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A lively event featuring a booth for non-alcoholic beverages, with two representatives serving samples of various bottled drinks to attendees. Colorful banners for brands like "Fluère" and "Damrak Virgin 0.0" are displayed in the background.

Things to Do This Weekend in Washington, DC

Our end-of-the-week picks for Jan. 10-12, 2025

We've gathered up some fun things to do in DC this weekend. You can also read what else is going on during the week and throughout the month.

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Friday

 

A lively event featuring a booth for non-alcoholic beverages, with two representatives serving samples of various bottled drinks to attendees. Colorful banners for brands like "Fluère" and "Damrak Virgin 0.0" are displayed in the background.

Mindful Drinking Festival

Mindful Drinking Fest 2025
Experience the largest mindful drinking event in the U.S. Join thousands to explore over 120 non-alcoholic beverages from 40+ producers, attend engaging workshops and enjoy the "NO FUN" Cocktail Competition. Highlights include a grand tasting hall, lively afterparties with DJs and dancing and wellness activities like morning yoga. The event is perfect for the sober-curious or those embracing holistic wellness.
Tickets
1309 5th Street NE, Washington, DC 20002

 

Suchitra Mattai: Myth from Matter  Final Weekend
The National Museum of Women in the Arts hosts the first solo exhibition in DC dedicated to the work of Suchitra Mattai, who explores themes of history, heritage and identity across her multidisciplinary work. The Indo-Caribbean artist examines mythology, personal narratives and colonial history through the lens of women and people of color, especially those from Southeast Asia. Visitors can see large-scale textile installations, paintings, collages and sculptures, as well as related pieces from Europe and Southeast Asia.
Hours & Admission
National Museum of Women in the Arts, 1250 New York Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20005

 

Comedian Craig Robinson poses with a serious expression, holding a keyboard over his shoulder and pointing toward the camera. The DC Improv logo is displayed in the upper right corner.

Craig Robinson
Comedian Craig Robinson started as a Chicago public school teacher and is now recognizable face to anyone that has seen "The Office." Best known for not only his stint at Dunder Mifflin but his roles in hit films and TV shows like "Killing It," "Dolemite Is My Name," "This is the End" and "Hot Tub Time Machine," Craig has hopes to help people find humor and joy in their everyday life. Beyond the screen, he delivers a standout live show, blending stand-up comedy with music for a night packed with nonstop fun.
Tickets
DC Improv Comedy Club & Restaurant, 1140 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036

 

Saturday

 

Twilight Zone: Hidden Wonders of the Ocean
ARTECHOUSE and the Woods Holde Oceanographic Institution have collaborated to highlight an awe-inspiring nightly migration of ocean twilight zone creatures and their intricate connections to the planet’s health, including their contributions to the regulation of the earth’s climate.  The groundbreaking exhibition offers a 24-minute cinematic journey with immersive 270-degree projections that span from floor to wall, complemented by six interactive installations and six XR activations. Use the code 'AEF10' for discounted tickets.
Tickets
ARTECHOUSE, 1238 Maryland Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20002

 

A black and white photo of a couple. The man is wearing a suit and hat, smoking a cigar, and holding a book. The woman stands next to him, wearing a dress and looking directly at the camera.

Gordon Parks, Husband and Wife, Sunday Morning, Detroit, Michigan (Bert Collins and Pauline Terry), 1950

Gordon Parks: Camera Portraits from the Corcoran Collection – Final Weekend
The National Gallery of Art honors one of the best set of eyes in American history with a 25-portrait exhibition. Gordon Parks revolutionized photography in post-World War II America, situating his subjects in their environment while also paying close attention to their expression, character and dress. You can see images of Muhammad Ali and Leonard Bernstein alongside shots of a Harlem gang leader and a Detroit couple in this moving tribute that features some of Parks’ most beloved photographs.
10 a.m. – 5 p.m. |  Free Admission
National Gallery of Art, 4th Street & Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC

 

Bond In Motion
Across more than six decades of films, James Bond has become the on-screen embodiment of spies for millions. The International Spy Museum pays homage to the fictional character, along with his allies and adversaries, with a breathtaking display of iconic vehicles from the movies. In total, visitors can fix their eyes on 17 pieces, including cars, motorcycles, submarines and even more from the Q Branch Garage. 
Hours & Admission
International Spy Museum, 700 L’Enfant Plaza SW, Washington, DC 20024

 

The Ford’s Theatre Legacy Commissions: A First Look
Enjoy a free two-day festival at Ford’s Theatre that showcases exciting new plays in development with members of the Theatre’s cohort of BIPOC playwrights. There are also opportunities to converse about the work, providing even more unique access to these pieces that concern unsung heroes in the battle for equality in American life.
Reserve
Ford’s Theatre, 511 10th Street NW, Washington, DC 20004

 

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum – Final Weekend
Sondheim takes ancient Rome in one of the greatest musical comedies ever. This Tony Award-winning play zeroes in on three neighboring households who notice, just outside their front doors, the exploits of a rowdy gang which includes a Roman slave, a soldier, a lovesick man and a gorgeous courtesan. You’re in for some retro Broadway brilliance at Signature Theatre in Arlington, Va.
Tickets
Signature Theatre, 4200 Campbell Avenue, Arlington, VA 22206

 

Sunday

 

Paris 1874: The Impressionist Moment
Discover the origins of one of the most important art movements in history thanks to a new exhibit at the National Gallery of Art. The museum is replicating a legendary exhibit from Paris in 1874 that helped bring about the dawn of Impressionism. In the display, you can view beloved paintings by Claude Monet, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Paul Cézanne, Edgar Degas, Camille Pissaro and many more. The exhibit closes on Jan. 19.
10 a.m. – 5 p.m. | Free Admission
National Gallery of Art, 6th Street & Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC

 

Breaking It Down: Conversations from the Vault
A new exhibit offers a deep dive and new takes on several artists who are essential mainstays of the Phillips Collection, including Georges Braque, Richard Diebenkorn, Arthur Dove, Sam Gilliam, Paul Klee and Georgia O’Keeffe. Visitors can also admire a growing collection of pieces by contemporary masters, including Sean Scully, Sylvia Snowden, Renée Stout and Joyce Wellman. Note that the exhibit closes on Jan. 19.
Hours & Admission
The Phillips Collection, 1600 21st Street NW, Washington, DC 20009

 

'In Slavery's Wake' at the National Museum of African American History and Culture

National Museum of African American History and Culture

In Slavery's Wake
The National Museum of African American History and Culture's new exhibit offers a dynamic mix of history, art and media. Visitors can observe connections between Black freedom-makers across time and join in a global conversation on the continued impacts of slavery and colonialism. The multi-lingual experience features 100 objects, 250 images and 10 multi-media interactives and films.
10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily |  Reserve Timed Passes
Smithsonian National Museum of African American History & Culture, 1400 Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20560

 

Places to Stay

 

Hotel room in the Hay Adams

Need some inspiration for a place to stay in between events? Washington, DC is filled with a multitude of hotels to fit your needs. Whether you are looking for that specialty boutique hotel or booking at your favorite hotel brand, Washington, DC's booking engine has it all. Find your stay today!
 

Do you know where you’ll be dining pre- or post-event? From pop-up restaurants to award-winning hot spots to laid-back food halls, our DC food guide is perfect for helping you plan a more memorable experience.

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