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Greetings!
Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at the Partnership! We’re so grateful for the many moments of connection we’ve shared at the Park—and grateful to you for being part of our arts community.
Check out a holiday Children's Theater production for a winter activity that both kids and adults will love! This week, Frosty the Snowman opens at Adventure Theatre MTC, and the 37th annual production of The Nutcracker opens at the Puppet Co. Visit our Light Up the Holidays page for a full list of upcoming holiday performances, including a Hanukkah puppet show and a Winter Revels production.
This Saturday, get a head start on your holiday shopping AND support artists in your community at Shop Arts Saturday, our Park-wide celebration of national Small Business Saturday. Individual artists and galleries are small businesses, too—support them on Small Business Saturday! Browse & buy artwork in visual arts studios & galleries throughout the Park, including the Holiday Art Show & Sale in the Partnership Galleries; a weekend exhibition by Jenny Wilson in the Yellow Barn Gallery; plus artwork for sale at Photoworks, SilverWorks, Glen Echo Pottery, Art Glass Center, and Glen Echo Glassworks.
DanceFit: Shake Your Soul takes a break this week. We'll be back in December with more mind & body connection on Saturday, December 6 and 13 in the Ballroom Back Room.
Our Light Up the Holidays season of events is in full swing at Glen Echo Park! As you visit with family and friends over the holidays, stop by the Park to enjoy winter classes and workshops, live performances, open studios & galleries, and twinkling holiday lights.
Mark your calendars! Giving Tuesday is just one week away on December 2, 2025. Your gift on Giving Tuesday will be doubled (up to $5,000!) thanks to a generous match by The Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation.
Read on for more details about these events plus other happenings this week, including upcoming classes, exhibitions, and social dances. We can't wait to see you at the Park soon, and as always, we appreciate your support!
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FALL/WINTER
CLASSES
Register Today!
| Visit our website for information on registering. Learn more >> | | | | |
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PRIVATE RENTALS
Now Booking 2026 & 2027
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Special Discount for Select 2026 Dates!
Bumper Car Pavilion at Glen Echo Park
| Planning a wedding, corporate gathering, or birthday celebration in the Spring? Many great dates are still available! Book a private rental in the Bumper Car Pavilion any date in March or April 2026 or on a Friday or Sunday in May 2026 and mention the code [Spring2026] to receive a 10% discount. View the Venue Availability Calendar >> | The Bumper Car Pavilion must be booked by December 31, 2025 to receive the discount. | | | | | | |
Our fun and affordable social dances are open to the public with no prior experience or partner required. When we say we offer something for everyone, we're not kidding! Styles range from folk, blues, and contra to waltz, swing, tango and ballroom ... and more!
New dancers are always welcome, and a pre-dance, introductory lesson is included with admission. Most dances feature live music by renowned local and national bands.
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Contra Dance and Occasional Squares* with Friday Night Dancers
November 28 | 7:30pm - 11:00pm | Spanish Ballroom
Contra is a fun and easy dance, and darn it, you need more dancing in your life! No experience needed, come alone or with friends. All ages. All genders. All body types.
Greg Frock calls to The Morrison Brothers, with Jim Morrison (fiddle), Owen Morrison (guitar), and Will Morrison (drums), joined this time by Charlie Pilzer (bass). The lesson is at 7:30 pm, the dancing starts at 8:00pm and goes until 11:00pm!
Learn More >> | Purchase Tickets >>
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Waltz Dance with Waltz Time
November 30 | 2:45pm - 6:00pm | Spanish Ballroom
Waltz Time presents a waltz dance with live music by LARRY UNGER AND FRIENDS with Larry Unger (guitar, banjo), Elke Baker (violin/viola), Ralph Gordon (bass). Work off some of those Thanksgiving calories!
Sunday afternoon dances cost $15 per person, $5 for students and children over 5 years. We accept cash and checks (no credit cards). Admission includes a 45-minute Waltz lesson from 2:45pm - 3:30pm. The dance to live music goes from 3:30pm - 6:00pm. All tickets purchased at the door.
Learn More >>
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THIS WEEK: AT-A-GLANCE
International Folk Dance* with Dancing Planet | NO BLUES | Contra Dance and Occasional Squares* with Friday Night Dancers | Swing Dance* with Gottaswing | Waltz Dance* with Waltz Time | Tango/Milonga Dance* with Tango Brillante
*Includes beginner lesson & social dance
View the full dance calendar >>
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Volunteer for Partnership Dances
We need volunteers at many of our dances! Volunteer for one hour, to either help set up or break down for a dance or event, and gain free admission to the dance or event! To volunteer, please send an email to volunteer@glenechopark.org.
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LOST AND FOUND ITEMS
Items left in any dance venues will be donated to thrift stores by Monday, December 15, 2025. If you think you have left something, ask the dance presenter to get an event supervisor to assist you. Or you may come by the Partnership office on the 2nd floor of the arcade building to ask about your item Monday-Saturday between 10am and 6pm.
| | | | | | Glen Echo Park is your go-to place for classes & camps in visual arts, dance, music, and more! We offer a wide array of classes and workshops for children, teens, and adults, as well as camps for children & teens. We also present nature & aquatic life programs for kids. | | FEATURED ADULT & TEEN CLASSES | | | |
Elective: The WOW of Photographing Holiday Lights
December 6 (one day) | Saturday @ 5:00pm - 7:00pm | OFFSITE
Photographing at night, especially during the holiday season can be a challenging, but extremely rewarding experience. Join Ally Kraus to capture with your camera the holiday mood, beauty and feeling of this special time of year. The important trade-offs of wide-open apertures, slower shutter speeds and high ISOs will be covered.
More info: kraus.allison@gmail.com Min age 18. 1 session.
Learn More & Register >>
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Printmaking Winter Workshop
December 7 (one day) | Sunday @ 2:00pm - 4:30pm | Arcade Building Room 201
Create a design or two in a soft cut relief block to print with water-soluble color ink. Sketching, stamping and practicing mono-printing is also available. Celebrate the winter season with 20 or more cards and envelopes (more available to purchase) and 5 x7” artworks on various color papers, in a fun holiday atmosphere. Supply fee of $30 is payable to the instructor.
More info: denise.dittmar@gmail.com. Min age 14. 1 session.
Learn More & Register >>
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Shop Arts Saturday
November 29, 2025 | 12pm - 6pm
| Get a head start on your holiday shopping list AND support artists in your community at Shop Arts Saturday on November 29 (national Small Business Saturday) Individual artists and galleries are small businesses, too—support them on Small Business Saturday by browsing & buying artwork at studios & galleries throughout the Park! | |
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Winter's Eve
December 6, 2025 | 3pm - 6pm
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Gather with family at the Park for a winter celebration with kids' holiday crafts, music, open studios & galleries, and more!
RSVP for Winter's Eve >>
RSVPs preferred, not required. There is no check-in at this event.
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Culkin Kid Dancers: New Beginners and Level 1
Begins December 10 | Wednesdays @ 5:00pm - 5:45pm | Hall of Mirrors Dance Studio
Open to all new students ages 5 - 10 who want to try Irish dance with the Culkin School. Culkin Tots are welcome. Focus will be on the basics and soft shoe dances.
More info: sean@culkinschool.com; 301.346.1907. 10 sessions.
Learn More & Register >>
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STEAMtastic Winter Wonderland Workshop (Ages 7-11)
December 13 (one day) | Saturday @ 10:00am - 12:30pm | Arcade Building Room 201
Explore the magic of the holidays as you explore the science of snow making, creating snowflakes and much more!
More info: STEAMtasticadventures@gmail.com. 1 session.
Learn More & Register >>
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Praline Cafe
Monday - Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday - Friday: 10:00am - 4:00pm
Saturday & Sunday: 10:00am - midnight
*open for dances and special events beyond these hours*
Stop by Praline, located in the Spanish Ballroom wing closest to the playground, for sandwiches, pastries, snacks, and drinks! More Information >>
| | | The Glen Echo Park Partnership for Arts and Culture is supported in part by the Maryland State Arts Council (msac.org) and also by funding from the Montgomery County government and the Arts and Humanities Council of Montgomery County (creativemoco.com). All programs are produced in cooperation with the National Park Service and Montgomery County, Maryland. | | | | |
