Mindful Drinking Fest Returns!
Try hundreds of non-alcoholic beverages, party during the most notoriously dry month, and connect with the sober-curious at Washington, D.C.'s most mindful gathering.
You don’t have to go anywhere during Dry January. You’re perfectly welcome to sit at home, sip soda water, and binge-watch old episodes of The Office—otherwise known as “bed rotting.” I’ve done it myself and can attest to experiencing a certain amount of JOMO (Joy of Missing Out). However, there are times when connecting with others is more rewarding than connecting solely with yourself—especially when you’re ready to make meaningful changes around drinking. Sure, journaling, meditating, and exercising are valuable, but those practices can also be done collectively.
Enter Mindful Drinking Fest, held for its fourth year on January 10–12 in Washington, D.C., at Dock5 & Autoshop. It’s the mindful drinking party of the year. I know this because I organize it—but also because I’ve experienced it firsthand.
Here’s what I saw last year and what’s coming in 2025…
Mindful Drinking Fest 2024
Last year, Mindful Drinking Fest drew over 700 attendees and spanned the entire weekend—from the opening toast on Friday night to the closing gratitude send-off on Sunday afternoon. In between, we hosted a Grand Tasting Hall featuring over 150 non-alcoholic products, alongside wellness events, seminars, and parties.
We karaoke’d our hearts out and even had an entirely non-alcoholic rave with over 300 people dancing their faces off to some of the city’s most talented DJs at Culture. And, you know what, we got up the next day to do a “forest bath” and yoga. Not something that’s as easy to pull off at festivals where alcohol is at the center.
I also tried some of the most outstanding non-alcoholic beers, wines, and spirits. Highlights for me include Fluère Bitter, Kollone Null non-alcoholic wines, and Uncle Waithley’s Ginger Beer. But there was no shortage of delicious drinks and great NA cocktails made from some of the city and world’s top mixologists from Judy Elahi to Camille Vidal.
Mindful Drinking Fest 2025
This year, we’re expecting to double the attendance, expand the selection of non-alcoholic beverages, and offer even more wellness events, seminars, and parties. At the Grand Tasting Hall, you’ll find some returning favorites alongside exciting new-to-market options, including the renowned Zeronimo non-alcoholic wines—featuring a 98-point red blend.
On Friday night, we’ll bring back karaoke, and on Saturday night, we’re debuting NO FUN, a live cocktail competition where contestants square off in a variety contest blending cocktails with creative performances.
During the day, you can immerse yourself in a cacao ceremony or join a journaling workshop. We’re also hosting thought-provoking seminars like:
“Building on Micro-moments of Wellness: How Small Changes Can Lead to Big Gains in Our Health”
“Creativity as Your Compass: Tools for Addressing ADHD, Neurodivergence, and Mindful Drinking.”
This year’s lineup is bigger, better, and packed with opportunities to connect, learn, and have fun—mindfully, of course.
Mindful Drinking Fest is simply the best way to kickstart your year by habit stacking the act of going out to fun, social events but adding wellness and non-alcoholic drinks into the picture. Dry January doesn’t have to be about what you give up but what you gain—new habits, new friends, and new delicious drinks. I’ll see you there!
Don’t just watch the party happening on social media! Early bird tickets are almost gone so make sure to grab your’s soon. Early bird tickets are $50 for the entire weekend. Grab your tickets and share with a friend!
What’s happening and what’s next….
Part two of our Zero + Damage Holiday Gift Guide is out on Laura Silverman’s Substack,
. Check out her five picks for mindful drinking gifts including how you can splurge and travel to Bermuda on a booze-free cruise. 🚢Here’s a reminder that you can take the holidays easy and avoid pain and suffering the morning after on my latest episode of The Mindful Drinking Podcast, Holidays Without the Hangover. 🎧
Not sure what to bring for Thanksgiving? I suggest what wines to pick up in my post “Bring These Non-Alcoholic Wines to Thanksgiving” for a perfect pairing to the turkey and sides. 🍷🦃
Happy Thanksgiving to all of those who celebrate! I’m grateful to you, my subscribers, Oar Health, Laura Silverman, Maria Bastasch and everyone who helps make Positive Damage happen week after week.
Learn more about how Oar Health can help you drink less or quit here.
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Can’t wait for MDF!