Each week, we list some ways to get engaged in the city โ whether thatโs 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.
TUESDAY, MAY 12
Housing Saves Lives! Rally and council visit โฐ 10 a.m. ๐ John A. Wilson Building (1350 Pennsylvania Ave. NW) The Way Home Campaign, the Fair Budget Coalition, Miriam's Kitchen, and more housing advocacy groups will be gathering at the Wilson Building to demand that councilmembers fund D.C.'s housing and social services in the FY27 budget, which currently does not allocate money for housing vouchers. After a series of speakers, advocates will be visiting the councilmembers' offices.
How We Elect D.C.'s Next Leadership โฐ 8 - 9 p.m. ๐ Virtual Want to know the deal with ranked-choice voting? Or who is running for mayor? And what's a delegate? Free DC is hosting an information session about the quickly approaching June 16 primary; you'll learn about Free DC's endorsed candidates, what's at stake for D.C., and how you can plug in to make sure local autonomy is protected.
WEDNESDAY, MAY 13
Punk Archive Processing Night โฐ 6 - 8 p.m. ๐ MLK Jr. Library (901 G St. NW) There are a couple of spots left to help sort donations to the DC Public Library's Punk Archive โ a popular recurring event at the downtown branch. You'll meet others interested in local music history, learn about the political legacy of D.C.'s DIY scene, and support one of our city's treasures. Truly, what's more punk? RSVP here.
THURSDAY, MAY 14
D.C. Board of Elections Ranked Choice Voting Town Hall โฐ 4 - 8 p.m. ๐ West End Neighborhood Library Ballots for the June 16 primary are headed out to voters. Do you have questions about the rollout of ranked-choice voting? The D.C. Board of Elections is hosting a drop-in open house at this Ward 2 library. RSVP here. Are you busy Thursday โ maybe attending our event below? They're hosting a similar event in Takoma Park on Saturday morning and afternoon.
D.C. Delegate to Congress Debate โฐ 6 - 8 p.m. ๐ Sycamore & Oak (1110 Oak Dr. SE) D.C. hasnโt elected a new delegate to Congress since 1990. Thereโs a lot at stake at this time. We've invited all of the candidates on the ballot for the Democratic primary, which, again, is coming up on June 16 for a debate โ hosted in partnership with SpotlightDC and The Washington Informer. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. RSVP for free tickets here!
Harriet's Wildest Dreams information session โฐ 7 - 8:30 p.m. ๐ Virtual Learn more about getting involved with the local abolitionist group at this meeting, where organizers will cover the organization's work to protect D.C. and its people โ with a particular focus on the history of surveillance across the city. You can RSVP here.
FRIDAY, MAY 15
Bike to Work Day 2026 โฐ Before 9 a.m. and after 4 p.m. ๐ 100+ pit stops around the region May is Bike Month โ and today, organizers want to reward you for biking to work, while connecting you to the city's bike community. Even if you work from home (like the team at your favorite worker-led local newsroom), you can bike over to your closest pit stop for friends and freebies. Nervous about biking safely? Join a grown-up bike bus via the website! Register here.
Leveling the Playing Field Open House โฐ 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. ๐ LPF Greater Washington Warehouse (8845 Monard Dr.; Silver Spring, Maryland) This Montgomery County nonprofit collects donations of used sports equipment to help schools bring more kids into athletics. This weekend, they're opening up their warehouse to the community, so you can see just what they have to offer โ while eating snacks, participating in a raffle, and more. A donation of $15 is suggested with your RSVP here.
Rent Parties and the Art of Redistribution โฐ 12 - 2 p.m. ๐ Baldwin House (2572 Sherman Ave. NW) In partnership with Seeding Stories, the Columbia Heights mutual aid hub and housing cooperative will be presenting a political education session on the history of rent parties โ what we can learn from the historic fundraising strategy and how to apply those lessons to current organizing work. There will also be a clothing swap, food drive, and art build, so bring anything you'd like to donate. No RSVP needed!
SUNDAY, MAY 17
Malcolm X Day โฐ 12 - 5 p.m. ๐ Anacostia Park (900 Anacostia Dr. SE) For 23 years, Malcolm X Day was a special event held in Anacostia Park, celebrating the revolutionary leader's legacy with vendors, speakers, and performers. This year, Pan-African Community Action is reviving the event in partnership with a few other local groups, marking a day of Black, working-class unity with food, informative activities, and speakers.
Springtime Ward 1 Wheatpasting โฐ 2 - 4 p.m. ๐ Columbia Heights Civics Plaza (1400 Park Rd. NW) Hit the streets to spread the word about Free DC by hanging up informational posters. Volunteer leaders will be at the plaza at 2 p.m. to distribute supplies; then, you'll head off into the neighborhoods. A recipe to make your own wheatpaste will be included in your RSVP confirmation email, but there will also be some on hand.
TUESDAY, MAY 19
The City Speaks: A D.C. Native Poetry Set โฐ 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. ๐ The Strand (5131 Nannie Helen Burroughs Avenue NE) D.C. has always been a city that speaks in rhythm โ through its traditions, its history, its resistance, and its people. But lately, outside voices are increasingly speaking on behalf of those who call it home. Hosted by The 51st's Community Connector for D.C. Natives Dwayne Lawson-Brown, the closed-mic poetry set reclaims and reimagines D.C. stories, featuring three acclaimed D.C. native poets: Phyl โ2chillphylโ Collier, Malachi โMalPracticeโ Byrd, and Rasheed Copeland. RSVP here for free tickets.
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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