The weather canât decide between sun & storms this week, but Memorial Day Weekend and DC Black Pride have the cityâs social calendar lined up with festivals, parties, concerts, and Outside Energy through Monday.
Hereâs what to get into across the DMV this week:
Kraveân OpenFormat: Live DJ Sets at a Black-Owned Liquor Store (5/21)
Black-owned cocktail seltzer Krave celebrates its newest release Thursday at Housebar in Navy Yard with curated drinks and live DJ sets from 5p - 8p (free), & an afterparty next door at STFU (9p - 1a, free before 9p with RSVP)
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 Tubmanâs hymnal and Thomas Jeffersonâs desk, where the Declaration of Independence was drafted. Learn more about the exhibit here
DC Black Pride (5/22 - 5/25)
The cityâs Black LGBTQIA+ community will be celebrated with events, parties, & community events. View the full DC Black Pride guide here.
#CapHouseFest (5/23)
Family-friendly house music festival honoring the late Sam âThe Manâ Burns (Alethia Tanner Park, 11a - 10p, free)
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)
ACTIVITIES + EXPERIENCES
5/23 + 5/24 (SATURDAY + SUNDAY)
Bingo Loco
Howard Theatre | multiple event times, $33+
Momâs Art Show
Dupont Underground | opens 12p, free
Curated market & art gallery celebrating moms & mother figures
5/23 - 5/25 (Saturday - Memorial Day)
Maryland Plant Festival
Plants Alive! in Silver Spring | opens at 10a, free
Will have plant vendors, food, live music, & more
Artscape
Free outdoor arts festival in Downtown Baltimore, MD with interactive art exhibits, workshops, & performances by The Roots, Stephanie Mills, & more
5/24 - 5/25 (SUNDAY + MEMORIAL DAY)
Family-Friendly Indoor Carnival Extravaganza
Swingers | 12p - 5p, $5
Will have carnival games, indoor mini golf, & more
TUESDAY
Kennedy Ryanâs âScoreâ Tour
Lincoln Theatre | 7p, $40
Book discussion with the author. The story chronicles a second-chance romance between a screenwriter and a musician years after a devastating breakup, as the pair reconnect while creating a Harlem Renaissance biopic together. Learn more here
Flights & Bites: Spring in the Mediterranean
Verre Wine Bar | 7p - 9p, $56
Will have curated food & wine pairings
Aslin x Queenâs English Eat the City
Aslin Beer Company in Alexandria, VA | 6p - 8p, $77
Beer paring dinner experience with 4 courses
The City Speaks: a D.C. Native Poetry Set
The Strand | 7p - 8:30p, free
WEDNESDAY
CiNoMatic outdoor screening of âThe Gooniesâ
Alethia Tanner Park | 7p - 10p, free
THURSDAY
Best of Arlington Party
Mercedes-Benz of Arlington in VA | 6p - 9p, $92
Movies on the Potomac outdoor screening of âWicked: For Goodâ
National Harbor Plaza in MD | 7p - 9p, free
FRIDAY
Trap Poetry
Howard Theatre | 8p, $68+
Spades@Commas in Silver Spring
6p - 10p, free
Game night with happy hour specials & door prizes
SATURDAY
Motion Party Hike
Marvin Gay Rec Center | 9:30a - 12p, free
Easy, 3-mile hike followed by a social
Puff & Pour: A 7-Year Anniversary Experience by Irie Essence
Higher Ground | 5p - 7p, $56
420-friendly candle-making experience
StrongHER Pavement + Pilates: 2-Mile Run & Pilates Day Party
Starts at The Village (550 Penn St NE) | 11a - 12:30p, free
Urbacon Fest: Car Show & Street Festival
1825 Michigan Ave NE | 12p - 5p, $18 / kids 10 & under free
Family-friendly event with auto showcases, vendors, food, music & more
Hot Girl WalkÂŽ
East Potomac Park | 9:30a - 11:30a, free
LâOccitaneâs 50th Anniversary Celebration (Georgetown shop)
12p - 6p, free
Will have complimentary mini facials & activations, pastries & treats, and more
Screening of âSay Amen, Somebodyâ
National Gallery of Art | 2p - 3:45p, free with registration
This documentary restored by the National Museum of African American History and Culture in 2020 celebrates Gospel music with archival footage, photographs, and moving on-screen memories. It features performances by Thomas A. Dorsey, Willie Mae Ford Smith, The Barrett Sisters, The OâNeal Twins, & more
Soil to Soul
Grounded | 7:30p - 9p, $30
Mental Health Awareness Month experience with breathwork, intention setting, a guided dialogue, & pot planting
The Harlem Renaissance in DC Walking Tour
Starting at Howard Theatre | 5p - 7p, $34
Sound Bath in the Tiffany Gallery
Museum of Contemporary Art Arlington in VA | 2p - 3p, $30
SUNDAY
Girl Dad Brunch & Karaoke
The Gathering Spot | 11a - 2p, $75+
Buffet-style brunch event with a live performance by dad & daughter duo FyĂźtch & Aura V, a hair care experience by Curl Dads, âGirl Dadâ childrenâs book signing by author Sean Williams, games, giveaways, & more
Church On Sunday presents: A House Dance Workshop
Edgewood Arts Center | 2p - 4p, $18
Capital Otakus Cookout
Fort Dupont Park | 3p - 7p, $5
Hosted by a Black anime collective
Coffee & Coloring
Creative Grounds | 11a - 1p, free
Mindfulness art event geared toward Black & Brown adults, held at a Black-owned coffee shop
Paws and Pour
District Candle Lab | 11a - 4p, free with RSVP
A pet-friendly candle-making experience with on-site collar engraving, specialty coffee & matcha, and crepes
The Pink Exchange: Fashion Pop-Up Shop
1155 Dahlia St NW | 12p - 5p, free
Paint & Debate
Dupont Underground | 2p - 5p, $18
Community event pairing discussion around maternal and womenâs health with painting
Movies on the Potomac outdoor screening of Goatâ
National Harbor Plaza in MD | 6p - 8p, free
MEMORIAL DAY (5/25)
Views Marketplace: Memorial Day Streetwear Pop-up
metrobar | 2p, free
PARTIES + MIXERS
WEDNESDAY
Amasax Anniversary
STFU | 7p - 11p, $7+
THURSDAY
Remedy: The Cure for the Common Work Day
The Continent | 6p - 9p, free
SMOOV FM (Curated Musical Experience of Global Sounds)
SOST | 6p - 9:30p, free
Cocktails & Karaoke
Sid Goldâs Request Room | 6p - 9p, $15+
Whiskey + Cigars
BUDDYâS | 7p, free
FRIDAY
The Wellspace Presents: If These Walls Could Talk
Shanklin Hall | 5p - 7p, free with RSVP
Wellness happy hour with a guided conversation in honor of Mental Health Awareness Month
Friday Night Groove
Shanklin Hall | 10p - 2a, free
After Hours: Late Night Cocktail Experience
SYN Dupont Lounge & Bar | 8p - 1a, free with RSVP
Capri House
Rosemarino DâItalia | 9:30p - 2a, free
Happy hour until 11p, reservations required for dinner
Groupie Love
12 Stories | 9p - 2a, free before 10:30p with RSVP
Live Jazz DC x SU CASA
WILD DAYS | 10p - 2a, $20+
Will have live performances & DJ sets
Adult Swim: a DC Rooftop Pool Party Series
Hotel Zena Rooftop | 8p - 1a, $47+
Shutup & Dance x Afro Plus: âHow Farâ Memorial Day
Ai Warehouse | 10p - 3a, $47
Diabloâs After Dark
Diabloâs Cantina inside the MGM in National Harbor, MD | 9p - 2a, free before 10p with RSVP
SATURDAY
Sucka For Love: R&B w/ a Lil Bounce
Officina | 10p - 3a, free before 10:30p with RSVP
For the Culture Day Party
Culture | 4p - 9p, $25+
Park at the Street
Park at 14th | 10p - 3a, free with RSVP
Lit By Noon
Lucky Bar | 9a - 3p, $12+
Ticket includes a breakfast burrito & margarita open bar until 10:30a
Grandiose White on the Waterfront
HQO Events | 5p - 11p, $33+
All-white attire
Dance & Go Home x Afro Plus: The Memorial Day Rave
BERHTA | 4p, $22+
Followed by The Night Show (10p, free until 11p with Day Rave wristband / $16 GA)
SUNDAY
Rooftop to Rooftop Day Party at the Wharf
12 Stories + La Vie | 3p - 8p, free at La Vie until 4:30p with RSVP / $47 for GA to both venues
All R&B All Night ft. Lloyd
Air Restaurant | 10p - 3a, free with RSVP until 11p
GAIA BRUNCH + DAY PARTY (MEMORIAL DAY EDITION)
Gaia | 12p - 7p, free before 3p with RSVP
Sundaze @ ZOOZ
4p - 9p, free before 5:30p with RSVP
Everybody Going to SOST
SOST | 9p - 2a, $30+
Cups & Trucks
Karma | 4p - 10p, $25+
Red cup block party vibes with food trucks & DJ sets
Rodeo En Blanc: an Elevated All-White Western Attire Social
Lookout 18 Rooftop Lounge (inside the Gaylord in National Harbor, MD) | 7p - 1a, $35+
Jerk X Jollof: DC (Chale Boyz Edition)
Zebbieâs Garden | 10p - 3a, $23+
NEVER LEAVE DC ON A SUNDAY
WILD DAYS | 9p - 2a, free before 10p with RSVP
Vibes at Vera
Vera Cocina | 10p - 3a, $20+
Eats, Beats & Drinks
Hennessy Creek in Brandywine, MD | 4p - 9p, $35+
Will have games, cigars, a food truck, & more
The BLVCK RAVE
Zebbieâs Garden | 10p - 3a, free before 11p with RSVP
MEMORIAL DAY (5/25)
Monday MOOD: May Edition (MDW + NATIONAL WINE DAY)
Doi Moi (speakeasy) | 7p - 12a, free
Sunset Social: The Cookout
Dirty Habit | 3p - 8p, free before 5p with RSVP
We Not Going To Work Today
Seta Oasis | 2p - 8p, $12
Hues Memorial Day Edition
Zebbieâs Garden | 4p - 9p, free with RSVP
Dress code is yellow attire
Diabloâs After Dark: The Memorial Weekend Experience
Diabloâs Cantina inside MGM National Harbor in MD | 9p - 3a, free before 11p with RSVP
Music I Like : a Summer Rooftop Day Party
WILD DAYS | 4p - 9p, free before 5p with RSVP
Sunset Social: the Cookout
Dirty Habit | 3p - 8p, free before 5p with RSVP (limited free tickets, prepaid tickets start at $14)
CONCERTS + SHOWS
5/22 - 5/24 (Friday - Sunday)
D. L. Hughley
Baltimore Comedy Factory in MD | multiple showtimes, $55+
5/23 + 5/24 (Saturday + Sunday)
Huggy Lowdown & Friends ComedyFestival
The Commentary in Arlington, VA | multiple showtimes, $25+
WEDNESDAY
Birthday Celebration for D. Floyd, the King of the Go-Go Beat
Bethesda Theater in MD | 7p, $60+
THURSDAY
The Gogo Moshpit
Transmission | 8p - 12a, $20
FRIDAY
Spinall
Culture | 10p - 3a, $34+
Big Daddy Kane with The Duke Ellington Orchestra
Bethesda Theater in MD | 8:30p, $70+
Unusual Suspects: Black Alley x Northeast Groovers
The Fillmore in Silver Spring, MD | 8p, $48+
SATURDAY
Shy Glizzy
THRĹW Social | 10p - 4a, $57
Orchestra Noir
Warner Theatre | 8p, $90+
African-American musical collective celebrating Black musical excellence by blending classical music with hip-hop, R&B, and soul
Salute the Sunset Concert: United States Army Rappers
National Harbor Plaza in MD | 7p - 8p, free
Maysa
Bethesda Theater | 8p, $75+
SUNDAY
Domani
Songbyrd | 7p, $45