The 34 best things to do in D.C. this weekend and next week

Saturday, May 18
Return to menuFiesta Asia
Update: This event has been postponed until June 1. The annual Fiesta Asia shuts down Pennsylvania Avenue between Third and Sixth streets NW to showcase more than 20 Asian cultures in honor of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. Look for live music and dance performances representing multiple countries, a karaoke stage, a cosplay contest, martial arts demonstrations, hands-on games and crafts for kids, a large vendor area, and a “food alley” featuring local and New York City restaurants that is apparently 50 percent larger than last year’s. 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Free.
Loudoun Farm Tour
The Loudoun Farm Tour is a way to immerse city slickers — kids and adults alike — in the rural communities on the other side of Dulles Airport. The 38 farms open their doors for more than just talks about farm management or letting kids come face to face with barnyard friends such as pigs, donkeys and llamas. Over two days, taste raw honey straight from an apiary or try a scoop of all-natural ice cream on a dairy farm. Learn how craft beer goes from the field to the bottle or tour farms dedicated to mushrooms, garlic or tea leaves. This year, the tour includes shuttle buses running on loops between farms, leaving from four locations, including the Ashburn Metro station. Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Free; farms may charge for tours and activities.
Museum Walk Weekend in Dupont Circle
Of the seven museums featured on the Dupont Kalorama Museums Consortium’s annual open house, the Phillips Collection is by far the best known — and that’s your cue to put on some comfortable shoes and go exploring. Admission is free at the National Museum of American Jewish Military History, Dumbarton House, Anderson House, Dupont Underground, the Woodrow Wilson House and the Mansion on O Street, as well as the Phillips, with special tours, talks and activities throughout the weekend. Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Some museums may stay open longer.) Free; tickets needed to see special exhibitions at the Phillips.
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Africa on the Avenue at Bruce Monroe Park
Washington’s African heritage and community are celebrated during Africa on the Avenue, held in Park View’s Bruce Monroe Park. There’s music from a variety of DJs and artists, including the Ethiopian fusion of the Feedel Band, the Grammy-nominated songs of Malian griot Cheick Hamala Diabate, and the Farafina Kan drummers and dancers. For families, there’s a foam party, double Dutch, hula hoops and interactive art projects. Vendors will be selling African coffee, head wraps, braiding, clothing, books and pepper sauces. 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Free.
Bourbon and Bluegrass at President Lincoln’s Cottage
President Lincoln’s lawn turns into a music festival during Bourbon and Bluegrass, the biggest annual fundraiser for preservation efforts at President Lincoln’s Cottage. Bring a picnic blanket for this two-day concert, which combines cocktails and tunes from fiddlers and folksy artists, as well as exterior tours of the cottage in Petworth where Lincoln spent summers during his presidency. Saturday’s lineup brings Baltimore’s Letitia VanSant to D.C., along with Hubby Jenkins and Adeem the Artist, while Sunday’s sets feature Jake Blount, David Wax Museum and Senora May. Saturday and Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m. Single-day admission: $50-$70 adults, $35 ages 7 to 20. Two-day admission: $75-$115 adults, $50 ages 7 to 20. Free for ages 6 and younger.
Bladensburg Waterfront Art Festival
Painting and pontoon boats meet at Bladensburg Waterfront Park’s outdoor arts party, which features a market of local artists, hands-on community art projects, demonstrations and activities for kids. Adults can sip beer or wine, and all ages can enjoy live music and free boat tours on the Anacostia River. Noon to 5 p.m. Free.
Lincoln Strawberry Festival
Supermarket strawberries have nothing on a freshly picked red berry, which you’ll find in abundance at the inaugural Lincoln Strawberry Festival in Loudoun County. This two-day fundraiser from Wegmeyer Farms begins Saturday morning with a strawberry pancake smorgasbord (buy a separate breakfast ticket in advance) and continues with musical performances, a strawberry baby fashion show, tractor rides, and eating competitions for strawberry pie and strawberry ice cream. Sunday’s schedule is similar, swapping in 4-H animal presentations in the morning instead of pancakes. Each day, you’ll be able to pick your own strawberries for purchase while supplies last. Proceeds benefit a variety of local causes. Saturday and Sunday from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. $15; free for kids age 2 and under.
Korean Bell Garden Celebration at Meadowlark Botanical Gardens
Did you know that Vienna’s Meadowlark Botanical Gardens is home to the only Korean Bell Garden in the Western Hemisphere? This unique cultural destination, with a pavilion holding a three-ton bell at its center, is often a place of quiet contemplation, but the vibes are much livelier during the annual Korean Bell Garden Celebration, organized by the Korean American Cultural Committee, thanks to traditional Korean music and dance performances, taekwondo demonstrations, and free Korean food and drinks. The highlight of the ceremony is the ringing of the bell. Picnics are not allowed, but picnic blankets and low chairs are. In the spirit of the celebration, the usual admission fees are waived between 10 a.m. and noon. 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Free.
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Ballston Quarterfest Crawl
Update: This event has been postponed until June 29. The days of teenagers cruising the stores at Ballston Common Mall are long gone, but it’s still possible to cruise through the neighborhood, checking out music and happy hours — especially during the annual Quarterfest Crawl. More than 30 restaurants are offering deals on Saturday, ranging from free food samples to discounted cocktails. Five is the magic number: $5 will get you frozen fruit punch margaritas at El Rey, Vietnamese ube coffee at Hot Lola’s, any draft beer at Ballston Local, an order of wings at First Down or a trio of empanadas at Turu’s. Meanwhile, DJs, singer-songwriters and dueling pianos provide the soundtrack at Ballston Quarter or local bars. The Washington Capitals — who practice at Ballston Quarter — are hosting a kids’ zone with hockey activities and an appearance by mascot Slapshot. Noon to 7 p.m. Free.
Shirlington Spring Fling
The third annual block party features a curated market with 60 local makers in the streets of Shirlington, plus live music, family activities, lawn games and discounts at restaurants and bars — for example, decorate mini-doughnuts at Astro Beer Hall before a game of cornhole on the patio. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Free.
Republic Restoratives Eighth Anniversary Party
When Republic Restoratives opened its doors in May 2016, it was part of D.C.’s growing “Distillery District,” alongside Ivy City neighbors Green Hat Gin, One Eight Distilling and Jos. A. Magnus. Republic Restoratives has managed to outlast them all. Join the city’s first woman-owned distillery for an afternoon of free guided bourbon and whiskey tastings and a special anniversary cocktail, plus barbecue from Cinder. 2 to 7 p.m. $20; includes tastings and cocktail.
Good Vibes Only Block Party at Sandlot Georgetown
Good Vibes Only started throwing block parties and events in the organizers’ native Houston, featuring headliners like Curren$y and Ari Lennox. This summer, the festivals are going on the road, including a stop in D.C. before heading to New Orleans. Head to the Sandlot, the outdoor bar on the edge of Georgetown, for a day party with DJs and food trucks. 3 to 8 p.m. $7.50-$155.
Tropical Plant Sale at the U.S. Botanic Garden
Ever wish you could take plants from the U.S. Botanic Garden home with you? Join the club. (Well, maybe not the corpse flower.) At this annual sale, organized by the Friends of the U.S. Botanic Garden and Rewild, you can purchase succulents, tropical plants, orchids and other plants similar to those on display, and talk to garden experts about the best ways to keep your new babies thriving. Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Free; no registration required.
Shop! The Square at the Square
New downtown food hall the Square is home to outposts from a plethora of buzzy chefs, including Taqueria Xochi’s tacos, pizza slices by the team from Pluma bakery, and churros and soft-serve at Junge’s. But once a month, the Square is going beyond food with a retail pop-up called Shop! The Square, where artists, crafters and curators of secondhand clothing set up mini-boutiques. The Atrium Bar is open during the event for both boozy and spirit-free drinks, and at 4 p.m., you’ll be able to order piña coladas and more tropical drinks from tiki pop-up Lost Island Vibes. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Free; reserve a spot online.
Frühlingsfest at Aslin Beer Company
Aslin’s ticketed spring festival is back for a third year, offering a selection of its own craft beers and 16 creations from breweries around the country. Tickets include four eight-ounce drink tickets and a custom tasting glass. Noon to 5 p.m. $25.
Tacos and Tequila at Nationals Park
Try more than 30 tequilas and mescals, plus taco samples from Mission, El Techo, Surfside and more at Nationals Park’s Tacos and Tequila festival. Dewey Beach, Del., band Love Seed Mama Jump provides the tunes. A general admission ticket will get you 12 tastings; a VIP add-on for $35 includes cocktail-making classes. 4 to 7 p.m. $75.
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