Octoberâs giving us just enough sunshine to stay outside and just enough chill to remind us what season it is. Might as well make the most of it.
Hereâs whatâs happening around the District this week:
EDITORâS PICKS
Carl Thomas vs. Case VERZUZ Watch Party (THURSDAY)
Watch the R&B heavy hitters go song for song and stay for DJ sets of more classics (District Alley, 8p - 12a, free)
Give a Shuck: A Taste of The Wharf (FRIDAY)
Sample dishes from The Wharfâs best restaurants while enjoying live music (Dockmaster Building, 6p - 10p, $100)
Drinks with Explorer Tara Roberts: Black Scuba Divers Uncovering the History of Slave Shipwrecks (FRIDAY)
National Geographic Explorer Tara Roberts shares discoveries from her journey alongside Black scuba divers uncovering slave shipwrecks + reclaiming overlooked stories of the African diaspora. The after-hours conversation pairs history, storytelling + cocktails. Advance tickets are sold out, but limited walk-up tickets remain available on a first-come, first-served basis. (National Geographic Museum of Exploration, 7p - 8p, $20)
Night of the Living Zoo: 21+ After Hours Halloween Party (FRIDAY)
Party animals are welcome at the National Zoo on Friday for an afterhours Halloween party. Costumes are encouraged for this night of open bar, DJs, flash tattoos, roaming performers + access to select animal exhibits (National Zoo, 7p - 11p, $75)
Thatâs So Vintage Market (SATURDAY + SUNDAY)
This biannual vintage market returns with a curated lineup of vendors offering everything from antique jewelry + midcentury collectibles to â70s graphic tees, archival fashion + rare Y2K designer finds (The Square, Sat 9a - 6p / Sun 10a - 2p, $8+)
ACTIVITIES + EXPERIENCES
WEDNESDAY 10.21
Boos & Brews Pumpkin Painting + Movie Night - Urban Garden Brewhouse - 6p - 9p, free
Chef Rock Harper x Clarence James Supper Club - (h)ours at Manifest 002 | 5p, $90
Two Black chefs come together for an intimate supper club drawing inspiration from Black Southern culinary traditions, hosted inside a Black-owned barbershop speakeasy.Wine Down Wednesday + Perfume/Cologne Bar - Kaché | 5p - 7p, free to attend, $45+ to add DIY scent bar + a happy hour bite
DIY fragrance bar experience with happy hour specials, held at a Black-owned restaurant
THURSDAY 10.22
Fall Docked Happy Hour - The Yards Marina | 6p - 8p, $36)
Unwind after work aboard a tethered Black woman-owned chartered yacht, with cocktails + waterfront views
FRIDAY 10.23
Give a Shuck: A Taste of The Wharf - Dockmaster Building | 6p - 10p, $100
Sample dishes from The Wharfâs best restaurants while enjoying live music
SATURDAY 10.24
Fall Festival at MLK Library - 10a - 2p, free
Will have a pumpkin patch, train rides, & moreBonfire & Chill - Private location in Fort Washington, MD | 6p - 11p, $53
Ticket includes open bar + food while supplies last, BYOB welcomeBaltimore Blacktoberfest - 200 Block of E. Redwood St in Baltimore, MD | 1p - 8p, free
Tasting festival featuring Black-owned wineries, brews & beverage brandsAir & Scare - Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, VA | 10a - 3p, free with registration
Spooky science-themed fun and trick or treating at the museumManifest Network Short Film Showcase - Station 3510 in Mount Rainier, MD | 6p - 10p, $25
Fall Fest at City Ridge - 3900 Wisconsin Ave NW | 1p - 5p, free
Fall Fun Day - Milian Park | 10a - 12p, free
Wine + Roses Dinner - The Oceanaire Seafood Room | 6:30p, $155
5-course dinner paired with selections from Orin Swift Cellars and Four Roses bourbonAdams Morgan Apple Festival - Euclid St NW | 10a - 1p, free
SUNDAY 10.25
A Salute to Our Warrior on the Hill: Honoring Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton - The Potomac Hotel | 1p - 4p, $215+
Scholarship fundraiser hosted by the Eleanor Holmes Norton Legacy (EHNL) FundThe LinqUp Fest - Sycamore & Oak | 10a - 8:30p, $35+
Celebrating Black queer artistry and creativityThe St. James Halloween Trick-or-Treat Celebration - The St. James Sports, Wellness and Entertainment Complex in Springfield, VA | 1p - 4p, $18+
Interfaith Council of Metropolitan Washington Unity Walk - starts at Annunciation Catholic Church | 1p - 6p, $10 registration ($15 at the door)
SOCIAL EVENTS
WEDNESDAY 10.21
Love Languages - SOST | 9p - 1a, free
Networking Soirée: DC Startup & Tech Week Edition - Proper 21-K Street | 5p - 10p, free
FRIDAY 10.23
First Class Friday - ONYX | 10p - 3a, free before 12a with RSVP
Open bar 11p - 12aLate Checkout - WILD DAYS | 9p - 2a, free
Club Timehri 27th Anniversary Party - 9p - 2a | $10
The cityâs longest running Caribbean club celebrates nearly 3 decades in business
SATURDAY
Dancehall at 9AM - Culture | 9p - 3a, $40
Complimentary tequila sunrises until 11aSucka For Love: Drake vs Future Edition - Officina | 10p - 3a, free before 10:30p with RSVP
DMV Aggie Pride Shotfest - BUDDYâS DC | 8p - 2a, free
SUNDAY
The Book of Lauryn: a Dance Music Tribute - Shanklin Hall | 10p - 2a, $18+
Not Another Dinner Party - Boulevard in Arlington, VA | 5p - 11p, free
WEDNESDAY
JPEGMAFIA: the Experimental Rap Tour - Echostage | 7:30p, $46+
THURSDAY
Tiana Major9 - Union Stage | 8p, $30
FRIDAY
Skilla Baby: The Price of Fame Tour - Howard Theatre | 10:30p, $34+
Aluna (DJ set) - Vera Cocina | 11:30p - 3a, $40+
FRIDAY - SUNDAY
DeRay Davis - Baltimore Comedy Factory in MD | multiple showtimes, $50+
SATURDAY
Q Da Fool & Shabazz PBG - Union Stage | 7p, $34+
Go Fish: Christian Live Music Event for Kids - Ballston Quarter in Arlington, VA | 4p, $23+
SUNDAY
Cupcakke - Howard Theatre | 8p, $46+
Earl Sweatshirt & MIKE : Home on the Range Tour 2026 - Nevermore Hall in Baltimore, MD | 8p, $54+
Wyclef Jean - Capital One Hall in Tysons, VA | 7p, $80+