It’s more than just another weekend, Washingtonians! Memorial Day Weekend (May 26-29) is officially here, and it’s a busy weekend for Washington, D.C. From poignant events commemorating Memorial Day and members of the armed services to more generalized fun-filled outings and getaways celebrating the three-day weekend and taking another step toward summer, D.C. has it all! To help you make the most of Memorial Day Weekend, Secret D.C. broke down some of the events you don’t want to miss:
1. Catch a concert at your favorite local venue
- The Anthem: Hippo Campus (May 26)
- 9:30 Club: The Walkmen (May 26), Bloc Party (May 27), Indigo De Souza (May 29)
- Echostage: The Martinez Brothers & Seth Troxler (May 26), Boiler Room: DC (May 28)
2. Head to the theatre for one of these plays, musicals, or ballets
- National Theatre
- “Beetlejuice” (May 16-28)
- Woolly Mammoth Theatre
- “Incendiary” (May 23-June 25)
3. Bust a gut at one of these comedy shows
What better way to destress after a long week than having a laugh at a comedy show? Whether you like stand-up or improv, there’s bound to be something here that tickles your funny bone!
- D.C. Improv: Michael Blackson (May 26-27)
4. Go to Jazz in the Garden
As the month ends and summer nears, D.C.’s favorite concert series Jazz in the Garden will return! Every Friday night from May 19 through August 4, the National Gallery of Art hosts an outdoor concert in its Sculpture Garden. Featuring a range of jazz, bluegrass, and Afro-Cuban music, attendees can enjoy the weather, tunes, and gorgeous views. You can register to attend at noon exactly one week prior to each concert. Learn more here.
5. Commemorate Memorial Day and honor members of the armed services and veterans
D.C. is naturally full of U.S. history and monuments, and going into Memorial Day these offer great ways to honor the day:
- National Memorial Day Concert. (May 28)
- Rolling to Remember Veterans Motorcycle Rally. (May 28)
- National Memorial Day Parade. (May 29)
- Visit Arlington Cemetery and see Flags In.
- Visit monuments like the Iwo Jima Memorial, National World War II Memorial, Vietnam Veterans Memorial and the Vietnam Women’s Memorial, Korean War Veterans Memorial, and the American Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial.
6. Take a last-minute trip for the three-day weekend
There’s still time to plan your weekend escape, commemorate Memorial Day, and celebrate the beginning of summer! From the sandy shores of Delaware to the stunning heights of Maryland, sneak a peek below at some of the best last-minute trips not too far from D.C., then see the full list here.
- Harpers Ferry, Maryland.
- Rehoboth Beach, Delaware.
- Williamsburg, Virginia.
7. Head to Hi-Lawn for its four-day “grill-out and picnic party”
Can’t get out of the District but still itching to celebrate the long weekend and gorgeous weather with a good ole grill out and picnic? Hi-Lawn has you covered! Friday through Monday, not only will they have their typical food and drink offerings but you can indulge in some specials, like ribs, BBQ chicken, baked mac’n’cheese, and more! Add on the 90s music and lawn games, and it’s the ideal weekend plan! Learn more here.
8. Shop The Outrage’s AANHPI Pop-Up Market
D.C.’s activism-clothing shop, The Outrage, will be hosting an AANHPI Pop-Up Market on Saturday, May 27, featuring products from local small businesses owned by Asian American, Pacific Islander American, and Native American entrepreneurs. Learn more here.
9. Visit the Smithsonian National Zoo
There’s so much going on at the National Zoo they can bear-ly contain it! Two Andean bear cubs have made their debut, an endangered female western lowland gorilla is pregnant, and the Bird House has reopened after a six-year closure! Learn more here.
10. Watch a movie outdoors
What’s better than a free outdoor movie?! Just outside of D.C. at National Harbor, May 4 kicked off the beginning of its Movies on the Potomac series. Fun for all ages, every 6 p.m. on Sunday features a family-friendly film, and this Sunday, May 21 is “Sonic The Hedgehog 2.”
11. Take a tiki cruise on the Potomac
Enjoy the weather from a Potomac Tiki Club cruise in Georgetown! Groups of 8-18 can set sail on the Potomac for a 90-minute cruise, taking in the sights and having a drink. The tiki cruise offers an assortment of alcoholic beverages for purchase on board, and you can bring your own bottle of wine or champagne for an $8 uncorking fee. Light snacks are also available for purchase, but the cruise is BYOF (bring your own food). You can schedule a slot for an upcoming weekend, here!
12. Explore this enchanting trail of beautiful Bluebells
Cherry blossom season has passed, and the tulips are out—but there’s another breathtaking flower in the midst of its peak bloom: the bluebells. That’s where Bull Run Regional Park in Virginia comes into play! At Bull Run Regional Park, a sea of bluebells cover the ground, coining it the “Bluebell Trail” to all those who cross it. Learn more here.