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The bad news: If you planned to say goodbye to the pandas at the National Zoo this weekend… well, they've already left D.C. and landed safely in China.
We'll miss Mei Xiang, Tian Tian and their offspring Xiao Qi Ji. But we still have the photos, the memories, Tommy’s giant farewell card and our next obsession, Basil the one-eyed Virginia rescue opossum.
We have good news, too! We've got many ways to soothe your soul and fill your weekend: patriotic concerts for Veterans Day, delicious food for Pupusa Day, sparkling celebrations for Diwali, plus a bunch of Christmas markets so you can start your holiday shopping.
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Saturday will have pleasant, if cool, weather for hiking, and all National Park Service entry fees will be waived for Veterans Day.
Here's what else to do in D.C. this weekend.
Eastern Market 150th Anniversary
📅 Fri. to Sun.
📍 Southeast D.C.
🔗 Details
The mother of all D.C. food halls will host a weekend of special events in honor of its 150th birthday.
Novemberfest on Friday from 6-9 p.m. is a 21+ fundraiser featuring limited edition Atlas Brew Works beer and live music from the Rock Creek Kings. Tickets cost $25 and include one food/beverage ticket.
Daytime festivities continue on Saturday and Sunday with live music on stage at 7th Street and North Carolina Avenue SE.
You'll also find a wide range of family-friendly activities including a silhouette artist, walking tours, Washington Commanders cheerleaders and a butcher's demo on breaking down a chicken (just in time for Thanksgiving).
See Huntley from "The Voice" perform in Fredericksburg
A singer from Fredericksburg, Virginia, is making a a big impression on NBC’s “The Voice.”
And this weekend, you have three chances to see Huntley perform live on his home turf.
Catch him at three venues in Fredericksburg:
- 6 Bears & A Goat Brewing Company: Thurs., 6-7 p.m.
- Castiglia's Italian Restaurant: Fri., 8-10 p.m.
- Billiken's Smokehouse: Sun., 1-3 p.m.
Then, tune in to "The Voice" on Mondays and Tuesdays on NBC4.
Comedian PT Bratton filming “You’re Welcome for My Service” comedy show
📅 Sat., 7:30 p.m.
📍 Veterans Growing America at Potomac Town Center in Woodbridge, Virginia
💲 Donation based on Indiegogo
🔗 Details
PT Bratton, an Air Force veteran, is sharing his humor to help people laugh through tough situations in a comedy show called “You’re Welcome for My Service” this Veterans Day weekend. The show is set to be filmed for Bratton's first comedy special.
Veterans Day
📅 Sat.
Veterans Day on Saturday is a chance to thank and celebrate all those who have served in the U.S. Military.
- The U.S. Navy Band will perform at the MLK Jr. Memorial Library on Friday at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.
- Over at National Harbor, active and retired military members can ride the Capital Wheel for free if they show a military ID.
- Mount Vernon will give free admission to all active duty, former or retired military personnel on Veterans Day.
- The National Museum of the American Indian will host a festival on Saturday afternoon, and veterans are invited to have refreshments in the museum's hospitality center from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Many nationwide retailers will also offer giveaways to servicemembers.
Here's our full roundup of ways to observe Veterans Day in the D.C. area.
Celebrate Diwali
Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, is among the most important holidays in India and culminates on Sunday.
It’s also one of the biggest festivals held at the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir spiritual center in Beltsville.
Expect luminous lights, sweets and good food, then fireworks Sunday night. If you can’t make it this weekend, there will be a kids' Diwali celebration next Saturday (11/18). The temple tells us it’s free and open to the public; here’s more info.
At VisArts in Rockville, the whole family can enjoy Diwali crafts for $5 per person on Saturday.
Want to celebrate Diwali in Virginia? National Landing’s Water Park plans to host dancing, a DJ, sparklers and more from 6-9 p.m. Friday.
National Harbor tree lighting and fireworks
📅 Sat.
📍 National Harbor
💲 Tree lighting is free
🔗 Details
National Harbor will light up its 60-foot LED Christmas tree for the first time on Saturday at 5:30 p.m., followed by fireworks. If you miss Sunday's event, Christmas tree light shows will happen nightly and you can watch fireworks at 5:30 p.m. every Saturday through Dec. 30.
On Saturday, Santa and Mrs. Claus will be visiting the Capital Wheel for some extra magical holiday memories. Rides cost $13.50 for children and $17 for adults.
Holiday markets this weekend
Ready to start your holiday and hostess shopping? Not only can you shop and sip a cocktail at Tysons Corner Center now, you can find plenty of holiday markets around.
In Virginia:
Northern Virginia Christmas Market
Fri., Sat. and Sun., Dulles Expo Center, $8
In Maryland:
Strathmore Museum Shop Holiday Market
Thurs. to Sun., 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., 10701 Rockville Pike, North Bethesda, free, suggested $10 donation
Holiday Makers Market
Sat. and Sun., 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Grand Corner Avenue in Rio Lakefront, Gaithersburg, free entry
Here Come the Holidays Art Market
Sat., 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., The Arts Barn and Kentlands Mansion (311 and 320 Kent Square Road in Gaithersburg), free admission
Danish Christmas Bazaar
Sat., 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saint Elizabeth's Church (917 Montrose Road, Rockville), free
FYI: Cash or check only for purchases
Sunday is Pupusa Day
In El Salvador, the second Sunday of November is known as Pupusa Day, a delicious party for the crispy and cheesy Salvadoran national dish.
Pupusas are an important dish to D.C., too, where the area’s large Salvadoran population has fueled and fed the city's hunger for pupusas since the ‘80s.
El Tamarindo is not just celebrating Pupusa Day. They're in the middle of Pupusa Week, collaborating with other chefs on limited edition items like vegan, soul food, pastrami and teriyaki pupusas. It culminates Sunday in the Pupusas for the People Party with all-you-can-eat pupusas, a rum tasting, music, dance, kid-friendly activities and more. Tickets cost $25.
Another option is at the La Cosecha food hall in NoMa. La Casita Pupuseria will have live music and pupusa stickers all weekend. All month, sales of their horchata coffee cocktail will benefit the Latino Economic Development Center.
Concerts in DC this weekend
Codeine, 8 p.m. Friday, Black Cat, $25
Pioneering slowcore band reunited to tour its 1992 LP “Dessau,” which didn’t get released until last year. The plodding pace adds real weight to some very dark music. Details.
Rod Wave, 8 p.m. Sunday, Capital One Arena, $200+ (as of Friday morning)
Known for bringing a soulful voice to instrumentally-backed raps, Rod Wave rounds out his tour with openers Ari Lennox, Toosii and EElmatic. Details.
More things to do in Washington DC
Exhibit: Khalid Thompson "Chromatic Rhythms"
Through 11/30, Rhizome DC, free
Opening reception Sat.
HBCU First LOOK Film Festival 2023
Fri., Howard University, $30+
CRY ABOUT IT: Taylor Swift vs Olivia Rodrigo DJ Night
Fri., Union Stage, $20
Rock the Core Cider and Beer Festival
Sat., 2-4:30 p.m., Hook Hall, $24.99
The-Dream show
Sun., noon, Songbyrd (Northeast D.C.), $19.32 (including fees)
Mooncake Workshop
Sun., 6:30 p.m., La Cosecha @ The Union Market District, $75
More things to do in Maryland
Big Dill: World's Largest Pickle Party
Fri. to Sun., Power Plant Live in Baltimore, $14.99-$38.99
“Fiddler on the Roof” at Olney Theater
Opens Weds., runs through 12/31, 2001 Olney-Sandy Spring Road, $35-$101
PRJC Presents: The Seth Kibel Quintet featuring Flo Anito
Sun., 1:30-4:30 p.m., Rosensteel Hall in Silver Spring, $22.50 (nonmembers), free for students with ID
Paranormal Cirque (ages 13+)
Thurs. to Sun., Waldorf, $20-$60
FYI: Attendees aged 13 to 17 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian over 21
More things to do in Virginia
Taylor Tomlinson: The Have It All Tour
Weds. to Sat., Capital One Hall in Tysons, $29.75+
Alexandria Film Festival
Fri. to Sun., various locations, free screenings on Friday; screenings $15
Revolutionary War Day
Sat., 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., George Mason’s Gunston Hall in Lorton, $10
Arlington Hard Cider & Doughnut Fest
Sat., Arlington Rooftop Bar and Grill, $21.99-$28.99
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