The recent death of a city official in a scooter collision, alongside riders landing in the ER “every week” has trauma experts questioning whether rental e-scooters should be allowed.
Facing high maternal mortality rates, the District made doula care free for Medicaid patients. But experts say the benefit isn't working out in practice.
Fall markets, a bald meet-up, and more ways to get outside this weekend.
Fall markets, a bald meet-up, and more ways to get outside this weekend.
How has half of October already passed us by? Whether you're looking to get into the spirit of the season with a fall market or Boo at the Zoo, or trying to unwind and recharge with a cozy crochet worskhop or free yoga class, there's something for everyone in D.C. this weekend.
Funny Farm comedy show
📍 Edgewood Community Farm (2304 2nd St NE)
⏰ 7:30 - 9 p.m.
💸 $10
Spend a night giggling in the great outdoors. Produced by Zoo Animal Productions, the show will feature around six comics with one headliner. Bring a blanket, friends, and your own booze! All ticket sales are donations to the farm.
A Spanglish open mic
📍 Living Room (3169 Mount Pleasant St NW)
⏰ 7 - 9 p.m.
💸 $15
Tintas DC, a local Latine writer collective, is hosting an open mic at Mount Pleasant's Living Room (as featured in our third spaces story!) Speakers are encouraged to share in Spanish, English, Spanglish — whatever mode works best for the story they want to tell. Dahlia Aguilar, a Chicana poet and longtime D.C. resident, will be the featured poet for the evening.
Opening Celebration: Light Is a Plastic Medium
📍 Hirshhorn Museum (Independence Ave SW &, 7th St SW)
⏰ 5:30 - 8 p.m.
💸 FREE
The Hirshhorn is marking the opening of a special exhibit of the work of Carlotta Corpron, an abstract photographer who helped establish the medium as a branch of the fine arts. There will be a tour of the exhibit at 6 p.m., followed by a talk by art historian Katy Hessel. Attendance is on a first-come, first-served basis.
Talk: What's so great about the Great Books?
📍 Solid State Books (600F H Street NE)
⏰ 7 - 8 p.m.
💸 FREE
Perhaps you've put down Swann's Way, or War and Peace, or Paradise Lost with a bit of a dismissive shrug, because the authors are a bunch of dead white guys. Who cares! But in her new book, writer Naomi Kanakia makes a case for reading the Great Books of the Western world. She's spent 20 years making her way through the list, and argues, despite modern objections to their "problematic" nature, they're worth reading. Kanakia will be in conversation with Jerusalem Demsas. Tickets are free and books are for sale.
Line dancing at Walter Reed
📍 The Parks at Walter Reed (7175 12th St NW)
⏰ 5:30 p.m.
💸 FREE
Welcome in the weekend with some happy-hour line dancing as a part of The Parks' series of themed Friday night activities. Hop onto the dance floor as the sun sets — either by yourself or with friends. RSVP here, or just show up.
Boo at the Zoo
📍 The National Zoo (3001 Connecticut Ave)
⏰ 6 - 8:30 p.m. (Last entrance at 8 p.m.)
💸 $35
The treasured October tradition returns! After-hours spooky zoo activities will include a kid-friendly dance party, a magician performance, and a brand new pumpkin patch. After-hours tickets also grant guests access to the Small Mammal House, the Elephant Community Center, and the Reptile Discovery Center. Don your favorite costume and fill your goodie bag with treats. If you can't make it Friday, they'll be boo-ing it up every evening through the weekend. Grab your tickets here.
Georgetown Fall Market
📍 Along Wisconsin Ave NW, from N Street to Reservoir Road
⏰ 11 a.m. Saturday - 4 p.m. Sunday
💸 FREE
Inspired by Georgetown's successful French market, this two-day fall market will draw out treats and deals from local businesses up and down Wisconsin Avenue. Pop into L'Enfant Gallery to browse, enjoy 20% off at Bacchus Wine Cellar, or grab a new fall read from the Friends of Georgetown Library's book sale. Browse the list of vendors here.
Witching Hour market
📍 450 K St NW
⏰ 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.
💸 FREE
Hop on your broomstick and fly downtown for a witchy seasonal market, featuring jewelry, vintage clothing, food, and more. A perfect way to get started on holiday shopping for the early birds out there.
Rummage sale
📍 St. Margaret's Episcopal Church (1830 Connecticut Ave NW)
⏰ 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.
💸 FREE
Hoping to refresh your fall wardrobe or pick up some new decor for the holidays? This annual rummage sale should help! Dig through clothing, toys and games, jewelry and decor, and more. All proceeds go toward supporting St. Margaret's, an LGBTQ+ friendly congregation.
Kingman Island Friends and Family Day
📍 Main entrance (RFK Stadium Lot 6, 575 Oklahoma Ave NE)
⏰ 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.
💸 FREE
Celebrate one of D.C.'s natural wonders with a family-friendly day of activities, including an all-ages clothing swap, boat tours on the Anacostia River, mini bird walks with the DC Bird Alliance, and more. Enjoy lunch from J & J's Mex-Taqueria and spend the day appreciating the beauty of the city's wildlife. RSVPs are appreciated, but not required.
Crochet 101: Back to basics
📍 Rhizome (6950 Maple St NW)
⏰ 11:30 a.m.
💸 $15 suggested
If "learn to crochet" was on your 2026 resolutions list...it's not too late to get going! This class, led by Annie of Swamp Rose Studios, will cover the basics. It's best for beginners or folks who've started a project and are feeling a little lost. You'll learn how to hold a hook and yarn, read a basic pattern, and start a project in single crochet. The class is pay-what-you-wish, although $15 is suggested. RSVP here.
Free yoga class
📍 Art of Living (2401 15th St NW)
⏰ 9 a.m.
💸 FREE
Every Sunday, The Art of Living offers a free and refreshing yoga flow! Unwind and recharge, and maybe make a friend. No experienced is needed; just RSVP to save your spot, and grab your mat.
DC Bald Meet-Up
📍 Malcolm X Park Foundation (16th St & W St NW)
⏰ 1 p.m.
💸 FREE
Soooo this is basically what it sounds like! Baldies (and allies) unite. This "meeting of the scalps" will have temporary tattoos, rhinestones, and even an on-site barber for anyone wishing to join the community right there and then. Bald caps are encouraged, and if you're feeling fun, dress up as your favorite bald icon.
Pierce Mill Grain Fair
📍 Pierce Mill (2401 Tilden St NW)
⏰ 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
💸 FREE
Steep yourself in the D.C.-area's rich tradition of farming, milling, and baking with whole grains at this all day festival. There will be a multi-grain pancake workshop, tamale-making demonstration, pasta-making workshop, and more. Plus, enjoy live music, storytime, and Zeke's coffee. No RSVP needed! Find the full map and run-of-show here.
Live music, silent reading, fall festivals, and more to explore around the city.
The days may be shorter — but they’re also cooling down. Soak up fall’s energy at a board game night, an immigration-themed film festival, or an era-spanning R&B dance party!
Close out September with a mobile video truck, a throwback dance night, a punk show on the National Mall, and bilingual tunes for toda la familia.
Explore the globe right from our hometown at an Oktoberfest gathering, an international street festival, or an Ethiopian New Year’s party.
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