Local calendar
60 upcoming events near Washington. Each card links back to the source, so you can check the details before you go.
Source linked
Markets
8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Washington, DC
Every Sunday morning the streets near Dupont Circle fill with farm stands, bakers, and flowers, year round. It is the kind of weekly routine that anchors a weekend, with regulars who know the vendors by name.
Community & civic
Noon to 6 p.m.
Washington, DC
The longest-running neighborhood festival in DC takes over 18th Street NW with music, food, and crafts. It is walkable, friendly, and easy to drop into for an hour or the whole afternoon.
Pickleball & rec
Varies by site, mornings and afternoons
Stead Park, Turkey Thicket, Hillcrest and other DC rec centers · Washington, DC
Stead Park, Turkey Thicket, Hillcrest and other DC rec centers
You can play free pickleball at dozens of DC rec center courts on a rotating open-play schedule, both indoor and outdoor.
Community & civic
Evenings
Washington, DC
Each December the National Christmas Tree is lit just south of the White House and glows nightly through the holidays, surrounded by smaller state trees. The lighting ceremony itself is ticketed by lottery, but the lit tree is free to stroll past all season.
Outdoors & nature
United States Botanic Garden · Washington, DC
United States Botanic Garden
You can join free workshops, cooking demonstrations, highlights tours and concerts at the Botanic Garden beside the Capitol.
Community & civic
Washington, DC
A free, one-day celebration of books with hundreds of authors, talks, and signings at the convention center downtown. Bring a tote bag and a comfortable pair of shoes.
Music & concerts
6 p.m.
Kennedy Center Grand Foyer · Washington, DC
Kennedy Center Grand Foyer
You can see a free concert at the Kennedy Center four nights a week, from chamber players to the NSO Summer Music Institute musicians, no ticket cost.
Outdoors & nature
Daytime
Trailheads around the DC metro area · Washington, DC
Trailheads around the DC metro area
You can join the metro area's oldest hiking club for regular bus, carpool and trailhead hikes that welcome adult walkers of all paces.
Dance & fitness
Intro lesson 2:30 p.m., dance 3 to 6 p.m.
Bumper Car Pavilion, Glen Echo Park · Washington, DC
Bumper Car Pavilion, Glen Echo Park
You can join a monthly afternoon contra dance with a beginner lesson up front, live band and caller, for fifteen dollars at the door.
Lifelong learning
Daytime
OLLI at American University · Washington, DC
OLLI at American University
If you are 50 or over, you can take short four-week study groups that meet once a week on everything from history to the arts through this lifelong-learning institute.
Markets
Sat 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sun 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Eastern Market, 7th & C Streets SE · Washington, DC
Eastern Market, 7th & C Streets SE
You can browse farmers, artists, crafters and prepared-food sellers at this historic Capitol Hill market every weekend, with a Sunday flea market too.
Dance & fitness
Washington DC · Washington, DC
Washington DC
You can take bachata workshops, watch contests and dance at concerts during this top-ranked Latin dance festival.
Senior programs
2 p.m.
DC Public Library branches · Washington, DC
DC Public Library branches
You can drop in for a free cup of coffee and a casual conversation circle with library staff and neighbors once a month.
Music & concerts
7 p.m.
Transit Pier, The Wharf · Washington, DC
Transit Pier, The Wharf
You can hear free R&B, rock, go-go and country bands on the floating stage at The Wharf on Friday nights all summer long.
Outdoors & nature
U.S. National Arboretum · Washington, DC
U.S. National Arboretum
You can slow down and connect with nature on a guided full-moon forest bathing walk hosted periodically through the year.
Music & concerts
Noon to 7 p.m.
Washington, DC
H Street NE shuts down to traffic for a day of live music, food, and vendors across many stages and blocks. It is a lively, neighborhood-wide street party that draws thousands.
Classes & arts
1 to 3 p.m.
DC Public Library branches · Washington, DC
DC Public Library branches
You can catch a free afternoon movie screening at DC Public Library branches on a rotating Friday schedule.
Dance & fitness
Evening
Spanish Ballroom, Glen Echo Park · Washington, DC
Spanish Ballroom, Glen Echo Park
You can contra dance in the historic Spanish Ballroom every Friday, all ages welcome, for a five dollar minimum donation.
Music & concerts
Friday evenings
Washington, DC
On Friday evenings through the summer, the National Gallery's Sculpture Garden fills with free live jazz and people picnicking around the fountain. It is one of the most pleasant ways to spend a warm Friday in the city.
Dance & fitness
Morning
Edlavitch DCJCC, 1529 16th Street NW · Washington, DC
Edlavitch DCJCC, 1529 16th Street NW
If you are 65 or over, this free beginner-friendly morning of low-impact line dancing set to music is open to all levels with no experience needed.
Community & civic
Walter E. Washington Convention Center · Washington, DC
Walter E. Washington Convention Center
You can browse an art marketplace and people-watch the cosplay crowds at this large anime convention downtown.
Classes & arts
Smithsonian Associates · Washington, DC
Smithsonian Associates
You can keep building your watercolor skills in a six-week studio course for adults.
Markets
8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
20th Street NW near Dupont Circle · Washington, DC
20th Street NW near Dupont Circle
You can shop DC's flagship Sunday farmers market in the heart of Dupont Circle for local produce, meats, breads and flowers.
Music & concerts
6 p.m., gates open 5 p.m.
National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden · Washington, DC
National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden
You can catch free live jazz, soul, blues and brass in the Sculpture Garden every Friday evening all summer, with informal dance lessons on select nights and passes given out by free lottery.
Food festivals
10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
The National Mall · Washington, DC
The National Mall
You can wander a sixteen-day coast-to-coast state fair on the National Mall, with food, music and exhibits marking America's 250th.
Music & concerts
8 PM
Capital One Arena · Odenton, MD
Music & concerts
8 PM
Capital One Arena · Columbia, MD
Music & concerts
8 PM
Capital One Arena · Falls Church, VA
Music & concerts
8 PM
Capital One Arena · Severna Park, MD
Music & concerts
8 PM
Capital One Arena · Washington, DC
Music & concerts
8 PM
Capital One Arena · Annapolis, MD
Music & concerts
8 PM
Capital One Arena · Odenton, MD
Music & concerts
8 PM
Capital One Arena · Falls Church, VA
Music & concerts
8 PM
Capital One Arena · Severna Park, MD
Music & concerts
8 PM
Capital One Arena · Washington, DC
Music & concerts
8 PM
Capital One Arena · Columbia, MD
Music & concerts
8 PM
Capital One Arena · Annapolis, MD
Music & concerts
8 PM
Capital One Arena · Columbia, MD
Capital One Arena
Max Bag Permitted = 5 x 7 (Clutch Style)
Music & concerts
8 PM
Capital One Arena · Odenton, MD
Capital One Arena
Max Bag Permitted = 5 x 7 (Clutch Style)
Music & concerts
8 PM
Capital One Arena · Washington, DC
Capital One Arena
Max Bag Permitted = 5 x 7 (Clutch Style)
Music & concerts
8 PM
Capital One Arena · Annapolis, MD
Capital One Arena
Max Bag Permitted = 5 x 7 (Clutch Style)
Music & concerts
8 PM
Capital One Arena · Severna Park, MD
Capital One Arena
Max Bag Permitted = 5 x 7 (Clutch Style)
Music & concerts
8 PM
Capital One Arena · Falls Church, VA
Capital One Arena
Max Bag Permitted = 5 x 7 (Clutch Style)
Music & concerts
8 PM
Capital One Arena · Odenton, MD
Music & concerts
8 PM
Capital One Arena · Columbia, MD
Music & concerts
8 PM
Capital One Arena · Washington, DC
Music & concerts
8 PM
Capital One Arena · Annapolis, MD
Music & concerts
8 PM
Capital One Arena · Severna Park, MD
Music & concerts
8 PM
Capital One Arena · Falls Church, VA
Music & concerts
Capital One Arena · Severna Park, MD
Capital One Arena
Music & concerts
Capital One Arena · Odenton, MD
Capital One Arena
Music & concerts
Capital One Arena · Columbia, MD
Capital One Arena
Music & concerts
Capital One Arena · Falls Church, VA
Capital One Arena
Music & concerts
Capital One Arena · Annapolis, MD
Capital One Arena
Music & concerts
Capital One Arena · Washington, DC
Capital One Arena
Music & concerts
7 PM
Capital One Arena · Columbia, MD
Capital One Arena
18+ is recommended but all ages welcome
Music & concerts
7 PM
Capital One Arena · Falls Church, VA
Capital One Arena
18+ is recommended but all ages welcome
Music & concerts
7 PM
Capital One Arena · Washington, DC
Capital One Arena
18+ is recommended but all ages welcome
Music & concerts
7 PM
Capital One Arena · Annapolis, MD
Capital One Arena
18+ is recommended but all ages welcome
Music & concerts
7 PM
Capital One Arena · Odenton, MD
Capital One Arena
18+ is recommended but all ages welcome
