Virginia

For Your Weekend: Olympics Parties, Undie Runs, Welcome Year of the Dog

There's so many excuses to put off your laundry until Monday

What to Know

  • The 2018 Winter Olympics Opening Ceremonies air in D.C. at 8 p.m. Friday! Tune into News4 or check out a watch party.
  • The Cupid's Undie Run is Saturday, but you may want to head into a Mardi Gras party or concert once rain starts that afternoon.
  • It will be rainy Sunday, but also warm for the Freer and Sackler Galleries' Lunar New Year celebration.

Between the Winter Olympics Opening Ceremonies, Valentine's Day undie runs, Mardi Gras tomfoolery, the Lunar New Year, a $5 yoga class in Georgetown and lots of music options, it's going to be a busy weekend.

Revel in Pyeongchang Olympics glory

The biggest winter sporting event has begun on NBC! Friday night, News4 will be airing the opening ceremonies at 8 p.m. You can check full listings on NBCOlympics.com or come back to NBCWashington.com every day for our list of 4 To Watch.

Here's a preview of the Opening Games (spoiler alert: South Korea went all-out with the fireworks).

[NATL] Flags, Fireworks and a Tiger Puppet: the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony in Photos

Here's four places to catch the games:

  • Pyeongchang Thang at Wunder Garten (NoMa) is hosting a costume party. Dress in ski lodge or Winter Olympics gear for a chance to win a gold medal! There will be special cocktails and entertainment. Friday, Feb. 9 from 6:30 p.m. to 11 p.m.
  • Cheers to the World at The Black Squirrel (Adams Morgan) gives you the chance to try beers from countries around the globe while cheering for Team USA. There will also be nightly beer specials.
  • If you’re in Virginia, The Black Squirrel’s Dunn Loring (Vienna, Virginia) location is also hosting a “Bell’s Hopslam and an Olympic-Size Missile Watch Party.” From 3 p.m. Friday, you’ll find happy hour specials and Pyeongchang-inspired snacks including Korean BBQ chicken wings and bulgogi. Full details are here.
  • Bundle up to catch the Winter Olympics on National Harbor’s Plaza Screen (National Harbor, Maryland). You can catch the opening ceremonies at 8 p.m. Friday, or events on Saturday and Sunday. You can check out the full schedule here. Guests are allowed to bring blankets or lawn chairs, and we advise checking the forecast before going.

Strip down for Valentine's Day (and a good cause)

Registration is still open for Cupid's Undie Run, which inspires dozens of people to strip down for a good cause even though it's winter. In 2018, the run will loop around Franklin Square (near the McPherson Metro station) beginning at 1 p.m. Saturday. Tickets for the run cost $40, and organizers promise funds go to help find a cure for neurofibromatosis, a genetic disease. 

Of course, there's an after party. You must be 21 to participate.

Celebrate the Lunar New Year at Freer and Sackler Galleries

Nǐ hǎo, year of the dog!  In celebration of the new year, the Freer and Sackler Galleries are celebrating the art and culture of the Sichuan Province, which is known for spicy food and giant pandas. You can expect live puppetry and acrobatic performances, food and art demonstrations and live music. The celebration is set for Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Hear some awesome live music

Country singer Chris Young, Swedish rapper Yung Lean and top DJ Steve Aoki are all coming to D.C. this weekend. Details on those artists and others coming to D.C. in 2018 are here:

DC's Best Upcoming Concerts: Diana Ross, Beck u0026 More

In the mood for something else?

Join the Mardi Gras revelry

It's not Tuesday yet, but you can celebrate Mardi Gras all weekend long. We've rounded up some of the area's most fun celebrations, including the Anacostia Community Museum's Family Day, a downtown bar crawl and several food-heavy events.
Quick Hits

Still not sure? Here's a few more options:
  • Friday: It's your last chance to see beloved dance company Alvin Ailey perform in D.C. (Kennedy Center, $59 and up)
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