The month of May has settled into the District with warming temperatures, packed social calendars, and a city fully stepping into outside season.
Here’s what to get into across the DMV this month:
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ACTIVITIES + EXPERIENCES
ONGOING EVENTS:
ARTECHOUSE Bloom Hunt (Through May 24)
This citywide interactive art adventure invites you to explore local neighborhoods and unlock hidden digital cherry blossom installations using your phone. Find all of the activations and get a free ticket to ARTECHOUSE DC when it reopens. Learn more here
Passport DC (Through 5/31)
Travel the world without leaving the District during this month-long, city-wide celebration of cultures. Throughout May there will be events & activities highlighting DC’s international community through embassy open houses, cultural performances, & global cuisine throughout the city. See the full lineup of featured events here
Walking Tours of Union Station (5/7 - July 25)
Held from 6p - 7:30p, $25 per person
Preakness Festival & the Preakness Stakes (5/10 - 5/17)
The event lineup leading to the 151st Preakness Stakes on 5/17 include the George “Spider” Anderson Music & Arts Festival celebrating the first African-American jockey to win the Stakes (5/16, 1p - 8p, free), Governor Wes Moore’s Open Golf Tournament (5/11, invite only), and AfroPreak at Power Plant Live on 5/16 (2p - 10p, $60+)
Jazz in the Garden: American Sounds (Fridays, 5/22 - July 12)
The National Gallery of Art’s summer concert series returns this month with a lineup of live jazz and more. Tickets for this event are free through a weekly lottery, with limited walk-up passes available.
Smithsonian Castle Reopening (5/22 - September 7)
The Smithsonian Castle reopens with American Aspirations, a 250th anniversary exhibition exploring how generations have shaped and redefined ideals of freedom and opportunity through artifacts like Harriet Tubman’s hymnal and Thomas Jefferson’s desk, where the Declaration of Independence was drafted. Learn more about the exhibit here
Artscape (5/23 - 5/24)
Free outdoor arts festival in Downtown Baltimore, MD with interactive art exhibits, workshops, & performances by The Roots, Stephanie Mills, & more
DC Black Pride (5/23 - 5/26)
The city’s Black LGBTQIA+ community will be celebrated with events, parties, & community events
Memorial Day Weekend will have various events and observances honoring those who served, including the National Memorial Day Concert (5/24) and the Parade (5/25)
SINGLE DAY:
5/10
Washington Mystics Season Opener
CareFirst Arena | 3p, $101+
vs. the New York Liberty
Black Mothers March
Lincoln Memorial | 11a - 3p, free
Gathering to show solidarity against policies that negatively impact Black families
5/14
Spring Night Market
Hi-Lawn & Dock5 | 5p - 10:30p, $8
Street food market with vendors, performances, & family-friendly activities
5/16
Generation DMV 2026 Men & Mental Health Conference
UDC | 11a - 11p, free
Cecred “Take the Heat” Styling Collection Popup
Ulta in Owings Mills, MD | 10a - 6p, free
Anacostia River Festival
Anacostia Park | 2p - 6p, free
Family-friendly
5/21
The Gogo Moshpit
Transmission | 8p - 12a, $20
5/23
#CapHouseFest
Alethia Tanner Park | 11a - 10p, free
Family-friendly house music festival honoring the late Sam “The Man” Burns
5/28
Cocktails & Conversations: Future-Proofing D.C.’s Flora
US Botanic Garden | 6:30p - 8:30p, free with registration
Afterhours event with seasonal cocktails & mocktails and plant-based bites
5/29
Spring Soirée
National Arboretum | 6p - 9p, $350+
Fundraiser event with a light buffet & drinks
5/30
New Balance Appreciation Day
metrobar | 3p - 8p, free
Will have food trucks, vendors, & more
Petworth Porchfest
Will have stages throughout the neighborhood | 2p - 8p, free
Neighborhood-wide music festival with local bands and artists performing across front porches, patios, & community spaces throughout the area
5/31
Jazz in the Heights
Sycamore & Oak | 1p - 9p, free
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CONCERTS + SHOWS
5/7
Elmiene: Sounds for Someone Tour
The Fillmore in Silver Spring, MD | 8p, $107+
Throw Comedy Jam with Mike Brooks & Friends
THRōW Social | 7p - 12a, free
5/8
Trey Songz: 20 Years of Trey Songz
The Anthem | 8p, $160+
Musiq Soulchild
The HALL at Live! in Hanover MD | 8:30p, $68+
5/9
Sistas Who Kill: Back From The Dead
Howard Theatre | 6p, $50
Live podcast discussing true crime stories about Black murderesses
The Thank Me Later Comedy Show ft. Jamal Russell
Lost Origins Gallery | 8p - 10p, $23
5/10
Bilal
Howard Theatre | 8p, $74+
5/13
Natalie Nunn: Already Rich Tour
The Fillmore in Silver Spring, MD | 8p, $30+
5/15
Noochie: Front Porch Live
The Theater at MGM in National Harbor, MD | 8p, $57+
5/16
Jeffrey Osborne
The Birchmere in Alexandria, VA | 7:30p, $167
5/17
Tia Kemp
Baltimore Comedy Factory in MD | 7p, $38
Kranium: A Slight Delay Tour
Union Stage | 8p, $62+
5/22
Spinall
Culture | 10p - 3a, $34+
5/22 - 5/24
D. L. Hughley
Baltimore Comedy Factory in MD | multiple showtime, $55+
5/23
Shy Glizzy
THRōW Social | 10p - 4a, $24+
5/24
Domani
Songbyrd | 7p, $45
5/27
French Montana & Max B: Wave Gods Narcos Tour
The Fillmore in Silver Spring, MD | 8p, $52+
5/28
Baby Keem: The Ca$ino Tour
The Anthem | 8:30p, $86+
Yaya Bey (as part of the My Body My Festival benefit concert)
9:30 Club | 6:30p, $46+
5/29
Alex Isley
Warner Theatre | 8p, $135+
Kid Cudi: The Rebel Ragers Tour 2026
Jiffy Lube Live in Bristow, VA | 6:30p, $30+
5/30
Ari Lennox: The Vacancy Tour
The Theater at MGM in National Harbor, MD | 8p, $155+
5/31
Khalid: It’s Always Summer Somewhere Tour
The Anthem | 7:30p, $87+