It’s a great weekend to be in the D.C. area. Tommy McFly breaks down things to do, including a festival about fun and thoughtful choices, a monster truck show and a dazzling Lunar New Year display.
Subscribe to The Weekend Scene newsletter to get our picks delivered straight to your inbox — every Wednesday
It’s also Taylor Bowl in Baltimore weekend! Of course, we hope the Ravens and Chiefs have fun on Sunday, but we're on Taylor Swift watch. She skipped the DMV on The Eras Tour, but maybe she will make Maryland fans' wildest dreams come true by showing up to M&T Bank Stadium for the game.
Oh, yes, the game… Any Ravens fans out there? Good luck! Fun fact: It’s Baltimore’s first time hosting the AFC championship. It's a big deal: The winner goes to the Super Bowl.
If you're headed to Baltimore for the game or are now inspired to take a day trip, check out this week's edition of The Weekend Scene newsletter for our highlights in Charm City.
Storm Team4 says Friday will be wonderfully mild, and there's a 100% chance you'll want to be outside to replenish some vitamin D. Make the most of it before rain comes back late Saturday.
One last note before we get to it: A huge thank you to everyone who volunteered with us at Wreaths Out. We loved meeting you!
What to do outside on Friday
The Scene
The most fun things to do and places to be in D.C., Maryland and Virginia
Spring, is that you? Last weekend, we were sledding, but this Friday will be about pleasant strolls and outdoor happy hours.
Take a walk or hike – without the mud
Since the ground is still soft and muddy, try these trails to protect your shoes:
- It's a fantastic day to do a loop on the sidewalks throughout the National Mall. Head to the Tidal Basin to check on D.C.'s famous cherry trees: They might be showing some signs of life.
- The Anacostia Riverwalk Trail includes 12 miles of paved roads through forests, fields and marshland, including Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens, the National Park Service said. It’s open to bikers and walkers alike. Here’s a map.
- Two trails on Teddy Roosevelt Island are paved with gravel, and the Swamp Trail includes a boardwalk. Drivers should enter the park from the George Washington Memorial Parkway in Arlington. It's a 10 to 15-minute walk from the Rosslyn Metro station. Here are directions.
- The paved Capital Crescent Trail is always a great option for walkers and bikers. Just watch out for some Purple Line construction-related detours between Bethesda and Silver Spring.
- The Neabsco Creek Boardwalk in Woodbridge is a 3/4-mile trail over marshland. It's part of the Potomac National Scenic Heritage Trail.
- Great Falls has a boardwalk path that's accessible to strollers and wheelchairs, and it leads to spectacular views. Enter it from the Great Falls Tavern Visitor's Center. Entry passes cost $20 per car.
Winter Restaurant Week (Outside Version)
On the Restaurant Week website, there's a drop-down menu to filter all your options for outdoor dining
As always, we strongly recommend reservations.
Lulu's Winegarden is one option with reservations available for its streatery and outdoor patio. "Golden Hour" runs 4-6 p.m. with food and drink specials, plus they're still running Restaurant Week deals.
Tiki on 18th's Adams Morgan streatery has great views for people watching and tropical cocktails to really make you feel like you're on a mid-January vacation. They're serving Restaurant Week specials through Sunday.
DC Mural Tour
Every Thursday, Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., $30
Details
Take a long lunch break to check out the street art in NoMa and the Union Market area.
Capitol Riverfront Community Skate Night
Fri., 7-10 p.m., Canal Park in Southeast D.C., free for first 100 skaters
Details
The first 100 skaters will enjoy free admission and skates at the rink. DJ CiCi will be spinning until 10 p.m.
Beer gardens
It's the perfect time to revisit a favorite beer garden, such as Wunder Garten in NoMa; Dacha in Shaw or Navy Yard; Continental Beer Garden in Rosslyn; Silver Branch in Silver Spring or Street Car 82 Brewing in Hyattsville.
metrobar
This bar near the Rhode Island Avenue Metro station has free live music on Fridays from 7-10 p.m. This week, singer and songwriter Zac Brewer will take the stage.
If you get chilly, head to the heated railcar bar, lounge and platform.
D.C. concerts this weekend
Mystery Friends
6:30 p.m. Friday, Atlantis, $20
D.C. synth-pop duo (expands exponentially for live shows) delivers haunting and danceable disco as well as they do dark, shimmering new wave. Details.
Chilton
8 p.m. Saturday, Slash Run, $10
Scorching, frenetic and infectious punks come down from New York with a new LP. Longtime D.C. hardcore/punk/metal band The Mostly Dead shares the bill. Details.
More things to do in D.C.
Free pick
"Killers of the Flower Moon" screening
Sat., doors open 12:30 p.m., American Indian Museum
🔗 Details
Whether you watch award shows or you don’t, we all love talking about the snubs and the surprises... and watching great movies.
Martin Scorsese’s Osage three-and-a-half hour epic “Killers of the Flower Moon” was nominated for 10 Oscars.
If you missed it on the big screen or don't have Apple TV, the American Indian Museum has you covered. The theater's doors open at 12:30 p.m. Seating is first come, first served, and leave the popcorn behind! No food or drink are allowed.
"Costumes from the film will be on view to the public through Sunday," the museum says.
Black Cat dance parties
Looking for a Taylor fix closer to home? Black Cat will fill the blank space in your Swiftie heart at The Taylor Rave on Friday night. Tickets are $30 at the door or cheaper if you buy in advance. They promise “only Taylor all night.” Ready for it?
But if you're into all things aughts and indie, check out the Hot Fuss dance party on Saturday ($10 advance/$15 day of show).
See also
- Mindful Drinking Fest 2024: Fri. to Sun., Union Market, $99-$149
- Washington Auto Show: Through Sun., Washington Convention Center, $7-$20
- Monster Jam: Sat. and Sun., Capital One Arena, $20+
- “Annie”: Through Sun., The National Theatre, $59+
In Maryland
- Lunar New Year decor at MGM National Harbor: Through March 17, free to visit
- 'Next to Normal': “Groundbreaking rock musical” at Round House Theatre: 1/24 to 2/25, Bethesda, $46+
In Virginia
- Astronomy Festival: Sat., 5-7:30 p.m., Turner Farm Park Observatory in Great Falls, $10
- Grand Princess Show and Character Experience: Sun., 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., The George Washington Masonic National Memorial in Alexandria, $35 (free for kids under 24 months)
The Future Scene
- Hey, hey, you, you, want to see Avril Lavigne in concert? For fans in the Washington, D.C. area, it is anything but complicated. The Greatest Hits tour is coming to Virginia in August.
- The Polar Bear Plunge 2024 is next weekend! We are proud as a peacock to partner together with you to support Special Olympics and thousands of amazing athletes across the DMV. Here's how to donate to our team or sign up with your own team to plunge.
- Curling and Cocktails is back at The Wharf. This super popular event fills up fast; registration for the next session opens at 5 a.m. Thursday.
- Tickets for the Valentine’s Day edition of Phillips after 5, set for Thursday, Feb. 1, are on sale now.
Allison Hageman was essential to this weekend's roundup.
Want to know what's up for your weekend? Sign up for The Weekend Scene, our newsletter about events, experiences and adventures for you and for your family around the DMV.
