Virginia

The Weekend Scene: What to Do Around DC Aug. 23-25

Here are the best ways to spend your weekend Aug. 23-25

With Labor Day around the corner, it's time to live out the rest of summer to its fullest.

From food to a Hammertime dance party, here's what to do around D.C. Aug. 23-25.

But first...

All Weekend

Alexandria Restaurant Week
Aug. 16-25
Various locations

Score big on dining deals in Alexandria, where 70+ restaurants are offering $35 three-course dinners for one and $35 dinners for two. Many spots also have lunch deals at $15 or $22 per person, and nearly 20 restaurants have brunch menus at the same rate. You can also get transportation deals during Restaurant Week: Lyft is offering $5 off your first two trips with the code VISITALX19, and you can get a parking discounted by $2 after 5 p.m. on weekdays and all day on weekends at city-owned garages and lots.

Loudoun Restaurant Week
Aug. 23-30
Various locations

Twenty nine Loudoun County restaurants invite you to eat your way through the area — you deserve it. Select menus and special dinners are available all week. Sort participating restaurants by neighborhood and cuisine type here. You can make your reservations on OpenTable.

Maryland State Fair
Aug. 22-Sept. 2

Don't miss your favorite foods, drinks, animals, rides and races: the Maryland State Fair is underway. Gate admission is $10 for adults (ages 12-61), and you can get them here. Concert tickets are sold separately. For directions on how to get to the fairgrounds, you can check here.

Cirque du Soleil: VOLTA
July 25 - Sept. 8
Lerner Town Square at Tysons II, 8025 Galleria Drive, Tysons, Virginia

This Cirque du Soleil show is inspired by the culture around street sports, and is “about being true to oneself, fulfilling one’s true potential, and recognizing one’s own power to make it possible,” according to the event’s website. Part story, part acrobatics show, this performance will be in Virginia until September. Tickets start at $49, and you can get them here.

Dear Evan Hansen
Through Sept. 8
The Kennedy Center

The critically-acclaimed musical started at D.C.'s Arena Theatre, went on to Broadway, picked up a bunch of Tony awards and now its back where it all started. Tickets start at $79.

The acclaimed Broadway musical is back at the Kennedy Center until Sept. 8. The Scene’s Tommy McFly reports.

Maryland Renaissance Festival
Weekends from Aug. 24 through Oct. 20, plus Labor Day
1821 Crownsville Road, Annapolis, Maryland

Go back in time at the Maryland Renaissance Festival to see jousting events, shop arts and crafts vendors and eat a giant turkey leg. Always a giant turkey leg.

Free Pick
Dolley Days at Dumbarton House
Aug. 24-25
2715 Q Street, Washington, D.C.

Entry to Dumbarton House is free on Saturday and Sunday as the Georgetown museum commemorates a historic day. In 1814, the British were approaching D.C. and First Lady Dolley Madison fled to Dumbarton House. 

You can take self-guided tours on both days, but bring the kids on Saturday for historic lawn games and ice cream making demonstrations. 

homas Jefferson Community Center
3501 Second Street South, Arlington, VA
Thomas Jefferson Community Center, 3501 Second Street South, Arlington, Virginia 

Friday

Truckeroo Food Truck Festival
Aug. 23, 4-11 p.m.
The Bullpen at Nats Park, 1201 Half St. SE

Truckeroo is a monthly festival that takes place until September at the Bullpen near Nationals Park, and showcases the best food trucks in the D.C. area. It is a family-friendly event with live music, drinks, games and more. 

Casta's: National Cuban Sandwich Day
Aug. 23, starting at 4 p.m.
Casta's Rum Bar, 1121 New Hampshire Avenue NW

Lucky for you, Friday is National Cuban Sandwich Day. To celebrate, recently-opened Cuban rum joint Casta's is offering half-priced sandwiches from 4 -11 p.m. and drink specials ($10 cocktails, $5 beer and house wines) during happy hour 4 to 7 p.m. Not convinced? There will also be an on-site cigar roller.

Free Pick
Friday Stitch at the Movies: "Ferris Bueller's Day Off"
Aug. 23, 7 - 9 p.m. (doors open at 6 p.m.)
fibre space, 1319 Prince Street, Alexandria, Virginia

Is Ferris Bueller your hero? Check out a free screening at Alexandria's crafty yarn store while working on your latest knitting project. It's free.

Free Pick
Montgomery County Microbreweries: Policy, Profits and Pints
Aug. 23, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Brookside Gardens’ Visitor Center Auditorium, 1800 Glenallan Ave, Silver Spring, Maryland

The tagline of this series is Food Matters, and we couldn't agree more. The events spotlight farmers, educators, chefs, foodies and, this week, breweries. If you're over 21, you can enjoy a complimentary brew while learning how it's made. RSVP here.

Hammer's House Party
Aug. 23, 8 p.m.
Entertainment & Sports Arena, 1100 Oak Street SE

It's hammertime. The line up for Friday's jam session? MC Hammer, Kid 'N Play, Sir Mix-a-lot, Dj Kool and Tone-Loc. Tickets range from $20 to $75, and you can get them here. Hammer pants are encouraged.

Saturday

17th Street Festival
Aug. 24
17th Street from P to R streets NW

The classic annual festival will be bustling with vendors and artisans from all over the world. There will be a wide range of live music, including jazz, Chinese drummers, flamenco, mariachi and African. There will also be a kids zone with a slide, soccer, snow cones, face painting and games.

Alexandria Irish Festival
Aug. 24, 11 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Waterfront Park, 1A Prince Street, Alexandria, Virginia

You don't have to wait until St. Patrick's Day to celebrate those Irish roots. Test your luck at an outdoor party with all the staples: lots of food, a beer truck, pipe bands, Irish dancers, crafts and more.

Buffalo Billiards Farewell Party
Aug. 24, starting at noon
1330 19th Street NW

Laid-back pool hall Buffalo Billiards has delighted the District drinking population for 25 years, but its time has come to an end. Celebrate a quarter-century of fun Saturday, and add your fondest memories to the Buffalo Billiards Memory Page on Facebook.

Chesapeake Crab, Wine & Beer Festival
Aug. 24, sessions begin at 11 a.m. and 5 p.m.
National Harbor

It's not summer in the Mid Atlantic without crabs, corn on the cob, cole slaw and a drink to wash it down with. Ticket prices range from $39-$89, depending on how many crabs and drinks you plan to consume.

Free Pick
Arena Stage Community Day & Prop Sale
Aug. 24, 1-6 p.m.
1101 Sixth Street SW, Washington, D.C.

Enjoy music, special performances, a wine and beer garden and kids' activities including face painting and pony rides at the Arena Stage. You can also peruse props for sale from past shows — ever wanted a velvet day bed on the cheap?

Le Dîner en Blanc
Aug. 24, 2019
Secret location

Pack up your tableware and break out your best all-white summer outfit. This event aims to bring a picnic to the heights of class. Tickets sold out in minutes but there is a wait list.

Thousands of people dressed up in white will gather to dine at a secret location this weekend. Tommy McFly reports.

Sunday

Taste of the World Festival
Aug. 25, 11 a.m.
Emery Recreation Center, 5701 Georgia Avenue NW

D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser and the Department of Parks and Recreation are hosting a diversity festival Sunday with traditional music, dances, food and handmade products. This year's spotlights are India, the Dominican Republic, Ethiopia and several Caribbean countries. Sign up for free here.

The Coconut Market
Aug. 25, Sept. 29 and Nov. 30
Engine Company 12, 1626 North Capitol Street NW

Let's get tropical: celebrate African, Asian, Caribbean and Latin America cultures Sunday and shop small businesses and artisans. Early bird tickets (until Saturday) are free, while regular tickets are $5.

The Weekend Scene is edited by Sophia Barnes

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