Veterans Day falls midweek + there’s plenty happening in & around DC before the weekend even begins.
Here’s what’s happening:
EDITOR’S PICKS
TUESDAY
Love & Hip Hop: The Final Chapter | E1 Watch Party
Join us IRL for an evening of recaps + reactions to 15 years of reality TV moments at Urban Garden Brewhouse, the city’s only Black woman-owned brewery.
(7p - 10p, free)
THURSDAY
Velvet Reel: Players Promises
Movie night with live jazz followed by screenings of “Boomerang” & “Love Jones”
(The Consortium, 6p - 11p, $16+)
FRIDAY
Cognac: Aged in History
Explore the stories + traditions behind cognac through a guided tasting experience inside the hotel cocktail bar by Chef Marcus Samuelsson
(Goodie Lounge, 7p - 9p, $63)
SATURDAY
Boots on the Boardwalk
The Wharf will go Western this weekend with live country music, line dancing, mechanical bull rides, carnival games + more
(The Yards, 5p - 8p, free)
SUNDAY
3rd Annual Black Girl Book Fair: Press-Ons + Portraits
A day of books, beauty + self-care featuring Black women authors, book signings, press-on nail and bracelet-making workshops, mental wellness experiences + a vendor market
(Gallery O on H, 2p - 5p, $59+)Vintage³ Car Show & Concert
Check out more than 35 vintage cars from local collectors across the DC area.
(Parking lot across from F1 Arcade in Union Market, 10a - 2p, free)
see the full guide to this week below:
ACTIVITIES + EXPERIENCES
WEDNESDAY
VETERAN’S DAY - The National Park Service will be hosting multiple observances at different memorials to honor those who have served. See the full lineup here
Gerald Walker Album Listening Session - Haven | 7p - 9p, free
THURSDAY
Q Paschall: Opening Reception + Artist-in-Residence - Ron David Studio | 6p - 8p, free
After Dark: Stories We Carry -Smithsonian’s Anacostia Community Museum | 7p - 10p, free
Museum after-hours event exploring the stories that shape our communities through art, music + memory with hands-on art activities, a community recipe exchange + cozy seasonal sipsPortrait Gallery Reading Rhythms - National Portrait Gallery | 5:15p, free
Reading partyDC Central Kitchen Capital Food Fight - The Anthem | 6p - 9p, $350
Fundraiser event, ticket includes bites + drinks, & access to activations including a popup arcade, tastings, + a wine & cheese shop
FRIDAY
DowntownDC Holiday Market Grand Opening - F St NW b/w 7th + 9th St | 10a - 11a, free
The kickoff celebration will have a ribbon cutting, opening remarks, + moreFrosted at Franklin Park opens
Downtown DC’s largest green space transforms into a free winter wonderland with lights, glowing installations, a glittering icicle walkway + festive photo ops. Runs through Jan. 9, 2027 (free)ICE! featuring How the Grinch Stole Christmas! opens -The winter attraction returns with How the Grinch Stole Christmas!, bringing Who-ville to life through more than 2 million pounds of hand-carved ice sculptures, immersive scenes + two-story ice slides. Runs through Jan 3, 2027 (Gaylord National | multiple entry times, $40+)
Chess Social - Cafe Cino | 5:30p - 8:30p, $11
Open chess play, all skill levels welcome. Held at a Black-owned neighborhood caféWe Gather What Echoes: Exhibit Opening + Artist Talk - Honfleur Gallery | 6p - 8p, free
On display through Jan. 8, 2027Open Craft Night (21+) - Because Science | 5p - 7p, free
Plant Bingo: Bingo + Blooms - Astro Beer Hall | 7p - 9p, $42
Coca-Cola Caravan at The Wharf - 6p - 8:30p, free
Festive popup with Santa photo-ops, music + more
FRIDAY - SUNDAY
Howard University’s 4th Annual Hip Hop Studies Conference - multiple venues on campus, $82 GA / free for students
Under the theme “Respect the Technique: Last Night a DJ Saved My Life,” the 3-day conference celebrates the art, history + cultural impact of DJs with panels, hands-on workshops, live performances, film screenings + industry conversations.Capital City Food Truck + Vendor Festival - Festival Grounds at RFK Campus | 10a - 7:30p, free
SATURDAY
Bourbon + Bubbles - The Barns at Wolf Trap in Vienna, VA | 7p - 10:30p, $375
Unlimited guided bourbon and sparkling wine tastings, + food stations and specialty cocktailsThe Running Reset Season Finale - BUDDY’S | 11a - 2p, $1 donation + nonperishable food donation item
Community run followed by an R&B brunch at a Black-owned upscale sports barBoozy Book Fair - Merry Pin | 5p, $18
Ticket includes a cocktail or mocktail + access to craft stationsBoots on the Boardwalk - The Yards | 5p - 8p, free
Will have live country music, line dancing, mechanical bull rides, carnival games + Western-themed fun along the waterfrontDC Zinefest + the 50th Anniversary of Punk - MLK Library | 11a - 4p, free
Celebrating self-published artists, writers + zine-makers for a day of creativity, self-publishing + community connectionNMAAHC Kids: Book Day - NMAAHC | 10:30a - 12p, free with registration
Best for kids ages 4-8CityCenterDC Holiday Tree Lighting - The Park at CityCenterDC | 5p - 7p, free
Picnic in the Park: History Through Music - Sylvan Theater at the National Mall | 11:30a, free
Taste of Ethiopian Coffee - Embassy of Ethiopia | 5p - 9p, free
Open Studios at 52 O Street - 12p - 4p, free
Go-Go Graffiti Class - Words Beats & Life HQ | 12:30p, $72
SUNDAY
Black Girl Book Fair: Press-Ons + Portraits - Gallery O on H | 2p - 5p, $65
A day of books, beauty + self-care featuring Black women authors, book signings, press-on nail and bracelet-making workshops, mental wellness experiences + a vendor marketVintage³ Car Show & Concert - Parking lot across from F1 Arcade in Union Market | 10a - 2p, free
Marvin Gaye Park Cleanup: America Recycles Day - 11a - 1:30p, free
Aslin Oysterfest 2026 DC - Aslin Beer Company | 12p - 6p, free
SOCIAL EVENTS
TUESDAY
The Social Club: Veterans Day Eve - Goodie Lounge | 7p - 12a, free with RSVP
Complimentary bourbon tasting from 8p - 10pVeterans Day with Backyard Band - THRōW Social | 9p - 2a, $45
Midnight Therapy - Culture | 9p - 12a, $24
Queer women-friendly
WEDNESDAY | Midnight Radio - SOST | 8p - 1a, free
LGBTQIA+-friendly
THURSDAY
Anime After Dark: Neon Edition - Queen Cafe Hookah | 8p - 1a, $30+
Cosplay + costumes welcomeThe Club Social Mixer - Social All Day in Arlington, VA | 5p - 9p, free
FRIDAY
Friday Exhale - Lveltú Social Club | 5p - 9p, free
Chrome Is Where the Heart Is - Public Bar Live | 9p - 3a, free before 10:30p with RSVP
Allure - FELT inside MGM National Harbor in MD | 9p - 2a, free before 11:30p with RSVP
Offseason - Walters Sports Bar | 9p - 3a, free
Free shot, Modelo, or vodka drink before 11p with RSVP
SATURDAY
Black Joy A Black Dance Party - Tigres de la Noche | 5p - 9p, free before 7:30p with RSVP
BRWN SUGA: Saturday Night Rooftop Experience - WILD DAYS | 9p - 2a, free with RSVP
R&B + Go-Go Live Music Night - Public Bar Live | p - 2a, $17+
Queer women-friendlyShe Got Game Arcade Party - GameOn bar+arcade | 8p - 12a, $12+
Queer women-friendly
SUNDAY | Soul Sanctuary - Diosa | 7p, $25
LGBTQIA+-friendly
CONCERTS + SHOWS
TUESDAY | Fetty P Franklin - DC9 | 8p, $26
TUES + WED | Jerrod Carmichael - DC Improv | 7:30p both days, $50+
THURSDAY | Jodeci: 35th Anniversary Tour of Forever My Lady - The Theater at MGM in National Harbor, MD | 8p, $150+
FRIDAY
Chante Moore - The Birchmere in Alexandria, VA | 7:30p, $113
Joy Oladokun - Howard Theatre | 8p, $40+
SATURDAY
Bbymutha - Metro Baltimore in MD | 7p, $26
Coco & Breezy (DJ Set) - Mosaic Ultra Lounge in Baltimore, MD | 9p, $34
Sounds of Africa Concert ft Ethio-Jazz - Smithsonian National Museum of African Art | 7p, free
SUNDAY | Pi’erre Bourne - Howard Theatre | 8p, $33+