Year ROUND ThINGS TO DO in the DMV (DC, Md, VA metro Area)

INDOOR
- Mini Golf
  - - Swingers Dupont
    - Top Golf (MD)
  - Bowling
    - Bowlero (NOVA + MD)
    - The Eleanor's bowling lounge in NOoMA
  - Games
    - Players Club
    - H Street Country Club
    - Penn Social
    - Punch bowl social (VA)
    - boardroom DC
- Artechouse - digital Art installation
- Dopamine Land -
- Room of Rage (MD) - Thirty minutes of hurling hatchets at a target costs $25 a person at Room of Rage in Morningside in Prince George’s County
- Bubble World - Bubble World is an immersive experience in which you'll surround yourself with bubbles like never before! Step into a planet beyond your imagination with VR technology, themed rooms, fantastical landscapes, and even a hot air balloon flight simulator. Jump from one immersive space to the next and explore them all with your five senses!
- Theatre
  - - Kennedy Center
      - different shows have different prices
        free shows or perfornaces at 6pm on wednesdays through saturdays
    - Arena Stage
    - Studio Theatre
    - Woolly Mammoth
    - Theater Alliance at DC Anacostia's Playhouse
  - Movies
    - Alamo Drafthouse Movie Theatre in DC near Edgewood or (VA) - Crystal City
    - Round House Theatre (MD) - Bethesda
    - Landmark E Street Cinema in Penn Quarter
- Hotel Bars to have a drink at
  - The Ven at Embassy Row
  - Rooftop at Hotel Washington
- Eat and Drink
  - - Simple
      - Union Market - Coffee, tea, carryout, etc.
        Live Music at a Coffee Shop
        Songbyrd Music House and REcord Cage
        Tryst - Monday - Thursday from 7:30pm - 10pm
        Vigilante coffe company
        counter culture coffee
    - Fancy
      - La Vie at District Wharf
      - Whiskey Charlie at District Wharf
  - bookstores
    - kramersbooks and afterwords
    - the potter's house
    - sankofa video books and cafe
    - solid state books
  - Old Post office tower - 360 degree views
  - comedy Shows
    - Capitol Cider House
- FREE
  - Smithsonian Museums (Open daily from 10am - 5:30pm every day except Christmas)
    - - National Museum of African American History and Culture
      - National Archives
      - Portrait Gallery
      - National Galley of Art
      - National Museum of Natural history - Open daily, But Monday it doesn't open until 12pm
      - Kennedy Center's Millennium Stage - free concert performance
      - Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden
      - Library of Congress
      - National Museum of African Art
      - National Postal Museum
      - National Museum of American History
      - American At Museum
      - Renwick Galley
      - Sackler Gallery
    - Planet Word - free timed entry tickets must be secured online ahead of time
    - US Holocaust Memorial Museum
    - US Botanic Garden
    - carnegie library - dc history center
    - Library of congress
OUTDOOR
- District Wharf - walk boardwalk, smores at firepit at night, swings during day, ice cream shop, and many bars and restaurants
- Navy Yard - walk boardwalk
- Union Market - rooftop deck called Hi-Lawn
- EAstern market - weekends
- National Zoo - Open Daily from 10am - 5:30pm
- Mini Golf at East Potomac Park
- Wineries
  - Potomac Point Winery (VA) Stafford VA
- summer
  - outdoor movies around dc
  - outdoor music and concerts
    - Fort Dupont
- winter
  - Ice Ckating Rink
    - National Galley of art sculpture garen
    - Georgetown ountain
- Free
  - Go for a Walk at
    - National Mall - Go for a Walk
    - Rock Creek Park
    - Natioanl Arboretum
    - great falls - waterfall hike (VA)
    - dumbarton oaks gardens
    - kenilworth aquatic gardens

Monthly calendar of ThINGS TO DO in the DMV (DC, MD, VA Metro Area)

JANUARY

1/17 - 1/23 Winter Restaurant Week - https://ramw.org/restaurantweek

Martin Luther King Day: A holiday that commemorates the birth of Martin Luther King Jr.
Washington Auto Show: A show that features the latest automotive technology and classic cars, as well as lectures, a leisure and food area, and a live car paint show
Chinese New Year celebration: A celebration that includes a parade of floats, attractions, and activities
Smithsonian American Art Museum's Lunar New Year Celebration: A free celebration that features Chinese and Korean traditions, dances, performances, arts and crafts, food, and more
Restaurant Week: A week in January when more than 200 of the city's best restaurants offer prix fixe meals at lunch and/or dinner
Monster Jam: An event where giant trucks run over obstacles and compete in contests
Other Things to do:
- Attends a Wizards or Capitals game.
- Go ice skating downtown.
- Take part in the city's largest snowball fight.
- Celebrate Martin Luther King Day.
- Don't miss the Chinese New Year celebration in Chinatown.
- Have fun while doing a charitable deed at the Washington Winter Show.
- Visit an Indoor Museum

FEBRUARY

Around 2/14 - Eat and Drink in a Valentine's Day Igloo around DC (Winter Igloos are open seasonally, which special menus and pricing for Valentines.)

The Watergate Hotel
La Vie
Kingbird
WaterGate Hotel

Lunar New Year at The Kennedy Center: A free celebration of the Year of the Snake with performances from the Tai Yim Kung Fu School and the Concert Chorale of Washington
Virginia Black History Month Gala: An annual event that takes place in February
Flea Market at Eastern Market: A long-running flea market with a diverse selection of products, including handmade items from around the world, vintage finds, and crafts made in DC
District Beer Fest: Winter: A craft beer festival that takes place at Dock 5 at Union Market

MARCH

National Cherry Blossom Festival: Celebrates the blooming of cherry trees with a month-long festival. The festival includes a parade down Constitution Avenue with marching bands, floats, balloons, and celebrity performers. The festival also includes the Blossom Kite Festival, where Edo-style Japanese kites are on display.
St. Patrick's Day Parade: The annual parade takes place along Constitution Avenue.
Hometown Pass: District of Columbia residents and residents within a 50 mile radius can take advantage of some tours and attractions for free.

Other events that happen in Washington, DC include:

Sakura Matsuri Street Festival: The largest celebration of Japanese culture in the United States.
Smithsonian Folklife Festival: Celebrates traditions from across the US and the wider world.
National Book Festival: A free celebration of all things books, from authors to readings to hardcovers.

APRIL

National Cherry Blossom Festival: A two-week festival that celebrates the blooming of cherry trees. The festival includes parades, art exhibitions, kites, sushi, and workshops. The festival honors the bond between the United States and Japan, which began when Tokyo Mayor Yukio Ozaki gifted cherry trees to the United States in 1912.

Around 4/4 - Cherry Blossoms - this is the best time to see the Cherry Blossoms because they are peak bloom.
4/17 - Cherry Blossom Festival Ends

White House Easter Egg Roll: Children of all ages hunt for Easter eggs on the White House Lawn. Advanced tickets are required and are allocated through a lottery.
DC History Conference: A conference that highlights the District's past, present, and future. The conference includes lectures, seminars, and exhibitions.
Petalpalooza: A free event that includes art, music, and fireworks.
Sakura Matsuri Japanese Street Festival: A free festival that includes traditional music, dances, workshops, food, and a fair.
Holi Dance Party and One-Mile Run or Walk: A free event that includes a Holi Dance Party and a one-mile run or walk.
Financial Times Weekend Festival: A Saturday event that includes debates, performances, wine and whiskey tastings, and more.
Passport DC: A month-long programming that highlights DC's international culture.

MAY

Passport DC: A month-long festival that celebrates the city's international culture. Highlights include the Around the World Embassy Tour and the European Union Open House. Most events are free.
Washington National Cathedral's Flower Mart: A two-day event that takes place during Passport DC's first weekend. Visitors can shop for plants and gifts, eat festival food, ride a carousel, and see the International Floral Exhibit.
National Memorial Day Concert: A free concert that honors the sacrifice of veterans and their families. The concert takes place on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol and is aired on PBS.
Washington DC Dragon Boat Festival: A festival that takes place on the Potomac River.

JUNE

Capital Pride - An LGBT pride festival that takes place in early June. It started in 1975 as Gay Pride Day, a one-day block party and street festival.
Smithsonian Folklife Festival - A social event that takes place in the last week of June and the first week of July. It features music, dance, art, and food from around the world.
DC Jazz Festival - An outdoor festival that takes place in the suburbs of Washington, DC. It started in 1993 and attracts music lovers from across the country.
Juneteenth - A federal holiday that marks the official end of slavery in the United States. It takes place on June 19th, also known as Emancipation Day or Freedom Day.
Boating in DC - Paddle down the river in kayak rentals from Boating in DC locations. You can snag two single kayaks for $44 on weekends or cut the price with a $30 tandem style.

JULY

Smithsonian Folklife Festival - A free, two-week festival on the National Mall that features master artisans and other tradition bearers. It takes place every summer and overlaps with the Fourth of July holiday.
National Independence Day Parade - A huge parade that takes place on the main streets and monuments of Washington, DC. It features floats, dancing troops, and marching bands playing patriotic music.
Capital Fringe Festival - DC's largest performing arts festival, which takes place in SW DC. It's a place to showcase live performance work.
Washington Nationals Baseball Game - The Washington Nationals play a game at Nationals Park on the Fourth of July. The game starts at 11 AM, giving attendees time to celebrate after the game.

AUGUST

Smithsonian Folklife Festival: A free festival on the National Mall that celebrates cultures from around the world
Farm at George Washington's Mount Vernon: Activities and demonstrations that show what harvest season was like in the 18th century
Turkish Festival: A community-organized festival that takes place during Howard University's Homecoming weekend
Black the Block: A showcase of 100 Black-owned businesses at Nationals Park Field Plaza
NFL Sunday Kickoff @ 202 Brunch & DayParty: An event held in Chinatown DC

SEPTEMBER

H Street Festival: A popular festival with live music, dance, family-friendly activities, and food vendors
Congressional Black Caucus Week
National Symphony Orchestra's Labor Day Concert: A free concert on the West Lawn of the US Capitol
WalkingTown DC: A nine-day guided walking tour program that showcases the city's history, art, and culture
Atlantic Festival: An annual festival that takes place in September
National Book Festival: A festival organized by the National Library
Adams Morgan Day Festival: An arts festival and cultural event
Night Art Festival: An arts festival and cultural event
Vesta Settlements Charity Poker Tournament: A charity poker tournament that takes place in September
Smithsonian Folklife Festival: A free festival with activities and offerings unique to DC

Other events in September include:

The Redefining Afrofuturism Expo
An Evening with the Washington Ballet
Art All Night
Craft2Wear
Nationals Blowout Weekend
Celebrate Oktoberfest in the District
Honor Hispanic Heritage Month in the District
DC State Fair

OCTOBER

Harry Potter - A Forbidden Forest Experience - $45
Mount Vernon Wine Festival - Tour the estate of George and Martha Washington and enjoy a wine tasting at sunset
Fiesta DC - Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with food and entertainment from Latin American and Caribbean cultures
Taste of Bethesda - Enjoy dishes from local restaurants and music performances at this festival
Army Ten-miler - The second largest ten-mile race in the United States, with a youth run, activity fair, and pasta dinner
Fall Harvest Festival - Explore the farm at The Farm on Mount Vernon Memorial Highway, learn about 18th-century life, and witness wheat treading demonstrations
Howard Homecoming - Events around the City
Oktoberfest at Bluejacket, Wunder Garten, and the Wharf
Hispanic Heritage Month Events

NOVEMBER

Thanksgiving - The city prepares for Thanksgiving a few weeks in advance, and the Montgomery County Thanksgiving Parade is held a week before.
Washington Wizards - The season starts in mid-November, and you can book tickets to see the Wizards at Capital One Arena.
DC Beer Festival - This festival takes place at Nationals Park and features craft beer producers, live music, and food trucks.
DC Cocktail Week - This event is curated by the Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington and features innovative drinks and dishes.
Veterans Day - You can enjoy a moving Veterans Day experience around the District. Parade of heroes on Veterans Day
Holiday lights - November is a great time to see the first holiday lights of the season.
DC Bike Ride - This family-friendly event winds riders through city streets and by monuments and memorials.
Holiday season - The White House Ellipse is surrounded by a path of decorated trees representing all 50 states, five territories, and the District of Columbia.
DC Holiday Market at Dupont Circle (Nov 22nd - Dec 15th) - Mon - Friday 12pm - 8pm and Sat/Sun 11am to 8pm - Link: https://www.dcholidaymarket.net/

DECEMBER

Holiday boat parade: A popular event that takes place in the first days of December, where many boats decorated with lights and Christmas motifs cruise along the Potomac River.
Heurich Christmas Market: An annual market that takes place at Heurich House Museum's Castle Garden during the first full weekend of December. The market features arts and crafts, and the mansion is decorated.
Silver Spring Christmas Market and Holiday Craft Show: A free event that takes place at Veterans Plaza on December 1.
Old Town Alexandria Christmas Market & Holiday Craft Show: A free event that takes place at John Carlyle Square on December 14.
Unique Markets DC Holiday Market: An event that takes place at Union Market on December 14–15.
National Harbor Christmas Market and Holiday Craft Show: A free event that takes place at American Way, National Harbor on December 21–22.
Wunder Garten Winter Fest
Air Lounge Power Ties and Cocktail Dresses Holiday Toy Drive
Ugly Sweater Crawl
Trap Karaoke
Ice Maze at City Center
Holiday Musing in The Plaza at City center
DC Holiday Market at Dupont Circle (Nov 22nd - Dec 15th) - Mon - Friday 12pm - 8pm and Sat/Sun 11am to 8pm - Link: https://www.dcholidaymarket.net/

Date PAirings

Washington, DC

DUPONT CIRCLE
- Swingers Dupont + Madhatter Brunch
DISTRICT WHARF
- Tiki TNT + Swings + Whiskey Charley
NAVY YARD
- District Winery + Ice Cream Jubilee + Sandlot
DOWNTOWN DC
- Smithsonian Museums or Monuments at Night + Old Ebbitt Restaurant
- Smithsonian Museum of Natural History