This holiday season you might get a new kind of invitation: Friendsgiving! This contemporary twist on Thanksgiving is a fun way to celebrate with people you love other than family (although there’s no rule that says they can’t come too!). For those in the DC area, the possibilities for things to do for Friendsgiving are endless. If you’re wondering what to do for Friendsgiving in Washington DC, this list has you covered.

What is Friendsgiving & What Does It Mean?

Friendsgiving is a modern idea that was coined in 2007. Essentially, it’s a gathering of friends who celebrate the holiday together, but it doesn’t have to be on Thanksgiving. Instead, it’s typically held within a few days of Thanksgiving. Before it was even a recognized term, the show “Friends” depicted the entire gang spending Thanksgiving together. It’s unclear whether this influenced Friendsgiving, but it seems likely.

Once it started to catch on, marketing companies ran with it. Baileys Irish Cream ran targeted campaigns that helped boost its popularity and increase awareness of the faux-holiday. Friendsgiving officially earned a spot in the Merriam-Webster dictionary in 2020.    

20 Things to Do for Friendsgiving in Washington, DC

Whether you’re staying in or heading out, there are plenty of ways to make Friendsgiving special. Here are 20 ideas to get you started.

1.Take a Friendsgiving Hot Tub Cruise

Looking for unique Friendsgiving location ideas? Gather your crew for a Friendsgiving Hot Tub Cruise with Sea the City, offering a luxurious way to experience Washington DC. Bring your favorite wine or beer and relax in a commercial spa while soaking in views of the Potomac, monuments, and the DC skyline. As a fall bonus, enjoy complimentary hot apple cider. Now through November 30, save 20% on private or single-tub tours with promo code FRIENDS20. It’s the perfect way to unwind and make memories with friends this season!

2. Have a Turkey Potluck Dinner

Support local restaurants like Medium Rare Steakhouse this Friendsgiving by letting them fry a 10-12- pound turkey for you. Simply drop off your thawed bird between 11 am and 4 pm, and they’ll fry it for free. Any donations you make will benefit Feed the Fridge, a non-profit that stocks refrigerators around the DC metro area with healthy meals from local restaurants. Then, have a potluck to get the trimmings and sides. Alternatively, you can skip the sides and serve thick slices of the turkey on sandwiches for a no-frills luncheon.

3. Cozy Up by the Fire at a Restaurant and Bar

The District can get pretty chilly during holidays, making you want to warm your hands and tootsies by the fire. The group can cozy up and get warm alongside warm wood-fired ovens and outdoor fire pits at many of the restaurants and bars. Top choices include anything from Michelin-starred Maydan—with their huge open hearth on the inside—to Bourbon Steak where you can pull a chair up and sit around the outside fireplace. Both offer delicious fare and imaginative cocktails. 

4. Photograph Gorgeous Autumn Leaves

The holidays are a perfect time to capture Instagram-worthy moments to share with friends and family. For a perfect Friendsgiving aesthetic, capture the beauty of fall colors covering everything from the US National Mall to enchanting neighborhoods like Georgetown. Some top spots for your photogenic Friendsgiving planning can include:

• U.S. National Arboretum: This popular arboretum features gorgeous fall tones contrasted against majestic structures. While you’re there, don’t miss the Transitions: Autumn Bonsai Exhibit, which features a peak showing of red maples, yellow ginkgos, and fruited trees.  
• Theodore Roosevelt Island: This hidden gem offers peaceful trails framed by colorful leaves, ideal for scenic photos and tranquil moments along the Potomac River.
• National Mall: The iconic monuments take on a new life in the fall, with brilliant foliage enhancing views of the Washington Monument and Lincoln Memorial.
• Georgetown: This historic neighborhood comes alive with fall colors, providing endless photo opportunities along the C&O Canal and tree-lined streets.
• Capitol Hill: Capture the beauty of stately row houses framed by seasonal colors, and enjoy picturesque views from the steps of the U.S. Capitol.
• Tidal Basin: Known for its spring blossoms, the Tidal Basin also shines in autumn. The crisp reflection of orange and yellow leaves on the water creates an unforgettable setting for photos.

5. Give Back with Volunteer Opportunities

Gather your friends on Thanksgiving and volunteer to deliver meals to neighbors with serious illnesses across the DC area through Food & Friends. Each delivery provides a complete turkey dinner for five, helping recipients host their loved ones for the holiday. Additionally, you can volunteer in kitchens at local organizations. For more information, see Food & Friends’ volunteer page on their website. Other areas to check out for DC volunteer opportunities for the holiday include:

• Capital Area Food Bank 
• Salvation Army 
• Bread for the City

6.Take a Friendsgiving Museum Tour 

Whether your group prefers creative havens like the National Gallery of Art or enjoys more poignant venues like the US Holocaust Memorial Museum, you can all meet there and share some culture. Museums are a great Friendsgiving idea because there will be something there for everyone. Plus, you can learn to look at art from a different perspective once you find out which pieces resonate with each group member. 

7. Go on a Black Friday Shopping Spree

Turn your Friendsgiving into a shopping extravaganza by hitting the best spots in DC together. These shopping centers are sure to be decorated to the nines while offering opportunities for everyone to browse and score great holiday deals.

Here are some popular places opening their doors early for Black Friday and the upcoming weekend:

• Tanger Outlets at National Harbor: Open starting at 6PM on Thanksgiving evening until 10PM on Black Friday.
• CityCenter DC: The mall is scheduled to be open from 8AM-11PM on Black Friday.
• Fashion Center at Pentagon City: This mall will be open from 5PM on Thanksgiving until 1AM on Black Friday, and then briefly close before re-opening at 6AM on Black Friday.
• Tysons Corner Center: Just minutes from downtown Washington, DC, this premier shopping destination opens at 6AM on Black Friday.
• Potomac Mills: Open from 6AM on Black Friday, offering a wide range of stores and deals.
• Heurich House Museum’s Annual Market: The famed Castle Garden hosts the Christkindlmarkt throughout the first full weekend of December every year (Dec. 6-8 & 10-13). 

8. Work Together on a DC Scavenger Hunt 

You can go on a scavenger hunt together without needing to join an organized team. Instead, purchase tickets from Operation City Quest and get ready to take an adventure around the city. Your scavenger hunt can be started at any time, and you’ll use an app to help you locate clues. This is a good way for everyone to put their heads together, and you’ll all feel accomplished at the end. 

9. Go Outdoor Ice Skating Among Modern Sculptures 

There is a beloved DC tradition of outdoor ice skating, and you and your friends can join in by heading to the gorgeous National Gallery’s Sculpture Garden. It’ll help if you actually have ice skating skills, but there is room for everyone at this rink. Even if some of you aren’t too keen on ice skating, there is always the Pavilion Café, where you can grab hot cider, cocoa, or a pumpkin spice latte.  

10. Enjoy the Montgomery County Thanksgiving Parade

Most major cities host their own Thanksgiving Parade, but DC residents will have to go to Montgomery County in Maryland. It’s worth the drive, though, as this two-hour event features everything that makes a Thanksgiving Parade exciting. Rather than watching it on TV, grab your friends and head to Silver Spring to see all the action in person. This event is free, so you won’t even have to get any tickets.

11. Feed the Animals at Potomac Overlook Park

Potomac Overlook Regional Park invites you to join them as they give a Thanksgiving meal to birds, snakes, and turtles. Even better, you don’t have to just watch—you can participate! This is a unique event that will speak to any animal lover. Remember: everyone needs to be fed over the holidays, regardless of what they look like. Take this lesson to heart by going to this annual event.

12. Watch a Classic Film at AFI Silver Theatre

The AFI Silver Theatre shows classic films on the big screen. Ticket prices range from $10-$13 for most guests and they’ll be open on Thanksgiving Day. Perhaps the most holiday-worthy film for the week of Thanksgiving is The Wizard of Oz, which came out in 1939 and has been a family favorite ever since. Or, if you want to catch something with a more modern vibe, you can enjoy Pulp Fiction, The Virgin Suicides, or The Godfather Part II.   

13. Watch the National Christmas Tree Lighting 

The National Christmas Tree Lighting, featuring unique ornaments from across the US,  makes for an enchanting Friendsgiving experience. This beloved annual event takes place at the White House Ellipse, featuring a dazzling display of holiday lights and festive performances. Watch as the President lights the tree, marking the official start of the holiday season in DC. Enjoy live entertainment, seasonal music, and the enchanting atmosphere, making it a memorable outing for all. 

14. Build a Friendsgiving Gratitude Board Together

If you and your friends are more introverted, you can all gather at one person’s house and build a gratitude board together. This enables you to truly focus on the most important part of Thanksgiving—showing gratitude for everything you have. Rather than focusing on personal thanks, however, why not encourage each guest to write a message of gratitude for someone else at the party? 

15. Participate in America’s Trot For Hunger

After indulging in a delicious Thanksgiving dinner, offset the extra calories with one of DC’s most popular turkey trots: America’s Trot for Hunger. Grab your besties and head to Freedom Plaza and Pennsylvania Avenue to run along the National Mall, the U.S. Capitol, and other iconic DC sights. The event offers both a Little Turkey 1-Miler and a full 5K, both starting at Freedom Plaza. Join the fun Thanksgiving morning and make a difference and choose between two- or five-mile runs, plus a free Kiddie Dash for the little ones.

16. Listen to the Hottest Bands at the Black Cat

The hottest alternative and independent bands flock to the Black Cat music venue. Since Friendsgiving doesn’t have to be traditional, why not gather your buddies and go rock out? They have a few different offerings for the week of Thanksgiving, so you can take your pick. If you and your friends are torn between which artist to see, let the fates decide by putting their names into a hat and randomly picking one.

17. Join in on Friendsgiving 24 at the Naval Lodge

Want to make new friends as you celebrate with your existing ones? Friendsgiving 24 is held at the Naval Lodge, and it’s meant to provide a way for everyone to come together. Whether you join in with several friends or even go alone, you’ll be greeted by scrumptious food and a good holiday atmosphere. By the end of Friendsgiving 24, you’ll have built new friendships and memories to last a lifetime. 

18. Experience Experiential Art at ARTECHOUSE

If spending a day at a normal art museum isn’t your thing, why not head to ARTECHOUSE for an innovative art experience instead? You won’t have to walk from room to room to see a series of paintings, either. This particular exhibition literally puts you inside the art as it fills up an entire room. DC can enjoy Twilight Zone: Hidden Wonders of the Ocean. These creatures will be all around you, and they’ll feel so real, you’ll think you can touch them. 

19. Get Pampered at a Luxurious Hotel

Treat yourself and your friends to a luxurious Friendsgiving at The Fairmont Washington DC. Enjoy a full course Thanksgiving feast, unwind at the world-class spa, swim in their saltwater pool, or indulge in elegant afternoon tea. They also have a suite that’s suitable for Santa Claus himself! Don’t miss the beautifully decorated lobby and festive holiday events that will add an extra sparkle to your celebration. 

20. Marvel at the Gorgeous ZooLights 

This wonderful venue transforms the grounds at Smithsonian’s National Zoo venue into a magical winter wonderland. Visitors to ZooLights are treated to brightly lit carousels, live music, shopping opportunities, and special seasonal treats like s’mores and hot chocolate. What’s more? It’s a FREE event! You won’t see the Zoo’s animals during the event since they need to get a good night’s rest. But not to worry: Beautifully illuminated animal decorations more than make up for their absence.

Capture the Moment with a Friendsgiving Hot Tub Adventure!

Capture Instagram-worthy shots with the stunning backdrop of the historic DC skyline and our one-of-a-kind Hot Tub Boat Tour. Whether you’re celebrating Friendsgiving, a special occasion, or just planning a memorable night out, Sea the City offers an unforgettable way to experience DC’s iconic skyline from the warmth of an onboard hot tub. 

With adjustable tub temperatures, you and your friends can stay cozy as you cruise the Potomac—even on the chilliest fall days.

Use promo code FRIENDS20 to save 20% and enjoy complimentary hot apple cider on all tours through November 30.

Looking for the perfect gift?

Purchase a “Buy Now, Schedule Later” gift certificate from us and treat your friends to an experience they’ll never forget.

Don’t miss out—follow us on Instagram @seathecityhottub to stay updated on giveaways and exciting partner freebies throughout November!

FAQs

What is the official date for Friendsgiving?

There isn’t an official date for Friendsgiving. It’s usually celebrated in the days leading up to or right after Thanksgiving, depending on the group’s schedule. However, it can also be celebrated on the day of Thanksgiving with a gathering of friends. 

What is the best date for Friendsgiving?

The weekend before Thanksgiving is often the most popular, but it depends on what works best for your group. Some people prefer hosting it the weekend after Thanksgiving to avoid travel conflicts.

When should Friendsgiving start?

Friendsgiving events typically start in the afternoon or early evening, allowing guests to enjoy a leisurely meal and extended time together. Late afternoon is a popular time for starting potlucks.

What happens during Friendsgiving?

Friendsgiving is all about gathering with friends to enjoy a meal, usually featuring Thanksgiving-inspired dishes. The event often includes games and spending quality time together.

Is there a Thanksgiving parade in DC?

DC itself doesn’t host a Thanksgiving parade, but the Montgomery County Thanksgiving Parade in Silver Spring, Maryland, is a nearby favorite. It features floats, marching bands, and holiday entertainment.

Is Washington, DC worth visiting?

Absolutely! Washington, DC offers a mix of history, culture, and entertainment, with iconic landmarks, world-class museums, and vibrant neighborhoods. It’s also walkable since it’s compact and easily navigated. That is especially true when it comes to strolling through the District’s downtown areas.