Things to Do DC

The Weekend Scene: 25 things to do for the last weekend of February

Ice Yards, a new exhibit at the Spy Museum and watching Oscar-nominated shorts and films are on tap for the last weekend of February 2024

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Can you believe this is the last weekend in February?

Aside from the special days like Super Bowl Sunday, Valentine's Day and National Margarita Day (on Thursday, Feb. 22!), we see February as a month for museums, shows and movies. This weekend has plenty of each!

Those indoor activities will be welcome with Friday rain and a chilly Saturday in the forecast.

But spring is right around the corner. DC United’s home opener is Saturday, and the Nats are at spring training.

One last thing: we're flowering with joy to get ready for cherry blossom season! Stay in the loop by signing up for The Weekend Scene newsletter.

Amber Ruffin and Riki Lindhome headline Downtown at the KC Cabaret

Fri. and Sat., The Kennedy Center, $29-$39
🔗 Details

The host of the "Amber Ruffin Show" will headline Friday's show and the comedian you may know from "Wednesday" or "Garfunkel and Oates" will lead Saturday's. The weekend of comedy will be hosted by drag king and comedian Murray Hill.

I spy something new at the Spy Museum

You can see America's first official attempt at espionage now at the Spy Museum – and a version of George Washington who you may recognize from Broadway is helping tell the story.

The Spy Museum has revamped its “Spying Launched a Nation” exhibit, telling the story of America’s first spy network, the Culper Spy Ring, the museum says.

Christopher Jackson, who played Washington in “Hamilton,” brings the former president to life. In hologram-esque form, he reads a one-page letter signed by Washington in 1777 granting spymaster Nathaniel Sackett $500 to set up an intelligence network.

Pro tip: Tickets are cheaper if you buy in advance, the museum says.

A bold new circus is bringing its unique style to Capital One Hall in Tysons. Omnium Circus puts performers of all abilities in the spotlight. News4’s Tommy McFly reports.

Omnium Circus

Sat., 7 p.m., Capital One Hall in Tysons, $39+ 
🔗 Details

Omnium, "a bold new circus" is bringing their unique style to Capital One Hall in Tysons, putting performers of all abilities in the spotlight.

Ice Yards

Sat., The Yards Park, $15
🔗 Details

Have an icy good time at this wintry party benefitting Special Olympics DC.

Take a spin on the “world’s longest shot ski” (3 p.m.), a snowboarding simulator, iceless curling and more activities before warming up around a fire pit. 

Want to try the Polar Bear Plunge? An above-ground swimming pool right in Yards Park will let fundraisers take the plunge. Sign up in advance to participate.

Tickets include a drink voucher and a $5 donation to Special Olympics DC. You can purchase them on the website or at the event.

REACH to FOREST Festival

Free pick
Through March 3, the Kennedy Center
🔗 Details

The Kennedy Center has rebooted its festival exploring art, nature and the environment with tons of talks, film screenings and two free family days, Forest Youth Day this Sunday and Forest Wildlife Afternoon on March 3.

If you’re willing to spend $15, you can step inside a 360-degree immersive cinema dome to see an animated 3D movie, “The Life of Trees.”

Film festivals

Grab some popcorn because it’s a great weekend for movies.

The 25th D.C. Independent Film Forum this week showcases 70 feature films, shorts and documentaries, including locally-produced docs “District of Second Chances” and “Feast Your Ears.”

The Smithsonian's Mother Tongue Film Festival is back at the National Museum of the American Indian with free screenings in languages you may have never heard before.

Oscar nominees

Need to catch up on Oscar nominees before the Academy Awards on March 10?

Best-picture nominees are returning to Regal and AMC theaters, and some tickets are just $5.

For something a little different, Oscar-nominated short films on the big screen always tug at our heartstrings.

  • Coming up: The D.C. Film Society hosts an Oscars watch party at Arlington Drafthouse every year. Tickets are on sale now.

Concerts this weekend

Rhett Miller, 8 p.m. Friday, Miracle Theatre, $25

The hip-shakingest frontman of alt-country icons Old 97’s — and a human shampoo commercial — performs solo in a more intimate setting. Details

Robbins, 10 p.m. Saturday, Comet Ping Pong, $18.54

Baltimore/D.C. legend who fronted post-hardcore cult heroes Jawbox (among many others) celebrates the release of his new solo record. Details

Ken Vandermark’s Edition Redux, 7 p.m. Saturday, $10-$25

MacArthur Prize-winning reedist’s latest ensemble — a quarter — plays jazz informed by various genres from funk to post-punk and experimental jazz of Europe. Details

Things to do in D.C.

Washington DC Travel & Adventure Show
Sat. and Sun., Washington Convention Center, $16

Ruck the Runway drag show fundraiser
Sat., 9 p.m., Kiki in Northwest D.C., no cover

Family Funday: Story Time with Black Children's Book Authors
Sun., metrobar in  640 Rhode Island Avenue NW, $5 per family

Things to do in Maryland

‘80s murder mystery
Thurs., 6 p.m., Le Fantome Food Hall in Riverdale Park, $20-$24

A Hip-Hop 50th Anniversary Celebration with Wordsmith (early show) and DJ Oso Fresh (late show)
Fri., BlackRock Center for the Arts in Germantown, $25

Mean Girls Drag Show
Sat., Pherm Brewing Company in Gambrills, $15

Greenbelt Animal Shelter Volunteer Orientation
Sat., 4 p.m., City of Greenbelt Police Department, free

Things to do in Virginia

Virginia Black History Month Gala
Sat., Hilton Alexandria Center, $95+

Culpeper Downtown Carnival
Sat., 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., free 

Goat Yoga
Sun., 1 p.m., Faith Lutheran Church in Arlington, $40

Championing Black Art: A Conversation with Myrtis Bedolla
Sun., 2 p.m., Smithsonian American Art Museum, free

Daryl Davis Presents: Thanks for the Memories 2023
Sun., 7:30 p.m., The Birchmere. $39.50

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