Our end-of-the-week picks for Aug. 30-Sept. 2
We've gathered up some fun things to do in DC this Labor Day weekend. You can also read what else is going on during the week and throughout the month.
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Friday
DC JazzFest
One of DC’s ultimate summer traditions brings national and local musicians to a range of venues all over the city, including The Wharf. Some concerts are free; most are ticketed. A lineup stacked with talent and free performances are just some of the many reasons why you should check out the 2024 edition of DC JazzFest, which marks the 20th anniversary of the festival. Confirmed artists for the upcoming celebration include Samara Joy, Stanley Clarke, Kenny Barron, Dianne Reeves, Galactic, Bill Frisell, Bobby Sanabria, Cimafunk, Emmet Cohen, Nasar Abadey and the Michael Thomas Quintet.
More info
DC Festival of Magic
Back at the Capital Hilton for a fourth year, the DC Festival of Magic brings together the best magicians in the Mid-Atlantic region for three nights of Labor Day weekend entertainment that will make your head spin.
More info
Capital Hilton, 1001 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20036
Summer Concert Series at Nationals Park: Two Friends
Postgame concerts at Nationals Park have become a summer sensation in DC. August's second edition features Two Friends, whose EDM stylings will turn the park into an all-out dance party. As soon as the Nats' game against the Chicago Cubs concludes, Two Friends will take the stage. Your game ticket purchase includes your admission to the show; you can also upgrade to on-field passes.
6:45 p.m. | Tickets
Nationals Park, 1500 South Capitol Street SE, Washington, DC 20003
Saturday
An Epic of Kings: The Great Mongol Shahnama
One of the most celebrated medieval Persian manuscripts – considered the national epic of Iran as it covers the beginning of time through the 7th century – informs a new exhibit at the National Museum of Asian Art. The Great Mongol Shahnama (now dismantled) includes stories and illustrations; the exhibit offers a rare opportunity to view 25 folios from the manuscript alongside contemporaneous works from China, the Mediterranean and the Latin West.
10 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. | Free Admission
National Museum of Asian Art, 1050 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20560
Pattern and Paradox: The Quilts of Amish Women – Final Weekend
Learn about the fascinating connection between Amish Women and quilting thanks to a new exhibit at the Smithsonian American Art Museum. Over time, the practice has transcended its utilitarian roots and become a form of artistic expression for Amish Women. Treat your eyes to a wondrous mix of colors and patterns as you marvel at the innovation of extraordinary quilts.
11:30 a.m. – 7 p.m. | Free Admission
Smithsonian American Art Museum, 8th and G Streets NW, Washington, DC 20004
Walkingtown DC: 8 Wards, 8 Days
In honor of the 25th anniversary of Walkingtown DC, Events DC is hosting special summer tours that cover the eight-ward expanse of the nation's capital. This Saturday will feature jaunts through Congress Heights in Ward 8, Penn Branch in Ward 7 and Brookland in Ward 5. Tours of the wards continue on Aug. 31 and Walkingtown DC officially kicks off its 25th anniversary celebration on Sept. 14.
ISEKAI: Blooming Parallel Worlds
ARTECHOUSE welcomes visitors to its seventh annual installation dedicated to celebrating the beauty of the cherry blossoms in DC. The museum treats your eyes to an exhibit inspired by the Isekai genre of Anime, allowing for the exploration of alternate universes stacked with colors, adventures and immersive technologies. Plus, discover Gachapons hidden throughout the exhibit to win prizes from local businesses or snag a book from the 'Isekai Library'. Make sure to take advantage of tickets with a 10% discount.
Tickets (10% off)
ARTECHOUSE, 1238 Maryland Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20024
MJ
Winner of multiple Tony Awards, this breathtaking musical centers on Michael Jackson’s 1992 Dangerous Tour, providing a rare look into the creative process behind one of the most dynamic entertainers of all-time. Created by Tony Award winner Christopher Wheeldon and two-time Pulitzer Prize winner Lynn Nottage, the acclaimed production makes its DC debut at The National Theatre.
Tickets
The National Theatre, 1321 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20004
Sunday
Pixar Putt
Pixar Putt at The Wharf – Final Weekend
Go to infinity and beyond this summer with whimsical, Pixar-themed mini-golf. The outdoor pop-up is open daily at The Wharf for a limited time and includes 18 interactive putt-putt holes inspired by some of Pixar’s most beloved films, from Toy Story and Monsters, Inc. to Turning Red and Inside Out. Book your tee time for a daytime outing or an 18+ after-hours activity.
Tickets
580 Water Street SW, Washington, DC 20024
MAMMA MIA! – Final Weekend
Even though it’s become widely known as a successful film franchise, the stage rendition of MAMMA MIA! remains an absolute musical powerhouse. The essential hits of chart-topping Swedish group ABBA serve as the soundtrack to a daughter’s journey to find the father she’s never known, which prompts the arrival of three men from her mother’s past. Set on a sun-strewn Greek island, the joyous production will be a summer highlight at the Kennedy Center.
Tickets
The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, 2700 F Street NW, Washington, DC 20566
Soft Power
Billed as a “visionary musical fantasia,” Soft Power details the story of a Chinese American playwright attacked by an unknown assailant soon after the 2016 election. The playwright then imagines a Golden Age musical comedy featuring a Chinese theater producer and Hillary Clinton. The new political satire from Tony Award winners David Henry Hwang and Jeanine Tesori debuts at Signature Theatre in Arlington, Va.
Tickets
Signature Theatre, 4200 Campbell Avenue, Arlington, VA 22206
National Symphony Orchestra's Free Labor Day Concert
The National Symphony Orchestra's free annual Labor Day weekend concert returns to the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol. The performance is free to attend and tickets are not required. Seating is first-come, first-served.
More info | Free Admission
Monday
DC Black Food & Wine Festival
Spend a day celebrating black-owned food and wine enterprises with the DC Black Food & Wine Festival hosted by MVEMNT. The event promises not only delicious fare and quality sips, but DJs, live performances and overall good vibes, channeling R&B energy from the ‘90s and early 2000s.
More info
Gateway DC, 2700 Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20032
Tuan Andrew Nguyen: The Island
In his DC debut, Tuan Andrew Nguyen presents his video work The Island (2017) alongside the sculpted headdress Bidong Spirit I, which was created specifically for the film. Both works were inspired by and reference the Malaysian island of Pulau Bidong, a landing place for Vietnamese escaping by boat after South Vietnam’s collapse in 1975.
11:30 a.m. – 7 p.m. | Free Admission
Smithsonian American Art Museum, 8th & G Streets NW, Washington, DC 20004
Places to Stay
Need some inspiration for a place to stay in between events? Washington, DC is filled with a multitude of hotels to fit your needs. Whether you are looking for that specialty boutique hotel or booking at your favorite hotel brand, Washington, DC's booking engine has it all. Find your stay today!
#Only1DC Photo of the Week
Do you know where you’ll be dining pre- or post-event? From pop-up restaurants to award-winning hot spots to laid-back food halls, our DC food guide is perfect for helping you plan a more memorable experience.
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