Washington has emerged from a month of cherry blossom-themed gatherings and festivals to find a wide-ranging set of weekend activities, including the return of Filmfest DC and parades and concerts to celebrate D.C. Emancipation Day. Get an early start on Earth Day — and find more Earth Day events and volunteer opportunities in our Earth Day guide — or wish Shakespeare a happy birthday at the Folger Shakespeare Library. Dog lovers can join 2,000 humans and their pups on a walk through Alexandria, while festivals put flowers, pickles and local music in the spotlight. Find the perfect new outfit or accessory at a pop-up market, or dance to a DJ spinning Asian pop, Afrobeats, hip-hop or techno.
Thursday, April 16
Filmfest DC
The Washington, DC International Film Festival celebrates a big anniversary this spring, marking 40 years in the nation’s capital with more than 3,600 films screened throughout its run. This year, the action is centered around downtown’s Regal Gallery Place theater complex. The vast offerings are grouped into categories such as documentaries on social issues, international music, lighthearted comedies and international cinema. In that latter category, there are some heavy-hitters in the “World View” section of the festival, including family drama “Sundays,” which nabbed multiple awards including best picture, best director and best actress at Spain’s Goya Awards. Political nail-biter “The Negotiator,” the best film winner at the Italian Golden Globes, also graces Filmfest DC. Through April 26. $15 for most individual films and short programs; Prices vary for special events and multi-film passes.
District Day at the National Museum of African American History and Culture
The National Museum of African American History and Culture is a top draw for tourists, but every April, the museum celebrates locals at D.C. Emancipation Day. The annual holiday commemorates the 1862 law that freed enslaved people in Washington, D.C., well before the Emancipation Proclamation or the 13th Amendment. Look for a trunk show with Black-owned businesses in the Heritage Hall, and a performance by go-go legends Rare Essence beginning at noon. 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Free for D.C. residents; others must register for timed-entry passes.
Day of Play at RFK at the Fields at RFK
With D.C. public schools on spring break, you might be looking for ways to keep the kids entertained and busy outside of the house. That’s the goal of D.C.’s annual Day of Play, which brings youth and adults to the RFK campus for hours of sports and art activities. Last year’s busy schedule included flag football, kickball, tug of war, rock climbing and even horseback rides. The day also features food trucks and live entertainment. Advance registration is recommended, and participants should pick a team color — red, white or blue — to earn points in competitive games. All ages are welcome, but everyone under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Noon to 4 p.m. Free. Online registration recommended. Check-in for preregistered participants begins at 11 a.m.; On-site registration begins at 11:30 a.m.
Trivia Night at Hillwood Museum
How much do you know about telling time? Trivia night at the Hillwood Estate, Museum and Gardens begins with self-guided tours of the current exhibition, “On Time,” a display of lavishly decorated clocks and watches, and the estate’s acres of gardens, before settling in with food and drinks for a time-inspired quiz run by New Columbia Pub Quiz. Teams are limited to groups of four, with prizes for the smartest participants. 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. $10.
Reading of the Names at the African American Civil War Memorial
The African American Civil War Memorial honors D.C. Emancipation Day by reading the names of more than 3,100 formerly enslaved people freed by the passage of the District of Columbia Compensated Emancipation Act. Members of the community are invited to sign up to read a selection of names. 11 a.m. Free.
Friday, April 17
Hillwood Earth Day Celebration
Marjorie Merriweather Post’s Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens is known for its acres of lush gardens and well-stocked greenhouses, and its staff is eager to share tips on sustainable gardening. Join a special eco-themed gardening tour, and then visit environmental-action info tables set up throughout the grounds. Visit all the tables and you’ll receive a free native plant to take home. Other Earth Day perks include free coffee for those who bring their own mug, and discounts in the gift shop on items from sustainable vendors. 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. $20 for adults, $17 for seniors, $10 for college students, $5 for children ages 6 to 18, and free for children age 6 and younger.
Chinatown Funk Express at Lucky Danger
A dance party honoring “the golden era of Asian pop music, from the ’70s to today” takes over Lucky Danger with selectors Les the DJ and Dippin’ Records founder DJ Saucy Lady. As you groove, check out a pop-up night market with Asian records, zines and art, or get a Korean oracle or tarot reading. Lucky Danger offers its usual menu of American-Chinese cuisine and cocktails. 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. $22.85 in advance, $28.55 at the door.
Juliana Huxtable at Transmission
In a WiFi world, we don’t think about ethernets anymore. But that technology is not just a bedrock for the internet, but also for cyberpunk art: Think neuromancers jacking into the matrix. That hardwired connection is explored at the techno party series Ethernet, with pulsing beats and triggered samples uniting music and revelers. Leading the way is Texas-born multidisciplinary artist Juliana Huxtable, along with a crew of DJs — N3urodegenerate, Vivian Oblivion, Solidare and Ether Pleaser — who are rewiring D.C. dance floors. 10 p.m. $19.99.
Chacho Pop-Up at Metrobar
D.C. aguardiente distillers Chacho closed their Manor Park tasting room in late March, but they’re already back with a pop-up at the Metro-themed Metrobar beer garden. Stop by for a menu of cocktails using the jalapeno-infused spirits, or, on Fridays between 6 and 9 p.m., visit a tasting bar for free samples. As with Chacho’s previous pop-up at Le Mont Royal, expect themed art and photo ops. Ongoing. Free admission; drink prices vary.
Saturday, April 18
Shakespeare’s Birthday Celebration at Folger Shakespeare Library
“Happy 462nd birthday, dear William Shakespeare, happy birthday to you,” is what the crowd will be singing at the Folger Shakespeare Library on April 18, as the Bard’s birthday is celebrated with a busy afternoon of activities. Visitors can watch stage combat exhibitions and a sonnet competition; practice writing with a quill; see a printing press in operation; and try on Shakespearean costumes. The Reading Room is open for tours and a game of “Swift or Shakespeare?” before birthday cupcakes are served on the front lawn. At 7 p.m., Emma Smith, a professor of Shakespeare Studies at Oxford University, gives the annual Shakespeare’s Birthday Lecture in the Folger Theatre, discussing “identity, displacement, prejudice, and the figure of the ‘good immigrant’” across Shakespeare’s plays. 11 a.m. Free. No tickets are required for daytime activities, but reservations are requested for the evening lecture.
Leesburg Flower and Garden Festival
Plants and pedestrians take over the streets of downtown Leesburg’s historic district during this annual festival. Multiple blocks are transformed into a showcase for garden designers and landscapers, while dozens of vendors hawk flowers, equipment and accessories. The town green will host family-friendly music and dance performances, games and arts and crafts, while the rooftop of the main parking garage is transformed into a beer garden with drinks from Loudoun County breweries and wineries, as well as live entertainment. Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Free admission to festival; $17 to enter beer garden, including two drinks.
La Brauciñera at DC Brau
When DC Brau poured its first beers on April 15, 2011, it became the first production brewery to operate in the District since the old Heurich Brewery closed in 1956. Now the city’s largest brewery is throwing itself a quinceañera to mark 15 years in business. There’s music from D.C. ska fixtures the Pietasters, who once brewed a beer with DC Brau, and mariachi band Mariachi Imperio. Two beers are making their debut: Declaration is a helles lager celebrating the anniversary, while Baby Wings is a toned-down, lower-alcohol version of Brau’s popular On the Wings of Armageddon double IPA. The indoor/outdoor party also includes food vendors and rare beers on tap, with a portion of ticket sales benefiting local nonprofit Ayuda. 1 to 9 p.m. $28.52.
ALX Dog Walk at Oronoco Bay Park
More than 2,000 dog lovers and their pups are expected to descend on Alexandria’s Oronoco Bay Park for the fifth annual ALX Dog Walk. The morning event begins with a two-mile stroll through the city — with free coffee for the first 500 walkers — that features pop-up performances by entertainers including the Alexandria Symphony Orchestra. The walk winds up back at the riverfront park, where activities include a dog obstacle course, a dog show and contest — this year’s theme is “wedding chic” — and adoptable dogs to meet. Browse the sustainability festival for eco-friendly products and a display of art made from plastic. 7 to 11 a.m. Walk begins at 8:15. $35, with or without a dog.
‘A Day Unplugged’ at the Anacostia Community Museum
The Smithsonian Anacostia Community Museum’s mindful Earth Day programming invites visitors to connect with nature, whether that’s through a workshop on container gardening or a sound bath offering a chance to reflect on the Earth’s beauty. Kids can drop in for free play or create a craft, like a painted rock paperweight, and everyone can shop for locally grown produce at the museum’s farm stand. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Free; reserve a spot online.
Pickle and International Food Fest at Crooked Run
Rejoice, lovers of all things tart, tangy, spicy and briny: Crooked Run’s Pickle and International Food Festival features a dozen pickle vendors from across the region, as well as housemade sour pickle beers, pickleback shots and a pickle soda. If you don’t love pickles, there are a dozen food trucks offering unfermented dishes, a full lineup of craft brews, and a vendor market. No matter your taste, there’s live music — don’t miss Pickleback!, a Nickelback cover band on Saturday night — and games and entertainment for kids and adults. A VIPP ticket, which stands for Very Important Pickle Person, allows for early entry plus a goody bag. Saturday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. $5 per day; $25 two-day VIPP pass.
That’s So Vintage at the Square
More than 50 vintage dealers from up and down the East Coast are bringing retro clothing, jewelry, handbags, hats, sunglasses, home goods and accessories to downtown food hall the Square this weekend, curated by Union Market shop Vintage Vintage Vintage. Early-access tickets cost twice as much as a standard two-day pass but allow fashionistas to enter the sale at 10 a.m. instead of noon on the first day. Saturday from noon to 5 p.m., Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. $6-$10 per day; $15 two-day pass; $30 early-access two-day pass.
Flourish: A Spring Market Event at Museum of Contemporary Art Arlington
The Museum of Contemporary Art Arlington hosts more than 20 local makers at its “Made in Arlington” market, an indoor and outdoor event that mixes shopping with hands-on crafting and artist talks in the galleries. Food and drinks are available outside, and visitors can purchase tickets for yoga workshops or a sound bath for an additional fee. Noon to 4 p.m. Free.
District Sounds festival at the Wharf
Student musicians share the stage with professional artists at this genre-bending festival, held outdoors on the District Pier at the Wharf. Blues singer Carly Harvey and her band are joined by students from the Columbia Heights Education Campus; Colombian-born singer Verny Varela and Tumba’o perform a mix of Latin rhythms with the Oyster School Choir; and the Georgetown University Orchestra performs a classical set on its own before being joined by D.C. rapper Oddisee and Good Compny. There’s also a “flamenco vs. tap” dance battle and a set by DJ Unown. 3 to 9 p.m. $12.
Crush second anniversary
Two dance floors, a patio with a retractable roof, drag bingo and Sunday Funday parties with free hot dogs are just some of the reasons that we enjoy Crush, an LGBTQ bar and nightspot near 14th and U streets. Run by the former owners of Dupont Circle staple Cobalt, Crush is celebrating its second birthday this weekend with a series of parties. Free vodka on Friday from 10 to 11 p.m.! Free nachos in addition to the usual hot dogs on Sunday, beginning at 2 p.m.! But if we had to pick one day to venture out, it’s Saturday afternoon. The Capital Weather Gang is predicting sunny skies and summer temperatures, and the bar is pouring $2 crushes — the staple beach cocktail with fresh juice and vodka — from 2 to 4 p.m. Through Sunday. Times vary. Free.
Glow Block Party
A year after headlining the massive Project Glow festival at the RFK Festival Grounds, English DJ Chris Lake is coming back to D.C. This time, though, he’s the featured artist at the first Glow Block Party, an electronic music event shutting down Pennsylvania Avenue NW outside the National Gallery of Art. Expect Lake’s usual mix of tech house and crossover beats — this is a DJ who can make thunderous bangers with Skrillex and also remix Taylor Swift’s lead single — with support from Joy Anonymous, Club de Combat and Nadia. Organizers promise art installations, food trucks and other surprises at the multi-block party. Attendees must be 18 years old to enter. VIP tickets include private seating, bar area and bathrooms, plus early admission. 4 to 10 p.m. $111.90-$123.10.
Ivy Lab at Transmission
When seminal electronic duo Ivy Lab announced in January that 2026 would be its last operational year, members Stray and Sabre promised in an Instagram post that they would “look ahead to new adventures in sound.” What a perfect thesis statement for a group that has, for more than a decade, been a dynamic force of experimentation. As a pioneer in halftime and an inspirational industry mainstay in drum ‘n’ bass, the partnership has long produced EDM that is at once liquid and transcendent. But it’s not over yet. In that same post, they made another promise: “We don’t intend on leaving quietly.” 10 p.m. $35.85.
Zim @ 46 at Lydia on H
April 18 is Zimbabwe’s Independence Day, and there will be dancing all night at Lydia on H to celebrate. After an appearance by amapiano star Vigro Deep at Throw Social, the party moves to Lydia for a night of Afrobeats, amapiano, zimdancehall and Zimbabwe’s urban grooves, with DJs Jaha, Mobu, Nhunzi and Beekay. 10 p.m. Free.
Art and Alleyways walking tour in Blagden Alley
These days, the mazelike alleyways of Blagden Alley and Naylor Court are filled with trendy restaurants and bars, and lofts transformed into condos. However, it wasn’t that long ago that alley communities were demonized by city officials as dirty, dangerous slums. Katie Kirkpatrick of Off the Mall Tours leads a 90-minute walking tour highlighting the history of these alleys — now a historic district — that winds up at Blagden Alley’s NCO Gallery. Stick around to check out an exhibit of international art, and for a reception featuring live music by Brad Pugh of Practically Einstein. 5 to 10 p.m. $47.70.
‘¡Puro Ritmo!’ at the National Museum of American History
Musicians like Tito Puente and Celia Cruz are in the spotlight in the National Museum of American History’s exhibit “¡Puro Ritmo! The Musical Journey of Salsa.” This bilingual exhibition was organized by the in-the-works National Museum of the American Latino, which claims gallery space within the American History museum’s first floor. Visitors can get a better understanding of how Afro-Cuban rhythms evolved into the musical genre we know today as salsa, thanks to the 300 objects on display. Exhibition ongoing. Free.
Sunday, April 19
D.C. Emancipation Day Parade and Concert
On April 16, 1862, President Abraham Lincoln signed the District of Columbia Compensated Emancipation Act, abolishing slavery in D.C. nine months before the Emancipation Proclamation took effect. The city’s annual Emancipation Day celebration begins with a parade on Pennsylvania Avenue NW between Ninth and 12th streets, featuring marching bands, dance troupes and community groups, beginning at 1:30 p.m. That flows into a concert at Freedom Plaza featuring rapper T.I., Grammy-winning R&B star (and D.C. native) Mýa, gospel singer Tye Tribbett, go-go artists Backyard Band and Sugar Bear, and the cast of “44: The Musical,” which is currently playing at the Shakespeare Theatre Company. The concert grounds open at 1 p.m., with performances starting at 2:30 p.m. 1 to 8:30 p.m. Free; reservation requested.
Funset Home Opener at Dew Drop Inn
D.C.’s best weekly outdoor dance party is the Funset, which finds veteran party-rockers Jahsonic and Harry Hotter bringing the funk, rare grooves, vintage hip-hop and old-school R&B that you’ve heard them play everywhere from Marvin to Eighteenth Street Lounge to Heist. But at Funset, the deep and familiar grooves inspire euphoric dancing and a communal celebration on the patio. It’s mobbed, but in the best possible way. Get there early for drinks and to visit the food trucks before squeezing onto the dance floor. 4 to 10 p.m. Free.
Fran Vielma’s Pan American Jazz Orchestra at Lamont Plaza
The Pan American Jazz Orchestra fuses contemporary American jazz with the styles of composers and musicians from Central and South America, led by Venezuelan percussionist Fran Vielma. The group’s annual free outdoor concert in Mount Pleasant is a chance to dance and enjoy the diverse sounds while picnicking with food from the many restaurants on Mount Pleasant Street. 1 to 3 p.m. Free.
Monday, April 20
‘Taqueria Palestina’ Pop-Up at Yellow Union Market
Palestinian American comedian Mo Amer’s acclaimed Netflix series “Mo” features an episode that revolves around “fusion” tacos made with falafel. (No spoilers, because you really should watch the show.) Those tacos are coming to life for a one-day pop-up at Yellow’s Union Market location, thanks to a collaboration between Amer, Yellow and taco emporium La Tejana. Yellow promises “tacos with a twist — from falafel con queso to kebab de care,” but we know the line is going to be as long as the Rio Grande, so get there early. Noon “until sold out.” Prices vary.
Monster Movie Monday at Comet Ping Pong
“Gremlins 3” isn’t coming out until next year, so why not reacquaint yourself with 1990s “Gremlins 2: The New Batch” while you wait? The sequel, while featuring the beloved mogwai Gizmo, transfers the action to New York City, where the monstrous gremlins run riot with predictable — sometimes all-too-predictable — results. (Washington Post critic Hal Hinson didn’t think much of the film, but described the gremlins as “pure libidinous energy, greedy, violent, destruction-minded — in short, the ideal summer movie heroes.”) This screening is part of Comet Ping Pong’s “Monster Movie Mondays” series, which features movies on a big screen in the pizzeria’s back room, preceded by trailers and short films. The event is open to all ages, but you’ll want to arrive early to find a seat and order a pie. 6:30 p.m. Free.
Tuesday, April 21
Jazz Afternoons at the National Museum of American History
The National Museum of American History’s holdings are so vast that the museum only displays a fraction of the 1.7 million items in its collection. The items tucked away in storage, according to the museum, include 100,000 pages of Duke Ellington’s music, Benny Goodman’s clarinet, and Ella Fitzgerald’s dresses. To celebrate Jazz History Month, curators are bringing some of these rare artifacts out of the vault for the public to enjoy. Ask questions of curators while listening to members of the acclaimed Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra jam with each other. 1 p.m. Free.
Wednesday, April 22
Union Station in Bloom’s Earth Day
Travelers passing through Union Station have a reason to stick around during the transit center’s Earth Day celebrations. Event company Brightly Ever After is creating a large-scale installation inspired by sustainability that will be on display April 20-24. On April 22, the installation becomes interactive, with displays where passersby can pick mini flower bouquets. Lunchtime (noon to 2 p.m.) brings a special eco-themed performance from the jazz guitar group Guitar Renegades, with an encore performance at 4. Noon to 6 p.m. Free.
‘Get Crafty!’ at Heurich House
Dupont Circle’s historic Heurich House Museum welcomes crafters of all stripes to the monthly “Get Crafty!” gatherings in its backyard beer garden. The first edition of 2026 has an America 250 theme, with visitors asked to use images from magazines, record covers and found art to create a “Re-Visioning the American Dream” vision board. All materials are provided, and you can also bring your own needlepoint, knitting or other projects to work on in the shady garden. Craft beverages, including local beer, cider and nonalcoholic options, are available for purchase. 5 to 7 p.m. Free.
The post The 32 best things to do in the D.C. area this weekend and next week appeared first on Washington Post.
