Eastern Market’s 150th anniversary
In the 19th century, three public markets kept Washington fed: Central Market, on a site now occupied by the National Archives; Eastern Market, near the Navy Yard; and Western Market, in Foggy Bottom. The latter two were relocated to new buildings after the Civil War, with Eastern Market, designed by celebrated architect Adolph Cluss, officially opening Nov. 12, 1873. Eastern Market, named a national historic landmark in 1971, is still bustling today, with food vendors and a weekend flea market, and celebrates its sesquicentennial with three days of events. Everything kicks off Friday night with Novemberfest, a ticketed party in the spacious North Hall featuring Americana music from the Rock Creek Kings, an Eastern Market beer made by Atlas Brew Works on tap and food from local vendors. Weekend activities include walking tours, a ghost tour, games, a scavenger hunt for children, living history actors, flower and turkey carving demonstrations, and bikers on penny farthings, as well as the usual lively market scene. Friday from 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday night $25; Saturday and Sunday events free.
The Maryland State Fairgrounds in Timonium hosts a weekend devoted to Irish music and dance performances, presented by Irish Charities of Maryland, with entertainment across five stages. Attendees can dance a jig, too: There’s a Saturday night ceili (a.k.a. a party) for everyone, with line dancing and square dancing. Other activities include a children’s zone and quirky competitions like a limerick contest. Vendors sell Celtic goods, along with Irish fare: Last year’s menu included corned beef, Guinness stew, fish and chips, and plenty of pints of Harp, Guinness and Kilkenny. Irish whiskey tasting sessions are available for an extra fee. Friday from 6 to 11 p.m., Saturday from noon to 11 p.m., Sunday from noon to 6:30 p.m., with a Catholic mass at 10:30 a.m. $10-$25; free for ages 17 and younger.
Holidays at National Harbor
You’d think that the combination of a 60-foot-tall LED tree covered with marching soldiers, spinning dreidels and swirling lights set to a soundtrack of jazzy holiday tunes and a blizzard of artificial snow would be the most impressive thing about National Harbor’s nightly spectacle on its waterfront, but no: Come on Saturday night, and there’s a fireworks show with red, green and gold explosions after the 5:30 p.m. tree show. Through Dec. 30. Free.
DC Street Photography Collective at Slash Run
Name a D.C. punk band of the 1980s and ’90s — Minor Threat, Bad Brains, Fugazi, Scream — and Jim Saah has photographed them. Italian photographer Matt Cabani has captured a wide variety of bands, including Blink-182, the Get Up Kids, Rancid and the Gorilla Biscuits. Both have recently published retrospective photo books — Saah’s “In My Eyes: Photographs 1982-1997” and Cabani’s “Anthem” — that will be discussed at the D.C. Street Photography Collective’s gathering at Slash Run. The evening starts with a critique of selected concert images from community members before Saah and Jacopo Buranelli, of Cabani’s publisher King Koala Press, discuss the art of photographing live music. 9 to 11:30 p.m. $20.
Nova Parks light displays
The Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority operates three light-focused attractions during the holiday season, and two of them welcome their first visitors Friday night. The Winter Walk of Lights follows a paved, half-mile trail through Vienna’s Meadowlark Botanical Gardens, passing trees wrapped in bulbs, and displays featuring colorful designs of flowers, koi ponds, butterflies and other creatures, perfect for photo ops. (There are interactive areas, too.) Hot drinks are available, as is a fire pit for roasting s’mores. Through Jan. 7. $18-$22.
If you prefer the comfort and warmth of a car to hoofing it through the garden, head to the Bull Run Festival of Lights, where there’s a 2½-mile drive through wreath-shaped archways and past festive displays. Admission also includes access to the Holiday Village with bonfires, food and drink, and carnival rides, though rides cost extra. There’s a reward for those who can’t wait to visit: A $10 discount is offered through Nov. 19. Open Friday through Sunday this week, then nightly through Jan. 7. $30-$40 per vehicle.
True to its narcotic moniker, Codeine mastered subduing time and giving space for depressed feelings in a style that would come to be known as “slowcore.” Reunited to support the release of a “lost” album, the New York outfit returns to D.C. for the first time since 1994. 8 p.m. $25.
Britney Spears-themed drag show at Red Bear Brewing
The NoMa brewery is known for its raucous weekly drag shows, but this one comes with a pop-inspired twist — performers Elecktra G, Crystal Edge, Rosie Beret and Indiana Bones will dance to early-aughts classics like “Toxic” and “… Baby One More Time.” Britney Spears, who recently released a memoir, is the star, unless you count staple host Desiree Dik (we do). 9 to 11 p.m. Free.
