October arrives on Thursday this week, and DC is wasting no time Falling into the new month.
Here’s what’s happening:
EDITOR’S PICKS
SATURDAY
Battle of the Real HU: Howard vs. Hampton Football Game
The century-old HBCU rivalry returns to DC as Howard & Hampton face off at Audi Field (3p, $42+)
Home Rule Music Festival
Celebrate DC’s Black musical legacy with a full day of live music spanning jazz, go-go, hip-hop & soul, with DJs, food, local vendors + family-friendly activities (Alethia Tanner Park, 12p - 9p, free)
Union Market District Street Fest + Nü Androids Block Party ft Marc Rebillet
Spend the day at Union Market’s second annual Street Fest with local vendors, activations, a free Solidcore class, & programming throughout the district. Then from 3p, Nü Androids takes over 5th Street for a free block party with a set from Marc Rebillet. The block party is free but registration is required (10a - 9p)
Daybreaker: Sunrise Yoga + Dance Party at National Geographic
Start your Saturday with guided yoga followed by a high-energy, alcohol-free morning dance party with a live DJ in the museum courtyard (6a - 9a, $35+)
SUNDAY
ScHoolboy Q: 10 Years of Blank Face LP Concert at The Fillmore
Groovy Q celebrates a decade of his acclaimed fourth album with a special anniversary tour stop in Silver Spring (8p, $52+)
ACTIVITIES + EXPERIENCES
TUESDAY
Together We Dine Kick-Off Happy Hour - Croix Rooftop | 6p - 8p
Kick off RAMW’s month-long dining campaign with DJ Money, a special happy hour menu + rooftop drinks
TUESDAY - SUNDAY
March On! Festival 2026 - Multiple Venues + Price Points
The annual Civil Rights Legacy Project returns with film screenings, performances, conversations + programming centered on history, culture & civic action
FRIDAY: Shall We Gather? Allyship, Music & The Power of Collective Voice - Metropolitan AME Church | 7p - 9p, free
Conversation on allyship & collective action with live performances from Mumu Fresh + Civil Rights icon Rutha Mae HarrisSUNDAY: The People’s Mic: Music, Movement & 250 Years of Democracy - MLK Library | 2p, free
WEDNESDAY
A Taste of Autumn on the Plaza - MGM National Harbor | 6p - 10p, 21+
Sample bites from five MGM restaurants with live performances from Push Play ft. D. Floyd + The Crank Crusaders ft. Raheem DeVaughn, Yahzarah & Bootsy VegasTaste of Western Market - Western Market | 4p - 6p, free entry / $20 tasting ticket
Try event-only dishes priced at $5 or less, with paid tickets including a $25 dining gift card + bonus freebiesThe Extended Play - Penthouse Pool Club | 2p - 6p, $25, 21+
Poolside afternoon with a live DJ, games, full bar + kitchen
THURSDAY
Astrology Dinner Nights: Discover Your Birth Chart - Flor Coffee + Books | 6p - 8p, $18+
A cozy guided astrology night with conversation, empanadas + wineAmerican Horror Story: 13 Watch Party - DC9 | 9p, free
FRIDAY
CAN I KICK IT? x America: The Game presents “The Running Man” - Union Station | 7p - 10p, free with required RSVP
Catch a screening of the 1987 action film with a DJ scoring the soundtrack live as part of Union Station’s America: The Game pop-up galleryCaribbean Celebration at the Embassy of Saint Kitts & Nevis - Embassy of St. Kitts & Nevis | 7:30p - 10p, $69+
Cultural evening with authentic Caribbean food, open bar, live calypso music, dance + a diplomatic greeting
SATURDAY
Oktoberfest at The Wharf - District Pier | 2p - 6p, free
Cheer on the Wiener 500 Dachshund Dash, sip Oktoberfest beer + catch the stein-hoisting championshipTaste of the Harvest at THEARC - THEARC | 2p - 8p, free
Celebrate the season with tastings from Bridge Park Plots + THEARC Farms and a community king’s tableHike Into Fall - Alethia Tanner Park | 9:30a - 11:30a, free
Easy 3-mile hikeThe Ultimate Adult Day of Play - West Potomac Park | 11a - 6p, $15
Queer-focused field dayGreater DC Yoga Festival - Yards Park | 9a - 3p, $35+
Waterfront yoga classes, workshops, meditation, music + a vendor marketNight Market x Art After Hours - Museum of Contemporary Art Arlington | 5p - 8p, free
Shop 20+ artists & makers, grab food + drinks, explore new exhibitions and visit resident artists in their studiosAnacostia Crab Feast - 1234 Marion Barry Ave SE | 2p - 7p, free to attend / $43+ for food & champagne garden access
SATURDAY + SUNDAY
DC Coffee Festival - Dock 5 at Union Market | Sat + Sun, $30+
Sample specialty roasters & coffee shops from around the region with snacks + live entertainment
SUNDAY
Youth Sports For All Day - The Fields at RFK Campus | 10a - 2p, free
Family-friendly sports day with youth clinics, demos, lawn games, raffles + local food vendorsBlack Gay Flea: Summer Kickback - Wunder Garten | 12p - 4p, 21+
Shop Black LGBTQ+ creatives & makers with DJs, food, drinks, games + a Spades tournamentTinkerfest - National Children’s Museum | 9:30a - 4:30p, $20
A full day of hands-on STEAM fun takes over with tinkering stations, live demos, creative experiments, and activities for little makers throughout the museum and on Woodrow Wilson Plaza.The Five Heartbeats: Musical Performance & Movie Screening Honoring Michael Wright - Bethesda Theater in MD | 8p, $10
SOCIAL EVENTS
TUESDAY
Together We Dine Kick-Off Happy Hour - Croix Rooftop | 6p - 8p, free
Kick off RAMW’s month-long dining campaign with a special happy hour menu + rooftop drinks
THURSDAY
THURSDAY THERAPY: The RNB Experience - Capo Italian Deli speakeasy | 8p - 1a, free before 9:30p with RSVP
FRIDAY
Hampton & Howard Hip Hopera - ZOOZ | 8p - 2a, free
Lagos Island DC: An Independence Celebration (Live Band + Vendors + Food + Music) - A.i. Warehouse | 10p - 3a, $25+
First Fridays - 12 Stories | 8p - 2a, free before 10:30p with RSVP
TheRealHU Kickoff - Croix Rooftop | 8p - 12a, free before 9p with RVP
Followed by an after party at District Alley from 11p - 3a
SATURDAY
Soul Mega 7 Year Anniversary - Shanklin Hall | 10p - 2a, free
Jordans & Jerseys - The Gathering Spot | 10p - 3a, $12+
We Love Y2K - Air Restaurant | 9p - 3a, free until 11p with RSVP
Howard vs Hampton Rooftop Afterparty - Perch SW Rooftop Lounge | 6p - 12a, $13
The Post Game Kickback: HU vs HU - Hen Quarter Prime | 6p - 10p, free
SUNDAY
HU vs HU Weekend Day Party - Park at 14th | 6:30p - 10p, free
Can We Talk Day Party - WILD DAYS | 4p - 9p, free
Funset - metrobar | 5p - 10p
CONCERTS + SHOWS
WEDNESDAY
Shaboozey: Outlaws Never Die Tour - The Anthem | 7:30p, resale tickets available for $47+
Vivid Seats | SeatGeek | StubHub
THURSDAY
Raheem DeVaughn + Daley - Pier Six Pavilion in Baltimore | 8p, $51+
FRIDAY
Talib Kweli - Bethesda Theater in MD | 7p, $50+
Black Violin: The Be Free Tour with Braxton Cook - Warner Theatre | 8p, $92+
FRIDAY + SATURDAY
Eddie Griffin - Baltimore Comedy Factory | multiple showtimes, $54+
SUNDAY
ScHoolboy Q - The Fillmore in Silver Spring, MD | 8p, $52
Tee Sanders - Baltimore Comedy Factory | 7p, $32