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Greetings!
We hope you had a terrific Thanksgiving weekend filled with gratitude, family, and community. As we move into December, we're so excited to fill you in on our upcoming winter programming! This weekend is jam-packed with holiday activities at the Park.
But before we get into the festivities, we'd like to remind you that tomorrow is GIVING TUESDAY! Your gift on December 2 will be doubled thanks to a match by The Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation (up to $5,000). Plus, in appreciation for your donation of $50 or more, we will send you a limited-edition Glen Echo Park magnet! You can also show your support by mentioning Glen Echo Park when you dine at Praline Bistro and Yala Greek Ice Cream tomorrow only (10% of proceeds will go the Park!). More details below.
DanceFit: Shake Your Soul starts your weekend off with dynamic movement & exercise. The first two Saturdays in December, DanceFit will meet in the Ballroom Back Room. Stay tuned for info coming soon about DanceFit: Line Dancing, starting up in January!
Gather with friends & family at the Park this Saturday afternoon and into the evening for Winter's Eve, our biggest holiday event of the season! Get hands-on with our holiday themed children's crafts including salt-dough-ornaments. Enjoy live holiday music by treble barbershop group Capital Accord Chorus and Bach to Rock student band BANNED, as well as performers from our own resident arts programs, including Washington Conservatory of Music’s Suzuki Students and Adventure Theatre MTC’s Pre-Professional Performers!
In between crafts and performances at Winter's Eve, be sure to stop by the Partnership galleries to browse artworks at the Holiday Art Show & Sale and visit the Yellow Barn Gallery for the opening reception of the annual Friends of the Yellow Barn Juried Members Show. If you'd like to create your own blown glass ornament, be sure to register in advance for a special workshop with Glen Echo Glassworks—walk-in availability will be limited. Plus, you can take a fun & festive portrait at Photoworks, perfect for holiday cards ($25 per group, cash preferred, walks-in only).
Glen Echo Pottery's Winter Market Pottery Sale is the perfect opportunity to discover one-of-a-kind, handmade pottery at an exceptional price. Visit this annual market Saturday morning, or stop by in the evening during Winter's Eve to browse & buy ceramic work by 50+ artists, including Glen Echo Pottery instructors.
If you've already had a chance to make a Year End donation or would like to donate in person, please join us forToast to You!, a Member & Donor appreciation event in the Park View Gallery during Winter's Eve. Pick up a thank you gift, enjoy a festive drink and dessert, and mingle with others who love the Park as much as you do!
We're collecting non-perishable food items for Nourish Now at Winter's Eve and throughout the month of December. Drop off items in the box on the 2nd Floor of the Arcade Building. Thank you!
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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TOMORROW is Giving Tuesday
Your donation will be DOUBLED!
YOU sustain and keep our treasured Park thriving every year! Your gift on December 2 will be doubled (up to $5,000!) thanks to a generous match by The Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation. DONATE >>
| | | Local Business Partnerships - TOMORROW ONLY! | | The 2025 Neighborhood Battle is ON! Donate today to win a Day at the Park for your Neighborhood! | | Neighborhood Battle Title Sponsor | | Sumner 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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Swing Dance with Craig Gildner & The Blue Crescent Syncopators
December 6 | 8:00pm - midnight | Spanish Ballroom
Join us for a swing dance in the Spanish Ballroom with CRAIG GILDNER & THE BLUE CRESCENT SYNCOPATORS, plus DJ Michael Quisao! A beginner lesson will be included with price of admission. Tickets are $25, pay at the door.
Learn More: cmgilly.craig@gmail.com, 410.961.7981.
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Tango/Milonga Dance with Tango Brillante
December 7 | 6:30pm - 11:00pm | Ballroom Back Room
Tango Brillante presents lessons and a dance! Tango lesson (6:30pm), Milonga lesson (7:30pm), Social Dance (8:30-11:00pm). $15 for social dance only; $20 for one lesson; $30 includes both lessons and the social dance.
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 | DanceFit: Shake Your Soul | Contra Dance Calling Workshop Series with Folklore Society of Greater Washington | Swing Dance* with Craig Gildner & The Blue Crescent Syncopators | Waltz Dance* with Waltz Time | Tango/Milonga Dance* with Tango Brillante
*Includes beginner lesson & social dance
Partnership-presented social dance or class
Dance class (no 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 | | | |
Pastel Underpainting Workshop
December 6 (one day) | Saturday @ 9:30am - 2:30pm | Online
Explore the magical effects of underpainting with chalk pastel sticks, pan pastels, watercolors or oils. The dry underpainting allows for experimental color choices that may be enhanced with the addition of water or alcohol. The wet underpainting provides a chance to create drips and blooms that add another texture to the finished pastel painting. All levels welcomed.
More info: annwallaceart@aol.com. Minimum age 16. 1 session.
Learn More & Register >>
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Silver Passport Workshops: Chasing & Repousse
December 20 (one day) | Saturday @ 10:30am - 4:30pm | SilverWorks Studio 2
An all day version of the Silver Passport Workshop. Add depth to your work with the old world technique of Chasing & Repoussé. You will learn how to set work in a pitch bowl, and how to use chasing tools to create the “push and pull” effect. Must have completed Beginning Silversmithing or equivalent.
More info: silverworksglenechopark.com. Minimum age 13. 1 session.
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! | | | | |
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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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Parent/Child Holiday Wreath Decorating Workshop (Ages 6-12)
December 13 (one day) | Saturday @ 1:00pm - 3:00pm | Arcade Building Rooms 202 & 203
Get into the holiday spirit by designing your very own festive wreath! In this workshop, participants will start with an empty vine wreath and use ribbons, ornaments, pinecones, and more to create a unique holiday decoration. Perfect for adding some handmade cheer to your home or gifting to someone special! 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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Magnificent Mosaics - A Parent & Child Workshop (Ages 5-12)
December 14 (one day) | Sunday @ 1:00pm - 3:00pm | Crystal Pool Studio
After learning the difference between free form and a more precise design, we will practice creating a mosaic on a tile. Students then apply their favorite technique by working with mosaics on a 3-D form. Tuition covers one person. Adult and child must each be registered under their own name. Supply fee of $10 per individual payable directly to the instructor at the workshop.
More info: 301.980.1538; andrle@youngcreativespirit.org. 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. | | | | |
