Got the shutdown blues? Enjoy these free events around the DC area this weekend
It might be a good time to enjoy the crisp fall air, let your hair down and get out of the house for a while — without necessarily opening your pocketbook.
As the U.S. government inches closer to a shutdown starting Oct. 1, the D.C. area and its many federal workers will likely be among the hardest hit.
It might be a good time to enjoy the crisp fall air, let your hair down and get out of the house for a while — without opening your pocketbook.
Here are some free events taking place around D.C., Maryland and Virginia this weekend.
DC
2023 World Culture Festival
Sept. 29-Oct. 1
The National Mall
Organized by D.C.-based nonprofit Art of Living foundation, the World Culture Festival offers “a platform for the preservation of local and indigenous traditions through music and dance as well as the opportunity for everyone else to relish and enjoy,” according to its website.
A list of programming is available online, with Saturday featuring events celebrating go-go music, Garba dancing and Chinese classical music.
In the event of a shutdown, Sunday’s programming will be moved “to a private venue” and livestreamed for audiences, according to Art of Living spokesperson Kushal Choksi.
Learn more about parking restrictions and road closures related to the festival here.
Art All Night
Sept. 29-30 from 7 p.m. to 3 a.m.
At these locations across the District
D.C.’s annual Art All Night festival brings activations to more than 20 main street corridors and eight public libraries this year. The event features visual and performing arts, local vendors and kid-friendly programming.
“Art All Night is a showcase of the incredible artistic talent that resides in DC,” said D.C. Department of Small and Local Business Development Director Kristi Whitfield in a news release.
Opera in the Outfield
Sept. 30 from 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Nationals Park
Tired of watching baseball at Nats Park? Try an opera instead. The Washington National Opera will host a Jumbotron screening of Giacomo Puccini’s 90-minute opera “La Bohème” — recorded live at the Kennedy Center Opera House in May — starting at 7 p.m. Before the main event, you can enjoy family activities like balloon twisters and an “instrument petting zoo” starting at 5 p.m.
Preshow performances will take place from 5:20 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., including a magic show from Musico the Magnificent, a dance performance by Step Afrika! and a few songs from the WNO Opera Orchestra.
Panda Palooza
Until Oct. 1 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Nationals Park
The National Zoo’s Panda Palooza — which started on Sept. 23 to celebrate the Zoo’s three Giant Pandas before they head back to China — is still going strong for a couple more days. On Saturday and Sunday, guests can enjoy activities like a conservation scavenger hunt, live music and free screenings of “Kung Fu Panda” and “The Miracle Panda” — plus, special panda-themed treats, like a Panda Cookie from Dolci Gelati and a Panda Sundae from Ben and Jerry’s.
If you can’t make it this weekend but want to see the pandas before they leave, the Zoo has announced it will remain open until at least Oct. 7 in the event of a shutdown using prior-year funds.
Maryland
Silver Spring Arts & Crafts Fall Fair
Oct. 1 from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Veterans Plaza
On Sunday, head down to Veterans Plaza in Silver Spring to check out the work of more than 80 vendors — selling everything from paintings to handmade jewelry, home décor to clothing (for both people and pets). The fair will go on, rain or shine!
Montgomery Parks’ Sunday Serenade
Oct. 1 from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Cabin John Regional Park’s Amphitheater
With the help of Montgomery Parks and some local acts, you can kick off your Sunday morning with some live music at the Cabin John Regional Park’s Amphitheater in Bethesda. On Oct. 1, you can check out the Dixie Power Trio, which offers zydeco, jazz and rock tunes.
If you miss it this weekend, you can come back for the next two Sundays — on Oct. 8 for the Dave Chappell Band to hear some jazz and blues and Oct. 15 for the jazz group The Bruce Swaim Quartet.
Takoma Park Street Festival
Oct. 1 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
From Eastern Avenue NW on the D.C. border to Philadelphia Avenue in Takoma Park
The Takoma Park Street Festival will return for its 42nd year on Sunday. Celebrate with live local music — with 18 performances across three stages — and more than 150 booths hosted by local artists, community groups and green companies. On Laurel Avenue’s Takoma Streetery, you’ll find local restaurants and food trucks to eat at.
Virginia
The Boro’s Oktoberfest
Sept. 30 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
8350 Broad Street in Tysons
For those in Northern Virginia in search of family-friendly events, this Oktoberfest celebration in Tysons on Sunday offers plenty of activities. Expect face painting, glitter temporary tattoos, crafts and giveaways, plus the usual adult-only Oktoberfest activities, including a stein holding competition.
MPAartfest
Oct. 1 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
McLean Community Center
Nonprofit organization McLean Project for the Arts is turning McLean Central Park into a platform for numerous mini art galleries, showcasing and selling the work of juried artists from across the mid-Atlantic. You can tune into live music throughout the event, plus grab snacks from food vendors and take your family along for a Children’s Art Walk.
Rosslyn Reads Book Festival
Sept. 30 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Central Place Plaza
Rosslyn’s annual book sale returns Saturday to support D.C.-based nonprofit Turning the Page. Shop around for gently-used items — beyond books, there will also be vinyl records, CDs and DVDs.
WTOP’s Michelle Goldchain contributed to this report.