What to Know
- Friday's slated to be scorching. Introduce your lightweight summer outfit at a comedy set, concert or the Orange Soda party
- Saturday may bring sprinkles, but power through for Embassy open house tours, Kentucky Derby watch party or Cinco De Mayo celebrations.
- Sunday will end with rain, but not enough to stop your pop over to the Royal Wedding Pop Up Bar, the book festival or Sundress Fest.
The major choice this week: Would you rather wear a fancy hat, sip mint juleps while betting on the horses, or chug coronas while cheering on chihuahuas?
Well, maybe you won't have to choose.
Enjoying your weekend cheaply? Here's our top free and cheap picks in D.C.:
Photos: Free and Cheap Things to Do in Washington, DC
Parties, Eats and Drinks
Royal Wedding Pop Up Bar
Opens Friday in Shaw
Local
Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia local news, events and information
Whether you want to toast to royal love or need to cope that Prince Harry is off the market, this is your spot. Check out our preview here:
Want to Watch Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Exchange Vows? Head to This Pop-Up Bar
Free Pick
Nite Shift: Orange Soda
Friday, 9 p.m., Cardozo
It's all 2000s hip-hop and R&B at the MK Lounge. Plus, no cover! Almost as good as orange drink.
Sundress Fest 2018
Sunday, 10 a.m. to 2 a.m., Columbia Heights
Anyone is encouraged to wear their best sundress for The Wonderland Ballroom's boozy block party. If you don't have a dress, no worries — you can buy one there! Proceeds benefit DC Central Kitchen. Suggested admission is $5.
Indian Cooking Class at Heritage India
Sunday, 11 a.m., McLean Gardens
Achieving the fragrant, powerful flavors of Indian cuisine is intimidating for even dedicated home cooks. This class will teach you to cook four dishes. Tickets are about $60.
Music
Lord Huron, the M3 Rock Festival, The Temptations, a southern rock festival and Annie DiFranco are also in town this weekend. Check out our picks for upcoming concerts:
DC's Best Upcoming Concerts: Diana Ross, Beck u0026 More
Cultural and Community Connections
Holi DC
Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Potomac
Celebrate the festival of colors, which originated in India and has become a joyful, worldwide of colorful mischief. A $10 ticket gets you into the festival and two packs of colored powder to sprinkle on your friends, family and strangers.
Scavenger Hunt at the National Zoo
Sunday, 2 p.m., National Zoo
Hosted by the 20s and 30s Going Out Group, this public scavenger hunt starts at $20 per person. The winner gets a pair of movie tickets. Be sure to RSVP here.
Free Pick
Flower Mart 2018
Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m., National Cathedral
Enjoy a flood of flowers alongside an antique carousel, vendor tents, food stands, kids’ activities and entertainment on the beautiful grounds of the National Cathedral. There are some extra special events you can purchase tickets to in advance, including a special lunch on the seventh floor of the tower ($35).
Best Buddies Friendship Walk
Saturday, 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., College Park
Make new friends and support a good cause at the Best Buddies Friendship Walk. You can make a donation when you register for the walk on their website.
Free Pick
Around the World Embassy Tour
Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (times may vary)
Dozens of embassies will throw open their doors on Saturday, allowing you to travel abroad without leaving the city. You can hit many of them just northwest of Dupont Circle. Parking is available at the University of District of Columbia. The embassies are known for sharing some tasty treats each year. You can even take a special Lyft around the city:
PHOTOS: Lyft Channels Brazil, Ethiopia, Germany for Special Edition Rides
Mighty Greens Seedling Sale
Saturday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Kingman Park
Support students and young people who are working to bring healthy food to the community by shopping for your spring seedlings here. You'll find the sale at Eastern High School. Plants start at only $1.50 for spring greens!
Free Pick
Free Comic Book Day
Saturday, various comic book stores
Local comic book stores, including Fantom Comics in Dupont Circle, Aftertime Comics in Alexandria and Big Planet Comics locations throughout the DMV have signed up to participate in Free Comic Book Day. It's an event that is what it sounds like — and Fantom has already posted some pictures of 5,000 comics the staff is ready to give away.
Free Pick
Gay Day at the Zoo
Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., National Zoo
It's the National Zoo's first year participating in International Family Equality Day, and organizers promise a pizza party, free tattoos and a panda eating a rainbow cake. Yes! See details on events here.
To The Races! Kentucky Derby
Kentucky Derby Viewing Party at The Next Whisky Bar
Saturday, 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
The Watergate is offering bottomless drinks, food, a live band, ladies' hat contest and (of course) two viewing screens for the race. Tickets are about $54.
Triple Crown Get Down
Saturday, 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., Adams Morgan
Support the Willow Foundation, which funds cancer research, at Perry's derby party. An $89.50 ticket to the rooftop shindig gets you bottomless beer, wine and hors-d'oeuvres.
City Tap Dupont Kentucky Derby Party
Saturday, 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., Dupont Circle
A $35 ticket wins you access to a 2-hour open bar with mint juleps, frose and bourbon mules, food specials and a hat contest (with prizes!).
If You Can't Decide Between Margaritas and Mint Juleps...
Cinco De Derby
Saturday, 1 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Ivy City
Nestle in the sweet middle spot of the weekend diagram at Republic Restoratives. RSVP tickets available.
Speaking of races...
Sports and Sporting
Running of the Chihuahuas
Saturday, 1 p.m., The Wharf
The Running of the Chihuahuas race is probably the most important event you could attend all year:
Watch 128 Chihuahuas Race at the Wharf to Celebrate Cinco de Mayo
Friday, 7:05 p.m. — Paint at the Park
Saturday, 4:05 p.m. — Star Wars Day
Sunday, 1:35 p.m. — Nurses Appreciation Day
Nats Park has some very interesting new drinks and bites to try:
Adult Juice Packs Among Nationals Park's Newest Food and Drink Options
The Capitals
Saturday, 5 p.m., Capital One Arena
Free Pick
Casting Call: A Free Fishing Event
Saturday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Anacostia Park
All the equipment will be provided for this free learn-to-fish event outside the Aquatic Resources Education Center.
Laughs and Literacy
Back to the '80s: A Murder Mystery Comedy Show
Friday, 8 p.m., North Bethesda
Transport yourself into your favorite 1980s movie for a murder mystery. You'll find it at the Strathmore.
Three Sheets Lecture Series
Saturday, 7:30 p.m., Columbia Heights
The Wonderland Ballroom bills this donation drive as a combination between a Ted Talk and Drunk History. This week's topics cover the 1904 Summer Olympics, the Defenestration of Prague and a history of women's pockets. Consider us intrigued. The price of admission is a donation of new toiletries that go to N Street Village. RSVP to enter early.
Literary Hill BookFest
Sunday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Eastern Market
Celebrate and patronize authors and booksellers who call Capitol Hill home. Here's the schedule of events, including talks by several authors who write about D.C.
Dustin Diamond from Saved by The Bell Live
Sunday, 6 p.m., Dupont Circle
Head to the Bier Baron to see the man who played Screech perform his comedy for D.C. Tickets are about $18.
Art & Film
Washington Jewish Film Festival
Through May 13, various theatres
Catch a huge range of films including the Ruth Bader Ginsberg documentary "RBG." Here's a calander of the films.
Super Art Fight: Cinco De Mayhem!
Saturday, 8 p.m., Union Stage
Apparently, your elementary teacher was wrong. Art can be a competition, and this all-ages event at Union Stage is taking it to the next level. Tickets start at $15.
Free Pick
"2001: A Space Odyssey" Immersive Exhibit
Through May 28 at the National Air and Space Museum
You'll need a timed ticket to transport yourself into Stanley Kubrick's futuristic world. Check out our story about the exhibit here.
Free Pick
No Spectators: The Art of Burning Man at The Renwick
Through January 2019, downtown
A slice of the fantastical and larger-than-life arts festival Burning Man has taken over the Renwick Gallery and even spilled out onto the surrounding streets. Expect a lot of buzz and selfie-takers, but between the virtual reality experience, the epic Grand Salon makeover and the larger-than-life displays, it'll be worth the inevitable lines and crowds.
Check out our first look here:
Out of the Desert, Into DC: Renwick Opens Burning Man Exhibit
p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Follow landscape architect Ron Henderson’s journey following the cherry blossom trail from southern to northern Japan. His sketches exhibit not only looks at the trees themselves, but how they’re cared for. This exhibit — and all the others! — is free.</span></p>
