It starts innocently enough.

A late morning. A mild chill. You wander into Dulce Crepes, the new café tucked into Park Potomac like it has been waiting for you longer than it should admit.

The smell hits first—warm batter meeting butter, a curl of toasted Illy espresso drifting from a machine that hisses like an Italian train pulling away. Someone nearby cuts into a crepe so thin you could almost see their regrets through it; another cradles a cappuccino as if preparing for a confession.

You glance at the menu. It reads like a passport: sweet and savory crepes, waffles gilded at the edges, pressed paninis, omelets, thick shakes, smoothies, acai bowls, and coffee strong enough to remind you you’re alive.

You stay longer than planned. Return sooner than expected. Always before they close at 9 pm.

Dulce Crepes. Now open in Park Potomac. Pretend you discovered it by accident.

*This section is sponsored by a friend of the Loop

🚚 Flavor Hive hits Potomac. The Instagram-famous walking-taco crew pops up this Saturday at Cabin John Village’s Holiday Bazaar. Bring your own bag of chips, literally any size, and come hungry

🖨️ Free prints, no quarters. Starting Jan. 5, Potomac Library joins the MCPL system in offering free daily printing, up to 15 black-and-white pages or two color pages, plus complimentary earbuds or flash drives if you need them. Plan your print run

💸 Budget clouds gathering. Montgomery County projects $853.7M less revenue through FY2031, driven by softer property and income taxes and potential federal cuts, setting up tough FY2027 decisions that could ripple into local services. Read what’s coming [WJLA]

🎨 Last call for local artists. One week left to apply for a coveted booth at the 2026 Bethesda Fine Arts Festival, coming in May 2026. Submit your application by Dec. 19

🥃 Sunday bottle hunt. The County’s Highly Allocated program drops a case of rare Found North Goldfinch 15-Year First Flight Cask Strength Whisky in Potomac Village, while Cabin John receives a case of hard-to-find Fortaleza Reposado Tequila this Sunday (not Saturday). See the full allocations

STEM Preschool: Mommy & Me | 10–11:30am @ STEM Preschool Potomac
Sneak in some grownup time while your little scientist dives into hands-on STEM play that previews preschool life and channels all that curiosity into tinkering. 🧪

Seniors 55+ Holiday Party | 11am–1pm @ Potomac Community Recreation Center
A festive midday meetup for 55+ regulars from Potomac Rec programs to trade hellos, holiday cheer, and community gossip in a warm, familiar room. 🎄

Cookies and Cocoa with Santa | 5-5:45pm or 6-6:45pm @ My Gym Potomac
Let little ones burn off pre-holiday wiggles with songs, games, cocoa, a Santa photo op, and a cookie treat at this adult-supervised My Gym event. Sign up in link 🎅

Bethesda Art Walk | 6–8pm @ Downtown Bethesda
Ease into Friday night as downtown Bethesda galleries open their doors for art browsing, artist meet-and-greets, and complimentary refreshments on a walkable evening circuit. See link for participating galleries 🎨

Holiday Bazaar | 11am–5pm @ Cabin John Village
Cabin John Village transforms into a festive pop-up bazaar for the final time this year with 30+ local makers, food trucks, live music, and free kids activities.🎄

Potomac Marble Discovery Walk | 11am–3:30pm @ Dickerson Conservation Park
Trace the “Potomac marble” that rebuilt Washington after 1814 with historian Paul Kreingold on a guided canal-side hike into long-forgotten quarries above the C&O towpath. Tickets in link 🪨

Holiday Market | 1–4pm @ Cogir of Potomac
Shop two floors of 20-plus local vendors at Cogir’s Holiday Market, then linger for complimentary cocoa, live music, kids crafts, and a photobooth keepsake too. First 100 guests snag a free gift 🎁

Santa Crawl | 2–10pm @ Pike & Rose
Suit up in Santa gear and roam Pike & Rose for DJs, games, Grinch sightings, costume prizes, and $4 drink specials across the bars. Tickets in link 🎅

Cabin John Winter Ice Show | 6:15–9pm @ Cabin John Ice Rink
The annual winter show spotlights local figure skaters filling the rink with big jumps, fast spins, and cozy holiday vibes for an easy, family-friendly night. Free admission + bring a jacket ⛸️

Founders Half Marathon | 7:30am–12pm @ North Parking for Carderock Cliffs
America’s cheapest half marathon still delivers: fast, flat 13.1 out-and-back on the C&O Towpath, with water stops, live results, and a post-race breakfast spread. Register in link 🏃

Santa Brunch | 10am & 1pm @ The Crossvines
Santa joins brunch for photos, buffet stations, cookie decorating, and a wine raffle, turning Sunday into equal parts kid magic and adult treat. Tickets in link 🎅

Hanukkah Floral Centerpiece Workshop | 1–2pm @ Dov & Company
Build a Hanukkah-ready fresh floral centerpiece with Megan of Flowers World Wide, picking up pro tips for color, balance, and keeping blooms vibrant through the holiday. Tickets in link 💐

Holiday Festival | 1–4pm @ Wrenacyn Farm
Trade the mall for a country afternoon with pony rides, horse treats, Santa photos, winter crafts, and hot chocolate around the fire. Tickets in link 🐴

Free Vinyasa Flow Yoga Class | 4-5pm @ Potomac Flow Yoga
Unwind with a free, all-levels vinyasa flow in the second-floor Darvish Room, led by Padmini Rajan, a lifelong yogi finishing her 200-hour training. 🧘

Meet Ashley: Your Blue-Eyed Gentle Gem

Ashley is a 4-year-old Siberian Husky with showstopping blue eyes and a striking black-and-white coat. At about 50 pounds, she’s a perfect medium-sized companion with a calm, almost regal presence.

Her real magic is her temperament. She’s cuddly, sweet, and gentle with people of all ages, and she gets along well with other dogs. Ashley is house-trained, spayed, microchipped, and fully vetted, so she’s truly ready for her forever home.

Ready to meet her? Visit FOACAS’s to submit an application and set up a meet-and-greet.

^{*Dates & times subject to change based on weather and/or venues making your life more difficult}

Forward the Loop to that neighbor who shows up with family-size chips and no regrets.

-Potomac Loop Team