Park and Recreation - Prince Georges County MD

In the Water Basketball Showcase
2025-12-26 12:00 - 2025-12-27 23:00 (America/New_York)
Get ready for two days of nonstop energy, top-tier talent, and unforgettable holiday-week excitement! The In The Water Basketball Showcase is back—and it’s bigger, louder, and more electrifying than ever. This annual event brings some of the DMV’s best boys’ and girls’ high school basketball teams under one roof for a showcase you won’t want to miss.Families, fans, and basketball lovers of all ages are invited to experience the thrill as powerhouse teams like Laurel, CMIT, Bowie, Arundel, Gwynn Park, Parkdale, Flowers, Fairmont Heights, Eleanor Roosevelt, and Theodore Roosevelt hit the court. Across six games each day, these student-athletes will battle it out with speed, precision, and passion—making every matchup a must-see event.

Preliminary Schedule:

December 26 Schedule 12:00 PM Game 1: Laurel vs CMIT
1:45 PM Game 2: Bowie vs Arundel
3:30 PM Game 3: Gwynn Park vs Parkdale (G)
5:15 PM Game 4: Flowers vs KIPP (DC) (G)
7:00 PM Game 5: Flowers vs Fairmont Heights
8:45 PM Game 6: E. Roosevelt vs T. Roosevelt

December 27 Schedule 12:00 PM Gwynn Park High School vs KIPP (DC) (Girls)
1:45 PM Laurel High School vs Fairmont Heights High School (Boys)
3:30 PM Arundel High School vs Consolation game 6
5:15 PM C.H. Flowers High School vs Parkdale High School (Girls)
7:00 PM C.H. Flowers High School vs CMIT North (Chesapeake Math and IT Academy) (Boys)
8:45 PM Bowie High School vs Winner 6

(G) – designates girls game

But the excitement doesn’t stop at the buzzer…

Event Highlights

Catch dazzling halftime and sideline performances from local cheer squads, dancers, and special guest entertainers who will keep the crowd hype and engaged.

Family-Friendly Competitions & Giveaways

Fans will have the chance to join in fun competitions, win prizes, and show off their basketball skills between games. Bring the whole family!

School Spirit on Full Display

Feel the pride as cheerleaders, marching units, and fans cheer on their teams, filling the arena with unmatched energy and community spirit.

Concessions & Fun Extras

Enjoy great food, interactive activities, and a festive atmosphere perfect for celebrating the season and supporting young athletes.

Whether you’re a basketball enthusiast or just looking for an exciting experience to share with friends and family, the In The Water Basketball Showcase delivers two days of entertainment, competition, and unforgettable memories.

Tickets are required for each day.

Join us and be part of one of the DMV’s premier high school basketball events!

Student, first responder and military discounts available. Additionally, family packs are available with or without food.

Regional Textile Showcase & Artists’ Boutique
2025-12-22 10:00 - 16:00, 2025-12-21 10:00 - 16:00, 2025-12-20 10:00 - 16:00, 2025-12-19 10:00 - 16:00, 2025-12-18 10:00 - 16:00, 2025-12-15 10:00 - 16:00, 2025-12-14 10:00 - 16:00
Enjoy viewing a variety of fiber mediums by textile artists, contemporary and traditional – quilts, rug hooking, felting, embroidery, needlepoint, crocheting, beading, and more. You can vote for your favorite piece! Are you a fiber artist? Participate and enter your creation! The artists’ boutique is back by popular for interesting gifts! Support local artisans/crafters.

Ages 5+. Free, donations welcomed. Reservations recommended but not required. Drop-ins welcomed!

Winter Break Blast
2025-12-22 09:00 - 16:30
Join us for Brunch, STEAM activities, Holiday Movies, Skating & More!

Holiday Bazaar
2025-12-20 14:00 - 18:00
Join us for a fun filled day with arts & crafts, cookie decorating, stocking stuffing, gifts, refreshments, secret shopping, and pictures with Santa and friends.

Keith Kreuger: What You See Is What You Get - Artist & Curator Talk
2025-12-20 14:00 - 16:00
This exhibition runs Nov. 10, 2025-Jan. 3, 2026, with an opening reception on Sat., Nov. 15 and an artist and curator talk on Sat., Dec. 20.

In What You See Is What You Get, artist Keith Kreuger presents a striking collection of found object assemblages that challenge perceptions of art, value, and transformation. Using everyday materials and discarded objects, Kreuger crafts intricate, thought-provoking sculptures that invite viewers to reconsider the beauty and potential of what is often overlooked. Each piece tells a story of reclamation and reinvention, offering a fresh perspective on the power of artistic expression through the art of assemblage.

Hits Different: 5 Under 35 - Artist & Curator Talk
2025-12-20 14:00 - 16:00
* This exhibition runs Nov. 10, 2025–Jan. 3, 2026, with a public reception on Sat., Nov. 15 and an artist and curator talk on Sat., Dec. 20. *

Curated by Emily Fussner, Hits Different: 5 Under 35 spotlights the fresh perspectives and bold creativity of five emerging artists—Milan Warner, Marisa Stratton, Madyha Leghari, MK Bailey, and Ara Koh. This exhibition showcases innovative approaches to material, form, and storytelling, reflecting the dynamic voices shaping the next generation of contemporary art. With a focus on experimentation and personal narrative, Hits Different captures the energy and evolution of young artists redefining the visual landscape.

A Charlie Brown Christmas with The Eric Byrd Trio
2025-12-20 14:00 - 16:00
Christmastime is here! Montpelier Arts Center and The Eric Byrd Trio celebrate the season with an afternoon filled with festive music from the Peanuts’ special. Comprised of pianist/vocalist Eric Byrd, bassist Bhagwan Khalsa, and drummer Alphonso Young, Jr., the Trio has traveled the world as enthusiastic ambassadors of jazz. Bringing fresh arrangements to these familiar songs, they are sure to put you in a holiday mood. “Merry Christmas, Charlie Brown!”

Michael G. Stewart: Inner Visions
2025-12-20 10:00 - 2026-01-25 17:00
* This exhibition runs Dec. 20, 2025–Jan. 25, 2026, with a public reception on Sun., Jan. 11. *

Michael G. Stewart has always looked at the world in his off-kilter way, and this show presents his unique “Inner Visions.” Rooted in the real, but bordered by the decidedly surreal, Michael’s art is whimsical, weird, and sometimes unnerving. Be his guest as he passes through a slightly cracked lens into a landscape both familiar and out of this world.

Hands on History: Festival of Lights
2025-12-20 10:00 - 12:00
Join us for our Hands-On History program, where we will make candles out of real bayberry wax and light them for luck in the New Year! At this special holiday event, explore the local history of candle making and New Year’s traditions among the diverse communities of Maryland. Please note: children 10 & under must have a chaperone (no more than two adults per family).

Seasons of Light with Smithsonian’s Discovery Theater
2025-12-17 11:15 - 12:00, 2025-12-17 10:00 - 10:45
This performance is part of our Education on Stage Series and is recommended for Grades K-5. Joy, warmth, and community illuminate seasonal holiday festivals the world over. This signature show from Discovery Theater celebrates the history and customs of Diwali (Devali), Chanukah, Las Posadas, Ramadan, Sankta Lucia Day, Kwanzaa, Christmas, and the First Nations’ tradition of the Winter Solstice in an interactive extravaganza bridging communities and cultures. Please note, everyone must have a ticket to enter, regardless of age. Groups of 20+ can call 301-277-1710 for Group Sales or fill out the online request form. PLEASE NOTE: The performances originally scheduled for Dec 18 have been cancelled.

Wed., Dec. 17, 10 am Tickets

Wed., Dec. 17, 11:15 am Tickets

Fry, Fry Baby: Air-fryer Tips and Tricks Nutrition Workshop
2025-12-16 18:00 - 19:00
It’s a fact that fried foods just taste awesome. Thanks to the air fryer, they can also be healthy-ish. Learn how to boost your produce intake, reduce your saturated fat intake, and keep your taste buds happy throughout the holiday season. Registration required. All ages welcome; FREE

Holiday Bootcamp: The Holiday Wellness Guide
2025-12-15 11:00 - 12:00
Get ready for a healthier, more balanced holiday season! With the Luminis Community Health Improvement Department, we are bringing you a FREE course designed to support your health and wellbeing throughout the holiday season. Registration is required. Participants will explore strategies for balanced nutrition, smart meal planning, budget-friendly grocery shopping, reducing holiday stress, and maintaining physical activity.

A Holiday Soul Review featuring the Brencore All Stars
2025-12-14 16:00 - 17:30
Step back in time and groove to the soulful sounds of the ’60s and ’70s! Join us for an unforgettable evening as our live band brings the magic from powerhouse labels like Motown, Stax, and others. Feel the rhythm, embrace the nostalgia, and celebrate the season with timeless tunes to warm your heart and get you dancing. Perfect for fans of artists like Marvin Gaye, Aretha Franklin, and Otis Redding, this concert promises to bring classic holiday hits to life. A soulful holiday celebration you won’t want to miss!

Now with TWO performances: Friday, December 12 at 8 pm and a newly added performance on Sunday, December 14 at 4 pm. Please select your showtime using the buttons below to purchase tickets.

Fri., Dec 12, 8 pm

Sun., Dec 14, 4 pm

David Brosch: My Maryland - Public Reception
2025-12-14 14:00 - 16:00
* This exhibition runs Nov. 11–Dec. 14, with a public reception on Sun., Dec. 14. *

Painter and printmaker David Brosch has lived in Maryland for decades and raised his family in Prince George’s County. He takes inspiration from his surroundings for the works in this latest exhibition, featuring oil paintings, prints, and drawings. The landscapes in this show include representations of both natural and urban areas.

Berchel Douglas: Portraits of a City - Public Reception
2025-12-14 14:00 - 16:00
This exhibition runs Nov. 13, 2025-Jan. 4, 2026, with a public reception on Sun., Dec. 14.

Berchel Douglas celebrates the diversity and creativity of Washington, D.C., through street photography and portraiture, focusing on friends, local creatives, business owners, and fellow artists. Together, the images are a tribute to the spirit of community, highlighting the complexity of urban life through stories that often go unnoticed but are vital to the city’s identity.

26th Annual Gingerbread House Contest and Show
2025-12-14 12:00 - 17:00
Join the tradition and visit the Gingerbread House Contest and Show held at Darnall’s Chance House Museum. See a dazzling display of gingerbread creations that reflect the rich history and vibrant culture of Prince George’s County, Maryland. This year’s entries will celebrate the local landmarks, architecture, stories, and traditions that showcase the unique heritage of Prince George’s County.

Holiday Trains and Planes
2025-12-14 10:00 - 16:00
Board the “College Park Express” as we transform the College Park Aviation Museum gallery into a miniature holiday town from the past. Experience the holiday season and the thrill of our annual Trains and Planes program. Participate in a festive craft, see the museum’s own train collection, and “meet and greet” train hobbyists who will take you back in time to experience the sights and sounds of their train displays. Free with museum admission.

Band of Roses
2025-12-13 20:00 - 22:00
Band of Roses is a stylistically unique and diverse all-female Jazz/Funk/R&B group from the DMV area. The members of Band of Roses have been singing, performing, and playing in sync as if they’d been together their entire musical careers. Notable members of the group include songstress Carmen Craven and saxophonist Sharon Thomas, who are recognized as some of the best in the DMV. They have won over the hearts of music lovers from all walks of life, performing at some of the most popular venues in the area. Come out and enjoy an evening of soulful entertainment by DMV’s finest, Band of Roses.

Riversdale Kitchen Guild: Holiday Treats
2025-12-13 17:30 - 20:30
Holiday Treats: Join the Riversdale Kitchen Guild over the open hearth as they highlight holiday beverages and treats-themed recipes using 19th century techniques.

Riversdale by Candlelight
2025-12-13 17:30 - 20:30
Walk-through history during this annual evening Open House. During your candlelit tour of the museum, you’ll learn about the stories of those who lived and worked in the mansion. Live music will fill the halls, and the Riversdale Kitchen Guild will be baking holiday treats in the dependency kitchen!

Santa & a Movie: Prancer: A Christmas Tale
2025-12-13 14:00 - 16:00
Embrace the season’s joy by joining us at our annual December family event! Get into the holiday spirit with your community, neighbors, and friends at Publick Playhouse. Children will have a chance to visit and take pictures with Santa. We’ll also offer coloring activities and a screening of the short, animated film Kung Fu Panda Holiday to entertain our youngest guests. Following that, we’ll present our feature film, Prancer: A Christmas Tale (2022). Please note, this event is recommended for ages 3-12, however, everyone must have a ticket to enter.

View Event Schedule

Skate With Santa
2025-12-13 14:00 - 16:00
Break out your festive holiday wear and enjoy ice skating and photos with Santa.

Cookies with Santa
2025-12-13 13:00 - 15:00
Join us for a magical holiday tradition! Enjoy yummy cookies, warm cocoa, and a special visit with Santa. Kids can share their wish lists and snap a picture with the big guy himself. Don’t miss this festive and fun family event.
