May moves into the District with a steady rhythm, as warming temperatures complement packed social calendars and weekend plans.
Here’s what’s happening across the DMV:
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ACTIVITIES + EXPERIENCES
5/5 - 5/8 (Tuesday - Friday)
“Sith Happens”, A Star Wars Pop Up Bar
Lola’s A Neighborhood Bar | opens 5p
5/8 + 5/9 (Friday + Saturday)
Trade In Any Camera. Trade Up to a Leica.
Leica Store | 10a - 5:30p, free
5/8 - 5/10 (Friday - Sunday)
The Potomac Bonsai Festival
National Bonsai and Penjing Museum (inside the National Arboretum) | doors open 9a, free
Celebrate the art of bonsai with exhibitions, live demonstrations, workshops, and vendors
TUESDAY
The RAMMYS Honors Cocktail Reception
Watergate Hotel | 6p - 9p, $200
Celebrating excellence in the local restaurant and hospitality industry
WEDNESDAY
CiNoMatic Outdoor Screening of “Pirates of the Caribbean”
Alethia Tanner Park | 7p - 10p, free
5th Annual Spoken Word to Go-Go Championship: Round 1
Busboys and Poets Anacostia | 6p - 9p, free
Contestants perform original spoken word pieces over gogo beats
Howard Thesis Showcase
Howard Theatre | 7p, free with RSVP
Premiering the thesis films of graduating HBCU film students
THURSDAY
Live! At the Library: Experience The Source
Library of Congress | 5p - 8p, free with registration
After-hours event exploring The Source, a new family-friendly interactive gallery designed for hands-on exploration of the Library’s film, sound, text, and image collections.
Kimberlé W. Crenshaw Discusses & Signs Her Memoir “Backtalker”
MLK Memorial Library | 7p, $38
Ticket includes an autographed book
Art Bank at MLK Library New Collection Reception
MLK Library | 6p - 7:30p, free
The DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities (CAH) will showcase newly acquired works
State of Downtown Forum
Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg Center | 8:30a - 11a, free
Mayor Muriel Bowser joins city leaders, policymakers, and industry voices for a discussion on the future of Downtown DC
FRIDAY
Natural Wine Tasting on the National Mall
Bar Americano | 4p - 6p, $14
Friday Game Night
SOST | 6p - 10p, free
National Nurses March
Starts at The White House | 9a - 12p, free
Showing solidarity against violence against healthcare workers
Teacher Appreciation Day
metrobar | 4p - 11p, free
Educators get 10% off with a teacher ID
Aperitivo 5K
Start at 50 Massachusetts Ave NW | 6:30p - 9p, free
Light walk followed by drinks at Carving Room NoMa
SATURDAY
Black Excellence Hike
Chesapeake & Ohio Canal Historic National Park in Potomac, MD | 9:30a - 12:30p, free
Uncaged Film Festival
Spark Social | 6p - 9p, $13
Black LGBTQ+ film festival
Mommy & Me: A Mother’s Day Pet Photo Event
Eaton | 3p - 5p, $40
What The Float: DC
Adams Morgan, starting at Pitchers | 8p - 11p, $36
Silent dance party where attendees explore DC parks and plazas on foot while listening to music
Spring Fest 2026 at Cobb Park
200 H Street NW | 11a - 6p, free
Family-friendly festival at the newly renovated park
SUNDAY
Mother’s Day Brunch
The Lounge at Salamander | reservations from 11a - 1:30p, $94+
Black Mothers March
Lincoln Memorial | 11a - 3p, free
Gathering to show solidarity against policies that negatively impact Black families
Mother’s Day Forest Bathing
National Arboretum | 9a - 11a, $40
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PARTIES + MIXERS
TUESDAY
Cinco De Mayo Sunset Happy Hour
WILD DAYS | 5p - 11p, free
CINCO DE DRINKO
Lima Twist | 6p - 11p, $20
The Cinco De Mayo Party At Diablo’s
Diablo’s Cantina inside the MGM in National Harbor, MD | 5p - 10p, free
Cinco De Mayo at Kaché
4p - 10p, free with RSVP
THURSDAY
Remedy: the Cure for the Common Work Day
The Continent | 6p - 9p, free
FRIDAY
ACT XXIV - HOWARD AFTER PARTY
Diosa | 10p - 3a, free before 11p with RSVP
Teacher Appreciation Happy Hour & Mixer
Sycamore & Oak | 4p - 10p, free
ALL BLACK EVERYTHING
Twelve After Twelve | 9p - 3a, free
SATURDAY
30+ Block Party ft. DIAMOND of Crime Mob
BERHTA | 4p, $12
Plies 40 & Up With A Good Job All White Affair Day Party
BERHTA | 12p - 5p, $66+
THE BEYONCE DAY PARTY: VOL 3
Twelve After Twelve | 1p - 6p, free with RSVP
Better Bumppp!
WILD DAYS | 9p - 2a, free
Club Ghetto Tech: Vol. 4
Sinners and Saints | 10p - 3a, $11.25+
SUNDAY
Sunday Stories Day Party
12 Stories | 3p - 9p, free until 4:30p
SOUL SANCTUARY
Diosa | 8p - 1a, $12+
Outside For Her
Public Bar Live | 4p - 9p, free before 5p with RSVP
Accepting donations to support women and families in need, including toiletries & hygiene products, baby essentials, and bulk/family-sized goods
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CONCERTS + SHOWS
5/8 + 5/9 (Friday + Saturday)
The R&B Lovers Tour
with Keith Sweat, Joe, Dru Hill, Ginuwine, & Kut Klose
Friday, 5/8 at CFG Bank Arena in Baltimore, MD | 8p, $93+: TICKETS
Saturday, 5/9 at DAR Constitution Hall | 8p, $93+: TICKETS
Stokely
Bethesda Theater in MD | 8p, $99+
Friday tickets | Saturday tickets
WEDNESDAY
Mars Arts D.C. Concert Series ft. THE CO//ECT!V CREW
Songbyrd | 7p, free
THURSDAY
Elmiene: Sounds for Someone Tour
The Fillmore in Silver Spring, MD | 8p, $107+
Throw Comedy Jam with Mike Brooks & Friends
THRōW Social | 7p - 12a, free
FRIDAY
Trey Songz: 20 Years of Trey Songz
The Anthem | 8p, $160+
Musiq Soulchild
The HALL at Live! in Hanover MD | 8:30p, $68+
SATURDAY
Sistas Who Kill: Back From The Dead
Howard Theatre | 6p, $50
Live podcast discussing true crime stories about Black murderesses
The Thank Me Later Comedy Show ft. Jamal Russell
Lost Origins Gallery | 8p - 10p, $23
SUNDAY
Bilal
Howard Theatre | 8p, $74+