What to Know
- Clouds and drizzles will slow down by Friday evening. Don your trench coat, grab your umbrella and check out Georgetown's French Market.
- It'll be warm Saturday, so put on the summer outfit you've been saving, ignore any sprinkles and enjoy Broccoli City or a food festival.
- Sunday's your sunny day — but temps will stay in the 50s. Sweater up for Frulingsfest's pig roast or National Harbor's Food and Wine Fest.
Whether you're in the mood for chocolate, beer, croissants or a pig roast, you're covered this weekend — we're pretty sure it's impossible to hit every food fest happening. That's on top of Broccoli City, which isn't so much a place to eat endless leafy greens but a chance to catch Cardi B, Miguel and Migos at D.C.'s homegrown, innovative music festival.
Enjoying your weekend cheaply? Here's our top free and cheap picks in D.C.:
Photos: Free and Cheap Things to Do in Washington, DC
Music
Broccoli City Music Festival
Saturday, RFK Stadium
Migos, Cardi B and Miguel are slated to take the stage at D.C.'s signature music festival. If you missed out on the 5K, conference and other activities, just keep an eye out for next year's festival. It keeps getting bigger and better every year.
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Cardi B announced on Twitter that Broccoli City will be her last performance for awhile because of her pregnancy. So if you're a fan, here's your chance!
Beck, Unknown Moral Orchestra, Calexico and Echosmith are also in town this weekend. Check out our picks for upcoming concerts:
DC's Best Upcoming Concerts: Diana Ross, Beck u0026 More
Free Pick
Ryan Hemsworth at U Street Music Hall
Friday, 11 p.m., U Street
Canadian producer Ryan Hemsworth will have U Street Music Hall moving on Friday. If you're over 21, the show is free before 11 p.m. (but expect a line). A ticket will cost you $10.
Free Pick
Classical Musicians Electrify Classic Rock
Saturday, 6 p.m., Kennedy Center
The classically trained musicians of Electric Fantasy will strum out their favorite classic rock songs their electric violins, guitars, keyboards and basses.
In other genre-bending news...
Free Pick
Shaolin Jazz at the Anacostia Community Museum
Saturday, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., Anacostia Community Museum
The Wu Tang Clan-inspired group blends jazz, hip-hop and rap for a powerful performance. Plus, it's free!
Afrofest
Saturday, 11 p.m., The Howard Theatre
Tickets for this all-night afrobeats show start at $20.
Laughs and Literacy
Independent Bookstore Day
Saturday
Celebrate Independent Bookstore Day by scoping out a local bookstore near your neighborhood. The organizers have put together this handy map.
Questlove's Creative Quest: Discussion & Book Signing
Saturday, 8 p.m. at Kennedy Center
Questlove just released the book "Creative Quest." Grab a ticket to the talk for a copy of the book and a chance to get it signed.
Ladies Night Out Comedy Tour
Saturday, 8 p.m., The Theater at MGM National Harbor
NeNe Leakes, Loni Love, Sherri Shepherd, Hope Flood, Melanie Comarcho and Sam Jaw are performing. Tickets start at $40.
Art
Free Pick
Art Hop Takoma
Saturday and Sunday, Takoma Park
Artists, music and dance will take over downtown Takoma at this festival, which also features free yoga, a bounce house, demonstrations and studio tours.
Free Pick
Art in the Alley
Saturday, 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., Trinidad
Head to the 1200 block of Florida Avenue NE for an outdoor celebration of art and music.
Free Pick
"2001: A Space Odyssey" Immersive Exhibit
Through May 28 at the National Air and Space Museum
You'll need a timed ticket to transport yourself into Stanley Kubrick's futuristic world. Check out our story about the exhibit here.
Free Pick
No Spectators: The Art of Burning Man at The Renwick
Through January 2019, downtown
A slice of the fantastical and larger-than-life arts festival Burning Man has taken over the Renwick Gallery and even spilled out onto the surrounding streets. Expect a lot of buzz and selfie-takers, but between the virtual reality experience, the epic Grand Salon makeover and the larger-than-life displays, it'll be worth the inevitable lines and crowds.
Check out our first look here:
Out of the Desert, Into DC: Renwick Opens Burning Man Exhibit
Parties, Eats and Drinks
DC Chocolate Festival
Saturday, 10 p.m. to 2 p.m. for families and 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., Woodley Park
Elevate your chocolate experience with tastings and talks focused on all things cacao. Tickets start at $30.
Frulingsfest
Through Sunday at WunderGarten in NoMa
It's like Oktoberfest but in the spring. Head over on Saturday for drinking games at the Bavarian Olympics (3 p.m.) or on Sunday for a pig roast (3 p.m.).
National Food and Wine Festival
Saturday and Sunday, 1 p.m. to 6 p.m., National Harbor
Skip breakfast and come hungry for all-you-care-for sips and snacks. Tickets start at $39, which seems like an amazing deal considering rose, wine, beer and other adult beverages are included.
Taste of 8th
Saturday, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., Barracks Row
Twenty restaurants are signed up to offer tapas-sized tastes along 8th Street. One ticket gets you one small plate. You can buy tickets online; it costs $5 for a single ticket or $20 for five tickets.
Northeast Eats 2018
Saturday, 4 p.m. at Union Market's Dock 5
Dozens of local food vendors will offer up unlimited bites. Tickets are $75 and benefit the Washington Jesuit Academy, a school for boys from underserved communities.
Bethesda Row Restaurant Week
Through Sunday
Lunches go for $18 and dinners cost $34 at several downtown Bethesda eateries.
Cherry Blossom Pop Up Bar's Last Weekend
Through Sunday, Shaw
Your last chance to catch this year's Cherry Blossom Pop Up Bar is on Sunday. Doors close at 12:30 a.m.
First Look: Cherry Blossom Pop-Up Bar's Sweet Blooms and Beverages
Community Connections
Free Pick
Georgetown French Market
Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sunday, 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Georgetown
Munch on croissants and macarons while pursuing shops. You'll also find live music, a French-themed photo booth and street performers.
Maryland DogFest
Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., La Plata
A dog costume contest, talent show and an owner-pup lookalike contest will keep you entertained while your furry friend can enjoy an agility course, play area and fashion show. Adult tickets are $10.
National Prescription Drug Takeback Day
Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Safely dispose of unused prescription drugs at a DEA-approved location. Find them here..
Dentzel Carousel at Glen Echo Park
Saturday, 11 a.m., Glen Echo Park
The iconic carousel is opening for its 98th season.
LOFT Coder Summit
Saturday, 8 a.m. at George Mason University
The Hispanic Heritage Foundation and Telemundo 44 have partnered to create the Latinos on Fast Track Coder summit, featuring networking opportunities, workshops and more.
Sports and Sporting
The Nationals
Friday, 7:05 p.m.
Saturday, 4:05 p.m.
Sunday, 1:35 p.m.
Nationals Park
Special tickets are required for this weekend's series against the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Nats Park has some very interesting new drinks and bites to try:
Adult Juice Packs Among Nationals Park's Newest Food and Drink Options
The Capitals
Sunday, 3 p.m., Capital One Arena
They're still in it! The Capital's second game against the Pittsburgh Penguins is scheduled for Sunday as the team keeps fighting for the Stanley Cup. Tickets are still available as of this writing, starting at $80.
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The Wizards
Friday, 7 p.m. at CapitalOne Arena
The Wizards continue their series against the Tornto Raptors in the playoffs. Tickets (as of publication) start at $29.
p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Follow landscape architect Ron Henderson’s journey following the cherry blossom trail from southern to northern Japan. His sketches exhibit not only looks at the trees themselves, but how they’re cared for. This exhibit — and all the others! — is free.</span></p>
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<p><a href="https://www.thewatergatehotel.com/the-next-whisky-bar/dc-cherry-blossom-garden-globes"><strong>The Watergate Hotel’s Cherry Blossom Domes</strong></a></p>
<p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Saturday and Sunday in Foggy Bottom</span></em></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Enjoy afternoon tea in one of the Cherry Blossom Domes (previous known as the Igloos). Rentals for two to eight people start at $100. They’re also offering a </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/135945050556034/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">flower crown making class</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> (times vary).</span></p>
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<p><strong>Bring the Craic on Saint Patrick’s Day</strong></p>
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<p><a href="https://shamrockfest.com/lineup"><strong>National Shamrock Fest</strong> </a></p>
<p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Saturday (12 p.m. to 8 p.m.) at RFK Stadium</span></em></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Sum 41, Shaggy and Less Than Jake headline this one day festival of beer, music and of course, Irishness.</span></p>
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<p><a href="http://www.ballyshaners.org/parade/"><strong>Alexandria St. Patrick's Day Parade</strong></a></p>
<p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Saturday (11:30 a.m.) in Old Town Alexandria, Virginia</span></em></p>
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<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Looking for some chill, Irish-themed fun? Alexandria’s St. Patrick’s Day parade kicks off at 1:30 p.m. from King Street and St. Asaph Street. The fun continues afterwards with a car show. Go early for the Fun Dog Show.</span></p>
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<p><a href="http://lindypromo.com/washington-dc/barcrawl_dc-st-patricks-day-bar-crawl-in-washington-dc-3-17"><strong>St. Patrick's Day Irish Stroll Bar Crawl</strong> </a></p>
<p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Saturday (1 p.m.) in Dupont Circle, Northwest Washington DC</span></em></p>
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<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">A </span><a href="http://lindypromo.com/washington-dc/barcrawl_dc-st-patricks-day-bar-crawl-in-washington-dc-3-17"><span style="font-weight: 400;">bar crawl entry ticket</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> will get you cover-free entry to 10 participating bars, including Decades, Dirty Bar, Living Room and Barcode. Drink specials include $3 beers, $4 specialty beers and $5 mixed drinks. Tickets cost $20, but </span><a href="http://lindypromo.com/washington-dc/parties_washington-dc-st-patricks-happy-hour"><span style="font-weight: 400;">combo tickets to the Friday night party and Saturday bar crawl cost $15.</span></a></p>
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<p><a href="https://tickets.theshamrockcrawl.com/event/washington-dc"><strong>The Shamrock Crawl</strong></a></p>
<p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Saturday (2 p.m.) Dupont Circle, Northwest Washington D.C.</span></em></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Participants have access to more than 16 bars, including Public Bar, Eden, Kabin and Heist. </span><a href="https://tickets.theshamrockcrawl.com/event/washington-dc"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Anyone with a ticket</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> gets a refillable shamrock mug, party favors, $2 beers, $4 shamrock shots and $5 Irish Car Bombs. $35 in advance; $40 day of.</span></p>
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<p><a href="https://dupontunderground.ticketfly.com/listing"><strong>Sights & Sounds: Ireland Today</strong><span style="font-weight: 400;"><br /></span></a><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Friday (7 p.m.), Saturday (10 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.) and Sunday (4 p.m.) in Dupont Circle</span></em></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Dupont Underground is hosting artist Solas Nua to discuss her project exploring video art in Ireland. </span><strong>Friday</strong><span style="font-weight: 400;">, Nua will discuss her work ($10). On </span><strong>Saturday</strong><span style="font-weight: 400;">, you can stop in and enjoy the exhibit. From 10 a.m. to noon, the exhibit is free and offers activities geared towards kids. After noon, it costs $15. On </span><strong>Sunday</strong><span style="font-weight: 400;">, you can catch short films at the Irish Short Film festival ($8).</span></p>
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<p><a href="https://www.nbcwashington.com/entertainment/the-scene/St-Patricks-Day-Washington-DC-Maryland-Virginia-Bar-Crawl-Parade-Specials-476983663.html"><span style="font-weight: 400;">We have a roundup of the best brunch specials and drink deals right here.</span></a></p>
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<p><strong>Rage… against injustice, with music or by smashing a printer</strong></p>
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<p><a href="http://www.thearcdc.org/events/breathe-musical-0"><strong>Breathe: The Musical</strong></a></p>
<p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Friday, Saturday and Sunday (8 p.m.) at THEARC (1901 Mississippi Avenue SE, Washington, D.C.)</span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;"><br /></span><span style="font-weight: 400;">Howard University alum Cleavon Meabon IV wrote and directed this play, which follows a family of sharecroppers in the early 20th century as they struggle under Jim Crow injustice, KKK attacks and police brutality. </span></p>
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<p><a href="https://rageroommd.com/"><strong>Rage Room of Maryland</strong><span style="font-weight: 400;"><br /></span></a><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Friday (4 p.m. to 8 p.m.) and Saturday (1 p.m. to 8 p.m.) in Glen Burnie, Maryland</span></em></p>
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<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Grab your friends and vent some frustrations! Full-service packages start at $25. You can BYOB (bring your own breakables) starting at $10.</span></p>
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<p><a href="https://www.unionstage.com/event/1648411-r-bumppp-free-dance-party-washington/"><strong>R&BUMPPP! Dance Party</strong></a></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Saturday (10:30 p.m.) at The Wharf)</span></p>
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<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Union Stage hosts an R&B night featuring The Good Guys. No covers, just dancing.</span></p>
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<p><a href="https://www.930.com/#upcoming-shows-container"><strong>The Floozies at 9:30 Club</strong></a><strong>; G-Eazy; Judas Priest; Justin Timberlake</strong></p>
<p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">All weekend, various locations</span></em></p>
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<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Even if fiddles aren’t your thing, there’s a lot of music to be heard this weekend:</span></p>
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<p><strong>Celebrate makers and creators</strong></p>
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<p><a href="http://invention.si.edu/about/events/innovative-lives-how-women-shaped-alcohol-industry"><strong>Innovative Lives: How Women Shaped the Alcohol Industry</strong></a></p>
<p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Friday (6:30 p.m.)</span></em></p>
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<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Enjoy craft beer and custom cocktail tastings while learning about the history of booze from four women whose life work is to brew and distill. Tickets are $40 and include appetizers and drinks.</span></p>
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<p><a href="https://africa.si.edu/events/"><strong>The “Real Life” Warriors of Wakanda Tour</strong></a></p>
<p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Saturday (3 p.m.) and Sunday (3 p.m.) Smithsonian National Museum of African Art on the National Mall</span></em></p>
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<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Discover the true inspiration behind the afrofuturist world of Wakanda by exploring historic African art. This awesome, free tour fills up fast, so RSVP soon.</span></p>
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<p><a href="http://nova.makerfaire.com/about/"><strong>NoVa Maker Faire</strong></a></p>
<p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Sunday (11 a.m. to 5 p.m.) George Mason University campus, Fairfax, Virginia</span></em></p>
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<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Whether you’re interesting in older crafts like spinning yarn and woodworking, or are looking ahead to robotics and auto hacking, the Maker Faire promises something for you. This all-ages event costs $15 for an adult, $5 for kids or $36 for a family of five.</span></p>
