We’re welcoming the holiday season with our 3rd annual Winter Festival on Sunday, December 3, complete with ornament painting, a launch party for Port City Brewing Co.’s annual “Tidings” ale, an ugly sweater contest and seasonal food and drink. The party is free to attend and open to the public.

From 1 to 9 pm, our heated urban backyard in Blagden Alley will be decked out as a charming winter wonderland for the holidays.

Guests can get crafty by painting decorative ornaments (starting at $5/each) with complimentary communal painting supplies.

Local brewery Port City Brewing Co. from Alexandria, VA has chosen Calico as the official launch spotfor its highly-anticipated holiday Tidings ale – a seasonal, wintry Belgian Strong Blonde brewed with ginger, Virginia-grown wheat, local honey and spices like cardamom and coriander. For the debut party, Port City will pour complimentary tastings for guests (21+) from 3-6pm.

Other wintry food and drink specials will include boozy cookie shots and hot cocktails from bar director Ian Fletcher, and seasonal tomato pies, comforting dips and topped tots from Chef Nathan Beauchamp.

And attendees are encouraged to wear their ugliest holiday sweater to the Blagden Alley bar, for a chance to win prizes.