Good day, DC!
Check out Studio Theatre’s new coming-of-age play Jonah. Or catch a bit of sunshine outdoors at Ireland at the Wharf, a music-filled St. Patrick’s Day festival.
Best Things to Do This Week and Weekend
March 9–15
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- National Gallery Nights. National Gallery Nights features an artsy garden party where you can dress in your best spring attire, craft floral art, and find more blossom-inspired fun (Thurs, free but registration required, limited walk-in tickets available, National Gallery of Art).
- Jonah at Studio Theatre. Playwright Rachel Bonds’s new production Jonah narrates a woman’s journey through school, romance, and the complexities of modern adulthood (Wed through April 19, $55+, Logan Circle).
- Ireland at The Wharf. Celebrate good luck at Ireland at the Wharf this weekend. The giant St. Patrick’s Day party returns for all ages. Indulge in live performances by the lasses and lads of Virginia-based Boyle School of Irish Dance, Baltimore’s Poehemia, and a blend of hits from the 19th Street Band. There are also drink specials at area bars and a showing of the Wales vs. Italy Six Nations Rugby match on the big screen at Transit Pier (Sat, free, Wharf).
- Awesome Con. Pop culture and anime fans can nerd out over cosplay and video games at Awesome Con . This year’s convention features music trivia, lip sync sing-alongs, fashion shows, and meet-and-greets with celebrity actors (Fri-Sun, $70+, Mount Vernon Square).
- As You Like It at Folger Theatre. See popular Shakespearean rom-com As You Like It at Folger Theatre. The production puts a local spin on the timeless story with a setting and themes that pay homage to DC’s culture (Tues through April 12, $20+, Capitol Hill).
- SHE:DC Art Show. Shop Made in DC is hosting another round of SHE:DC for Women’s History Month. The month-long commemoration uplifts women and non-binary artists and creatives by showcasing their work, distributing grants, hosting panel discussions, and featuring businesses at pop-up markets. One of the largest events on the SHE:DC program is a curated art show opening on Thursday with 450 pieces of work created by 200 women and non-binary artists at Shop Made in DC in Georgetown and a pop-up space in Dupont Circle (Thurs, $15 for opening party, Dupont Circle).
Want More Things to Do?
Arts and culture:
- Listen or participate in a Women’s History Month Poetry Slam (Mon, $14, Northeast DC).
- Test your movie knowledge at this Oscars-themed trivia at DC Arts Center (Tues, $10, Adams Morgan).
- Binge an array of movies from African filmmakers at New African Film Festival (Fri through March 26, $150, Silver Spring).
- Commemorate the start of springtime at the Nowruz Family Festival (Sat, free, Smithsonian National Museum of Asian Art).
- Sip matcha while learning new recipes from Martha Stewart’s cookbook at SHE:DC Pop-Up (Sun, $40, Downtown).
- Spring is on the horizon. Mark the occasion with shopping, music, and art at Norooz Market (Sun, free, Brookland).
Community:
- Dance the night away at the Pink Tie Party (Fri, $275, Union Station).
- There’s Indian cuisine, color throwing, and more Holi celebrations at Holi in the District (Fri, free, Union Market).
Theater and shows:
- DC native Jonathan Spector presents his new play Eureka Day at Theater J (Wed through April 5, $70, Northwest DC).
- Women storytellers from Story District share laughable and bold narratives at Penn Social (Thurs, $35, Penn Quarter).
- Ford’s Theatre’s 1776 musical presents an enlightening and comedic look at the Founding Fathers’s road to establishing America (Fri through May 16, $58+, Penn Quarter).
- Capital Comedy Festival returns to DAR Constitution Hall with top comics Lavell Crawford, Sommore, Joe Clair, and Don DC Curry (Sat, $83+, Downtown).
- Experience a moving ballet at Forever is a Feeling in connection with “The Outwin 2025: American Portraiture Today” exhibit (Sat, free, registration encouraged, Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery).
Music and concerts:
- Hear genre-blending jazz from keyboardist Chris Hon at Strathmore (Wed, March 18, 25, Bethesda).
- Groove to throwback tunes from the 00’s performed live by So Fetch at 9:30 Club (Fri, $32.50, Shaw).
- R&B singer Mario is live in concert at Ivy City’s tropical-themed bar and entertainment hangout Throw Social DC (Sat, $40+, Ivy City).
- Emo Night Brooklyn gets the party started with emo and punk music at 9:30 Club (Sat, $36.50, Shaw).
Bites and beverages:
- Jumpstart your St. Patrick’s Day partying at Ireland’s Four Courts’s 30th anniversary bash (Wed, free, Arlington).
- Taste single origin coffee and learn about the cupping process at Grace Street Coffee Roasters (Sat, $18, Georgetown).
- Cozy vinyl record bar and lounge Press Club collabs with Mexico City’s award-winning mixologists Licorería Limantour for a special evening of curated cocktails and great vibes (Sun, free entry, Dupont Circle).
Sports:
- Our beloved women’s soccer team Washington Spirit kick off their home opener against the Portland Thorns (Fri, $25+, Audi Field).
Get involved:
- Eat endless spaghetti and meatballs to help raise funds for culinary scholarships and internships (Sat, $103, Navy Yard).
Things to do with kids:
- Families and students can join coloring workshops, meet artists, and do more crafts at the Big Draw at the National Building Museum (Sat, free, Penn Quarter).
- Kiddos can join storytime, solve math equations, and eat pizza for Pi Day at the National Children’s Museum (Sat, $19, Downtown).
If you enjoyed these events, please don’t forget to share this post with a friend on social media, and sign up for our newsletter for more things to do.
Briana A. Thomas is a local journalist, historian, and tour guide who specializes in the research of D.C. history and culture. She is the author of the Black history book, Black Broadway in Washington, D.C., a story that was first published in Washingtonian in 2016.
