April has settled into the District with warmer weather, sunnier days, and plenty to do (even with the pollen). This month, the question isn’t if you’re outside—it’s where we’re linking.
Here’s your curated guide to the month ahead:
JUMP TO: Concerts + Shows
🤩
ACTIVITIES + EXPERIENCES
DC Emancipation Day is 4/16
A cornerstone of the city’s history, this day marks the end of slavery in DC in 1862
Saturdays this Month
Hop-On Shuttle & Food Trucks at the National Arboretum (ends 5/2)
Experience the arboretum on wheels with their Saturday shuttle tours. You can hop on and off at your leisure, & there will be guides sharing information during the ride. Food trucks from Dos Carnales & Frosty Softy will be selling food by the Visitor Center (10a - 4p, $5 for the shuttle / kids 2 & under ride free)
Farmers Market SW (ends in November)
M St Landing at The Wharf | 9a - 1p, free
Recurring farmers market
Through 4/12
The Fluffy Cloud Experience
This immersive installation at BERHTA is part wellness, part nightlife, and part art, all built around a 360° overhead sound + light system shaped like a cloud. Featured at Burning Man and Art Basel, the 15-ton Cloud has been used for everything from DJ sets to interactive art and now sound baths during their DC residency. Tickets are $100 for the soundbath and $15+ for the special events
National Cherry Blossom Festival
The annual celebration of the sakura flower continues with various events through 4/12, including the official Parade along Constitution Avenue on 4/11 (11a - 1:30p, free) and the Sakura Matsuri Japanese Street Festival on Pennsylvania & Constitution Aves on 4/11 + 4/12 (starts 10:30a, $20+)
Through 4/26
Peak Bloom: Dome Experience
This seasonal collab between Hi-Lawn & ARTECHOUSE transforms the 50-ft dome on top of Union Market into a cherry blossom light experience with 360° projections, dynamic floral visuals, and an auto-sensory kickback vibe (multiple entry times, $25 / family-friendly, adults only after 6p)
4/10 - 10/12
America’s State Flowers: An America250 Celebration
The US Botanic Garden will become a floral map with the official flowers of each U.S. state and territory on display in celebration of America’s 250th anniversary (museum is open 10a - 5p daily, free)
4/11
DC Beer Fest
Nationals Park | 12p - 8p, $67
Blossom Block Festival
Sycamore & Oak | 12p - 7p, free
Family-friendly event with live music, vendors, a play area, & more
4/12
Jazz & Blossoms
Franklin Park | 12p - 7p, free
Family-friendly festival with performances by Tweet, Oddisee & Good Compny, Chuck Brown Band, & more
4/16
Mystics Wine & Basketball
The Wharf Dockmaster Building | 6p - 9p, $175
Support the Mystics’ youth girls’ basketball fund at this benefit event with curated wine tastings, autographed memorabilia, a silent auction, & more
District Day Trunk Show
NMAAHC | 10a - 4p, free
Vendor marketplace at the African American history museum in honor of DC Emancipation Day
4/16 - 4/26
Filmfest DC
Multiple venues + showtimes, tickets $15+
The 40th annual film festival brings cinema from around the world to the District
4/18
District Sounds Festival
The Wharf | 3p - 9p, $12
Will have live music & performances blending hip-hop, cumbia, flamenco, & house, including a finale by Oddisee & the Georgetown University Orchestra
Pink on the Pier Runway Show
Freedom Pier at the National Harbor | 4p - 7p, $45+
4/19
DC Emancipation Day Festival, Parade & Concert
Franklin Park | 1p - 9p, free
Earth Day Forest Bathing
National Arboretum | 9a - 11a, $35
4/20 - 4/26
DC Climate Week
Multiple events & start times, most events are free
Community-organized events, screenings, & more exploring the challenges of the climate crisis
4/22 - 4/26
Smithsonian Craft Show
National Building Museum | opens at 10a, $25
Showcasing hand-crafted American artisanal works
4/24 - 4/26
Georgetown French Market
Wisconsin Ave | 11a - 5p, free
Scratch, Sip & Paint: Words Beats & Life Hip-Hop Experience
Words Beats & Life | multiple event times, $66
DJ & graffiti workshop with complimentary wine
4/25
Chocolate City Literature Festival
Sycamore & Oak | 10a - 5p, $54
Celebrating Black stories with panels, vendors, a kid’s zone, & more
New Kitchens on the Block
Mess Hall | 12p + 3p, $140
Food festival with 9 new DC restaurants showcasing their signature dishes & drinks before they open
DC Wine Fest
Dock5 | 12p - 10p, $45+
Uncorked: DC
Nationals Park | 6p - 10p, $90+
Wine & cocktail festival with food trucks
4/30
EAT.DRINK.SHAW.
Howard Theatre | 7p - 9:30p, $55+
Will have unlimited bites from 20+ neighborhood eateries & bars
4/30 - 5/1
Black Light: A Howard Short Film Showcase
Miracle Theatre | 6p - 10p, $36+
🎵
CONCERTS + SHOWS
Through 4/19
I Put a Spell on You: Nina Simone
Signature Theatre in Arlington, VA | multiple showtimes, $53
Cabaret show featuring music by the iconic artist
4/4
Chris Tucker
The Theater at MGM in National Harbor, MD | 8p, $85+
4/7 - 4/12
The Wiz
The National Theatre | multiple showtimes, $90+
4/8
Cardi B: Little Miss Drama Tour
Capital One Arena | 8p, $$
Check resale sites for additional ticket pricing
-Will have an after party at THRōW Social (10p, $65+)
4/9
Jae Stephens: The SELLOUT Tour
Songbyrd | 7p, $28
rum.gold
The Atlantis | 6:30p, $33
GospelFest: A Tribute to Richard Smallwood
Baltimore Symphony Orchestra | 7:30p, $34+
4/9 - 4/26
Young Americans
1st Stage | multiple showtimes, $55
This stage play traces a Haitian couple’s cross-country journey toward a new life, revisited years later as the husband retraces it with their daughter
4/10
DaBaby: Be More Grateful Tour
Ikonic Live in Baltimore, MD | 7p - 11p, $34+
-Will have a show at The Fillmore in Silver Spring, MD on 4/12 (8p, $91+)
Keke Wyatt
Bethesda Theater in MD | $80+
4/11
R&B Experience
with Tank, SWV, Ginuwine, Tamar Braxton, Silk, Lloyd,& H-Town
Capital One Arena | 8p, $106+
DMV Spring Fest: YKNIECE & Big Boogie
THRōW Social | 9p - 3:30a, $48+
Hannibal Buress
Capital Turnaround | 8p, $46+
4/11 + 4/12
Floetry: Say Yes the Tour
with Raheem Devaughn
Lyric Baltimore in MD | 8p on 4/11 (sold out) | 7p on 4/12, $83+
4/12
The Temptations & The Four Tops
The Theater at MGM in National Harbor, MD | 8p, $80+
4/14
JayDon: Flamed Up
Songbyrd | 7p, $26
4/15
GENA (Liv.e + Karriem Riggins): The Pleasure is Yours Tour
Songbyrd | 7p, $28
4/16
David Michael Wyatt: The Velvet Voice
Howard Theatre | 8p, $50+
4/17
Juvenile’s Boiling Point Album Release Tour w/ The 400 Degreez Band
Howard Theatre | 8p, $83+
4/18
A Salute to Women Veterans ft. Patti LaBelle
DAR Constitution Hall | 7p, $115+
Kindred the Family Soul
The Birchmere in Alexandria, VA | 7:30p, $209
4/18 - 5/10
44: The Musical
Klein Theatre | multiple showtimes, $75+
Satirical stage play about Barack Obama’s presidency
4/19
Black Coffee
Anthem Row | 3:30p - 9p, sold out
Resale tickets available for $195+: StubHub | Vivid Seats
Tony Woods & Friends
DC Improv | 7p, $30+
4/20
Curren$y & Friends
Howard Theatre | 8p, $62
4/22
Floetry: Say Yes the Tour
The Anthem | 8p, $$
Check resale sites for additional ticket prices
sosocamo: Big Country Tour
Songbyrd | 7p, $26
4/23
Talib Kweli
Baltimore Soundstage in MD | 8p, $40
Danny Brown
The Fillmore in Silver Spring, MD | 8p, $45+
4/23 - 4/26
Kountry Wayne
DC Improv | multiple showtimes, $46+
4/24 + 4/25
Je’Caryous Johnson Presents “Set It Off”
Warner Theatre | 8p, $74+
4/25
Fetty Wap
Chesapeake Employers Insurance Arena in Baltimore, MD | 9p, $58+
David & Tamela Mann: The Love & Relationship Tour
The Theater at MGM in National Harbor, MD | 8p, $56+
4/25 + 4/26
Zack Fox
BERHTA | 4p, $60+ (currently waitlist only)
4/25 show | 4/26 show
4/26
Best of The Apollo
ft. Clipse, Matthew Whitaker, WÉ Ani, Gabby Samone, Black Alley & hosted by Chris Spencer
Howard Theatre | 7p, $124
Showcasing artists with roots in the legendary Amateur Night at The Apollo
Life After...Live Podcast Experience by Monique Samuels & Richie Skye
Bethesda Theater in MD | 3p, $60+
Oddisee / Heno.
DC9 | 6p, $16+
4/27
DDG: Blame the Chat Tour
Union Stage | 8p, $43+
4/28
Trevor Jackson
Jammin Java in Vienna, VA | 8p, $27+
4/30
IOTHESINGER
Songbyrd | 7p, $20