May closes out in the District with summer energy settling into the scene, as rooftop events, festivals, concerts, and more continue filling calendars across the DMV.
Use this quick guide to plan your week around the DMV ✅📋
Some Highlights:
Weekend Vacancy at Eaton DC (5/29 - 6/1)
Eaton DC teams up with Ari Lennox for a concert-weekend staycation experience featuring exclusive cocktails, merch pop-ups, rooftop parties, wellness events, and special fan activations tied to her Vacancy Tour stop at MGM National Harbor
Goodman League Season Opener (5/29)
The legendary Goodman League tips off its 30th anniversary season on Friday, continuing its decades-long legacy as one of the DMV’s most iconic summer basketball traditions (Goodman League courts in Barry Farms, 8:30p, free)
New Balance Appreciation Day (5/30)
Celebrate the DMV’s sneaker culture with live music from Black Alley, sneaker cam interviews, food trucks, vendors, an afterparty with DC Decades & more (metrobar, 3p - 8p, free)
Moefest (5/31)
Go-Go music, community organizing, & cultural celebration will take over 14th & U Street on Sunday for an afternoon gathering promoting peace, unity, & preserving DC’s hometown sound (4p - 7p, free)
ACTIVITIES + EXPERIENCES
5/29 - 5/31
Scratch, Sip & Paint
Words Beats & Life Headquarters | multiple start times, $66+
DJing & graffiti workshop with complimentary wine
5/30 + 5/31
Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live Glow-N-Fire
CFG Bank Arena in Baltimore, MD | 12p, $33+
THURSDAY
Happy Violet DC Grand Open House
305 Riggs Rd NE | 10a, free
This Black woman-owned low-tox, waterless nail salon opens its doors in NE walk-in services, wellness-focused beauty experiences, & custom treats
Portrait Gallery Reading Rhythms
National Portrait Gallery | 5:15p, free
Social reading party
Cocktails & Conversations: Future-Proofing D.C.’s Flora
US Botanic Garden | 6:30p - 8:30p, free with registration
Afterhours event with seasonal cocktails & mocktails and plant-based bites
Sunset Cinema Outdoor Screening of “Everything Everywhere All at Once”
Transit Pier at The Wharf | 7:30p, free
FRIDAY
We Make History: After Dark with Marcus Mitchell
Smithsonian’s Anacostia Community Museum | 7p - 10p, free
Art exhibit sneak peak with a live band performance & light bites from DCity Smokehouse
Caribbean Evening & Reopening of the Embassy of The Bahamas
6:30p - 9p, $74 | Embassy afterhours event with a Bahamian cuisine buffet, open bar with regional wine, beer, & rum, music, a diplomatic greeting, & a short film about the country
Outdoor Screening of “Star Wars: The Clone Wars”
920 Ellsworth Dr in Silver Spring, MD | 8p, free
Free popcorn while supplies last
Spring Soirée
National Arboretum | 6p - 9p, $350+
Fundraiser event with a light buffet & drinks
SATURDAY
Petworth Porchfest
Will have stages throughout the neighborhood | 2p - 8p, free
Neighborhood-wide music festival with local bands and artists performing across front porches, patios, & community spaces throughout the area
Not Your Kid’s Carnival
Prince George’s Stadium | 12p - 9p, $30+
21+ carnival experience with rides, games, food, vendors, & more
Anime & Wine: DC MHA night
Hall Pass Beer Hall & Sports Bar | 6p - 9p, $24
Playing “My Hero Academia,” ticket includes a welcome drink
She Moves: Dance Fitness & Brunch Mixer
BUDDY’S | 10a - 1p, $55
Brown Brunch Babes & Minis: Union Market
10a - 12p, free | Meetup for moms
Opening Day at ACM: We Make History
Smithsonian’s Anacostia Community Museum | 10a - 5p, free
Family-friendly art exhibit opening celebration
Freedom 250 Jefferson Under the Night Sky
Thomas Jefferson Memorial | 7p - 9p, free
Night sky exploration meetup
Super Smash Bros Tournament & Cosplay Party
GameOn bar+arcade | 2p - 7p, free
MOCCA Presents: 3rd Annual Caribbean Flag Ceremony
899 North Capitol St NE | 1p, free
The Premiere: Christian Creatives Open Mic
Victory Christian Ministries International | 6p - 8p, free
SUNDAY
Crate Convention
Anacostia Arts Center | 12p - 5p, free
Vinyl vendor marketplace with live performances, art, & more
Ladies in Bloom: A Brunch & Bouquet Experience
645 Pennsylvania Ave SE, Suite 300 | 1p - 4p, $32
Build-you-own bouquet experience with brunch bites, complimentary wine, vendors, crafts, & more
Silent Reading Party
Hotel AKA in Alexandria, VA | 1:30p - 3:30p, $34
Ticket includes light bites & a welcome cocktail or mocktail
DC Defenders Game Meetup with BASH Sports
Audi Field | 12p, $23 / $18 for kids
Family-friendly meetup to watch DC’s UFL team’s season finale against the Orlando Storm
Creators Jam
Eaton | 1p - 4p, $14
Live music jam session event with a songwriting competition
R&B Yoga: All About Ari
Eaton Wellness | 5p - 6:15p, $30+
Flow session set to music by Ari Lennox, part of the Weekend Vacancy collaboration at Eaton Hotel
World Heritage Festival
Veterans Plaza in Silver Spring, MD | 1p - 7p, free
PARTIES + MIXERS
THURSDAY
Taste: A Rooftop Social
Sly Rooftop Bar | 4p - 12a, free
CA$INO ROYALE: A Baby Keem Afterparty
12 Stories | 10p - 2a, free until 11p with RSVP
Unofficial afterparty
Just Friends: Summer Starts Early
District Alley | 7p - 11p, free
Go-Go Karaoke
Go-Go Museum & Cafe | 5p - 9p, free
FRIDAY
BLACK HAUSE
Culture | 10p - 3a, $33
Friday Night Brunch & Dinner Party ft. New Impressionz
Air Restaurant | 10p - 3a, free
Live gogo music
GROOVE
Eighteenth Street Lounge | 10p - 3a, free
House music party
SATURDAY
Vedo performing live: All White R&B Party
THRōW Social | 10p - 2a, $45
Crash Course: Joy Club 11 Year Anniversary
Saint-Ex | 10p - 3a, free with RSVP
AFROSOUL: 30 & Over AFRO + R&B Day Party
SOST | 5p - 10p, free with RSVP
New Live Crew
Dew Drop Inn | 9p - 3a, free
Off The Wall: a Michael Jackson Tribute Party
Howard Theatre | 10p, $18+
2000’s Throwback Day Party
Twelve After Twelve | 2p - 8p, free
Adult Swim: A DC Rooftop Pool Party Series
Hotel Zena Rooftop | 8p - 1a, $35+
SUNDAY
Ari Lennox Concert Afterparty
THRōW Social | 10p - 4a, $24+
The Funset ft. DJ Jahsonic x Harry Hotter
metrobar | 4p - 10p, free
Girl Brunch & Day Party
LYDIA ON H | 3p - 11p, free entry / $40 for brunch
That’s so 2000’s ft Yung Joc & Young Dro live
Citizens & Culture in Silver Spring, MD | 5p - 9p, $23
Brunch w/ Friends: Sundays At Kaché
Kaché | 11a - 9p, free
CONCERTS + SHOWS
5/29 - 5/31
Faizon Love
Baltimore Comedy Factory in MD | multiple showtimes, $32+
5/30 + 5/31 (Saturday + Sunday)
Ari Lennox: The Vacancy Tour
The Theater at MGM in National Harbor, MD | 8p, $88+
THURSDAY
Baby Keem: The Ca$ino Tour
The Anthem | 8:30p, $86+
Yaya Bey (as part of the My Body My Festival benefit concert)
9:30 Club | 6:30p, $46+
FRIDAY
Alex Isley
Warner Theatre | 8p, $135+
Kid Cudi: The Rebel Ragers Tour 2026
Jiffy Lube Live in Bristow, VA | 6:30p, $30+
Rock the Dock Summer Concert Series ft. Pink PaLlish
Transit Pier at The Wharf | 7p, free
SATURDAY
Jeleel
THRōW Social | 10p - 3a, $24+
How Sweet the Sound
with David & Tamela Mann, Donald Lawrence, Kierra Sheard, Jekalyn Carr, & JJ Hairston
The Anthem | 7:30p, $81+
Subways Sessions: Live Music with Concert Next Door
metrobar | 8p - 12a, free
Kweku Sumbry
Takoma Station Tavern | 7:30p - 10p, $24
Live drummer
Pass Da AUX: Alternative Crank Night
Prima | 8p - 11:30p, $24
Independent artist showcase
Chuck Brown Band
Bethesda Theater in MD | 8p, $35+
SUNDAY
Khalid: It’s Always Summer Somewhere Tour
The Anthem | 7:30p, $65+
Jazz in the Heights
Sycamore & Oak | 1p - 9p, free
Honoring 50 years of go-go music with performances by Chelsey Green, Debórah Bond, & Akua Allrich