It’s Memorial Day weekend, and we’ve already gotten a taste of summer heat. If you’re sticking around the city, there are a lot of options for keeping busy.

We’ve got swing dancing lessons in a church, a night celebrating all things Bruce Lee, an all-day house music festival in Alethia Tanner Park, Shakespearean improv at a puppet theater, a natural dye workshop, and, of course, the start of outdoor pool season. From jazz to junk journaling, Taps to tap dancing, it’s a great weekend to be in D.C.!

A note: The forecast for the weekend is looking stormy! Check before you head out that these events are still on.

THURSDAY, MAY 21

POSTPONED DUE TO WEATHER: Jump In, D.C.
📍 Anacostia Recreation Center (1800 Anacostia Dr. SE)
⏰ 12 - 3 p.m.
💸 FREE
Mayor Bowser will be celebrating the start to the summer the way she has for the last 15 years: jumping into a pool. Memorial Day weekend marks the official opening of the city’s outdoor public pools, and DC Parks & Recreation is celebrating with art, music, food, and activities at the Anacostia Rec Center pool. Pools will only be open on the weekends (plus Memorial Day) until Sunday, June 22. For more information about outdoor pools, see the DPR website.
(We'll update if a new date is announced for this event!)

Jazz at SAAM with Clara Campbell
📍 Smithsonian American Art Museum (8th and G St. NW)
⏰ 5 - 7 p.m.
💸 FREE
For a cool start to the holiday weekend, head to the (air-conditioned!) Kogod Courtyard at the American Art Museum for one of the museum’s recurring Take 5 jazz performances. Today, it’s local jazz vocalist Clara Campell, who is known for bringing fresh life to classic jazz standards. She’s also a member of Airmen of Note, a jazz ensemble within the United States Air Force Band. Accompanied by a quintet, Campbell will perform selections from the Great American Songbook.

I LOVE D.C. Storytelling Swap with Story District
📍 Mt. Pleasant Neighborhood Library (3160 16th St. NW)
⏰ 6 - 7:30 p.m.
💸 FREE, advance reservation recommended
Everyone has a great story, but sometimes you need to learn how to tell it. Guided by experts from Story District, you can learn the fundamentals of personal narrative and explore how you have been part of the evolving story of the city. The I LOVE D.C. storytelling swap offers an opportunity for residents to reflect on everyday acts of community, rather than historic milestones. Through guided exercises, you'll identify source material from your life, practice in pairs and small groups, and receive feedback (if you want it!) in a supportive environment.

Here & Now: A Phone-Free Experience
📍 City State Public House (705 Edgewood St. NE)
⏰ 6:30 - 9 p.m.
💸 $25+
If you’ve been wanting to find more offline human connection but didn’t know where to start, this phone-free experience might be just the thing. ​You'll arrive, check in your phone, and receive “The Present,” a small kit with a journal, pen, conversation prompts, and more — everything you need to have a great couple hours without your phone. Participants will get paired up for short conversations at the start, then the room will open up for free-flowing conversation.

The Fool: A Tarot Comedy Show
📍 Black Cat (1811 14th St. NW)
⏰ 7 p.m.
💸 $15 in advance, $20 day-of
Seeking guidance of some of life’s big problems, like trying to decide if you should quit your job or tell a friend to ditch their toxic situationship? Come to this night of tarot and comedy and let the cards do the talking. Audience members called up on stage will receive a tarot reading from local witch Skye Marinda on stage as well as a (loving) roast from comedian Maddie Albornoz.

Capitol Swing Dance
📍 St. Mark's Episcopal Church (301 A St. SE)
⏰ 7 - 9:30 p.m.
💸 $10
On the third Thursday of every month, the Capitol Hillbillies host a community dance at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church on Capitol Hill. There will be live music from an eight-piece band, friendly instructors, and a welcoming crowd. Experienced dancers and newbies alike are welcome — there will be a beginner lesson at 7 p.m., and no partner required to dance.

FRIDAY, MAY 22

The History of Bubble Tea
📍 Mt. Pleasant Neighborhood Library (3160 16th St. NW)
⏰ 4 - 5 p.m.
💸 FREE
Bubble tea, aka boba, is one of the biggest cultural exports from Taiwan. Since these drinks filled with chewy, sweet balls of tapioca first appeared in Taiwanese tea shops in the ‘80s, they’ve spread all over the world. Head to the Mt. Pleasant Library to learn more about the history of these drinks and make some yourself! All supplies will be provided.

Bruce Lee Night
📍 National Museum of Asian Art (1050 Independence Ave. SW)
⏰ 5 - 9:15 p.m.
💸 FREE, advance registration recommended
To kick off the IlluminAsia BookCon for Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, the National Museum of Asian Art is celebrating the iconic Bruce Lee with an evening of literature, film, and music. Author Jeff Chang will discuss his new book, Water Mirror Echo: Bruce Lee and the Making of Asian America, with Theo Gonzalves, a curator at the National Museum of American History. The talk will be followed by a screening of Lee’s big breakthrough film, The Big Boss, accompanied live by DJ 2-Tone Jones in one of Shaolin Jazz’s “Can I Kick It?” events.

Book Talk: The Lavender Bans by Dorian Rhea Debussy
📍 Solid State Books (600F H St. NE)
⏰ 7 - 8 p.m.
💸 $6.60+
Academic and transgender rights advocate Rhea Debussy will discuss her new book, The Lavender Bans, a comprehensive account of the evolution of anti-LGBTQ+ policies in the U.S. military from World War I to the present. Examines six distinct periods of exclusion over the course of a century, The Lavender Bans sheds light on a long and troubling history — with deep contemporary relevance as the exclusion of transgender people continues.

SATURDAY, MAY 23

Kenilworth Park and Aquatic Gardens Bird Walk
📍 Kenilworth Park and Aquatic Gardens (1550 Anacostia Ave. NE)
⏰ 9:30 - 11 a.m.
💸 FREE, advance registration required
The Natural History Museum is teaming up with DC Bird Alliance to host a spring bird walk at Kenilworth Park and Aquatic Gardens. The park is a tremendous site for birdwatching — more than 250 different species of birds have been spotted there, from red-winged blackbirds to great egrets and herons that wade through the marshes. Families are welcome, and no birding experience or equipment is required to join.

Coffee & Collections: Caring for Quilts
📍 Anacostia Community Museum (1901 Fort Pl. SE)
⏰ 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
💸 FREE
Quilting is an art that balances both beauty and utility. Piecing a quilt together takes countless hours of planning and sewing, and there is care, memory and cultural history in every stitch. But they can be fragile, especially as they’re passed down. At this event, guests will get a chance to explore the quilts in the Anacostia Community Museum’s collection and learn techniques for storing and preserving their own. Guests are invited to bring a quilt for consultation with museum staff. The museum's galleries are closed until May 30, but they're open for events!

Capital House Music Festival Summer Opener
📍 Alethia Tanner Park (227 Harry Thomas Way NE)
⏰ 11 a.m. - 10 p.m.
💸 FREE, registration required, donations encouraged
The Capital House Music Festival returns with a salute to DJ Sam "The Man" Burns. Burns supplied D.C. dance floors with his signature deep house sound for more than 40 years before passing away in 2020. DJs will be spinning in Alethia Tanner Park all day, raising funds for local arts and music organizations.

Mt. Pleasant Walking Whiskey Tour
📍 Embarks from the Francis Asbury Memorial (3025 Mt. Pleasant St. NW)
⏰ 2 - 4 p.m.
💸 $35 ($30 for federal or D.C. government employees)
Join Troy Hughes, local author and co-founder of the revived pre-Prohibition whiskey brand Mt. Pleasant Club Whiskey, for a tour that explores the history of Mt. Pleasant back to 1792, focusing on the neighborhood’s connections to liquor production. The tour will conclude with a private tasting of Mt. Pleasant Club Whiskey offerings.

Natural Dye Workshop
📍 Rhizome DC (6950 Maple St. NW)
⏰ 2 p.m.
💸 $38.31-48.86
Join Gambian-American fiber and textile artist Fatima Janneh for a hands-on exploration of dyeing with natural materials. By using plant-derived dye on a cotton bandana, participants will learn practical dyeing techniques while discovering the material properties that make the medium so uniquely fascinating.

The Artless Bards Present: Comedy at the Puppet Co.!
📍 Puppet Co. Playhouse (7300 Macarthur Blvd.; Glen Echo, Maryland)
⏰ 7 - 8:30 p.m. (doors open at 6:30)
💸 $15-35
D.C.'s longest-running Shakespearean improv comedy troupe — we have multiple! — presents a night of improv, sketch, and stand-up comedy in support of the Puppet Co. Playhouse. Part of Glen Echo Park since its founding in 1983, the Puppet Co. is one of the few year-round theaters in the country dedicated entirely to the art of puppetry. The Artless Bards will be joined by other local comedy acts including Ashley Nimmo, Meridian Hill Comedy, Michael Schuirmann, and Ingrid and Mollie. A cash bar with beer/wine/cider, non-alcoholic drinks, and snacks will be available.

Concert: Femi and the Foundation / Rock Creek Kings
📍 DC9 (1940 9th St. NW)
⏰ 7 p.m. doors, 7:30 p.m. show
💸 $19.57
To celebrate the release of their new EP Feeling Right, Femi and the Foundation are playing a show at DC9. The band blends funk, rock, hip-hop, and R&B to create a distinctive local sound that has been called “stylish, soulful, and engaging from start to finish.” They’ll be joined by another local band, Rock Creek Kings, whose music is a dynamic fusion of rock, blues, and pop that features ripping saxophone and guitar solos and rich vocal harmonies.

SUNDAY, MAY 24

Ice Cream History Tour of Old Town
📍 Old Town Alexandria (meeting location sent upon signup)
⏰ 2 - 4 p.m.
💸 $35 for adults, $25 for children
Alexandria Food Tours’ Hope Nelson and Michael Lee Pope have teamed up to show you the sweeter side of Old Town. Over eight stops, you’ll explore the history of Alexandria and its food scene, enjoying two ice cream and custard treats en route. Come hungry and ready to learn!

Book Talk: The Odyssey: A Graphic Novel by Gareth Hinds
📍 People’s Book (7014 Westmoreland Ave. Suite A; Takoma Park, Maryland)
⏰ 2 - 3 p.m.
💸 FREE
With Christopher Nolan’s take on The Odyssey coming out this summer, the ancient Greek tale is about to be everywhere. Why not check out one more take on the classic epic poem? Award-winning graphic artist Gareth Hinds reinterpreted the story in 2010 as a graphic novel, bringing the character of Odysseus and everyone he meets along his long journey home from the Trojan War to life with spectacular visuals. Catch Hinds at People’s Book in Takoma Park discussing the bestselling book’s new collectible edition — and how he found new ways to interpret a story that has been told and retold for more than 2,500 years.

Walking Tour: Queer Black Broadway
📍 Howard Theatre (620 T St. NW)
⏰ 6 - 7:30 p.m.
💸 $30
In the early 20th century, the U Street Corridor was known as "Black Broadway." From Prohibition to the Civil Rights Movement, it was also the center for social justice movements that fought to bring more opportunity for marginalized groups. Celebrate DC Black Pride Week with this 90-minute walking tour that starts at The Howard Theatre and ends at Thurst Lounge, D.C.'s first queer Black-owned bar. A portion of proceeds goes to benefit the Rainbow History Project, which collects, preserves, and promotes LGBTQ history in the D.C. area. Read more about the organization’s work here!

Live Karaoke
📍 The Pocket (1508 North Capitol St. NW)
⏰ Doors 7:30 p.m, show at 8 p.m.
💸 FREE
Need to get something off your chest? Or just want to feel like a rock star for a night? Come out to the Pocket for live band karaoke and sing the song that’s in your heart — or several of them.

MONDAY, MAY 25

Taps Across the National Mall
📍 National Mall
⏰ 8 a.m. 
💸 FREE
To mark the beginning of Memorial Day, “Taps” will be played at 11 locations across the National Mall, including both current memorials and the sites of future memorials, to honor those who have served the country through military service. Visitors on the National Mall at that time are invited to pause at this time and reflect on the meaning of Memorial Day.

National Tap Dance Day Park Jam
📍 Dupont Circle (21 Dupont Circle NW)
⏰ 4 - 6 p.m.
💸 FREE, advance registration recommended
If “Taps” isn’t quite your thing, Monday is also National Tap Dance day. The holiday is celebrated every year on May 25, the birthday of legendary tapper Bill "Bojangles" Robinson. D.C.’s very own tap-dancing organization, the Wood Collective, is hosting a tap party in Dupont Circle. Jam sessions are open to anybody who wants to join, from dancers to musicians and beyond. Every session is completely free and open to anyone who wants to join. There will be a few extra tap boards and instruments on hand if you don’t have tapping tools of your own.

Junk Journaling Night
📍 52 O Street Studios (52 O St. NW)
⏰ 5 - 7 p.m.
💸 $35.88
Ever heard of a junk journal? These little books are a fun way to turn trash into treasure through collage and crafting. Hosted by District Riso, this is a casual, friendly creative event. There will be printing scraps, misprints, stickers, washi tape, magazines, and other fun materials to use in putting together your project. You can bring your own journal or start fresh using the materials that will be available on-site. Come for a relaxed, no-pressure space to experiment and connect with other creatives.

Washington Psychotronic Film Society: The Wicker Man
📍 Stoney's on P St. (1433 P St. NW)
⏰ 6:30 - 9 p.m.
💸 FREE
The Washington Psychotronic Film Society is hosting a free screening of this 1973 horror classic that follows a police sergeant investigating the mysterious disappearance of a young girl on a remote Scottish island. The Wicker Man has been called one of the most influential horror films of the last 50 years, and Christopher Lee himself called it “the finest film I’ve ever been in” — which is saying something, considering he played Saruman in Lord of the Rings!

Top Gun: Maverick in IMAX
📍 National Air and Space Museum (513 Independence Ave. SW)
⏰ 7 p.m.
💸 $13 adults, $10 for children, seniors, staff, and NASM members
For the Memorial Day installment of the NASM 50th Anniversary Film Series, the museum will be doing a one-night-only screening of Top Gun: Maverick. The 2022 film brought Tom Cruise back into the role of Navy aviator Pete “Maverick” Mitchell as he trains a detachment of Top Gun graduates for a specialized mission, confronting his own fears along the way.