Free things to do in the DC area

7 PM – 8:45 PM·African American History and Culture Museum, The Oprah Winfrey Theater · Washington

Historically Speaking: What a Dream Can Do (African American History and Culture Museum, Oprah Winfrey Theater) — Editors discuss objects of African American creativity, resistance, joy; signed books.

2:15 PM – 3:15 PM·Asian Art Museum, Meet at Information Desk · Washington

Free guided tour at Asian Art Museum examines Whistler’s Peacock Room, a 150‑year‑old London dining room turned iconic artwork, featuring Asian‑inspired design and Chinese porcelain.

12 PM – 1 PM·Asian Art Museum, Meet at Information Desk · Washington

Free hour-long guided tour of Japanese art at the Asian Art Museum, showcasing paintings, prints, screens, ceramics, metalwork and the Master of I‑nen Seal piece.

1 PM – 2 PM·Asian Art Museum, Meet at Information Desk · Washington

Docent-led tour of the Asian Art Museum’s 46,000‑piece collection explores cultural, aesthetic and conceptual commonalities and differences.

8 PM·The Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center, Gildenhorn Recital Hall, 8270 Alumni Drive, College Park, MD 20742

Boston Trio performs Turina, Ruehr, and Brahms piano trios at The Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center’s Gildenhorn Recital Hall.

11 AM – 2 PM·Postal Museum, Moving the Mail Atrium · Washington

At the Postal Museum’s Moving the Mail Atrium, a volunteer challenges participants to sort mail, decide deliveries versus the Dead Letter Office, and earn a prize.

10 AM·Park View Gallery, Glen Echo Park, 7300 MacArthur Blvd., Glen Echo, MD 20812

Inherited Threads exhibition by Asia Anderson and Lizzie Brown showcases patterns, motifs, textiles and paintings that explore cultural heritage, memory, identity and community connections. Free.

1 PM – 1:30 PM·American Indian Museum DC, Potomac Atrium · Washington

Dennis Zotigh performs tribal songs from Alaska to Florida in the Potomac Atrium, followed by a Q&A about museum and Indigenous culture; presentations may cancel without notice.

10:15 AM – 3:15 PM·American History Museum, Multiple floors · Washington

Docents lead Highlights tours, gallery spotlight talks, and hands‑on cart programs across the museum’s floors.

6 PM – 8 PM·Prince George's Plaza Community Center, 6600 Adelphi Road, Hyattsville, MD

Concept Design Workshop at Prince George’s Plaza Community Center shares updates on the new Multigenerational Center and gathers community feedback in an open‑house drop‑in format.

2 PM – 3 PM·Asian Art Museum, Meet in the S1 Lobby · Washington

Guided tour of Islamic art masterpieces, from a Syrian‑Egyptian silver‑inlaid basin to an Andalusian bronze lion and jeweled Persian king portrait, at Asian Art Museum.

10 AM·Ronald Reagan Building & ITC Wilson Plaza, 1300 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC, 20004

Fall Festival on Woodrow Wilson Plaza (Ronald Reagan Building) — pumpkin decorating, hay bale maze, face painting, balloon twisting, stilt walkers, live DJ music, complimentary cider, all ages, free.

2:15 PM – 3:15 PM·Asian Art Museum, Meet at Information Desk · Washington

Free guided tour at Asian Art Museum examines Whistler’s Peacock Room, a 150‑year‑old London dining room turned iconic artwork, featuring Asian‑inspired design and Chinese porcelain.

7:30 PM – 9 PM·Asian Art Museum, Meyer Auditorium · Washington

Limited‑seat concert at Asian Art Museum’s Meyer Auditorium presents Marlboro Music’s chamber program—Haydn, Dean, Saariaho, and Mozart works performed by clarinetist Jonathan Leibovitz and ensemble, $6 reservation fee.

1 PM – 2 PM·Asian Art Museum, Meet at Information Desk · Washington

Docent-led tour of the Asian Art Museum’s 46,000‑piece collection explores cultural, aesthetic and conceptual commonalities and differences.

5 PM – 10 PM·RCC Hunters Woods, 2310 Colts Neck Rd., Reston, VA

Tabletop gaming with cards, dice and meeples, featuring cooperative, worker placement, deckbuilding and strategy games, invites players to bring their collections and meet friends at RCC Hunters Woods.

11:30 AM – 12:15 PM·Postal Museum, Starts at the Information Desk in the Historic Lobby · Washington

Volunteer‑led 45‑minute highlights tour begins at the historic lobby information desk.

9:30 AM – 10:30 AM·Marlow Heights Community Center, 2800 St Clair Dr, Temple Hills, MD 20748

Basic yoga class at Marlow Heights Community Center focuses on deep breathing, controlled stretching, stress reduction, better sleep, and muscle stamina.

Korean War Veterans Memorial (meet the ranger inside the memorial) · Washington

A ranger guides a tour inside the Korean War Veterans Memorial, explaining the significance of its elements.

10 AM·Park View Gallery, Glen Echo Park, 7300 MacArthur Blvd., Glen Echo, MD 20812

Inherited Threads exhibition by Asia Anderson and Lizzie Brown showcases patterns, motifs, textiles and paintings that explore cultural heritage, memory, identity and community connections. Free.

11 AM – 1 PM·Southern Area Aquatics and Recreation Complex (SAARC), 13601 Missouri Avenue, Brandywine, MD

Guided walk at Southern Area Aquatics and Recreation Complex with healthcare professionals offering blood pressure screenings, health education, and wellness expert Q&A.

1 PM – 1:30 PM·American Indian Museum DC, Potomac Atrium · Washington

Dennis Zotigh performs tribal songs from Alaska to Florida in the Potomac Atrium, followed by a Q&A about museum and Indigenous culture; presentations may cancel without notice.

10:15 AM – 3:15 PM·American History Museum, Multiple floors · Washington

Docents lead Highlights tours, gallery spotlight talks, and hands‑on cart programs across the museum’s floors.

7 PM – 8:30 PM·Maple Avenue, Vienna, VA 22180

Half-mile costumed parade with floats, bands and fire trucks rolls down Maple Avenue, a rain‑or‑shine tradition since 1946, lasting about 90 minutes, free, all ages.

5:30 PM – 6:30 PM·Largo / Kettering / Perrywood Community Center, 431 Watkins Park Drive, Upper Marlboro, MD

Dynamic circuit workout at Upper Marlboro Community Center guides participants through timed strength, cardio, and endurance exercises; bring a mat or towel.