Holiday markets are popping up all over the DMV.

Why it matters: You can't get hot drinks and winter cheer shopping online.

The big picture: Many of these markets aren't just about shopping — there's Christmas music, family activities, crafting and participation from international embassies and cultural organizations.

Here are the markets you won't want to miss:

Norwegian Festival (Today through Sunday)

• Fairfax's Norway House hosts a market brimming with Nordic goods like Dale sweaters, linens and Freia chocolates. Kids will have fun riding Fjord horses and eating fresh waffles in the Norwegian café, which also hosts lefse-making demos. Make reservations for priority entry.

Heurich House Christmas Markt (Today through Sunday, and Dec. 10-13)

• Dupont Circle's historic "brewmaster's castle" turns its gardens into a German-style holiday market with Glühwein and 60-plus local small-scale artisans. Tickets ($8-$18) required.
• Heurich is also hosting Makers Month (through Dec. 13) with decorated house tours, craftsman workshops and a festive biergarten.

Bethesda's Winter Wonderland and Market (Saturday)

• The annual holiday festival added a market this year with over 50 artisans. Families can meet Santa, watch live ice sculpting and catch a Christmas concert.

Del Ray's Fine Art & Fine Craft Market (Today through Sunday, Dec. 13-15 and Dec. 20-22)

• Now in its 29th year, Del Ray Artisans host a market during the first four December weekends. Different local artists are featured each weekend with their jewelry, candles, ceramics and more.

DC Holiday Market at Dupont Circle (Through Dec. 15)

• The new market brings together over 30 small businesses selling crafts, artwork, jewelry, candles and more. Snag holiday treats from Migue's Mini Donuts and Capital Candy Jar's hot roasted nuts.

Downtown DC Holiday Market (Through Dec. 23)

• D.C.'s biggest holiday market marks its 20th year in Penn Quarter, and is one of many Christmastime activities downtown. The expanded market features over 100 vendors selling everything from kids' and pets' items to gourmet gifts and decor (plus: it's daily!). Visitors can grab tacos, s'mores and hot cocktails from pop-up chalet bars.

More markets.

With the inauguration just over a month away, a seven-page prospectus obtained by Axios includes packages for donors giving $50,000 to $1 million, with varying levels of access to:

• A "Make America Great Again Victory Rally" on the Saturday before the inauguration.
• A "Cabinet Reception" with Trump's incoming nominees.
• "An intimate dinner" with Vice President-elect JD Vance and his wife, Usha.
• On Sunday, an interfaith "One America, One Light Sunday Service," with Donald and Melania Trump.
• A candlelight dinner — a "pinnacle event" — with the president-elect and incoming first lady.
• And on Monday, Jan. 20, on the night of the swearing-in, a black-tie "Starlight Ball," with appearances by the Trumps and Vances.

💰 The N.Y. Times' Teddy Schleifer, who reported Tuesday on the invitation, notes: "There are no limits on the donations that can be made to the Trump committee, which is structured as a political nonprofit for tax purposes." Gifts over $200 are reported to the FEC.

Palantir, a big Beltway contractor out of Silicon Valley with influence inside the Pentagon and secret-squirrel Washington, is suddenly being valued as though it's a fast-growing startup — even though it's 21 years old.

Why it matters: The AI darling's most recent earnings report came out the day before Donald Trump won the presidency. The two events have helped to propel the stock to record highs.

Where it stands: Palantir's current valuation stands at about $160 billion — with Peter Thiel's stake now worth $7 billion.

• The Palantir chairman has been described as a "kingmaker" in Trumpland after Trump picked Thiel protégé JD Vance as his running mate.
• In its most recent quarter, 44% of Palantir's $726 million in revenue came from the U.S. government.

The big picture: Palantir has impressive earnings growth for a pretty mature company, but even so it trades at eye-watering multiples.

• Palantir's market cap is 60 times its revenue over the last year and 350 times its earnings.
• CEO Alex Karp is undaunted, claiming that "a juggernaut is emerging" and that Palantir intends "to take the entire market."
• Wedbush analyst Dan Ives agrees with him, telling Axios that the company "could be the Oracle and Microsoft of the next decade."

Go deeper.

🎄 President Biden participated in his final National Christmas Tree lighting ceremony last night on the Ellipse. Artists like James Taylor and Adam Blackstone performed.

• Fun fact: The 35-foot Red Spruce tree hails from Virginia's George Washington and Jefferson National Forests. (CBS)

🚌 Metro is installing both uniformed and undercover officers along certain bus routes to crack down on fare evasion and issue citations to those who don't pay — about 70% of bus riders, per the group. (WTOP)

📬 A man has been charged with stealing master keys for mail collection boxes and lockers, then using them to steal mail from luxury apartments throughout the DMV, per authorities. The man allegedly then stole money from the intended recipients via personal information found in their mail. (Washington Post)

🌬️ Thousands of people across the region lost power yesterday thanks to the chilly winds: Over 900 people in Maryland, per Pepco, and more than 3,000 in Northern Virginia, per Dominion Energy. (DC News Now)

🌱 Discover new local events.

• Riverdale Park Holiday Market with Santa at The Station Riverdale Park tomorrow: The Station at Riverdale Park hosts a Holiday Market featuring 15 plus artisans and boutique brands, unique gift items with free gift wrapping, photos with Santa, and pastries & hot beverages.
• Washington Ballet's 'The Nutcracker' at Warner Theatre now through Dec 29: Experience the magic of The Washington Ballet's charmingly DC The Nutcracker. $63.
• 2025 Black Tie New Year's Eve Gala at the Luxurious Willard at The Willard InterContinental on Dec 31: Steeped in 200 years of history, the iconic Willard InterContinental Washington, DC is the venue for Washington's premier & most luxurious international New Year's Eve celebration, presented for the 18th year.

Hosting an event? Email [email protected].

U Street bar Political Pattie's is now closed after experiencing online backlash for trying to become D.C.'s bipartisan bar, Fox 5 reports.

• It only got to serve its politically themed cocktails for 75 days.

What we're watching: What's going to happen next with the former Dirty Goose space.

• Oh, and what's the plan with all those gavels...