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 at 51st.news/submit-events.
Find even more events in our Civics Roundup, which focuses on ways to get more involved locally.
Despite the gray skies and occasional flurries this week, this daylight savings weekend is all about colors, sowing seeds, and celebrating community in every vibrant form.
We’ve reached that time of year when Mother Nature has her annual identity crisis; one day chilly, the next hinting at spring. While the weather teases us degree by degree, dive into the season by getting into the garden, celebrating Holi, and catching a renewing yoga class.
Celebrate the closing of this powerful exhibition highlighting incarcerated photographers who turned the lens on themselves. Emerging from D.C.'s Arts in Prison initiative, Inside Out reframes image-making as agency rather than surveillance. The evening honors women photographers from DC Jail alongside historic works from Lorton Prison, illuminating a vital chapter in prison arts education. The closing of the show also marks the launch of the exhibition catalogue.
Head to the National Gallery of Art for a storytime event (Robert Lyle Bolton / Flickr)
Big heads and little toes. Big lakes and little puddles. Gather in the Atrium for a playful bilingual read-aloud of Big Little/Grande pequeño by Leslie Patricelli, shared in English and Spanish. Meet at the East Building entrance before settling in for a joyful story that explores opposites through imagination and interactive play. Designed for all ages, with a warm welcome for toddlers and nursing parents.
Enjoy a comedy night that feels more like a living room confession. Six comedians take the stage and bare their souls with hilariously intimate stories. Featuring Nelson Fuentes, D Lo, Chris Blackwood, Mahmoud Jaber, Rola Z, and Noah Spade.
Rooting DC 2026 📍 Eastern Senior High School (1700 East Capitol St. NE) ⏰ 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. 💸 FREE
D.C.'s annual gathering for gardeners, growers, and food system advocates returns for a full day of workshops and community exchange. From composting and crop planning to preserving and sprouting, Rooting DC is where knowledge meets neighborhood. Whether you are tending a backyard bed or dreaming of food justice, this is one of the city’s largest eco events.
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SPONSORED: Native Women Leading The Way 📍 National Museum of the American Indian (4th St SW) ⏰ 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. 💸 FREE
Spend the day celebrating the strength, creativity, and leadership of Native women through vibrant performances, meaningful conversations, and family-friendly activities at the National Museum of the American Indian. Experience how Native women have led–and continue to lead–the way.
DC Square Dance Party 📍 St. Stephen’s and the Incarnation Episcopal Church (1525 Newton St. NW) ⏰ 8 - 11 p.m. 💸 $10
Spin your partner into a frenzy at this lively square dance night. Dance educator Becky Hill will call the moves while self-proclaimed leftist string band Crooked Creek Misfits brings the bluegrass energy. No experience required, just comfortable shoes and a willingness to twirl.
RAWRA: Joanie’s World 📍 Atlas Performing Arts Center (1333 H St. NE) ⏰ 7:30 - 8:30 p.m. 💸 $36.75
This soft-rock musical follows Frida, a 27-year-old navigating relapse and recovery of an eating disorder through the lens of an inner drag persona named Joanie. With music inspired by Prince and Rosalía, the show explores shame, healing, and self-reckoning with bold theatrical flair. A raw and imaginative look at what it means to confront the parts of ourselves we’d rather hide.
Holi Festival 📍 Dupont Circle Park ⏰ 12 - 4 p.m. 💸 FREE
These days, who couldn’t use a little color and a reminder of triumph over evil? Start spring off with Holi, the Hindu festival of colors. DJ Pandu spins the tunes while dance troupes bring vibrant performances to the stage. Enjoy masala chai and traditional sweets provided by the Indian embassy while the event explodes into colorful poofs of powder. Be sure to bring your own to join in the fun.
Jazz Yoga: Rhythm + Renewal 📍 Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater (1101 6th St. SW) ⏰ 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. 💸 $20 suggested donation
In this all-levels community yoga experience, intentional movement is accompanied by live improvisational jazz guitar. Designed for collective care and embodied joy, the session welcomes all bodies and abilities. Bring a mat, water, and comfortable clothes and settle into a slower Saturday morning groove.
Mahjong 2.0 📍 Chinese American Museum DC (1218 16th St. NW) ⏰ 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. 💸 $41.54
Ready to move beyond the basics in mahjong? This workshop dives into scoring, strategy, and higher-value hands in the traditional Hong Kong style. Learn how to read the table, maximize points, and play with intention. Ideal for players who know the fundamentals and want to sharpen their edge.
Join Latin Grammy nominated multi-instrumentalist Mama Elena and teaching artist Tía Maria for a family-centered bilingual music and movement class. Through story, rhythm, and creative play, this performance offers a joyful introduction to the Spanish language while fostering community through music.
Mahogany Books hosts a conversation celebrating the living legacy of Black bookstores and the inherent cultural power of literary spaces. Moderated by journalist and author Char Adams, the panel features local Black bookstore owners Paul Coates (Black Classic Press), Shirikiana Aina (Sankofa Books), and Derrick and Remunda Young (Mahogany Books).
Learn how to start spring seedlings in this hands-on workshop at Edgewood Community Farm. From brassicas and root veggies to tomatoes and peppers, you'll plant with guidance on lighting and care. Participants leave with at least six seedlings and the knowledge to grow more at home. (And if you want two planting tutorials in one day, the farm is also hosting a session focused specifically on strawberries earlier in the day.)
India Kea is a D.C. native and essayist adventuring through the city with a focus on art and food. Her writing reflects her passion for all things quirky and flavorful. Catch her in action @diakea
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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