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Remember how, just a few days ago, Mariah Carey announced, "It's timeeeeee!" Yes, it's been a long week. And now, all we want for the weekend is you… to find something that makes you smile!
If you want to tune out the noise, you can touch grass, deck the halls or party with pupusas. Give back by finding a way to honor Veterans Day, and dance it out at a concert.
And above all else, take care of yourself!
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Four things to know about the weekend:
- Weekend Weather: Saturday is looking sunny, but Storm Team4 is tracking rain chances for Sunday.
- The Washington Spirit are in the playoffs. On Sunday, watch them play Bay FC at Audi Field in the quarterfinal match.
- Need to decompress after this week? If you're feeling the election stress, here's where to calm down — or let it out — in D.C., and why it works.
- An interactive Green Book exhibit is at D.C.'s MLK Library.
Weekend highlights
Free pick
Autumn Arts of Nature: Bonsai, Stones, and Mums
Through Nov. 17, The National Bonsai & Penjing Museum at the U.S. National Arboretum
The National Bonsai & Penjing Museum is showcasing its red maples, yellow ginkgo and fruited trees in formal displays alongside chrysanthemums from around the globe. Tiny trees, perfectly trimmed and changing to fall colors? That’s our idea of tranquility. It’s located within the National Arboretum, which is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily and features tons of nature-filled walking paths.
Winter Walk of Lights at Meadowlark Botanical Gardens
Opens Fri., Vienna, Virginia, $18-$22 per person
🔗 Details
Meadowlark Botanical Garden’s Winter Walk of Lights opens Friday, inviting visitors to follow a 0.6-mile, paved trail filled with sparkling trees, glittering nature and holiday scenes. Then, warm up by sipping hot cocoa or roasting s’mores.
Winter Walk of Lights will run through Jan. 5. Dogs will be allowed on select pup nights.
Free pick
National Harbor Holiday Tree Lighting & Fireworks
Sat., 5:30 p.m.
🔗 Details
Watch National Harbor’s 60-foot tree come to life and enjoy fireworks lighting up the night sky. The lighting is set for 5:30 p.m., then the tree will put on a sparkly show every half hour until 9 p.m.
Washington Spirit playoff quarterfinal march and fan festivities
Sun., game begins at 12:30 p.m., Audi Field, $25+
🔗 Details
The Washington Spirit are returning to the National Women’s Soccer League playoffs for the first time since winning the championship in 2021.
Fans are encouraged to wear black for a blackout.
Before the game, supporters can gather at Solace Outpost in Navy Yard starting at 8 a.m. A Supporter’s March to Audi Field is set to begin at 11:15 a.m.
Outside Gate A, fans will find free samples of Delola spritzes (for those 21+), a coffee market and tailgate games. The first 7,000 fans to arrive will get a “Spirit vs. Everyone” flag.
The post-party will be fueled by drink specials at both Dacha Beer Garden and BlueJacket in Navy Yard.
Here's more information on Sunday’s festivities.
National Pupusa Day
Now that D.C. is home to the world record for the largest pupusa (20 feet wide!), we really have to live it up for National Pupusa Day on Sunday, Nov. 10.
El Tamarindo has helped fuel D.C.’s love of the iconic Salvadoran dish since the ‘80s, making it a great place to celebrate all things pupusa.
On Pupusa Day, the restaurant is throwing an all-day celebration with a free dance workout class, a pupusa-making workshop, face painting, DJs and plenty of food and drink specials. The family-friendly celebration is set to kick off at 10 a.m. You’re welcome to bring something to donate to the winter clothing drive.
At 8 p.m., the restaurant will shift to an industry night party that’s for ages 21+.
You don’t have to wait until the weekend to celebrate, though!
Special Cuban-inspired pupusas, which El Tamarindo teamed up with Colada Shop to develop, are available on Uber Eats through Sunday.
Check out the Spanish immersion pupusa class on Wednesday or the cocktail and pupusa class on Thursday (each costs $60).
La Casita Pupuseria is also celebrating at its four locations, including the newest one in Laurel.
Concerts this weekend
Andre 3000, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Kennedy Center, $99+
Half of the Grammy-winning hip-hop legends OutKast, Andre Benjamin dazzled as a flutist on his mesmerizing, Eno-esque, ambient album “New Blue Sun.” Opening singer/producer serpentwithfeet brings a gripping array of R&B, soul, gospel and electronic music. Details.
Blitzen Trapper, 8 p.m. Saturday, Black Cat, $25
Convenient to label this veteran Portland, Oregon, band alt-country, but the sound turns to folk, alternative rock and even The Beatles. Details.
Knocked Loose, 7 p.m. Sunday, The Anthem, $45-$65
As appropriate a name for a band as any. The metalcore punks will rattle your bones. Fourth LP “You Won’t Go Before You’re Supposed To” is heavier and denser than anything they’ve released so far. Details.
Things to do in D.C.
Spanish immersion pupusa class (Weds.) and pupusas and cocktails class (Thurs.): El Tamarindo at 1785 Florida Ave. NW, $60
Washingtonian's Whiskey, Wine & Fine Spirits Festival: Thurs., 6:30 p.m., Dock5 at Union Market, $80
HBCU First LOOK Film Festival: Fri. to Sun., Howard University Blackburn Center, $15 - $30
Czech Christmas Market: Sat., Embassy of Czechia in Northwest D.C., free but timed ticket required
Day of the Dead exhibit: El muerto al pozo y el vivo al gozo: Open to general public Nov. 4-27, Mexican Cultural Institute (2829 16th St NW), free
Side Yards: Fri., 5:30-8:30 p.m., The Yards Park, free
Eastern Market November Fest: Sat. and Sun., 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., free
Veteran Comedy Night: Sat., doors at 7 p.m., Penn Social (801 E St. NW), $10-$20
Day Of The Dead Masquerade Embassy Gala: Sat., 8:15 to 11:45 p.m., The Mexican Cultural Institute, $139
El Tamarindo’s National Pupusa Day celebration: Sun., 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., 1785 Florida Ave. NW, free
Washington Spirit vs. Bay FC in home quarterfinal match: Sun., 12:30 p.m., Audi Field, $25+
Things to do in Maryland
Martin Lawrence: Thurs., Fri. and Sat., The Theater at MGM National Harbor,
Illusions by Vick as Professor Snape: Sat., 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., Arts Barn in Gaithersburg, $10
61st Annual Danish Christmas Bazaar: Sat., 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saint Elizabeth's Church (917 Montrose Road, Rockville), free (cash and check only for purchases)
National Harbor Holiday Tree Lighting & Fireworks: Sat., 5:30 p.m., free
Commanders vs. Steelers: Sun., 1 p.m., Northwest Stadium in Landover
Holiday Movies on the Potomac – “Elf”: Sun., National Harbor, free
Things to do in Virginia
Great Country Farms Dino Fest: Oct. 31 to Nov. 24, Bluemont, Virginia, $29.99 plus fees in advance, $32 at the gate
31st Annual Northern Virginia Christmas Market: Fri. to Sun., Dulles Expo Center in Chantilly, $9 (free for kids 12 and under)
Reston Town Center Ice Skating Rink: Opens Fri.
Winter Walk of Lights: Nov. 8 to Jan. 5, Meadowlark Botanical Gardens in Vienna, $18-$22
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