The Weekend Scene: Theater picks and free museum days are fun for rainy days in the DC area (2024)

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We'll start with the not-so-good news: The Washington, D.C., area is staring down another soggy weekend.

But we have two bits of good news!

First, Saturday's rain is actually great weather for a Preakness Stakes race watch party complete with homemade black-eyed Susan co*cktails.

Second: There's still hope for some dry time on Sunday. Keep tabs on the forecast with Storm Team4, and check an event's website before heading out. We've already seen Fiesta Asia rescheduled to June 1.

Have a great weekend!

Theater this weekend

What better way to spend a rainy weekend night than at the theater? Luckily, there are some special shows in D.C. this weekend.

• Theater premiere: “Expecting”: May 16-25, The Keegan Theatre, $40
• “Jesus Christ Superstar”: 50th anniversary performance: Fri., Sat., Sun., The National Theatre
• Theater world premiere: “Mexodus”: Opens Thurs., Mosaic Theatre Company
• Cirque du Soleil: Corteo: May 17-25, EagleBank Arena
• "Hair": Through July 7, Signature Theater

Museum Walk Weekend

Sat. and Sun., 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Dupont Circle
🔗 Details

We love museums on a rainy day, and seven museums in the Dupont and Kalorama neighborhood are waiving admission fees on Saturday and Sunday.

While D.C. is filled with free museums, these smaller institutions normally charge for admission. But during Museum Walk Weekend, you can go for free… just be ready for extra crowds.

Here are the participating museums:

• Anderson House
• Dumbarton House
• Dupont Underground
• National Museum of American Jewish Military History
• O Museum in The Mansion (access to gardens, gatehouse and “Secret Gardens of Asia” exhibit only)
• The Phillips Collection
• The President Woodrow Wilson House

Celebrate Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander heritage

During May, we take extra time to elevate and celebrate Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander heritage.

On Saturday, join our own Eun Yang and Aimee Cho to enjoy the culture, highlight the food and speak to changemakers right in the DMV.

We promise it’s an uplifting and illuminating watch for a rainy morning. The half-hour special airs at 9:30 a.m. on NBC4. Stream it here.

Of course, there are many great ways to celebrate while out and about.

• 🏮Mark your calendar for the Asian Festival on Main, bringing food, arts and performances to historic Fairfax City. It’s set for Sunday from noon to 6 p.m.; the rain date is June 2.
• 🏮The Asian Art Museum is ideal for a rainy weekend. The Smithsonian has a full listing of heritage month events here.
• 🏮Stop by metrobar on Sunday for the AAPI Brewers Tasting Party. Two time slots are available and, yes, soju is on the menu.
• 🏮 NOTE: The Fiesta Asia Street Fair was rescheduled to Sunday, June 1. It is set to feature hundreds of performers, a lively parade with dragons, kids’ activities, shopping, cuisine and more, representing the huge diversity of Asian cultures.

Weekend highlights

Preakness Stakes
Saturday, Pimlico Racecourse in Baltimore
🔗 Details

Mix up your black-eyed Susans!

The 2024 Preakness Stakes in Baltimore is on Saturday, and all eyes will be on Mystik Dan after he won the Kentucky Derby with a photo finish. Here's everything you need to know about the second jewel of the Triple Crown – the rainy weather is perfect for a watch party (😉 yes, it’s on NBC4. Coverage kicks off at 4:30 p.m.).

There are still a few tickets left for the Preakness race. Hit up Preakness Live to watch races and live music, including Jack Harlow.

Tickets start at $162 for the race and $69 for the concert.

Free pick
Trans Pride
Sat., 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., MLK Jr. Memorial Library, free
🔗 Details

Trans Pride is all about bringing together the community and its allies; connecting people with vital resources and sharing stories to promote understanding, Trans Pride DC executive director Bianca Sprague tells us.

Expect workshops, a resource and exhibitor fair, live entertainment and more for a full day at the MLK Library in Chinatown.

It’s geared toward trans, non-binary and gender-expansive folks, as well as parents of kids who identify this way, but allies are welcome, too.

Bourbon & Bluegrass
Sat. and Sun., Northwest D.C., $50-$115 (for adults)
🔗 Details

Raise a glass of bourbon and enjoy some tunes… all in the name of protecting President Lincoln’s legacy.

Hear us out: Lincoln’s Cottage, the historic site where Honest Abe would spend summers in Northwest D.C., is having their largest event of the year on Saturday and Sunday, raising funds to keep the place running and preserved for generations to come.

The lineup is super dynamic and diverse. Both days are a great way to experience a historic place with a musical twist.

The event is family-friendly and free for kids 6 and under. Ticket options let you choose your own adventure: Go for one day or two, or pay extra to get a pair of drink tickets included. All attendees can savor as many non-alcoholic beverages as they please.

Concerts this weekend

The Goons, 8 p.m. Friday, Black Cat, $20

In the ‘90s, these D.C. punks relit the torch for early hardcore. You may have seen them then, as they were known for playing all the time, but these days this is a treat for hardcore fans. Opening is HR Band — legendary singer HR of Bad Brains, of course. Details.

Birthday Girl, 10 p.m. Saturday, Comet Ping Pong, $18.54

Teenage trio featuring daughters of Dischord legends is the now generation of D.C. indie rock. Identifiable, poignant songs of adolescence and full-grown tunes similar to Snail Mail. Details.

Julia Holter, 6:30 p.m. Sunday, The Atlantis, $22

Ambient-pop singer-songwriter known for haunting soundscapes and catchy pop tunes. She took a more minimalist approach to many of the compositions on this year’s “Something in the Room She Moves.” Details.

Things to do in D.C.

Music in the Meadow: Cumbia Heights
Fri., U.S. National Arboretum, $25 suggested donation

Africa on the Avenue
Sat., 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Bruce Monroe Park on Georgia Avenue, free

Friendship Heights Alliance Spring Maker's Market & Street Festival
Sat., May 18, 3-7 p.m., 5200 block of Wisconsin Avenue in Washington, D.C., free

Comedy: Aparna Nancherla
Sat., The Kennedy Center, $28.75+

Tacos and Tequila
Sat., 4-7 p.m., Nationals Park, $75

Mystics vs. Seattle Storm
Sun., May 19, 3 p.m., Entertainment and Sports Arena, $30+
FYI: Brunch and Basketball combo tickets available

Killer Mike with the National Symphony Orchestra
Tues., May 21, The Kennedy Center, $49–$169

Kayak Full Moon Paddle From Key Bridge
Weds., May 22, Georgetown, $75

Things to do in Maryland

Music in the Park
Fri., 6-8 p.m., Triangle Park in Takoma Park, free

Mount Rainier Day
Sat., 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Mount Rainier Nature Center, free

Tye Tribbett and Friends: Only One Night Tho
Sat., 8 p.m., MGM National Harbor

Things to do in Virginia

Lincoln Strawberry Festival
Fri. to Sun., 18451 Taylor Rd. Hamilton, price varies by event

BrewWorks
Sat., noon to 5 p.m., Workhouse Arts Center in Lorton, $50 (adult general admission)

Tephra ICA Arts Festival
Sat. and Sun., Reston Town Center, free

Spring Wine Festival & Sunset Tour
Fri., Sat. and Sun., Mount Vernon in Alexandria, Virginia, $54-$60 for nonmembers

Ancient Plants Sketch Hike
Sat., 10 a.m., Huntley Meadows Park, $18 (registration required)

Quarterfest Crawl
Sat., noon to 7 p.m., Ballston, free

Taste of NoVA
Sun., National Museum of the U.S. Army in Fort Belvoir, $165 (general admission) or $190 (VIP admission)

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