Our end-of-the-week picks for Aug. 22-24, 2025
We've gathered up some fun things to do in DC this weekend. You can also read what else is going on during the week and throughout the month.
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Friday
Summer Restaurant Week
Stay tuned for confirmed dates and more details from the Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington. The celebration annually features deals from more than 150 restaurants throughout the DC area.
Play On!
Does a musical based on Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night set to the music of Duke Ellington sound like a good time to you? Us too. Signature Theatre’s latest production follows Vy, who discovers that the doors of opportunity in 1930s Harlem are closed to her. She then disguises herself as a man to sing her songs for the Duke himself. A tale packed with intrigue, mistaken identity and incredible jazz tunes ensues.
Tickets
Signature Theatre, 4200 Campbell Avenue, Arlington, VA 22206
Photo by Cpl. Chloe McAfee
Friday Evening Parades at the Marine Barracks – Final Weekend
This breathtaking 75-minute ceremony showcases the precision and pride of the Marine Corps with spectacular performances by "The President's Own" Marine Band, "The Commandant's Own" Drum & Bugle Corps and the renowned Silent Drill Platoon. Held every Friday from May through August at the historic "Oldest Post of the Corps," the free event has captivated audiences for decades.
Marine Barracks, 8th & I Streets SE, Washington, DC 20390
Pete Holmes
Consistently one of the most acclaimed and entertaining stand-up comedians on the popular circuit, Pete Holmes has also shined as a podcaster, writer, producer and actor. The Lincoln Theatre is likely to be packed as Holmes regularly draws big crowds during his visits to the nation’s capital.
Tickets
Lincoln Theatre, 1215 U Street NW, Washington, DC 20009
Saturday
Essex Hemphill: Take Care of Your Blessings
The Phillips Collection showcases the relationship between the trailblazing work of poet and activist Essex Hemphill and contemporary visual art in a new exhibit. Hemphill was born in Chicago and raised in DC, where he became one of the most outspoken LGBTQ+ advocates of his time, both through his poetry and the spoken word. Hemphill tragically died of an AIDS-related illness in 1995 at the age of 38, but his work powerfully lives on, as can be observed in Take Care of Your Blessings, which puts him in dialogue with artists of his time and the present.
Hours & Admission
The Phillips Collection, 1600 21st Street NW, Washington, DC 20009
Arena Stage Community Day
Free and open to the public with no registration necessary, Arena Stage’s annual event opens the theater’s doors so visitors can experience the venue like never before. Community Day will also spread across 6th Street SW with food vendors, live music, performances and much more.
11 a.m. – 7 p.m. | Free Admission
Arena Stage, 1101 6th Street SW, Washington, DC 20024
Justin Favela, Capilla de Maíz
Justin Favela: Capilla de Maíz
Multidisciplinary artist Justin Favela reimagines the Renwick Gallery’s Rubenstein Grand Salon with Capilla de Maíz, which translates to “Maize Chapel”. The site-specific installation features gold-fringed walls and piñata corncobs, with its visual effect showcasing the importance of corn to North American culture. The introduction of this piece marks the reopening of the Gallery along with the new exhibit, State Fairs: Growing American Craft.
10 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. | Free Admission
Renwick Gallery, 1661 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20006
Opera in the Outfield: Porgy and Bess
The Washington National Opera’s annual free broadcast at Nationals Park features the company’s acclaimed production of the classic Porgy and Bess. Gates open at 4:30 p.m. so families can file in and find a comfortable spot on the field to take in the show. Crafts, balloon twisters and live entertainment will be available. Slopera! A Bite-Sized Opera serves as an appetizer at 5:30.
4:30 p.m. | Free Admission
Nationals Park, 1500 South Capitol Street SE, Washington, DC 20003
James Taylor & His All-Star Band
The fact that the legendary singer-songwriter responsible for “Fire and Rain,” “How Sweet It Is” and “Carolina in My Mind” has chosen to play Wolf Trap in Vienna, Va. for three nights should tell you that venue and artist are simpatico. Fans of the artist and great live music in general won’t want to miss this perfect duo of performer and setting.
6:30 p.m. | Tickets
Filene Center at Wolf Trap, 1551 Trap Road, Vienna, VA 22182
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child
The Harry Potter franchise continues to offer spellbinding entertainment. The record-breaking play that won six Tony Awards, including Best Play, comes to The National Theatre. Harry’s son, Albus, befriends Draco Malfoy’s son, leading to a riveting adventure that can alter the past and future.
Tickets
The National Theatre, 1321 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20004
PARADE
The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts stages the 2023 Tony Award® winner for Best Musical Revival. PARADE focuses on Leo and Lucille Frank, a recently married Jewish couple who are struggling to adjust to life in Georgia. Leo is then accused of a heinous crime, leading to a rigorous test of justice, devotion and humanity.
Tickets
The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, 2700 F Street NW, Washington, DC 20566
Sunday
Delighting Krishna: Paintings of the Child-God – Final Weekend
A new exhibit at the Smithsonian National Museum of Asian Art puts the Pushtimarg tradition front-and-center and showcases 14 “pichwais,” which are monumental paintings of Krishna on cotton cloth. The pieces have not been displayed to the public since the 1970s. Museum visitors can encounter the larger-than-life creations and learn about how the Hindu Pushtimarg community engages with the spiritual.
10 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. | Free Admission
National Museum of Asian Art, 1050 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20560
State Fairs: Growing American Craft
After five years of research and months of preparation, the Renwick Gallery debuts this extraordinary exhibit that is the first to survey American state fairs’ unconventional crafts from the 19th century to the present. Personal stories and regional traditions will be showcased across more than 240 artworks. Highlights include a life-size butter cow made on-site, size-96 boots from the State Fair of Texas and a pyramid of 700 glass jars of preserved fruits and vegetables.
10 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. | Free Admission
Renwick Gallery, 1661 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20006
2025 James McLaughlin Staff Show
Named after the gifted still-life painter who learned under the mentorship of museum founder Duncan Phillips, the James McLaughlin Staff Show proudly displays the work of The Phillips Collection’s own team. The voices behind the scenes are gorgeously brought to life in this annual tribute.
Hours & Admission
The Phillips Collection, 1600 21st Street NW, Washington, DC 20009
American Landscapes in Watercolor from the Corcoran Collection
The National Gallery of Art’s new exhibit of stunning watercolors allows you to travel from the Washington Monument to Yosemite National Park and back to the waters of New England. Experience how artists took a format meant for mapping and landscaping and elevated it to transcendence.
10 a.m. – 5 p.m. | Free Admission
National Gallery of Art, 6th Street & Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20565
Dungeons & Dragons: The Twenty-Sided Tavern
Whether you’ve run your own Dungeons & Dragons campaign or you’re completely unfamiliar with the game, the Kennedy Center has a magical evening in store for you. The legendary role-playing game comes to the stage, combining theatre, gaming and unique storytelling. Choose heroes and battle monsters as you assist three players in an interactive fantasy adventure.
Tickets
The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, 2700 F Street NW, Washington, DC 20566
Places to Stay
Need some inspiration for a place to stay in between events? Washington, DC is filled with a multitude of hotels to fit your needs. Whether you are looking for that specialty boutique hotel or booking at your favorite hotel brand, Washington, DC's booking engine has it all. Find your stay today!
Do you know where you’ll be dining pre- or post-event? From pop-up restaurants to award-winning hot spots to laid-back food halls, our DC food guide is perfect for helping you plan a more memorable experience.
