Each week, we list some ways to get engaged in the city — whether that’s protesting, organizing with your neighbors, or testifying before your councilmembers. This isn't an exhaustive list; share your events and trainings with us at 51st.news/submit-events.
For more ways to get connected, check out our resources roundup; and for more to do around the city, don't miss our Weekend Events post.
ONGOING
DC Books to Prisons fundraiser Sunday, Oct. 4 marked the beginning of Banned Books Week in the U.S. — a week dedicated to raising awareness about the growing use of book bans in the United States. To celebrate, the local nonprofit, DC Books to Prisons, will be cash-matching all book purchases from independent bookstore partners over the course of the week. You can shop wishlists by bookstore here.
Street Sense Media pre-winter donation drive Our friends at D.C.'s street newspaper are collecting items to prepare their vendors and clients for the cold season. They're looking for clothing items like T-shirts, hoodies, and jackets; personal care items including soap/shampoo and toothpaste; and other daily essentials including hand warmers, blankets, towels, umbrellas, laundry detergent, and gift cards. You can mail your donation to 1317 G St. NW, or drop it off there yourself!
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 6
DC Community Farm happy hour ⏰ 5:30 - 7 p.m. 📍 Urban Garden Brewhouse (624 T St. NW) Have a green thumb you want to put to use? Curious about community farms but don't know where to start? This happy hour, hosted by DC Local 2 Global, is designed to bring together folks in the city who care about sustainable farming and gardening. Food and drink will be available for purchase! RSVP here.
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 7
Free DC federal workers (and friends) happy hour ⏰ 6 - 9 p.m. 📍 Urban Garden Brewhouse (624 T St NW) The Federal Unionist Network DMV Hub is collaborating with Free DC for its monthly happy hour. All federal workers, contractors, and friends are encouraged to mix, mingle, and build power. RSVP here.
Metro DSA new member orientation ⏰ 7 - 8 p.m. 📍 MLK Jr. Memorial Library (901 G St NW) With the recent wave of local Democratic Socialist wins in cities across the U.S., perhaps you're interested in seeing what it's all about? Metro DC's Democratic Socialists of America chapter is hosting a meeting for new members. You'll learn about DSA's work, goals, and where you can fit in. (The chapter covers parts of Northern Virginia, Montgomery County, and Prince George's County as well.) RSVP here.
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8
Harriet's Wildest Dreams information session ⏰ 7 - 8:30 p.m. 📍 Virtual If you're looking to get involved in local organizing and efforts to protect D.C., this is the place to start. Harriet's Wildest Dreams, the city's Black-led abolitionist community defense hub, will be walking folks through the group's current work and strategizing around solutions for collective safety and freedom. There will also be a mini political education session on abolition. RSVP here.
Chocolate City Free DC orientation ⏰ 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. 📍 Campbell AME Church (2568 Martin Luther King Junior Ave SE) This orientation with Free DC is designed for Black residents to meet each other and build power. Free DC will update attendees on the campaign's current work and strategize together for upcoming fights. New and seasoned members alike are welcome. RSVP here.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9
D.C. Council public hearing: Tech in schools ⏰ 10 a.m. 📍 John A. Wilson Building (1350 Pennsylvania Ave NW) or virtual If you're a parent with thoughts on your student's use of tech in the classroom, the D.C. Council is hosting a public hearing to discuss the issue. It's in response to a push from the group Schools Beyond Screens DC for safer and clearer guidelines for the use of technology in D.C. classrooms. The deadline to register to testify is Wednesday, Oct. 7 at 5 p.m. You can also submit written testimony.
Behavorial Health Lunch & Learn ⏰ 12 p.m. 📍 Zoom The DC Justice Lab and partners like Tzedek DC, the DC Coalition Against Domestic Violence, and Reframe Health and Justice worked together to develop the 2026 Public Safety Policy Agenda – and in this lunch-time session, they'll walk through their recommendations to improve D.C.'s behavioral health policies and systems, support victims of crimes, and ensure economic justice. You can RSVP for the Zoom here.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 10
Kilbourne Place Fall Block Party ⏰ 10 a.m. - 10 p.m. 📍 Kilbourne Pl. NW Mount Pleasant is Mount Pleasant-ing this weekend with a day-long block party, featuring food and drinks, games, and activities for kids. Organized by musician Frank O. Agbro, trust there will be a jam session and — if you're brave! — karaoke. No RSVP needed.
Free DC campaign orientation ⏰ 12 - 1:30 p.m. 📍 Zoom For those looking to get involved in Free DC, this is where you start! Attendance at a campaign orientation is required before diving into any work with your Ward Team. You'll learn about what D.C. is up against, the current strategies to defeat them, and what organizational structures work to make it happen. You can RSVP here.
MONDAY, OCTOBER 12
2nd Annual Racial Justice Summit & Festival ⏰ 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. 📍 The Wharf Dockmaster Building + Pier (101 District Square SW) Antiracist DC is bringing together more than 50 organizations on Indigenous Peoples' Day for its second racial justice summit, themed: The Power Is Ours. There will be workshops on immigration, building youth power, defending Chocolate City, and activities for all ages. The day will round out with a performance by The Crank. Register here.
Colleen is a 51st co-founder and a former DCist reporter. Her work has appeared in NPR, Street Sense Media, and The Washington Post. She currently lives in New York, where she's pursuing an MFA.
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