Every Thursday, we share weekend events happening around the city. Are you planning an event you’d like us to consider for this roundup? Send it to our team using this form. Find more events in our Civics Roundup, which focuses on ways to get more involved locally.
By Jonathan Forney
This year brings a rare trifecta: a Saturday Valentine’s Day, early Mardi Gras and Lunar New Year celebrations, and (for the lucky among us) a three-day weekend for Presidents’ Day. While there will be no shortage of events for couples in town, we’ll try to have a little something that everyone can love on this list.
Read on to find a chance to craft something for that special someone, an all-women Galentine’s Day standup show, and much more. Go enjoy the warmer weather!
ONGOING
Black History Month Coloring Drop-in 📍 MLK Jr. Library first floor (901 G St. NW) ⏰ Regular business hours all February long 💸 FREE Come to the DCPL downtown branch’s Labs for a drop-in coloring session. This creative outlet is approved for all ages. Attendees can learn about significant Black historical figures and have fun in the process. For more Black History Month events, don’t miss our seasonal guide.
THURSDAY, FEB. 12
Visit the West End Library for a community service fair. (DC Public Library/Ron Ngiam Photographer)
Community Service Fair 📍 West End Neighborhood Library (2301 L St. NW) ⏰ 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. 💸 FREE The new year is a great opportunity to get more involved in your community. We publish a weekly roundup of opportunities here — but for those who live in Ward 2, this second-annual fair provides an opportunity to meet others involved with local community groups and find places to volunteer.
Drop-in Orchid Care 📍 U.S. Botanic Garden (100 Maryland Ave. SW) ⏰ 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. 💸 FREE Got an orchid on life support? Just want to learn more about them? The orchid expert is in! Come to the Conservatory's Garden Court to get advice from their in-house expert gardener George Guenthner.
FRIDAY, FEB. 13
A Kabul-born novelist who grew up in Virginia visits Politics and Prose this weekend. (Ted Eytan / Flickr)
Romance-themed trivia 📍 Lost Generation Brewing (327 S St. NE) ⏰ 7 - 9 p.m. 💸 FREE Are you a real lover? Prove it at this Valentine’s-themed trivia night. First place gets $75 off their tab, and other prizes will be available. To increase your chances… call up your ex-situationships?
Author Talk: Good People, Patmeena Sabit 📍 Politics and Prose Connecticut Ave. (5015 Connecticut Ave. NW) ⏰ 7 p.m. 💸 FREE A family leaves a war-torn Afghanistan and moves to Virginia. After tragedy strikes, their version of the American Dream might not be as rosy as it appeared. Novelist Patmeena Sabit, who was born in Kabul and raised in Virginia, will be in conversation with local author Donna Hemans, owner of the DC Writers Room. As usual for Politics and Prose, seating is first come, first served.
Galentine’s Stand-up Comedy Showcase 📍 A League of Her Own (2319 18th St. NW) ⏰ 8 - 10 p.m. 💸$15 Bring your besties for an all-women lineup of comics. Get ready to laugh alongside some of the city’s funniest ladies! This show is brought to you by Catfish Comedy, known for their free biweekly comedy shows in Adams Morgan. Grab a slice of pizza at Andy’s after, or go bar-hopping with your Galentines.
SATURDAY, FEB. 14 💕🥰
The National Museum of the American Indian hosts a chocolate-themed festival this weekend. (Courtesy of Matailong Du for the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian)
Love runs away: Valentine’s 5K 📍 4870 Colorado Ave. NW ⏰ 8 - 9:30 a.m. 💸 FREE for Road Runners members, $10 for everyone else Seeing your ex with someone else for Valentine’s got you down? Why not run and … just keep going? The DC Road Runners 5K will go through Rock Creek Park. Registration ends Friday, Feb. 13.
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SPONSORED: The Story of Chocolate festival 📍 Museum of the American Indian (Fourth St. & Independence Ave. SW) ⏰ 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. 💸 FREE Sweeten your Valentine’s! Bring the whole family or your Valentine to enjoy a unique chocolate-inspired experience at the National Museum of the American Indian. Watch Executive Chef Alex Strong make tasty chocolate treats, enjoy performances, and hands-on activities.
Valentine’s Day book club: Heated Rivalry 📍 Solid State Books (600 H St. NE) ⏰ 2 - 3 p.m. 💸 FREE The Canadian hockey romance that took the world by storm was based on a series of romance novels. If you’ve managed to get through the thousand-deep library hold list — or otherwise tracked down a copy — bring your hottest takes for a queer-inclusive discussion that will include light refreshments.
Classic film screening: Casablanca 📍 National Gallery of Art East Building (4th St. and Constitution Ave. NW) ⏰ 2 - 4 p.m. 💸 FREE, RSVP preferred Streaming is fine, but nothing beats swooning and crying in a room full of your peers. Catch the all-time classic romance movie for free on the art museum’s big screen, just as director Michael Curtiz intended. Afterwards, browse the gallery and find a new favorite piece.
Valentine’s Day Make and Take 📍Merry Pin (7350 Georgia Ave. NW) ⏰ 6 - 9 p.m. 💸 FREE to RSVP, $12 per craft kit Rather than flowers and chocolates, consider making something personal for your loved ones. The night of might be cutting it close, but you can leave that bit out when handing off the gift! At this Shepherd Park craft cafe, you can make embossed tins, decoupage keepsake boxes, and/or Valentine’s houses. You can order food and drinks before, during, or after crafting!
SUNDAY, FEB. 15
Both The Wharf and H St. NE host Mardi Gras celebrations this weekend. (Courtesy of The District Wharf)
Mardi Gras on H St. 📍 1207 H St. NE (main stage) ⏰ 12 - 7 p.m. 💸 FREE The second annual Mardi Gras event on H St. NE will host dancers, face-painting, live musical performances from the locally beloved Eastern High School marching band, the DC Warriors Drumline, the U.S. Army Blues Band, and more. Bring the whole family out to enjoy the festivities up and down the street. Find a full schedule of events here.
Accord Symphony Black History Month Concert 📍 St. Columba’s Episcopal Church (4201 Albemarle St. NW) ⏰ 3 - 5 p.m. 💸 $28.52 Soak up some culture over the holiday weekend. The Washington Conservatory of Music’s Accord Symphony Orchestra features a mix of local professional and talented amateur musicians. For Black history month, conductorsJulien Benichou and Gloria Yin will treat you to a dynamic performance demonstrating the power of music in our country’s Black communities.
Meet adoptable dogs at Wunder Garten 📍 Wunder Garten (1101 1st St. NE) ⏰ 2 - 4 p.m. 💸 FREE Area shelters are spread thin these days — and you can help by adopting a pup. City Dogs and City Kitties Rescue will visit the NoMa beer garden with some adorable dogs in search of their forever homes. Find a fuzzy companion to snuggle with until it warms up outside!
MONDAY, FEB. 16
Spend your morning off learning to identify local birds. (Andrés Anchondo / DC Bird Alliance)
Winter Bird Walk 📍 U.S. National Arboretum (2400 R St. NE) ⏰ 9 - 11 a.m. 💸 FREE, registration required Join the DC Bird Alliance for a guided tour to learn how to identify local avian species — and how you can contribute to their conservation. This event is free, but the organizers encourage attendees to donate to the National Arboretum. Wear comfortable walking shoes and warm clothes, and don’t forget your binoculars!
Lunar New Year: Midnight Madness 📍 1882 Foundation (508 I St. NW) ⏰ 11:30 p.m. 💸 FREE To kick off the Lunar New Year, lion dancers — who symbolize power, wisdom, and prosperity in Chinese culture — will bless Chinatown’s local businesses and community at midnight. The 1882 Foundation, who organized this event, is dedicated to celebrating and preserving the contributions of Chinese Americans.
Warm up with a Heated Rivalry-inspired dance party, take in theater performances filled with ghosts and vampires, and start making plans for your spring garden.
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