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Greetings!
Thank you to all the families who joined us last weekend at Winter's Eve! From ornament-making and holiday crafts to gallery visits and festive music, the evening was full of creativity and cheer. A perfect time to gather and see the Park glow!
This week, the holiday fun continues—with some of our resident artists performing off site. Join the Park's Washington Revels for their Winter Revels production, an annual tradition in its 43rd year! This year, they present Andalusian Treasures, a show set in ancient Spain, celebrating Jewish, Arabic, and Spanish music and traditions. The show opens this Friday, with performances running through December 20. (Performances are OFFSITE at the Cultural Arts Center in Silver Spring.)
Friday evening, join Washington Conservatory of Music for a piano recital with Michael Adcock, a celebrated member of their faculty known for his expressive artistry, technical brilliance, and dynamic performances. The recital features a rich program of classical and contemporary works. (This performance is OFFSITE at the Episcopal Church of the Redeemer in Bethesda.)
This week in the galleries, a new exhibition opens at Photoworks: The Green Heart of Italy. Friday evening, join award-winning husband and wife photographers/authors Frank Van Riper and Judith Goodman for an opening reception & book signing event. It's also the final weekend to visit the Glen Echo Pottery Gallery before it closes for the winter. Stop by the gallery yurt on Saturday and Sunday to browse & buy hand-crafted pottery by Glen Echo potters.
Saturday morning brings our final DanceFit: Shake Your Soul class to the Ballroom Back Room! Shake Your Soul classes will take a break in January & February, with DanceFit: Line Dancing starting up January 3!
Enjoy a fundraiser comedy night at the Puppet. Co. Sunday evening! The Artless Bards, DC's longest-running Shakespearean Improv Comedy troupe, is proud to present a night of improv, sketch, and stand-up comedy in support of the Puppet Co. Playhouse. Performers include: The Artless Bards, Stacey Axler, Steve Has Friends, and more!
We're collecting non-perishable food items for Nourish Now throughout the month of December. Drop off items in the box on the 2nd Floor of the Arcade Building. Thank you!
This holiday season, you can help ensure that the Park continues to bring joy to the community as a haven for the arts by making an end of year donation. Can you help us raise $140,000 by December 31 to fund our 2026 season?
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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YOU sustain and keep Glen Echo Park thriving every year! The Partnership relies on the community's support to fund our programs, manage the Park’s operations, support our arts partners, and maintain our historic facilities. | | | |
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Bannockburn & Bannockburn Estates Neighborhood Sponsor | | | |
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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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Zouk Dance with District Zouk
December 13 | 6:30pm - 1:00am | Ballroom Back Room
Join District Zouk for a Brazilian Zouk Social at Glen Echo in the Ballroom Back Room. This Brazilian dance has been growing in popularity in the US and around the world. We'll start with a Holiday Potluck and Lambada Practica from 6:30pm - 8:30pm, followed by a Brazilian Zouk Class w/ Gui (Open Level) from 8:30pm-9:30pm. Then, enjoy a social dance with DJ soniKBliss & DJ Chuky from 9:30pm - 1:00am!
Learn More >>
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Holiday Party & Ballroom Dance with Ballroom Time
December 14 | 2:45pm - 6:00pm | Spanish Ballroom
Ballroom Time presents a dance event in the historic Spanish Ballroom, featuring DJ music with a holiday theme covering multiple dance styles. A beginner lesson in West Coast Swing (WCS) starts at 2:45pm, featuring guest instructors Anthony Audin and Anni Hellwagen. Music for general ballroom dancing follows from 3:30pm to 6:00pm. During the intermission, Anthony and Anni will give a WCS demonstration and then lead dancers in a snowball mixer. Don't miss the holiday fun!
Learn More >>
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THIS WEEK: AT-A-GLANCE
International Folk Dance* with Dancing Planet | Blues Dance* with Capital Blues | Contra Dance and Occasional Squares* with Friday Night Dancers | Balboa DJ Dance* with Gottaswing | DanceFit: Shake Your Soul | Viennese Waltz Workshop with Dance Sport Endurance | Zouk Dance*with District Zouk | Swing Dance* with Gottaswing | Second Sunday Barn Dance* with Folklore Society of Greater Washington | Holiday Ballroom Dance* with Ballroom Time | Tango/Milonga Dance* with Tango Brillante
*Includes beginner lesson & social dance
KEY:
bold = Partnership-presented social dance or class/workshop
italics = Dance class/workshop (no social dance)
underline = Free for kids
View the full dance calendar >>
| | | | Check out dance classes in FEATURED classes below! | |
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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. | Learn More >>
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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 | | | |
Irish Dance Solos & Figures for Adults
Begins December 15 | Mondays @ 8:00pm - 9:00pm | Hall of Mirrors Dance Studio
Come join the fun and enjoy learning about the music and movement of Irish Dance! Open to all adult students who are either new or returning.
More info: sean@culkinschool.com; 301.346.1907. Minimum age 16. 9 sessions.
Learn More & Register >>
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Beginning Swing Dance
Begins January 5 | Mondays @ 6:30pm - 7:30pm | Arcade Building Rooms 202 & 203
Learn the fundamentals of swing dancing, get a solid grounding in swing rhythm and movement, and master a range of moves like underarm or cross body turns, free spins and more. Emphasis on developing a foundation to build on! Learn not just moves, but also lead/follow and techniques that will get your dancing from your first night! No partner/experience required.
More info: 301.448.0066. Minimum age 13; if accompanied by an adult. 3 sessions.
Learn More & Register >>
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Holiday Art Show & Sale
November 15, 2025 - January 4, 2026
| With so many unique gifts, the Holiday Art Show & Sale is the perfect place to shop for everyone on your holiday list! The show features one-of-a kind artworks by local artists in a variety of mediums, including Glass, Ceramics, Photography, Painting, Jewelry, Holiday Ornaments, and more! | | | | | |
Parent-Teen Printmaking Workshop (Ages 10-15)
December 20 (one day) | Saturday @ 1:00pm - 3:00pm | Arcade Building Rooms 202 & 203
Create bold and beautiful prints together in this hands-on parent-child workshop! Learn the basics of rubber block printing, from carving simple designs into soft printing blocks to inking and pressing your own unique prints. Each participant will design and print their own artwork on paper, and you’ll leave with a set of hand-pulled prints to keep or share. No experience needed—just bring your creativity and get ready to make something special side by side! All materials included. Tuition covers one parent/guardian and child pair.
More info: emma.p.stevenson@gmail.com. 1 session.
Learn More & Register >>
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Winter Break Camp: Hand Sewing Story Creations (Ages 6 – 11)
December 29 - 31 (three days) | Mon Tue Wed @ 10:00am - 3:00pm | Crystal Pool Studio
Learn basic stitching to make your favorite character out of fabric, inspired by a book, movie, history, or just your imagination. Even mix it up with animal characteristics! A sketchbook will be provided for you to draw or paint your ideas and storyline. Camp is designed for all skill levels of sewing! Supply fee is $25 payable to instructor.
More info: 301.980.1538; andrle@youngcreativespirit.org. 3 sessions.
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. | | | | |
