmental responsibility components and will also challenge and engage camp participants.
 
Registration is still available at the Ferebee-Hope location by visiting here. The camp is open on a first-come, first-served basis.
 
Open DCPL Neighborhood Libraries
DC Public Library (DCPL) locations will be open December 27- December 30. All Library locations will be closed on Sunday, December 25, Monday, December 26, Saturday, December 31, Sunday, January 1, and Monday January 2. For a calendar of events and available programming at each library, visit dclibrary.org or download the Library’s app.
 
Family Success Centers
Most of the District’s family success centers located throughout Wards 7 and 8 will be open Tuesday, December 26 – January 2, 2024 with varying hours for each center. Only the Anacostia and Congress Heights Centers will be closed on Tuesday, December 26. The centers offer a variety of programming, from nutrition workshops and professional development training to stress management, parenting classes, and more. For a calendar of events at each Family Success Center and for hours, visit cfsa.dc.gov/page/families-first-dc-family-success-centers.
 

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