11 Of Our Favorite Events in D.C. This Weekend

By: Mimi Montgomery

Photo by Mr.TinDC

FRIDAY, JAN. 5

CREEPY CRAWLIES: Starting today, the Rock Creek Park Nature Center will host a Creature Feature event each Friday in January. Bring the kiddos by to learn about the park’s animal kingdom, including – yes – some one-on-on time with turtles and snakes. It’s all in the name of science. (Rock Creek Park Nature Center & Planetarium, 4 – 4:30 p.m., FREE)

HUNGRY HISTORY: Travel back in time with the National Museum of American History’s event Cooking Up History: Forgotten Foods. You’ll learn all about the origins and traditions of long-time dishes as you follow a recipe from the museum’s Archives Center with food historian Ashley Rose Young. While you’ll be making antebellum and Colonial-era grub, make sure to eat before, as there aren’t any food tastings at the event. (National Museum of American History, 2 – 3 p.m., FREE)

ART WALK: It’s the first weekend of the month, which means it’s time for the First Friday Dupont Art Walk. Bundle up and head to Dupont Circle to check out its galleries: Hillyer Art Space, Studio Gallery, and Q Street Fine Art have new exhibits, and word on the street is that R Space Collection will have a fire going, too. (Dupont Circle, 6 – 8 p.m., FREE)

LOCAL TUNES: The week of NSO In Your Neighborhood continues, and the National Symphony Orchestra is providing plenty of free performances and activities throughout the city this weekend. Catch a violinist playing alongside a hip-hop artist, a program of music inspired by Shakespeare’s work, espionage-themed classical tunes at the Spy Museum, and much more. (Locations and times vary, FREE)

MORE: Park View + Petworth First Friday (Georgia Avenue NW, 6 – 9 p.m., FREE), Taking the Pulse of the Ocean in a Changing World (The John Wesley Powell Auditorium, 8 – 10 p.m., FREE), Wintry Mix (DC Arts Center, 7:30 – 8:45 p.m., $12 – $15), Jokes at Judy’s (U Streat, 9:30 – 11 p.m., donation requested)

Photo by Brandon Kopp

SATURDAY, JAN. 6

MUSEUM MADNESS: Need a cold weather indoor activity? A scavenger hunt of the Smithsonian museums is the perfect option. Traverse the National Mall as you duck in and out of the museums, crossing items off your list by snapping photos of artifacts and answering questions. Each found item gets your team a point, and the one with the most at the end wins. Let the games begin! (Meet at Ollie’s Trolley Restaurant, 11:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., $20)

1968: Dive into Washington history at the National Building Museum’s event exploring the year 1968, a time of grassroots activism, creative expression, protests, and racial tension within the then-predominately African-American city. Hear the National Symphony Orchestra play music reminiscent of the time, share your thoughts in a house-shaped book with artist Sushmita Mazumdar, and enjoy plenty of other talks, performances, and workshops. (National Building Museum, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., FREE)

DRUNKEN DIALOGUE: Ever seen Drunk History on Comedy Central? This is like that, except live. A series of presenters will talk an audience through topics such as the history of Puerto Rico or America’s obsession with kale while totally trashed. Laughs are a given, but it’s for a good cause, too: Bring a teething toy or pacifier and it will be donated to the Homeless Children’s Playtime Project. (The Wonderland Ballroom, 8 p.m., teething toy or pacifier required for entry)

PODCAST LIVE: See the podcast The Memory Palace recorded in real time tonight at Sixth & I. The program tells introspective, hilarious, and emotional stories set to music, and is hosted by the journalist and author Nate DiMeo. The show was a Peabody Award finalist in 2016 and airs on NPR’s Weekend Edition, so you know it’s bound to be good. (Sixth & I, 8 p.m., $25 – $28)

MORE: Winter Night Sky (Rock Creek Park Nature Center & Planetarium, 1 – 1:45 p.m., FREE), Harry Potter Marathon (Roscoe’s Neapolitan Pizzeria, 8 – 11 p.m., FREE), Psycho Killers: Talking Heads Tribute Band (Union Stage, $15 – $25, 9:00 p.m.), Cider Tasting (Peirce Mill, 4 – 6 p.m., $25), Vinyl & Vinyasa (Songbyrd Music House & Record Cafe, 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., $10), Party Workout (Echostage D.C., 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., $20), Obscure Memorials of the National Mall Tour (National Mall, 10 am. – 12 noon, FREE)

Photo by washingtonydc

SUNDAY, JAN. 7

NO PANTS METRO RIDE: Drop trou and get on the Metro. The No Pants Metro Ride is in its 10th year, and it’s exactly as it sounds: You get on the Metro, drop your pants, and go for a ride. It’s a fun, goofy event, but participants and visitors are asked to be respectful (and everyone must wear underwear – no total nudity!). (L’Enfant Metro, 3 p.m., FREE)

THREE KINGS DAY: Celebrate Three Kings Day with song, dance, and storytelling at Gala Hispanic Theater. The bilingual performances will tell the story of the Nativity, when three kings followed a star to Bethlehem to see Jesus after his birth. The holiday, known as “El Día de los Reyes,” is an important part of Latin American culture, and signifies the end of the 12 days of Christmas. (Gala Hispanic Theater, 11:30 a.m. and 2:00 p.m., FREE)

TREAT YO’SELF: It’s Self Care Sunday, everyone! Take on a HIIT or yoga class led by the DC Run Crew founders, and then cool down with a facial by Urban Outfitters Beauty. Every participant will get 10 percent off full-price Urban Outfitters apparel, and 30 percent off sale merchandise, too. (Urban Outfitters – M Street, 9 – 11 a.m., FREE, registration required)

MORE: Creating Camelot Kennedy Photo Exhibit Tour + Discounted Tickets (Newseum, 2:15 – 4:15 p.m., $20), Great Bridal Expo (Hyatt Regency, 12 noon – 4 p.m., $10), Sunday Singalong with Bearsong (Upshur Street Books, 11 – 11:45 a.m., FREE), Pastry Tasting (Cork & Fork D.C., 4 – 7 p.m., $15), Bootcamp + Brews (D.C. Brau Brewery, 12-noon, $15 suggested donation)