As the week rolls into a festival-filled weekend, the District’s calendar picks up with live music, Preakness festivities, markets, and outdoor experiences across the DMV.
Here’s what to get into this week:
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ACTIVITIES + EXPERIENCES
Preakness Festival & the Preakness Stakes (Through 5/17)
The event lineup leading to the 151st Preakness Stakes on 5/17 include the George “Spider” Anderson Music & Arts Festival celebrating the first African-American jockey to win the Stakes (5/16, 1p - 8p, free), Governor Wes Moore’s Open Golf Tournament (5/11, invite only), and AfroPreak at Power Plant Live on 5/16 (2p - 10p, $60+)
The Big Flavor Foodie Festival (5/15 - 5/17)
Tanger Boulevard in National Harbor, MD | 1p - 9p Friday / opens 11a Sat + Sun, free
Matcha World (5/16 + 5/17)
Dock5 | 10a - 5p, (tickets currently waitlist only)
Two-day immersive tasting experience featuring 20+ matcha brands, pastry vendors, and Japanese-inspired bites
WEDNESDAY
Outdoor Screening of “Jurassic Park”
Alethia Tanner Park | 7p - 10p, free
The Thrift Flip: The T-Shirt Transformation Lab
52 O Street Studios | 6:30p - 9p, $85
Hands-on sewing workshop making a 2-piece set out of an old T-shirt
• MARYLAND
Book Discussion: Damario Solomon-Simmons on “Redeem a Nation” with Dr. Greg Carr
MahoganyBooks in National Harbor, MD | 7p, free
In his debut book, attorney and activist Damario Solomon-Simmons explores the Tulsa Race Massacre, reparative justice, & the fight to reclaim erased Black history
THURSDAY
Spring Night Market
Hi-Lawn & Dock5 | 5p - 10:30p, $8
Street food market with vendors, performances, & family-friendly activities
Go-Go Karaoke and Oysters
Go-Go Museum & Cafe | 5p - 9p, free
FRIDAY
Bike to Work Day: Your After-Work Pit Stop
metrobar | 4p - 10p, free
RFK Fields Cleanup
The Fields at RFK | 5p - 8p, free
Line Dancing in the Park with DMV City Slickerz
Alethia Tanner Park | 6p - 8:30p, free
Evening at the Embassy of Kenya
6:30p - 9p, $68
Afterhours event with music, art, film, food, drinks, & more
SATURDAY
Community Block Party with Yaddiya & HUE
Neal Place (Union Market District) | 1p - 3:30p, free
SpringTime in Historic Anacostia
1234 Marion Barry Ave SE | 12p - 8p, free
Family-friendly music & arts festival with a Mad Hatter tea party & a candle making workshop
Anacostia River Festival
Anacostia Park | 2p - 6p, free
Family-friendly
Ward 8 Community Bike Ride
Starts at Congress Heights Metro Station | 1:30p - 3p, free
Generation DMV 2026 Men & Mental Health Conference
UDC | 11a - 11p, free
Punches & Pints
Aslin Beer Company | 10a - 12p, $18
Boxing class followed by coffee & drinks
Fiesta Asia Street Fair
400 Pennsylvania Ave NW | 11a - 7p, free
•MARYLAND
151st Preakness Watch Party
Free State Distillery in Upper Marlboro, MD | 4p - 8p, $23
Ticket includes a cocktail or mocktail
Gaithersburg Book Festival
Bohrer Park in MD | 10a - 6p, free
Madden Skill Tournament
Oblivion Art House in College Park, MD | 12p - 7p, $23
Mount Rainier Day Festival
Mount Rainier Nature Center in MD | 11a - 4p, free
Cecred “Take the Heat” Styling Collection Popup
Ulta in Owings Mills, MD | 10a - 6p, free
Spring Street Fair
Davis Hall in College Park, MD | 12p - 4p, free
•VIRGINIA
Taste of Tysons
Tysons Corner Center in VA | 12p - 3p, free / $30 for a VIP tasting ticket
Food festival featuring the shopping mall’s eateries with music, chef demos, & family-friendly activations. VIP tickets include lounge access, drink pairings, & specialty bites
Barre Class: Whine & Glutes Pt. 2
Local Motion Project in Alexandria, VA | 6p - 7p, $18
Arlington Palooza
Lubber Run Community Center in VA | 1p - 6p, free
Recreation & music festival
SUNDAY
The Pink Exchange
1155 Dahlia St NW | 12p - 5p, free
Pink-themed popup with vendors, live DJ sets, & more
Oyster Fest
metrobar | 12p - 7p, free
Malcolm X Day Returns to DC
Anacostia Park Skate Pavillion | 12p - 6p, free
Honoring Malcolm X’s legacy with music, food, performances, & activities
KEEP IT 100: A One-Day Pop-Up by Brian Tolbert Art
The Lily | 4p - 7p, free
Showcasing & selling original art
An Evening with Alex Elle discussing “The Company We Keep” with Angel Gregorio
Howard Theatre | 2p, $55+
Wesley Brown “Looking for Frank Wills” Book Talk & Signing
Politics and Prose - Connecticut Ave | 5p, free (also streaming on YouTube)
Author Wesley Brown discusses his latest book on Frank Wills, the Black security guard whose discovery of the Watergate break-in helped unravel one of the biggest political scandals in American history.
Eatonville Sunday Supper
Busboys and Poets Brookland | 5p, $60
Four-course dinner inspired by former DC restaurant Eatonville
ACT XXIV Flow Session
Bridge Distrcit | 11:30a - 12:30p, $13
Yoga session with a DJ
Crate Dig & Chill: Vinyl Pop-Up Experience
SOST | 2p - 6p, free
•VIRGINIA
Braid N’ Sip
MuVe Studios in Alexandria, VA | 1p - 4p, $82
Beginner-friendly cornrowing & hair care workshop with curated wine tastings
Pups in the Park
Virginia Highlands Park in VA | 10a - 2p, free
LGBTQIA+-friendly
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PARTIES + MIXERS
5/14 - 5/18 (Thursday - Monday)
POWERDBYPLUG: Haitian Flag Day Weekend Takeover
Celebratory event series with a lineup of parties, a comedy show, a live performance by Khash, & more (multiple venues + price points)
WEDNESDAY
R&B in the Basement
STFU | 8p, $13
THURSDAY
Iceman: a Drake Listening Experience
The Park at 14th | 9p - 1a, free
FRIDAY
“MASH THIS”
WILD DAYS | 9p - 2a, free before 10:30p with RSVP
Live recorded DJ blend battle
One Big 2000’s Party hosted by Yung Joc
Karma | 9p - 3a, free before 10p with RSVP
South House vs Naija House
Strand | 10p - 3a, free before11:30p with RSVP
SATURDAY
Rhythm & Booze
ZOOZ | 9p - 2a, free before 11p with RSVP
Millennials vs. The World Podcast Party: The Link-Up w/ Friendship & Flow
SOST | 5p - 9p, free
Off the Record: a Night of Live Music
Air Restaurant | 5p - 12a, free before 7p with RSVP
AfroFuture Presents: The Homage DC ft. Tyler ICU
Karma | 10p - 3a, $35
Friends + Frequencies: FAMILY FUNCTION
Location given to attendees | 2p - 8p, free
S&L: The Soirée Series
Urban Roast - The Wharf | 2p - 8p, free
•SUNDAY
World Whiskey Day Celebration
Dirty Habit | 3p - 8p, free
Wine & Sun(Sets) Rooftop Picnic
Hi-Lawn | 3p - 8p, $24
Sunday Experience: Open-Air Session House, Afro, Open Format
National Mall | 2p - 8p, free
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CONCERTS + SHOWS
5/15 + 5/16 (Friday + Saturday)
Nephew Tommy
Baltimore Comedy Factory in MD | multiple showtimes, $43
5/16 + 5/17 (Saturday & Sunday)
Chante Moore
Bethesda Theater in MD | 8p Sat / 7p Sun, $99+
Saturday tickets | Sunday tickets
TUESDAY
Skizzy Mars
Pearl Street Warehouse | 8p, $34+
WEDNESDAY
Natalie Nunn: Already Rich Tour
The Fillmore in Silver Spring, MD | 8p, $30+
THURSDAY
Blazed & Amused: 420 Comedy Night ft. BOOBAKAW the Comedian
Entitlement Lounge | 7p - 11p, $14 / ladies free
FRIDAY
Noochie: Front Porch Live
The Theater at MGM in National Harbor, MD | 8p, $57+
High-Brid Band
Songbyrd | 7p, $22
Tony Woods
Baltimore Comedy Factory in MD | 10:15, $32
SUNDAY
Tia Kemp
Baltimore Comedy Factory in MD | 7p, $38
Kranium: A Slight Delay Tour
Union Stage | 8p, $62+