As the leaves change color and the countdown to 2027 begins, there’s still plenty of year left to make the most of.
Here’s what’s happening around the District in November:
THINGS TO DO
Arts, Culture + Experiences
Through May 2 | To Hear Her Speak: Black Women and Shakespeare - Folger Shakespeare Library | free during operating hours, $15 suggested donation
Explore 450 years of Black women’s influence on Shakespeare through nearly 100 rare photographs, costumes, manuscripts + artifacts highlighting the contributions of icons like Maya Angelou, Toni Morrison + Lorraine Hansberry.
Nov 5 - 7 | HBCU First LOOK Film Festival presented by STARZ - Howard University | various workshop/panel times, $36
Three days of film screenings, masterclasses, industry conversations + networking celebrating HBCU talent and the next generation of Black storytellers.
Nov 7
Adams Morgan Fall PorchFest - The Adams Morgan neighborhood transforms into an open-air music festival with 100+ bands across 20+ stages, featuring live performances, local vendors + neighborhood specials, all for free from 12p - 5p
DC Beer Fest - Nationals Park | 12p - 8p, $67
Strength in the City Festival - HQO Events | 9a - 2p, $60
Wellness festival featuring 10+ fitness classes, yoga, Pilates, dance, recovery experiences, local vendors + a free community run/walk.
Nov 7 - Mar 14 | Remember Me: Picturing African Americans in Early Photography - National Gallery of Art | free during operating hours
Explore nearly 70 rare photographs capturing Black life, identity + self-expression, revealing how African Americans used photography to celebrate their communities and challenge stereotypes.
Nov 11 | VETERAN’S DAY
Nov 13 - 15 | 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.
Nov 14
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 cocktailsDC 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 4-8Boots 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 waterfront.
Nov 15 | Vintage³ Car Show & Concert - Parking lot across from F1 Arcade in Union Market | 10a - 2p, free
Nov 19 | Washingtonian Whiskey Festival - Dock5 | 6:30p, $94+
Ticket includes unlimited whiskey, wine + spirit tastings, a souvenir rocks glass or whiskey shooter, custom glass engraving, & more
Nov 20 + 21 | 2026 National Women’s Soccer League Championship Events
The NWSL Championship brings women’s soccer’s biggest match back to DC alongside a lineup of fan festivities, special events + celebrations.
Nov 20 - NWSL Skills Challenge - Track Field at Episcopal High School in Alexandria, VA | 5:30p - 8p, $15
NWSL stars go head-to-head in a series of playful soccer challenges, plus fan activities, giveaways + a chance to meet players after the competition.Nov 21
NWSL Championship, Presented By Google Pixel - Audi Field, 8p, $274+
NWSL Championship 5L - M Street Landing @ The Wharf, 6:30a - 10a, $25 to register (ages 14+)
NWSL FanFest - The Wharf | 3p - 7p, free
Nov 22 | An Evening with Tia Williams: Book Discussion for “The Missed Connection” - Bethesda Theater in MD | 7p, $35+
Nov 26 | THANKSGIVING
Nov 30 - Dec 6 | DC Cocktail Week
Presented by the Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington (RAMW), DC Cocktail Week brings a week of signature cocktail + bite pairings, special tastings, cocktail classes + themed happy hours to bars and restaurants across the DMV. See the menu offerings and event lineup here
Seasonal + Holiday Activities
Nov 7 - Dec 26 | Nightly Tree Light Shows + Saturday Night Fireworks at the National Harbor | starts at 7p, free - fireworks start after tree lighting show on Saturdays
Nov 13 - Dec 23 | DowntownDC Holiday Market - F Street NW | free during operating hours
Nov 13 | DowntownDC Holiday Market Grand Opening - 10a - 11a, free
Nov 13 - Jan 9 | Frosted at Franklin Park - free
Downtown DC’s largest green space transforms into a free winter wonderland with lights, glowing installations, a glittering icicle walkway + festive photo ops
Nov 14 | CityCenterDC Holiday Tree Lighting - The Park at CityCenterDC | 5p - 7p, free
Nov 14 - Jan 3, 2027 | ICE! featuring How the Grinch Stole Christmas! - Gaylord National | multiple entry times, $40+
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
Nov 20 | Union Market Holiday Tree Lighting - 6p - 8p, free
Nov 20 - Dec 27 | Enchant Christmas - Nationals Park | multiple entry times, tickets $30+
Enchant Christmas returns with a holiday light maze, ice skating, festive shopping + Santa visits, alongside special events including an opening night celebration on 11/20, HBCU Night on 12/3 + Go-Go Night on 12/4
Nov 20 - Jan 3, 2027:
ZooLights - National Zoo | multiple entry times, $10
Snowglow at The Dome - Hi-Lawn | multiple entry times, $29+
The Union Market rooftop transforms into a 1970s-inspired Alpine retreat with immersive 360-degree winter visuals, festive cocktails + seasonal bites beneath a 50-foot heated, spherical dome
Nov 23 - Mar 3, 2027 | National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden Ice Rink reopens
Open M-Th from 10a - 5p + Fri - Sun from 10a - 6p, $15 for ages 13+, $12 for ages 12 + under and seniors, students + military
Nov 26 - Jan 3, 2027 | Season’s Greenings: National Parks and Historic Places - U.S. Botanic Garden | free during operating hours
This free holiday exhibit returns with festive floral displays, plant-based DC landmarks + model trains winding through miniature national parks and historic sites in celebration of America’s 250th anniversary.
Nov 26 | SOME’s Trot for Hunger - Freedom Plaza | 7:30a for 1-mile, 8:15a for 5K, $15-$65 to register
Nov 27 | Christmas Tree Market at The Wharf | 12p - 8p, free
Nov 27 - 30 | FONA Holiday Market + Christmas Tree Sale - U.S. National Arboretum | 11a - 5p, free
CONCERTS + SHOWS
Music Shows + Stage Plays
Nov 3 | B6 - DC9 | 8p, $26+
Nov 4 | The Music of Hey Arnold! Live - 9:30 Club | 7p, resale tickets for $10+
SeatGeek | StubHub
Nov 7
Scarface Birthday Concert ft. Devin the Dude - Howard Theatre | 10p, $97+
Natanya: The Attitude Tour - Songbyrd | 7p, $30 (currently waitlist only)
Best Friends Podcast - Howard Theatre | 6p, $45+
Nov 8
Nov 10 | Fetty P Franklin - DC9 | 8p, $26
Nov 10 - 11 | Jerrod Carmichael - DC Improv | 7:30p both days, $50+
Nov 12 | Jodeci: 35th Anniversary Tour of Forever My Lady - The Theater at MGM in National Harbor, MD | 8p, $150+
Nov 13
Chante Moore - The Birchmere in Alexandria, VA | 7:30p, $113
Joy Oladokun - Howard Theatre | 8p, $40+
Nov 14
Bbymutha - Metro Baltimore in MD | 7p, $26
Coco & Breezy (DJ Set) - Mosaic Ultra Lounge in Baltimore, MD | 9p, $34
Nov 15 | Pi’erre Bourne - Howard Theatre | 8p, $33+
Nov 16 | Inayah - Howard Theatre | 8p, $34
Nov 17-22 | The Hip Hop Nutcracker - The National Theatre | ticketed
Nov 19 | Breaking Sound at Thompson DC - 7p | $25
Upcoming artists showcase
Nov 20 - Nov 22 | Ruben Studdard - Blues Alley | multiple showtimes, $35+
Nov 21 | Doja Cat - Capital One Arena | 7:30p, $90+
With Latto
Nov 22 | Trippie Redd - Echostage | 8p, $120+
Nov 23
Stevie Wonder: Songs in The Key of Life Performances 50th Anniversary - Capital One Arena | 8p, $$$
Toosii - Howard Theatre | 8p, $40+
Nov 24 - Dec 6 | Alicia Keys’ Hell’s Kitchen - The National Theatre | multiple showtimes, $73+
Nov 25
Plies - Echostage | 7p, $65+
Junkyard Band - Bethesda Theater in MD | 8:30p, $45+
Nov 28
Victoria Monét - The Anthem | 8p, $74+
EU featuring Sugar Bear + the Chuck Brown Band - The Hamilton | 8p, $38+
Deante’ Hitchcock - DC9 | 7:30p, $30
Kem - The HALL at Live! in Hanover MD | 8p, $74+
Nov 28 - Dec 27 | The Washington Ballet’s The Nutcracker - Warner Theatre | multiple showtimes, $65+
Comedy Shows + Live Podcasts
Nov 6 + 7 | Lil Duval - Baltimore Comedy Factory in MD | 9:45, $50+
Nov 12 - 14 | Tony Rock - DC Improv | multiple showtimes, $46+
Nov 13 - 25 | Kountry Wayne - Baltimore Comedy Factory in MD | multiple showtimes, $55+
Nov 20 | Dustin Ross - The Miracle Theatre | 8p, $46
Nov 20 + 21 | Mike Epps - The Theater at MGM in National Harbor, MD | 8p, $85+
Nov 21 | Tonight’s Conversation: Live + Uncut - Walter E. Washington Convention Center | shows at 4p + 8p, $70+
Nov 21 - 22 | DC Youngfly - Baltimore Comedy Factory in MD | multiple showtimes, $54+
Nov 22 | Grits + Eggs Podcast: Coming Thru America Tour - Howard Theatre | 7:30p, $58
Nov 28 | Donnell Rawlings - The Theater at MGM in National Harbor, MD | 8p, $57+