Aline Tyler from Tamoka Park, Md., enjoys the Downtown DC Holiday Market.

By J. Pamela Stills
Special to the AFRO

The Downtown DC Holiday Market kicked off on Nov. 22, marking the 20 years in the nation’s capital. 

Washington, D.C. began bringing vendors with arts and crafts to Penn Quarter in 2005.  

Drew Anderson and Miko Reed, of the Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company, are all smiles during the Grand Opening Kick-Off of the Downtown DC Holiday Market, which is now open.

This year, the organizers included a spoken word performance by Miko Reed and Drew Anderson, who are co-hosts of Spit That. NBC4 News anchor, Molette Green, served as host for the event. Downtown DC Business Improvement District (BID) President and CEO, Gerren Price, in his welcome remarks mentioned that the one thing he is constantly being asked is whether “the churros will return” to the market. They have.  

Mayor Muriel Bowser spoke about the importance of the market to the city and the city’s commitment to create more D.C.-based businesses. 

Mayor Bowser asked the crowd to think about how they can support D.C.-based businesses and encouraged them to enjoy the arts and culture offered by the city.  After the Mayor’s remarks, a ribbon cutting marked the official kickoff of the market.  The ribbon cutting was followed by a musical performance by the Washington Performing Arts Gospel Choir.  The headliner for the event was Grammy nominated singer Kenny Lattimore. 

Melanie Nwosu and Gerren Price pose for a photo at the conclusion of the Grand Opening Kick-Off event of the 2024 Downtown DC Holiday Market on Nov. 22. Nosu is director of events and strategic partnerships and Price is president and CEO of the Business Improvement District.

Lattimore, a Washington, D.C. native, serenaded the crowd and incorporated DC Go-Go into his performance.  After the ceremonial performances, the crowd was treated to a paella tasting by the Jose’ Andres Group.  

Nov. 22 also marked the first time the city had two Holiday Markets from which to choose.  For the past 19 years, the Holiday Market was co-produced with Diverse Markets Management and the Downtown DC BID.  For the 20th season, however, Diverse Markets Management was asked to compete to continue to be the organizer for the event; the move being fueled by customers’ complaints.  

BID, in a statement earlier this year, said they “… were looking for some changes for this year that would bring a more diverse mix of vendors, have some more opportunities for local makers, artisans and small businesses, and just bring more food stalls …”  

Ed Outlaw made his way to the newest addition to the Downtown DC Holiday Market, a bar, called the Winter Chalet by the Dirty Habit, to purchase a cup of hot chocolate made strictly for adults. The “Hot Cocoa Kisses” beverage is enhanced with Bacardi Ocho, Baileys Chocolate and Toasted Marshmallow.

This year the Downtown DC Holiday Market is produced by the Makers Show, a New York production company, offering approximately 100 vendors. The market is located on F Street between 7th and 9th streets and will run from Nov. 22 through Dec. 23. The DC Holiday Market, which will offer about 30 vendors, is produced by Diverse Markets Management. The market is located on 19th Street Northwest between Q Street and Dupont Circle and will run from Nov. 22 through Dec. 15.  

Both locations are free and open to the public.

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