FRIDAY
30
OCTOBER
Things to do this weekend in Washington, DC
We reviewed 6,000+ Washington-area events and found 161 things to do in Washington, DC this weekend (Oct 30 – Nov 1). Last updated October 27, 2026.
All things to do in Washington, DC this weekend (Oct 30 – Nov 1)
VERONNEAU performs at Hill Center, blending French, American and Brazilian songs with originals, vocalist Lynn Veronneau and guitarist Ken Avis, featuring guests Karine Chapdelaine and Dave Kline.
Video game hour in the Alma Thomas Teen Space at MLK Central Library lets teens play rotating games, relax, and showcase skills, for ages 13–19.
Spoooky-themed movie matinee series screens Ghostbusters, Monster House, Hotel Transylvania, Monster’s Ink, and Beetlejuice in the Main Meeting Room, with limited snacks, for ages 19 and under.
Live jazz plays on the Plaza alongside Ron Arad’s LOVE SONG monumental installation.
A DC‑themed Pokémon Scavenger Hunt at Anacostia Neighborhood Library lets participants collect Ward 8 gym badge stickers on a card and earn a special prize, for all ages.
Step Afrika! presents The Fruits of Our Labor at Arena Stage, a stepping and percussion performance with bold red, white, and blue visuals examining America’s unfinished story.
Four-course Mexican culinary tour with National Geographic Explorer Dr. Rodrigo Medellín and Chef Christian Irabién at the Explorers Eatery.
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.
Live music by Joseph Monasterial on Pinstripes patio, mixing pop, R&B, and country, alongside handcrafted cocktails and chef‑driven menu.
Chinatown Funk Express returns to Lucky Danger for a Halloween edition, featuring costume attire and a night of funk music.
Stand-Up Showcase (DC Improv) — Top local comedians from DC, Maryland, Virginia perform a 90‑minute lineup of varied styles on a famous stage, ages 18+.
Haunted walking tour through Georgetown’s streets, Victorian row houses and gardens ends with a light show at the Exorcist Steps and a stop at the Old Stone House.
Spooky cover sets by RenRiot, Niiasii, The Frizz, Savage and more rock the Songbyrd Music House, raising funds for Girls Rock! DC; all ages.
Brazilian writer and performer Vanessa Severo presents a physically intense, emotionally raw portrait of Frida Kahlo’s life at Klein Theatre.
Jazz performances by Sweet Something Jazz, Taisha Estrada, and Kemi fill The Plaza at CityCenter each Friday evening.
Free performance by Adrienne Mack‑Davis blending soulful R&B, hip hop, and dance energy in the River Pavilion at The REACH.
Eli Brown performs his Panic Attack Tour at Echostage, a cashless standing‑room venue requiring ID for ages 18 and up.
Are You Now or Have You Ever Been? (Arena Stage) — Docudrama using original HUAC transcripts, featuring words of Arthur Miller, Jerome Robbins, Paul Robeson, and others.
Heavens to Betsy reunite for a punk set with Bikini Kill, Team Dresch, and Bratmobile at Black Cat, hosted by Menopunks.
Spooky Shabbat dinner at a Logan Circle home, led by Taylor and Dylan, offering vegetarian kosher meals and a costume-friendly atmosphere for adults.
Guided walk through the West Building’s plaza, lobby, and courtyard, highlighting Italian influences and Charles Platt’s design details at the National Museum of Asian Art.
Cameron Keys delivers his life‑based stand‑up routine at The Comedy Loft of DC, with a 2‑item food or drink minimum; entry 18+, sign‑language available on request.
Deserted island survival drama starring Linda Liddle and Bradley Preston screens at Southwest Neighborhood Library, ages 18 and up.
Mamma Mia! performed at The National Theatre, 1321 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington.
Stunning virtual reality takes visitors to 1776, showing Patriots coordinating to thwart a British invasion at the American History Museum.
Docent-led tour of the Asian Art Museum’s 46,000‑piece collection explores cultural, aesthetic and conceptual commonalities and differences.
J.J. Williamson delivers stand‑up comedy as opening act for Cedric “The Entertainer” at The Comedy Loft of DC, 18+ entry, 2‑item minimum purchase.
Halloween screening of the 10th‑anniversary remastered Train to Busan at the Asian Art Museum’s Meyer Auditorium, zombie costumes encouraged.
Ranger‑led two‑mile walk tracing JFK’s 1946 Georgetown route from his congressional arrival to his presidential rise, starting at the Georgetown Waterfront by the Swedish Embassy, all ages.
Best Buddies Homecoming Gala (Ronald Reagan Building) offers gala with chef bites, auction and champion fundraising, plus inclusive atrium dance for students and IDD participants, all ages, $200
Guided tours explore the Back and Forth exhibition featuring works by Rozeal, Titian, and Cezanne in the West Building Rotunda.
Hudson Westbrook: Hits Me Tour at The Anthem, Washington.
Puppy Happy Hour with Tito’s Handmade Vodka (The Ritz‑Carlton Georgetown) — Bring pets to The Yard for exclusive cocktails and light bites supporting Humane Rescue Alliance.
Free guided tour of Enid A. Haupt Garden with a volunteer, exploring its history and the new Garden Time Machine installation.
Volunteer‑led 45‑minute highlights tour begins at the historic lobby information desk.
Docent-led tour of Chinese ritual bronzes, calligraphy, brush paintings, and Ming porcelain at Asian Art Museum, meeting at West Building Information Desk.
Drunk Shakespeare: Drunk Dracula at The Sage, Washington, for ages 21 and up.
Guided tours of the Sculpture Garden at the National Gallery of Art showcase the outdoor collection.
Internet Basics & NorthStar (Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library) — Class on Explorer navigation, hyperlink use, search engine basics, copying web content to Word; 16 seats, ages 18+.
Violinist Siwoo Kim returns from New York to perform Tartini’s Devil’s Trill, Ysaÿe, Schubert and Paganini at the Arts Club of Washington, $60 members/$65 non‑members, hors d’oeuvres included.
Measure for Measure, a Shakespeare dark comedy set in 1950s American South, staged at Folger Shakespeare Library under Helen Hayes Award‑winning director Psalmayene 24.
Guided tours explore modern and contemporary art in the East Building atrium at the National Gallery of Art.
Bernard Dellario and Jean Schwartz present works exploring Parisian and Peloponnesian light, luminosity, and reflections at Calloway Fine Art & Consulting.
Ranger leads a ½‑mile woodland loop at the Rock Creek Park Nature Center, teaching trail safety, proper gear, and responsible recreation, for ages 5 and up.
Outdoor docent-led tour of the Smithsonian Castle and Arts & Industries Building begins at the north doors on Jefferson Drive SW, weather permitting.
Guided tours explore 17th‑century Dutch art scenes in the Rotunda of the National Gallery’s West Building.
Docents lead Highlights tours, gallery spotlight talks, and hands‑on cart programs across the museum’s floors.
The Washington Ballet's Go-Go 50 performs at Warner Theatre, with doors opening 6:30 PM and the show beginning 7:30 PM.
Hands‑on Windows 11 class at the MLK Jr. Memorial Library explores the new Start Menu, Cortana, Quick Access, Settings and keyboard shortcuts, for ages 18 and up.
Book Talk: Colorstruck! Painting, Pigment, Affect (National Gallery of Art Lecture Hall) — Talks and conversations exploring painting, pigment, and affect.
Eighteenth‑century reproduction printing press demonstration at the American History Museum explores revolutionary cartoons, newspapers, and pamphlets.
Illuminos String Quartet performs Haydn, Beach, Nordic folk tunes, Bolcom and others in a 30‑minute noon concert at the Arts Club of Washington, free with RSVP.
SATURDAY
31
OCTOBER
Free bat science talk by Dr. Kelly Russo-Petrick at MLK Library's Central Library, covering bat importance and research on DC rooftops, for ages 13–19 and 55+.
EIGHTIES MAYHEM 80's Halloween Dance Party (Black Cat) — DJ Steve EP and DJ Missguided spin 5 hours of 80s bangers, hits, deep cuts; costumes encouraged.
Washington Magic at the Arts Club presents Houdini’s 100th anniversary with close‑up, parlor and full stage magic by top performers, drinks, snacks, $60 members / $77 non‑members.
Cocktails flow as costumes, DJ beats, and Halloween mischief fill the Dirty Habit DC Courtyard.
Exclusive curator‑led tour in Asian Art Museum’s Gallery 23 showcases 7th‑19th century Islamic masterpieces from Spain to India, crossing the Atlantic for the first time.
Washington Improv Theater leads a free 90‑minute introductory improv workshop at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library, for ages 18 and up.
Trick-or-treat among the stacks at Lamond‑Riggs/Lillian J. Huff Neighborhood Library, with costume showcase and treat bags while supplies last, ages 19 and under.
Encore screening of dystopian short horror films—alien invasion, surveillance mishap, AI evil, genetic tampering, techno‑obsession—at Northeast Neighborhood Library; seats limited, registration required, for ages 18 and up.
A Halloween party at Songbyrd Music House features The Fearless Eras performing Taylor Swift covers and a costume contest with prizes.
Hands‑on art‑making projects at Moonshot Studio, The REACH, Kennedy Center, celebrate creativity, for all ages.
A DC‑themed Pokémon Scavenger Hunt at Anacostia Neighborhood Library lets participants collect Ward 8 gym badge stickers on a card and earn a special prize, for all ages.
Step Afrika! presents The Fruits of Our Labor at Arena Stage, a stepping and percussion performance with bold red, white, and blue visuals examining America’s unfinished story.
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.
Hard Rock Cafe hosts Whiskey & History: Ghosts, a three‑course dinner, guided tasting, and live storytelling of Washington’s haunted past, $65.30 per ticket.
At Pinstripes Georgetown, a live DJ spins music while guests receive custom permanent jewelry, tarot readings, and caricature portraits during the Halloween costume party.
Casual conversation with library patrons and neighbors over coffee and tea at Bellevue Neighborhood Library, for ages 13–19 and 55 and up.
Free haunted light show on the Exorcist Steps, presented by EventLightsUSA and Andrew Huff, with a haunted walking tour available.
Stand-Up Showcase (DC Improv) — Top local comedians from DC, Maryland, Virginia perform a 90‑minute lineup of varied styles on a famous stage, ages 18+.
Brazilian writer and performer Vanessa Severo presents a physically intense, emotionally raw portrait of Frida Kahlo’s life at Klein Theatre.
Haunted walking tour through Georgetown’s streets, Victorian row houses and gardens ends with a light show at the Exorcist Steps and a stop at the Old Stone House.
Dance performances, live Catrinas, paper marigold making, papel picado demos, pan de muerto baking, and a butterfly memorial arch fill the American Indian Museum, Washington, for all ages.
Free drop-in art program at the Portrait Gallery’s Education Center explores rotating mediums and occasional guest‑artist workshops, for all ages.
Are You Now or Have You Ever Been? (Arena Stage) — Docudrama using original HUAC transcripts, featuring words of Arthur Miller, Jerome Robbins, Paul Robeson, and others.
Bike with a Ranger: Fall Leaves and Halloween Edition (Peirce Barn, Washington) — Ranger‑led 3.6‑mile ride through Rock Creek Park, highlighting fall colors, leaf science, Halloween costumes.
John Summit presents the Ctrl Escape Arena Tour at Capital One Arena, Washington, all ages.
Monster Mash up dance party at Songbyrd Music House features DJ P.Vo spinning Taylor Swift mashups and other tracks, a free afterparty.
Guided tour of Hirshhorn’s collections and exhibitions in the museum lobby, offering close looking, critical discussion of 20th‑ and 21st‑century works, free, no registration required.
Guided walk through the West Building’s plaza, lobby, and courtyard, highlighting Italian influences and Charles Platt’s design details at the National Museum of Asian Art.
Cameron Keys delivers his life‑based stand‑up routine at The Comedy Loft of DC, with a 2‑item food or drink minimum; entry 18+, sign‑language available on request.
Mamma Mia! performed at The National Theatre, 1321 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington.
Stunning virtual reality takes visitors to 1776, showing Patriots coordinating to thwart a British invasion at the American History Museum.
Horror movies screened Saturday at Bellevue Neighborhood Library, featuring Good Boy, Together, Nanny, Eye for an Eye, and Horror Noire, for ages 18 and up.
Two quartets of Stradivari and Amati instruments perform Haydn, Mozart, and Beethoven at the American History Museum.
Friends Book Sale (Palisades Neighborhood Library) — Used books and other donated items for purchase, proceeds benefit the library; donations accepted up to two bags or boxes per Saturday, all ages.
Docent-led tour of the Asian Art Museum’s 46,000‑piece collection explores cultural, aesthetic and conceptual commonalities and differences.
J.J. Williamson delivers stand‑up comedy as opening act for Cedric “The Entertainer” at The Comedy Loft of DC, 18+ entry, 2‑item minimum purchase.
National Portrait Gallery leads a themed sketching tour of three portraits, then offers a hands‑on artmaking activity in the Education Center, all materials provided, for all ages.
Trick-or-Treat! (Petworth Neighborhood Library) — Library hosts a costume showcase and candy collection for trick-or-treaters, featuring princesses, superheroes, and more, ages 19 and under.
Guided 1.7‑mile hike on Milkhouse Ford trail through forest, historic Fort DeRussy, Joaquin Miller cabin, and historic ford, meeting at Rock Creek Park Nature Center; costumes encouraged.
Georgetown Library English Conversation Club (Georgetown Neighborhood Library) — Small group reads current‑issue articles, discusses American culture, and members present topics, for ages 13‑19 and 55+.
Pumpkin Decorating Workshop at Anacostia Community Museum’s Program Room offers painting pumpkins with bold patterns, whimsical characters, abstract designs, or dried‑flower adornments; all materials provided, all ages.
Frederick Wiseman’s Titicut Follies and A Couple screened in the Large Auditorium at the National Gallery of Art.
Docent-led tour of Chinese ritual bronzes, calligraphy, brush paintings, and Ming porcelain at Asian Art Museum, meeting at West Building Information Desk.
Drunk Shakespeare: Drunk Dracula at The Sage, Washington, for ages 21 and up.
Tai Chi Chuan classes at Hill Center DC, taught by Sifu Larry Hawkins, offer beginner and intermediate instruction, plus push hands, saber, sword and spear for all ages.
Instructor Nzinga leads Kemetic Yoga and Chair Yoga at Francis A. Gregory Neighborhood Library, offering breath‑focused geometric postures and seated movement for levels, ages 5 and up.
Guided tours of the Sculpture Garden at the National Gallery of Art showcase the outdoor collection.
Cooking Korean Jap Chae with marinated beef and scallion pancakes at Hill Center, led by Chef Wilma.
Measure for Measure, a Shakespeare dark comedy set in 1950s American South, staged at Folger Shakespeare Library under Helen Hayes Award‑winning director Psalmayene 24.
Guided tours explore modern and contemporary art in the East Building atrium at the National Gallery of Art.
Bernard Dellario and Jean Schwartz present works exploring Parisian and Peloponnesian light, luminosity, and reflections at Calloway Fine Art & Consulting.
Friends of Tenley Library Book Sale (Tenley‑Friendship Neighborhood Library) — Browse donated titles in the 2nd‑floor space; cart offers items during hours; donations accepted Saturdays 11‑1 pm, ages 18+.
Outdoor docent-led tour of the Smithsonian Castle and Arts & Industries Building begins at the north doors on Jefferson Drive SW, weather permitting.
Guided tours explore 17th‑century Dutch art scenes in the Rotunda of the National Gallery’s West Building.
Takoma Jazz at Takoma Station Tavern, 6914 4th Street NW, Washington, DC.
Docents lead Highlights tours, gallery spotlight talks, and hands‑on cart programs across the museum’s floors.
The Rocky Horror Picture Show — Lincoln Theatre, Washington.
Eighteenth‑century reproduction printing press demonstration at the American History Museum explores revolutionary cartoons, newspapers, and pamphlets.
Visionaries of the Creative Arts (VOCA): Deaf BIPOC Solo Shows III at Atlas Performing Arts Center showcases solo performances by Deaf BIPOC artists.
English Conversation Group (Tenley‑Friendship Neighborhood Library) — Professional interpreter Carol Ruppel leads a small weekly ESL conversation circle for intermediate‑level learners to practice English, ages 18+.
Meet Mary Pickersgill, seamstress of the garrison flag that inspired the Star‑Spangled Banner, and explore the War of 1812 at the American History Museum.
45 more events through Sunday, November 1.
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