Homecoming season has hit the District and there’s plenty to do for visitors and locals alike.
Here’s what’s happening:
EDITOR’S PICKS
Howard Homecoming 2026 (ALL WEEK)
The Mecca celebrates in the city under the theme I Am My Ancestor’s Wildest Dreams, with signature HUHC events and a packed lineup of social events.
Love Languages (WEDNESDAY)
Let the music do the talking at this late-night gathering bringing good sounds, good company + plenty of opportunities to connect on the dance floor (SOST Cafe + Vinyl Room, 9p - 1a, free)
Fierce Flora: A Garden Whodunit (FRIDAY)
Play botanical detective through the Fierce Flora exhibit with clues, cocktails, a live DJ + activities inspired by plants that sting, poison and defend themselves (U.S. Botanic Garden Conservatory, 6p - 9p, $40).
The Big Build (SATURDAY)
The National Building Museum hosts a free, hands-on festival with woodworking, mosaics, design activities + STEM experiences for all ages (10a - 5p, free)
Before the Algorithm (SATURDAY)
A love letter to the blog era. Before the Algorithm takes it back to the days when discovering new music felt personal, celebrating the R&B slow jams, nostalgic favorites + sounds that defined an era, just in time for Howard Homecoming (Shanklin Hall, 10p - 2a, free before 11p with RSVP)
ACTIVITIES + EXPERIENCES
WEDNESDAY 10/14
BlackDoctor Film Festival - True Reformer Building | 10a - 8p, free
Films, conversations + community programming centered on Black health, wellness & lived experiences
THURSDAY 10/15
Pour, Puff + Pair - BUDDY’S | 6p - 9p, free
Whiskey, cigars, + hookahBook Club: Unplugged DMV - Haven | 6:30p, price at link
Books, conversation + an intimate acoustic performanceBrown Sugar: B-Side Conversations - Eaton | 6p - 9p, $56+
Screening of “Brown Sugar” with networking, an activation featuring Aisha AI chat assistant, curated gift bags, + moreDupont Paint Nights - Vika Gallery | 6p - 8p, $40
FRIDAY + SATURDAY
DC Wine Fest: Fall Edition - Dock 5 at Union Market | 6p - 9p Fri / 12p - 6:30p Sat, $45+
SATURDAY 10/17
Georgetown Fall Market - Georgetown Main Street | 11a - 4p, free
Shuck It! Beer & Oyster Festival - Tony & Joe’s Seafood Place | 1p - 5p, $83
The Black Art Gala - Yours Cafe | 7p - 11p, $30+
The Africa Open - Junior Tennis Champions Center in College Park, MD | 3p - 7p, $51+
Tennis tournament, ticket includes an open bar + foodAfter the Pour: A Wine Tasting Experience - Boyd Cru Wines in Savage, MD | 6:30p - 9p, $80
Ticket includes 3 wine pours, bites, a fragrance discovery experience, + more. Held at a Black-owned winery
SUNDAY 10/18
Pink Hour: Brunch + Bonnets - Dollhouse by HR | 11a - 2p, $55
Guided sewing session making DIY bonnetsBlack Magick: Short Film Screening - Torpedo Factory Art Center in Alexandria, VA | 3p - 6p, free
SOCIAL EVENTS
WEDNESDAY 10/14
Love Languages - SOST Cafe + Vinyl Room | 9p - 1a, free
Gorgeous Prince George’s County Networking Mixer - Flight Deck at National Harbor, MD | 6p - 9p, $73
Mixer for professionals across the DMV, ticket includes beer + wine open bar and small bitesR&B in The Basement - STFU | 7p, $13
Usher Birthday Bar - The Whiskey Bar (inside of DCity Smokehouse Anacostia) | 5p - 10p, free
THURSDAY 10/15
9th Wonder + Urban Elegance Present: Sugar Hill - Realm Rooftop Bar Lounge, 9p - 2a, $47+
Manifest Intentions! - after (h)ours at Manifest 002 | 9p - 2a, free
Red Lights + Roses - Chi-Cha Lounge | 5p - 9p, free
Strictly R&B DC - Lucha Rosa | 8p - 1a, free
Thursday Therapy: The R&B Experience - Speakeasy at Capo Deli | 8p - 1a, $13+
FRIDAY 10/16
95 South DMV vs. ATL Skate Fest - Kraken Kourts | 6p - 3a, $12+
SATURDAY 10/17
SNS: Serial Romantic Tour Afterparty - Lucha Rosa | 9p - 1a, free before 11p with RSVP
Anime + Wine DC - Wunder Garten | 7p - 10p, $20
Streamer Fest DC: The Day Stream - Public Bar Live | 3p - 10p, free before 4p with RSVP
A Night at Goodlove - 8p - 2a, free
SUNDAY
Sunday Stories Day Party - 12 Stories | 3p - 10p, free before 4:30p with RSVP
Soul Sanctuary - Diosa | 6p - 11p, $23
CONCERTS + SHOWS
TUESDAY 10/13
Kelela: new avatar live - The Fillmore in Silver Spring, MD | 8p, $108+
Wesley Joseph - Union Stage | 8p, $27
WEDNESDAY 10/14
Club 520 Podcast LIVE: Homecoming Edition - Howard Theatre | 7p, $57+
THURSDAY 10/15
AZ Chike: No Rest For The Wicked Tour - Songbyrd Music House | 7p, $30 (currently waitlist only)
Live at SOAK: Push Play - Sycamore and Oak | 6p - 8:30p, $24
Charleston White - Baltimore Comedy Factory in MD | 8p, $38+
Kool & The Gang with The S.O.S. Band - The Theater at MGM in National Harbor, MD | 8p, $96+
FRIDAY 10/16
Rod Wave: Don’t Look Down Tour - Capital One Arena | 8p, $200+
T.I., Fabolous, + Trina - Chesapeake Employers Insurance Arena in Baltimore, MD | 8p, $103+
FRIDAY + SATURDAY
Michael Blackson - Baltimore Comedy Factory in MD | multiple showtimes, $60+
SATURDAY 10/15
Chris Brown + Usher - M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, MD | 7:30p, $100+
Eddie Griffin - The Theater at MGM in National Harbor, MD | 8p, $57+
Jai’Len Josey - Songbyrd | 7p, $30 (currently waitlist only)
Phoebe Robinson: Feral & Fired Up! - Howard Theatre | 7p, $50+
SUNDAY 10/18
Steve Lacy: Oh yeah? Tour - The Anthem | 7p, resale tickets available for $$
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