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Things to Do This Weekend in Washington, DC

Our end-of-the-week picks for May 3-5

We've gathered up some fun things to do in DC this weekend. You can also read what else is going on during the week and throughout the month.

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Friday

 

Hideaki Miyamura / Smithsonian Craft Show

Hideaki Miyamura / Smithsonian Craft Show

Smithsonian Craft Show
Revel in the talents of craft and design artists from all across the U.S. at the annual Smithsonian Craft Show. In addition to the five-day show, programming also includes a Preview Night benefit and party, a panel of award winners called “Trio in Glass” and a luncheon and talk on the topic of “Saving Culture and Art in Crisis". All proceeds benefit Smithsonian programs and museums.
Tickets
National Building Museum, 401 F Street Northwest, Washington, DC 20001

 

International City Food Festival
Get a taste of DC’s global food and drink at the second annual International City Food Festival complementing the first weekend of Passport DC. The three-day event will include celebrations aimed at making culinary diplomacy accessible — with free admission — to all ages. The festival offers a timely launch point to travel the globe and understand other cultures, all in the heart of DC.
More Info | Free Admission
The Square, 1875 I St NW, Washington, DC 20006

 

Flower Mart National Cathedral

Flower Mart
During Passport DC’s first weekend, the Washington National Cathedral hosts its annual Flower Mart, a two-day event that allows visitors to shop for plants and gifts, eat fun festival food, enjoy children’s activities, ride a historic carousel and take in the beauty of the International Floral Exhibit.
More Info | Free Admission
Washington National Cathedral, 3101 Wisconsin Ave NW Washington, DC 20016

 

Nationals Park

Star Wars Weekend at Nationals Park
Experience the magic of Friday nights with the Nats this May the Fourth weekend. Fans can enjoy fireworks with Star Wars-themed music plus weekend-long giveaways, including beanies and bobbleheads.
Tickets
Nationals Park, 1500 South Capitol Street SE, Washington, DC 20003

 

Saturday

 

Running of the Chihuahuas at The Wharf – May 4
The Wharf celebrates Cinco de Mayo with this too-cute-to-be-true chihuahua race, now in its 12th year. Watch the little pups run their way to glory at one of the most exciting places in DC. You’ll also be able to enjoy a beer garden, a 360-degree pet photo booth, a DJ, an adoptable pet parade, an all-breed costume contest and music throughout the afternoon. Admission is free.
2-5 p.m. |  Free Admission 
The Wharf, 600 Water Street SW, Washington, DC 20024 

 

Adams Morgan Spring PorchFest
One of the District’s most popular neighborhoods showcases some of DC’s best musical talent. Adams Morgan Spring PorchFest will feature more than 80 bands playing an array of genres, including rock, reggae, funk, Go-Go, rap, bluegrass, classical and pop. Twenty porches, business patios and parks, as well as the closed 18th Street, will become stages for the day, drawing music-lovers from around the region into the tree-lined streets and small businesses of Adams Morgan.
2-6 p.m. |  Free Admission

More Information

 

Financial Times Weekend Festival
Experience the Financial Times weekend paper come to life at the FTWeekend Festival: U.S. edition. Hear from Nancy Pelosi, Jake Sullivan, Jancis Robinson, Gucci Westman, Anne Applebaum, Colin King and your favorite FT writers across four stages at the REACH at the Kennedy Center as well as online. From debates and performances to wine and whiskey tastings, this is a Saturday event not to be missed. Register now and save 15% using the promo code DCFestival.
Note: This event is an external rental presented in coordination with The Kennedy Center Campus Rentals Office and is not produced by The Kennedy Center.
Tickets
The REACH at The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, 2700 F Street NW, Washington, DC 20566

 

M3 Rock Festival
Rock 'n roll diehards can get the full ‘80s arena experience at the two-day M3 Rock Festival. Celebrating its 15th year, the can't-miss event will feature legendary rockers like Bret Michaels, Dee Snider, Queensryche, Steven Pearcy, Doro, Quiet Riot, Chris Caffery and Night Ranger. Single and multi-day tickets are available.
Tickets
Merriweather Post Pavilion 10475 Little Patuxent Pkwy, Columbia, MD 21044

 

Anacostia River Festival
Spend the afternoon outdoors taking in the beauty of the 11th Street Bridge Park during the 10th annual Anacostia River Festival. The free, family-friendly event is hosted right next to the river, runs from 1-5 p.m. and includes a market as well as live music and plenty of activities.
1-5 p.m. |  Free Admission |  More Information
11th Street Bridge Park, 1901 Mississippi Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20020

 

Divinity Roxx
The Kennedy Center welcomes the entire family to enjoy Divinity Roxx’s empowering and inspiring live show. The Grammy®-nominated performer who has toured with Beyoncé recently released her first family music album, has published two picture books and has received widespread acclaim for her memorable and infectious songs. She’ll be at the Family Theater throughout the first weekend in May.
Tickets
The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, 2700 F Street NW, Washington, DC 20566

 

Unknown Soldier – Final Weekend
Arena Stage welcomes an elegiac musical that concerns Ellen Rabinowitz, who discovers a photo of an anonymous soldier while cleaning out her grandmother’s home. Daniel Goldstein and the late Michael Friedman penned this captivating tale of a woman’s journey to uncover the secrets of her family’s past, inevitably leading her towards the future.
Tickets
Arena Stage, 1101 6th Street SW, Washington, DC 20024

 

HAIR
Signature Theatre Company hosts a classic rock musical that broke new ground with its rebellion, spirit and psychedelic colors when it debuted in 1967. HAIR concerns a group of hippies on the verge of adulthood who champion freedom, pacifism and joy, but are confronted by a world thrown into chaos when one of their friends is drafted to the Vietnam War. The play features unforgettable songs such as “Aquarius,” “Let the Sunshine In,” and “Good Morning, Starshine”.
Tickets
Signature Theatre, 4200 Campbell Avenue, Arlington, VA 22206

 

Chastity Belt
An all-woman quartet with more than a decade of music behind them, Chastity Belt weaves together lush guitars, pounding rhythms, gorgeous melodies and lyrics with a memorable and careful balance of melancholy and optimism. Fresh off releasing their fifth studio LP, the group touches down at Black Cat on 14th Street.
8 p.m. |  Tickets
Black Cat, 1811 14th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009

 

Marc Maron
While his WTF podcast has become one of the most successful and influential of its kind, Marc Maron has been perfecting his already outstanding stand-up comedy chops. The level of insight that you hear on Maron’s pod only increases during his live shows, so don’t miss this comedic legend when he takes the stage at DC’s historic Warner Theatre.
8 p.m. |  Tickets
Warner Theatre, 513 13th Street NW, Washington, DC 20004

 

Sunday

 

Makers’ Market and Free Community Day at the National Museum of Women in the Arts
The National Museum of Women in the Arts welcomes visitors for free every first Sunday and second Wednesday of the month. For this community day, the museum will also host a makers’ market from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in its Great Hall where you can browse and purchase products from women artisans and women-owned businesses. You can also explore the museum’s collection and current exhibits, including 45-minute guided tours at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.
10 a.m. – 5 p.m. |  Free Admission |  Registration Required
National Museum of Women in the Arts, 1250 New York Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20005

 

ISEKAI: Blooming Parallel Worlds
ARTECHOUSE welcomes visitors to its seventh annual installation dedicated to celebrating the beauty of the cherry blossoms in DC. The museum treats your eyes to an exhibit inspired by the Isekai genre of Anime, allowing for the exploration of alternate universes stacked with colors, adventures and immersive technologies. Make sure to take advantage of tickets with a 10% discount.
Tickets (10% off)
ARTECHOUSE, 1238 Maryland Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20024

 

Little Shop of Horrors
Originally a sci-fi/horror comedy film released in 1960, Little Shop of Horrors then became an off-Broadway musical in the early 1980s. Yet another film adaptation followed a few years later, showing how this timeless story of a floral shop assistant and his singing, deadly plant will always dazzle audiences. The historic Ford’s Theatre revives the dynamic production during its upcoming spring season. Make sure to use code DDCSHOP20 for 20% off your tickets to the show (valid for March 16 - April 6 & May 1-18; limit two tickets per purchase)!
Tickets
Ford's Theatre, 511 10th Street NW, Washington, DC 20004

 

Amm(i)gone
Creator and performer Adil Mansoor must decide whether he should bury his queerness from his devout Muslim mother in a wondrous performance that blends Greek tragedy, teachings from the Quran and audio conversations. Mansoor has created an extremely powerful personal story about locating love across faith that is not to be missed at DC's Woolly Mammoth Theatre.
Tickets
Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company, 641 D Street NW, Washington, DC 20004

 

Places to Stay

Hotel room in the Hay Adams

Need some inspiration for a place to stay in between events? Washington, DC is filled with a multitude of hotels to fit your needs. Whether you are looking for that specialty boutique hotel or booking at your favorite hotel brand, Washington, DC's booking engine has it all. Find your stay today!
 

#Only1DC Photo of the Week

 

 

Do you know where you’ll be dining pre- or post-event? From pop-up restaurants to Michelin-starred hot spots to laid-back food halls, our DC food guide is perfect for helping you plan a more memorable experience.

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