Below is a list of ten of our favorite things to do in Montgomery County during the holiday season. Did we leave any of your favorites out? Let us know in the comment section!
Pro Tip! Parking is free and plentiful at rio – beat the crowds and park in the garages near Kohl’s and Target!
Per MCPD: As the holiday season coincides with a rise in respiratory virus cases, Montgomery County, in partnership with Por Nuestra Salud y Bienestar and Westfield Wheaton, will provide free COVID bivalent boosters and flu shots during the 2nd holiday “Boosterama” vaccine event. The event will take place from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 17, at Westfield Wheaton mall. Boosterama will be held outside of Carter’s on the 2nd floor of Westfield Wheaton. No appointment is needed. Pediatric booster shots will not be available at the event. Individuals who receive their COVID booster or a flu shot at the event will be eligible to win one of eight gift cards that can be used throughout Westfield Wheaton’s wide variety of retailers.
Respiratory illnesses such as RSV, flu and COVID are currently on the rise. While there is no vaccination for RSV, there are vaccinations available for flu and COVID. Boosterama events are part of a broader effort by the County to encourage residents to use common sense health measures, including staying up to date on vaccinations.
Squishable, a pop-up shop that sells hundreds of varieties of stuffed animals that are “cute giant balls of squishy love that are soft, huggable, cuddly, and all-around awesome,” is now open at Montgomery Mall. It is located in the lower level of the mall near Bath & Body Works. Squishables (photos below) has been creating cuddles for 15 years now, growing from a tiny mom-and-pop shop run out of a living room into the (still pretty tiny) 33-person company it is today. Many of its designs are also crowdsourced from the company’s million-strong group of fans who create and vote on hundreds of new potential Squishables each year. “The world can be a hard place. Hug something soft.”
According to its website, “Squishable was started in 2007 by co-founders Aaron and Zoe. They didn’t know anything about toys, but they figured it out. Over the last decade and a half, we have released millions of Squishables to their new homes in the wild. Here at Squishy HQ in Soho, New York City, we’re creating things that help make the world a cuter place.”
Westfield Montgomery ( 7101 Democracy Blvd, Bethesda) recently gave a retail space on the upper level of the mall to local community non-profit, Creative Outlets Art Center, to further their commitment to connect with the community. Zeina Davis, Marketing Director for Westfield Montgomery tells us, “we are so honored to have such a wonderful community resource in our center. Creative Outlet’s mission of providing art as a wellness tool is a meaningful addition and have already loved working closely with the arts center on engaging and exciting art programming for families.” Creative Outlets has already made a big impact on events and programming including providing complimentary holiday crafting classes through the holiday season at the mall’s pop-up “Jingle Lounge”.
https://www.instagram.com/reel/ClIAmRfDcQv/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_rid=b873923f-f8e8-48cd-86c5-b128393b2910
https://www.instagram.com/reel/CjycyWIA2u8/
Per Westfield Montgomery: The magic of the season has arrived at Westfield Montgomery. With the help of artistic groups, No Kings Collective, Brightly Ever After and Social Supply DC, the premiere shopping center has carefully curated a touching ‘Home for the Holidays’ theme that has made the center come alive with holiday spirit. Décor includes an over-the-top interactive Holiday Village – including oversized snowflakes lining Nordstrom Wing, Polar Bear Lane – including child-sized playhouses, a ‘Letters to Santa and Friends’ station where families can send their wishes to the North Pole and patients at Children’s Hospital in Washington, DC, and an ornately decorated holiday lounge, aptly named the “Jingle Lounge.”
Westfield Montgomery invites guests for a full lineup of festive activities including live holiday music, complimentary cocktails with purchase popups prepared by Cocktail Curations, and holiday arts and crafts by the center’s new non-profit arts center, Creative Outlets and Lego – full schedule of activities attached, as well as available here.
Update: Popeyes has reopened.
The Montgomery Mall food court has been without a familiar favorite recently with Popeyes remaining closed over the last few days. According to official Popeyes website, the Montgomery Mall restaurant (7101 Democracy Blvd) is temporarily closed. As of now, there is no word on when it may reopen.
WRS Inc. has submitted Zoning Map Amendment application Z-9444-2022 that proposes to rezone the Lakeforest Mall from the current C-2 (general commercial) to the MXD Zone (mixed-use) zone. The application includes a sketch plan requesting up to approximately 1.2 million square feet of non-residential uses and up to 1,600 dwelling units on 102 acres of land. A Joint Public Hearing is scheduled for January 17, 2023.
WRS is proposing a full redevelopment of the Lakeforest Mall to allow for a multi- stage, mixed-use community with up to:
The festive Jingle Lounge, located on the lower level next to Lego, will be open to the public beginning November 21st. Enjoy beautiful seating and decor, pizza delivery, cocktails, crafts and more. While relaxing, scan the QR code on one of the tables and order Frank Pepe’s, delivered RIGHT to your table. Please see below for a sneak peek of The Jingle Lounge and a full breakdown of our events and activities:
https://www.instagram.com/reel/ClIAmRfDcQv/?igshid=MWI4MTIyMDE=
Westfield Wheaton Mall (11160 Veirs Mill Rd) will be hosting a free World Cup kickoff event on Saturday, November 19 from 12-2pm in the mall’s outdoor “Streetery” featuring former D.C. United player Bill Hamid. Additional details per Westfield: Westfield Wheaton is celebrating the FIFA World Cup 2022 with a family-friendly event on November 19 from 12 to 2 pm in The Streetery, the center’s outdoor event and dining space situated between Macy’s and the food court on Parking Level 2. Attendees will be able to play soccer games, enjoy free hot cocoa and apple cider, face painting, giveaways, a live DJ and more. Guests will also learn how to play soccer like a pro with Bill Hamid, the former goalkeeper for D.C. United.
“We are very excited to kick off the 2022 FIFA World Cup and holiday season with our family-friendly sporting event this Saturday,” said Stuart Amos, General Manager of Westfield Wheaton. “This event will be fun for the whole community with games, music, food and is a great opportunity to celebrate the vibrant cultures present in this year’s World Cup tournament.”
“Saved by the Bell’s” Mario Lopez will be appearing at Westfield Montgomery Mall on Sunday, November 20 to host a holiday concert to benefit Children’s National Hospital. The event is open to the public, but RSVPs are encouraged and will enter guests in to win a meet and greet with Mario Lopez. Funds donated at the event will directly benefit activities and memorable moments for childhood-aged patients residing at the hospital. Westfield Montgomery will match donations made for this event and throughout other activities for the Holiday season, up to $10,000. Click here to RSVP.
Per Westfield Montgomery: On Sunday, November 20 (11AM) Westfield Montgomery is officially kicking off the season with the Home for the Holidays Concert with celebrity guest emcee, Mario Lopez – FREE to attend, but suggested donations will benefit Children’s National Hospital.